This may be the end, folks.

I was at Mother and Father's house in order to assist Mother with Grandpa's morning feeding through his feeding tube. My job is to act as a security blanket as Mother is mechanichally deficient and she is not as detached as she should be when it comes to the medical care of her father.

The nurse came, and we were prepared to get another lesson in home care when she took his vitals and noticed that there was a rattle in Joe's throat. She used the stethescope and announced that he had severe bronchitus. Joe said that he was having trouble breathing.

The nurse took Mother aside and said that he was skin and bones (he has suffered from disphasia from his stroke - he can't swallow) and that when the lungs start to fill up it is indicative of a patient being near the end. She had DNR formes for us (do not resussitate) and she said we should contact Hospice (people that assist in a comfortable death for loved ones). My father called the lawyer for advice.

It was then that Joe's breathing became more labored and the nurse told us that we should call the paramedics. She did it for us. She called 911. I went outside to wait for them. They came, and soon the house was filled with paramedics.

Joe Roes is at the hospital now. I have called everyone in the family. I am acting as the hub for our information network. We are all praying. We are comforted by the fact that he is almost 91 (just a few days away) and that he has lived a full and rather incredible life.

May God be with him through this struggle and on his journey.

Well I hope for the best for you and your family.

btw, which hospital is he at?

Ninety-one is an awesome age to reach. Sorry to hear about Grampa, though. I hope that whatever happens he is comfortable.

yeah. same here Parch, much faith goes to your fam.

Thanks guys. He really is an incredible person. He didn't get to fight in WWII (he already had a family) but he did what he could by working in a factory to make aeroplanes. He has always fought for equal rights for everybody. His family took to Socialism back when there was a big movement.

He never was a hippie wimp though. He looked like Arnold for most of his life and his sons joined the military and helped defend the country.

Thanks again for the support.

Check out my thread, I have another sad story [wtf is with death coming all at the same time here]. It's about my neighbour, he never went to WW2 but he was the mayor of my town for about 20 years. Sorry again.

Best of luck to your family Parcher, I hope he pulls through.

My great grandmother died a few months back and I was pretty close with her so I know what this kind've thing can be like. When she died I wasn't all that sad because she was pretty old and I knew that she probably wouldn't be around much longer. Best of luck to your grandfather, I hope he pulls through, and if not I hope his death is comfortable and peaceful.

My hat's off to you, Josh.

The first day that I begin my life where I must eat via a tube, somebody please come pull the plug. Thanks.

And while I feel bad for the situation and your family, there's no shame in the end to a life like that. But, of course, it will only be the beginning of another.