Bowing out...

[wordsmith]

Hey, folks.

I'm writing to let people know I'll be making myself scarce around here. Didn't want to just vanish on you all. There's just a lot for me to deal with right now, and I need to go do that.

One of the things I need to deal with is that I just got the call that my grandpa is dying, which sent me here one last time for those of you who put that sort of stock in it for the whole good vibes, prayer thing. He's not that old by grandpa standards, but he has congestive heart failure. He went in yesterday a.m. with pneumonia, and this afternoon he went into renal failure. He's in a local hospital, which really isn't that well-equipped, but he won't withstand a helicopter ride to one of the metropolitan medical centers, most likely, so I think this is probably it. I don't think I'll be back on the boards for a while, and won't check this thread, but I appreciate your prayers for my family.

I wanted to say that though I have to go away, I'm not going because I'm mad, in light of any recent drama. I just can't be here right now. I hope the best for you all, and I'll see you again, I'm sure.

[WeirdBrake]

My warmest thoughts to you and your family. My maternal grandfather died of congestive heart failure in the summer of '02. You have my sympathies.

[lawya girl]

I'm VERY sorry to hear both that you're leaving and, of course, that your grandpa is sick. My prayers are with you.

[Angyl]

aw words.


I'm sorry about your grandpa. It's always hard when those things happen and I totally understand. I hope things work out and you're in my thoughts and would be in my prayers if I prayed.

I'll miss you, yo.

[mishl982]

(((words))) You and your family are in my thoughts.

[coll214]

Wow, WS I'm sorry to hear that ((HUGS)). I know that's painful to watch, i've had to do it all too much. Hang in there...

And as for leaving, I hate to see you go :cry:

[GetMeOuttaDC]

Ditto what Lawya said, Wordsmith.

I'll pray for you all, and I think I speak for all of us that I'll miss you.

((HUGS))

[tina1979]

my paternal grandmother died of congestive heart failure. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope to see you back on.

[shimmer728]

My paternal grandfather also died of congestive heart failure a year and a half ago. :( I'm so sorry to hear of this. Good luck with everything. I've always enjoyed talking about small-town journalism with you, and will miss that. :)

[midtwenty]

My father died of congestive heart failure when I was a teenager. It's tough.

My best to you and your family, word. You are a very closeknit and loving group of people, and that will serve you well during this time. If we can do anything for you, let us know. Everyone here cares.

*hugs*

[Deni81]

So sorry to hear that, I lost both of my grandmas last year. It's tough.

[Mad Dawg]

That's terrible news to hear. My prayers and thoughts are definitely with you. It has been less than a year since I lost my own grandfather, also young by grandfather standards, to a stroke that was probably brought on by grief and mourning in the wake of my grandmother's death. Keep your friends and family close throughout these trying times in your life. There is no substitute for that kind of support structure.

[inuts]

Hey, folks.

I'm writing to let people know I'll be making myself scarce around here. Didn't want to just vanish on you all. There's just a lot for me to deal with right now, and I need to go do that.

One of the things I need to deal with is that I just got the call that my grandpa is dying, which sent me here one last time for those of you who put that sort of stock in it for the whole good vibes, prayer thing. He's not that old by grandpa standards, but he has congestive heart failure. He went in yesterday a.m. with pneumonia, and this afternoon he went into renal failure. He's in a local hospital, which really isn't that well-equipped, but he won't withstand a helicopter ride to one of the metropolitan medical centers, most likely, so I think this is probably it. I don't think I'll be back on the boards for a while, and won't check this thread, but I appreciate your prayers for my family.

I wanted to say that though I have to go away, I'm not going because I'm mad, in light of any recent drama. I just can't be here right now. I hope the best for you all, and I'll see you again, I'm sure.

Best of luck. I'll miss you.

[asm198]

I am so sorry to hear this. Take care of yourself and your family. I realize you said you won't check this thread, but if you do and you need to talk, you know how to reach me.

[ce607]

I'm so sorry to hear this, Wordsmith. When my mom's father died a couple of years ago, I know it meant a lot to her to have family around her. Best wishes for all of you, and I'll look forward to seeing you back here when it's the right time.

[motochic]

I am sorry about your grandpa. I hope things work out and you and your family are in my thoughts prayers.

[Winter Storm]

Words, you go and take care of you and your family. We all understand, a lot of us have been there. You just do your on thing and we'll be here when you return.

((((((big hugs))))))))

[winneythepooh7]

I went through the same thing with my grandfather. Go do your thing and we'll all be here when you get back. (((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))).

