We got some updated information on my husband’s grandfather’s cause of death.  He had a heart attack, precipitated by him not taking his blood-pressure meds – for quite a some time, apparently.

Also, that he did not go in his sleep like we’d first been told (info was sketchy when we first heard) – but he had started to feel unwell, so went to go lie down.  His wife heard him start making odd noises and went to check on him and found him suffering the classic heart attack signs, and called 911.  The operator tried to help guide her through CPR on him, but he passed away despite their efforts.

I cannot imagine what it is like to watch someone die before your eyes while you try to save them.  My dad knows, and now my grandmother-in-law does as well.

The services will be Thursday.  My husband is worried that the Kiddo would not do well at the services, but I told him I am not concerned, she may not understand WHY everyone is sad, but she will still pick up on the fact that people are sad and will probably want to console them.  And we’ll sit toward the back so that if she does get bored and starts acting up one of us can slip out the door with her and take her outside or something.  She did fine at her cousin’s funeral when she was barely 10 months old, and that was before she could even speak, so I think she’ll be ok at this one.

Of course, if my husband’s brother decides to put his own kids (almost 4 yrs and almost 2 yrs old) at a sitter’s for the services, chances are hubby will want to do the same with the Kiddo.  Frankly I don’t think children should be excluded from funerals.  They may not fully grasp what is going on, but I see them as a way to help the healing.  They are a light to an otherwise somber and dark day.

We’ll just have to play it by ear I guess and see how it goes.

And, oh yeah – if you take BP meds, don’t just up and stop taking them unless your doctor okays it! It’s very sad to think that his death could have been prevented if he hadn’t stopped taking his meds. 

Tags: Blood Pressure Meds, Cpr, Funerals, Heart Attack