emergency leave.

I haven't blogged in ages. This is why. Well, most everyone knows we recently went on emergency leave. We had gotten a call a few weeks ago that Chris's grandpa was back in the hospital. A few days later we got another saying they didn't think he was going to make it through this visit. We knew then what we wanted to do. In December of 2009, Chris lost his other grandpa. He had been in basic and had just come home on exodus. We said we would go visit and then he passed. We've beat ourselves up over not seeing him before he passed away. So this time, we wanted to make sure we had the chance to say a final goodbye. We called Red Cross and sent on the message. It did take a few tries, seeing as our FRG leader accidentally put the wrong Red Cross number. When we called that one it said it was out of service and to call another 800 number. We did and it was a dirty number. How awkward do you think it is to be calling to tell someone that your grandpa is in the hospital and hear 'Hey big boy, want to talk?'. LOL! So I googled the Red Cross number and found the right one. While Chris was passing on the information to them, I e-mailed the FRG leader to let her know the mistake so nobody else had to hear that. 

We never got a call that night, so Chris went in early thinking he was going to the field. His COC gave him the choice to go now and possibly miss the funeral, or wait until he passes and for sure make the funeral. We chose to go then so we could see him alive. We signed out and made it to Chicago around 2pm on the 23rd. The next morning we went up to OSF Saint Anthony's Hospital in Rockford, IL to see him. Conner was not able to go in the room because the infections he was fighting are contagious and we had to wear the plastic gowns and gloves and stuff. The very first thing he asked me is 'Did Conner's savings bond make it to you okay?'. This man is dying, and all he cared about was making sure everyone else had everything they needed. He's was an amazing man. They let Conner poke his head through the doorway so he could wave to him. He ended up not feeling so well, so we all let. 

About 5am the next morning he was moved from his regular room back into ICU. We went up when visiting hours began (8:30am) and stayed until they ended (8:30pm). It was such a change from the day before. His breathing was way more labored, but he was still talking to everyone. Conner of course couldn't go in again, but they let us hold him at the glass to wave and blow kissed. It was so sweet. I know it meant a lot to Don to have Conner there. He had to have been so happy that almost every family member was there to show support. It was hard to see him in so much pain. And it was hard to see the rest of the family in pain. All of us were so on edge, just waiting. The doctors finally had said that they had done all they can do. With that being said, the decision was made to have medication stopped. Why keep poking at him if it's not going to help? He did still have medicine to help control the pain. He was a fighter, that is for sure. One of the strongest men I've ever had the chance to know. I'm very grateful to be a part of his family.

A few days after being readmitted to the ICU, Hospice let him come home. All that he was on at home was oxygen. He passed away there the night of February 28th. However, the Hospice didn't get there til after midnight so he was pronounced on March 1st, which is what all of the memorial things say. Do you believe in signs for God? I do. Especially after all of the weird things that happened the few days prior and the day of his passing. A light that family had seen on a prayer card just before his passing. Chris's mom thought she had gotten a call on 2:07 in the morning (there was no call, but she swore she heard the phone ring) but at 2:07 in the afternoon they got one to get up to the hospital room. The night of his passing, we stayed at my mom's house. Conner was having a bad night and wanted to be by himself and kept talking to himself. Then when he had finally fell asleep, 5 minutes later we get the call that he had passed. When we went to the wake and brought Conner up, he instantly waved at Don. Then he looked up and waved. These simple little signs let us know he is still with us in the small ways.

Grandma Pat was able to have the wake and funeral (it was more of a service, as he is being cremated) while we were there. That's another thing, Grandpa Don knew we had to leave on Friday. The wake was Wednesday and the service on Thursday. He looked so peaceful. I am so glad we were able to be there for the whole thing. That we could be there in person to give love and support rather than sending flowers and a card. Although the whole ordeal was mentally and physically exhausting, we know we made the right choice to be there. 

Grandpa Don, you will always be loved and truly missed. Thank you for accepting me into the family, even the very first time I met you. We will always remember the Christmas dinners and Father's Day gatherings and how much love you offered to each and every single person you knew. You were the best husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, brother and friend that anyone could ever ask for. We know you are playing golf up in Heaven. We love you.

Love, Me.

Christmas 2009 - Grandpa Don and Conner meeting for the first time.

and here is the link to the obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dailyherald/obituary.aspx?n=donald-leroy-myrda&pid=149035373&sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d6e5a666b92b347%2C0