Upheaval

Just when it looked as though things were going to be on an even keel till the wedding was over, that famous wrench got thrown in the works.

When I came back from break, my boss's boss was sitting in the lab, waiting for me.

"You have a relative in the ER. They've asked for you to come immediately. I've told your boss that you probably won't be back for the rest of the day."

R's uncle had had a massive cerebral hemorrhage.

Apparently, last night, he fell from some steps as he tried to make his way to the family room. He has been in improving health for the last year from some kind of episode which put him in SICU for two weeks. He can't sleep in the bed, but instead slept either in a pulled out sofa bed or his recliner. It sounds as though he was making his way to one or the other when he fell.

He was transferred to BHTS early this morning. He has a 10% survival rate; surgery would ease the pressure if he lived through it, but the prognosis would be a permanent vegetative state. The bleed was on the left side of his brain.

R's aunt thinks it is her fault he fell because she wasn't with him. We told her that if he'd have fallen on her, she could have been hurt badly, too.

He's on a vent for now. His son is driving from Dallas - he should arrive at BHTS around 11 p.m. to say his goodbyes. He tried to fly, but could not get a flight to even leave until 11.p.m., so opted to bring his family along, because it looks as though they'll need to be here anyway.

When they'll shut off the life support remains to be seen. I don't think it will take long after that. His vitals are horrible; his wife and daughter kept looking to me for reassurance in hopes that somehow I could make it all better.

I can't. Death has already touched him - I felt the presence two days ago when suddenly I thought of this uncle and that something would be happening soon. I hadn't thought of him for several months. Another case of hindsight is 20/20.

The life force has already left his eyes. To me, that's when the soul has left the body.

We've spent a good portion of the day in the ER and SICU. The phone stays on my nightstand in case I need to head back.

If you're so inclined, please ask the God/dess for an easy crossing. And, even more so, to give peace and clarity to his wife, children and grandchildren who will be left behind.

Edit: R's uncle passed away this morning. The call must have come in while I was in the shower. Figures - I've been carrying the cell phone non-stop and the call comes in the one time I'm not near it. And now, although it may sound rude, I'm off to begin the tasks for living, loving and the celebration of life. Sadness will just have to wait till after the wedding.

Thank you for your prayers. I appreciate it so much.