[maxwell78]

I just got an IM from Words. She's just getting off work and is headed to the hospital right now, but she asked me to tell everyone that she just got a call and apparently her grandpa is stabilizing right now and to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers.

We're thinkin about you, Words.

[shinyleaf]

I'll miss you words.
Prayers to you and your family right now.
Take care

[Stormshadow]

My prayers are with you and your family. Stay strong--you'll get through this.

[heatherf]

I'm late on posting on this one......but all my best wordsmith. I just don't like seeing good people go through rough situations (bad people going through them is different ;) ) But we are all thinking of you. :)

[MetFanL]

I'll miss you, words. I hope everything goes well with your family. Stop by occasionally. :)

[Desiderata]

My thoughts and wishes are with you and your family right now.

[dazed]

I'm with everyone else....words, my thoughts are with you. try to stay strong.

[kimmer23]

we'll miss ya! come back one day....hehe!

hope your grandfather is doing better.

[wordsmith]

Hey, popped in to check a few PMs that came my way, and then I saw this, and wanted to say I'm deeply touched by the support. Some of y'all are true friends.

My grandpa's still pretty much the same, I've spent many hours in ICU, but it's hard to say what's going to happen, he's just very sick.

Miss y'all, and wish I could be here on a regular basis, but I really just can't right now, perhaps I will at some point. Still, wanted to say big thanks to those of you who kept me in your thoughts.

[lilyflower]

Aww, sorry to hear that WS, hang in there. *hugs*

[wordsmith]

My grandpa is still declining. I don't think he'll ever get to go home, sadly. Fluid buildup thanks to his heart problems has caused pneumonia, and it seems like everything they do to alleviate one condition aggravates the other, so there's no hitting a good balance. And worse, the lack of oxygen getting to his brain due to all the heart blockages is causing some dementia, so he's very unpredictable. One day when I was there, he was in good spirits and reminiscing with me, and other times, he's out of it and trying to "escape." He's also very depressed, when he's lucid, which also makes it worse. He keeps saying that he just wants to go home, for us to tell the doctors that he promises he'll just sit in the garage and listen to music, "and not cause any problems" if he can just go home. But he can't. I have gotten to spend time with him and talk to him, though, so I'm thankful for that.

In any case, I had been thinking for a few reasons that it was perhaps time for me to take some time away from the boards. But as it turned out, avoiding what's become a nice support system in my life made me feel even worse. So, I'm glad to have come back, and thank you all for your kind words.

[mishl982]

(((HUGS))) We're definitely glad that you came back, you know we're always here for you! :)

[Starfish81]

Words, I'm glad you're back. I'm sorry about your grandfather. I know that your visiting him wherever he is makes him happy.

[stonemonkey]

hey words, we're always here for you. You're doing all you can with your grandfather, and you have my deepest sympathies.

I can totally empathise with what you mean about taking a timeout from the boards, though, it really does help.

[paiger81]

Hey words, glad you are back.

I think it's great that you are having a chance to talk with your gramps. I did that the last 6 weeks of my gramps' life. I think having those private moments helped me to deal better with his passing than the rest of my cousins(who sorry asses didn't go to the hospital cause 'it was too hard'). Anyway, I'm still praying for your gramps so keep us updated.

[wordsmith]

Things continue to look down. Right now, the hospital is focusing on getting him well enough to come home and die, basically. Because he's now had several recent echocardiograms that show his heart functioning well below capacity where there's even any logical reason he should be alive, and his doctor thinks he's holding out because he wants to die at home and not in a hospital bed, basically that right now, he he's hanging on through sheer force of will. So if he can come home soon, he will, and then it probably won't be very long.

And there are family dynamics, of course that are making everything harder, so that's not fun, either.

:cry:

[shimmer728]

*Hugs*

We're all thinking of your family. Keep us updated.

[Starfish81]

I'm sorry, words. I've been in a position similar to yours more than once, and I know the whole situation must be very hard on you.

[lawya girl]

((((((Words)))))))

I continue to pray for you and your family.

[tina1979]

I'm so sorry Words. I've been there with one grandfather and one grandmother. You and your family are in my prayers. *hugs*

[maxwell78]

Me too Words.

[coll214]

I"m sorry Words... that's awful ((hugs)). And when family 'dynamics' gets in the way that just makes things feel even worse. Hang in there and we're all here if you need to talk/vent get it all out!

[Angyl]

*hugs*

Words, we're always around, yo.