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Monday 30 May 2011

Rest in Peace Grandad

It is with great sorrow that I must announce that Paul's Grandad passed away this morning.

Ernest Hicks 10th August, 1920 - 30th May, 2011

We had a phone call from the hospital at 8.15am this morning to say that he was nearing the end and we made a mad dash to try and get there but unfortunately we didn't make it in time. I don't speed when I am driving and always wondered what circumstances would make me do so. Well this morning I was doing 60 MPH in a 40 zone in a desperate attempt to get Paul there in time and seemed to hit every bloody red light on the way. I was grateful that it is a bank holiday today in the UK so the roads were quiet, but also that Paul wasn't trapped at work and would not have been able to get to the hospital to say goodbye to him.

He has been in hospital for the last couple of weeks with a water infection and had cancer in his prostate which was spreading. Unfortunately to further complicate things he then developed pneumonia which wouldn't shift. They started giving him Morphine on Wednesday as he was in so much pain and we saw him fall asleep and he had so much relief, that will be our lasting memory of him that in the end he was out of pain.

They told us he passed peacefully without pain this morning and to be honest it was lovely to see him without the constant struggle to breathe and be at peace. The photo above was taken on his 88th birthday which was 6 months before he started to become ill the 1st time he was hospitalised so this marks the end of over 2 years of ill health where a tremendously active man who was the sole carer to his wheelchair bound disabled son could not even give himself a glass of water. It has unfortunately been a rapid decline since Easter and he himself didn't want to carry on anymore, dreading waking up the following morning.

We are all obviously sad he has gone, but happy for him that he is no longer suffering.

I was lucky to have shared 22 years of my life with this man and I am sad I will no longer be able to visit him and make him a cup of our favourite Yorkshire Tea but it was heartbreaking to see him in so much pain and I'm glad that he is in a happier place now.

Night night and God bless Grandad xxx


16 comments:

Jane said...

Mandy, sorry to hear your sad family news, with love Jane xxx

Jane said...

Hi Mandy, me again, I've made you a card, would you be happy to send me your address so I can post it to you? My email addy is janeyscards@ntlworld.com xxx

Stef H said...

i am so very sorry. you will be remembered in my prayers.

hugs :)

Jane (Carroll's Creations) said...

So sorry to hear of your loss sweetie. My love to you both at this difficult time :)

Hugs Jane x

Georgia Ehrmann said...

So sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts and prayers...I lost my brother 25 years ago this weekend and it still leaves a "hollow" in my heart...
Hope and pray that you can get through this difficult time...
hugs,
Georgia

Star said...

Mandy, prayers and love to you and your family in your time of leave. Hugs.

Love crafts forever said...

Very sorry Mandy. My prayers goes to your family. Big Bear hugs to you.
Nat

Gina K said...

Mandy, I just wanted to give you hugs!!!

Carmen said...

Really sorry to hear about your loss, Mandy! Hugs!

Petra said...

Mandy, so sorry to hear about your loss.
May God lift you both up in this, your hour of need.
Love, Petra
xoxo

Marjo said...

Sending loads of hugs your way Mandy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

xoxo Marjo

Jules said...

Hi Many

What a shame.

The first time I come to your blog and you have sad news to share.

I am sorry.

But I think you are right. It is selfish of us to wish people to stay with if they are suffering. Sometimes you have to love them enough to let them go.

He sounds like he was a remarkable man.

Take care.

Love Jules xx

Joanne Gilch said...

Mandy, Prayers for you and your family. While Ernest is without pain, you all are missing him so much...and it's for you that I will pray!!!

Jean said...

My prayers go out to you and your family in this difficult time. Blessings.

Lin said...

Mandy, I have just shed a little tear. How lucky Paul's Grandad was to have been so loved!

Lin xx

Carole of Brum said...

Mandy, I'm sorry to hear of your and Paul's loss, how very sad. He sounds like he was a great chap. CoB