Rachels Blog

Sunday (Mothers day) when we talked to our mom for mothers day she let us know that dad was in the hospital and he wasn’t doing well. Around 9 we got the phone call on exactly what was happening, the tumor in my dad’s stomach had grown it was blocking his intestine so he couldn’t digest; therefore, he was throwing everything he ate and drank up. After hearing that I got a strong impression to go home work didn’t matter I needed to be home at this time. I talked to Sarah and let her know what I was going to come home, Jp was planning on coming home Tuesday.

Monday, Sarah and I left for our journey I drive the speed limit and under (safer and better gas mileage). We got to Delta around 8, we went straight to the hospital. Dad was looking good we spent some time chatting with him. I got to spend the night with him, every time he would hiccup I was ready with a bag for him to throw up. It was a long night, but a good night for me to see what my dad had been going through and my mom.

Tuesday morning I read to him from the Book of Mormon. After I read the chapter he bore his testimony, then I read the Little Prince to him. We got a handful of chapters into it before my mom come. I went home to do a few things and get ready for the day. I started to help mow the lawn, and cousins and aunts and uncles came over, we all went to the hospital and visited with dad. He was very tired and didn’t really talk just thanked everyone for coming and went back to sleep. Tuesday night we brought him home, I started to put ginger ale on his ice chips.. He liked that.

Wednesday morning first thing he asked me was to go sneak him some ginger ale for him to drink, so I did it, my mom didn’t love the idea at first then she realized that if he wanted it let him have it and I was. Wednesday he seemed to be doing ok, I was thinking he had at least two more weeks.

Thursday came he didn’t talk and he couldn’t walk. He expressed to Jp that he was going to try to make it to mom’s birthday so that she could collect his social security money because he thought she needed to be 60. The boys did research and found out that he didn’t need to be 60 things would be fine. So that night when everyone was at home Spencer, Phil and Jp gave dad a blessing letting him know mom would be fine and be taken care of..

Friday morning at 7 Spencer came and told me that dad had just passed away. We all chatting in his room for a long time. Thank goodness mom got a tramp for her mothers day, to keep the kids happy. We called Wendy(the nurse) and let her know, she called Dr Jackson. They both came by, then the Nickles came by and took his body. Before lunch Lily goes to the room he was in and comes back out and say’s did Grandpa already die? We told her yes.. It was a mellow day I ate lunch out side with Oscar and Kenzie as we were eating Kenzie decided to let me know that grandpa and died and gone to Heaven and was know with Jesus Christ. That was a good reminder that he was in a better place and much happier, no more pain… Even thought it is hard for me, I know that I will see him again and it will be a joyous reunion when that happens. And that he is with his mom and dad and his son Benjamin Jacob. The rest of the time has gone so quickly I cannot believe that I am going home Saturday what will my mom do after we all leave? I guess we will have to call and check up on her, often.