My Grandpa

On the 22nd, my dad and grandpa headed out west to Southern Idaho, where my Grandpa is from. He wants to be "home" and see some people. My dad being retired, said "let’s go!". They drove out there, bringing the 5th wheel. On a good, yet sad note. Grandpa’s nephew from Oregon/Idaho, passed away (that’s the sad note). The good note, they were having his service in Idaho and my dad and Grandpa were there for it. Even if the trip wasn’t planned, he would’ve flown out there for this, and probably would’ve been my dad going to. So it worked out nice for them that they were already there for this. They had him cremated and they went somewhere on top of the mountains (above the tree lines). They put the ashes in 3 of his cowboy hats and each son threw the ashes into the wind over a cliff. I’m not sure if they threw the hat or just dumped it into the wind. I sure hope that he can view the world again with his eyes. He had lost his sight many years ago, due to an accident.

Our family has been going to Wyoming many years. Seems in the past 10 years, it’s been kind of falling apart. Not everyone wants or can go. I’ve been there close to 10 times. That trip was happening and my dad and Grandpa were going there from Idaho. That means them two are on a month long vacation. I choose not to go. Roger wasn’t going to be going due to work. I didn’t want to go alone with a 1 year old. Maybe if he slept better thru the night. I just didn’t think tenting, the cold nights, would be enjoyable. I know my mom would be there to help me but that’s not the same as going with Roger.

I don’t know the whole complete story. Turns out after a couple nights in the mountains (Wyoming), my dad and cousin decided Grandpa needed to go to the hospital. They called an ambulance for him. He was bleeding all over, from the inside out. They’re not close to town. I can’t remember how long away it is, an hour or 2. Turns out that they said "thank God they called an ambulance, he might not have made it". Even if somebody drove him. He needed the ambulance care. He ended up needing surgery for a stomach ulcer. My dad has been spending everyday with him and my uncle Ted has been spending every evening with him and staying in a hotel til my dad gets there in the morning. Kind of puts a damper on their vacation but really that does NOT matter. Grandpa needed to receive platelets. Once he got that in him, he perked up. They had a second batch of platelets be shipped to them. Had to come from Billings, Montana. Once that came, they decided he didn’t need them. Which is great! (My brother has been donating platelets and got my mom on it too, now I want to go with them and donate myself). My dad said that Grandpa ate his broth and whatever else easy yesterday. Breakfast today they were going to give him solids. I’m assuming soft solids like scrambled eggs and maybe toast. I hope that went well.

The family trip is coming to an end, today is the day everyone leaves the mountain. Stay in town at the KOA. This is usually the "yay a shower! A pool!" day. In the morning they’ll head back home. My dad will stay in Sheridan with Grandpa until they release him, which maybe Monday. He can park the 5th wheel at the hospital at no charge.

If you know me, my Grandpa means the WORLD to me. It has me so worried. I didn’t realize at first that it was that serious, that we almost lost him. There’s very little phone service there, so the updates are limited. Then now that he’s doing better, I’ve heard more. Keep getting better Grandpa, none of us are ready for you to leave us!