Pondering the Choices

We feel bad when we can't always get to leaves messages for our furends on their blog's but we do stop by every (very early)  morning while Mommy has her coffee. Most mornings I, Lily Belle, get up with Mom and lay on the couch right next to her and she reads all the news to me. Mommy doesn't sleep well to start with and with all that has been going on here with Grandpa Bob and his health, her sleeping is even worse.

We know that when life throws you lemons, you make lemonade. We have so much lemonade around here these days that Muffin and I are thinking about opening up a stand out in front of our house.

Our dishwasher that was only 7 years old and was here when we bought the house 5 years ago, well it crapped out on us. We had the man here twice to look at it and he said there was nothing wrong with it and could not explain why it didn't clean the dishes. Thank you Sears. You were most helpful! So Daddy decided that since Mom's birthday is less than a month away, he bought her a new one. We told her she should have told Daddy that her diamonds were broke. The nice installer was here this morning with her gift. And no, we did NOT buy it from Sears.

Mommy's broken tooth is partially fixed. Her new tooth will be installed next Friday. Mommy still thinks a crown on her head would have been much better than one in her mouth. As much as she HATES going to the Dentist, she did really well and we are proud of her. She came home and only had to take one Xanax instead of two. ha ha ha ha ha.....

Mommy was able to get Grandpa's Colonoscopy rescheduled for October 1st. Hopefully we can put all those issues behind us (no pun intended.)

Now yesterday was a BIG day for Grandpa Bob. All his tests results were in and it was time to talk to the Surgeon again about his aneurysm. Mommy was really happy for a change that her Brother Bob went to the appointment with them. She said she is just gonna sit back, listen and let someone else make all the decisions this time. And that's exactly what she did!

The Surgeon said after reviewing the test results, they are willing to go ahead with the surgery but it would not be without great risk.

First off, they are not even sure they are able to repair the already stented aneurysm. In a good case scenario if they couldn't reach it from going in through the groin, they would then open you up and repair it that way. But because of Grandpa's not so good health, that is NOT an option. She said he would never survive that surgery. So if they can't repair it "the easy way" it will not be repaired. They of course, are still very concerned about his bad breathing. Again, being intubated at his age and in his condition is not a wise decision. She said that intubation will be only done as a last resort should it be required. And we know all the risks associated with that.

There is no easy answer when it comes to having an aneurysm. He could do nothing and just let it be. The growth rate would be about 2% per year. Because it is already very large, 2% a year is a BIG deal. If it were to rupture you have about 5 minutes of excruciating pain before you die. It could also just grow and never rupture. It could also rupture during surgery. Geez!

(He also has a 2nd large bulge that can never be repaired. That's the one that would cut off all the blood supply to his lower body.)

There are no easy or simple solutions for Grandpa Bob. When they asked the Surgeon what would she do if this were her Dad, she said it's 50/50 and all boils down to personal choices. Either way there is risk.

So Mommy sat there and listened to Grandpa Bob and Brother Bob talk and discuss it all. To Mommy, there is no right or wrong choice when the odds pretty much suck either way. They decided that the best option was to go ahead with the surgery. Grandpa Bob is now scheduled for surgery on October 10th.

Life is what it is and our outcome in life is NOT in OUR hands! Mommy learned this lesson the hard way as Grandma lay dying in her arms. Mommy knows all about having to make difficult decisions in life; even when that life is not your own.

Mommy has said many, many times "until you've walked that last mile in my shoes, you have no right to tell me how I should feel." After all these years, Brother Bob wants to be involved; Mommy said be my guest. She gladly steps aside. Better put on your big boy pants buster!

Our Mommy is one of the most loving woman in the world without a doubt! She has done so much for both Grandma and Grandpa and 4 other family members that she has taken care of, it's amazing that she is still sane. But one can reach a breaking point.

It's time now for her to let her heart try and heal a little. Let the BIG decisions rest on someone else's shoulders for a change. Mommy is at peace with her decision.

We continue to pray that all goes well and that Grandpa Bob will be with us for many more years.

Hugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin

P.S. We are not making any plans to return to Florida at this time.