Grandpa Garrett 1/11/08

I've been somewhat out of touch lately. We had an emotional holiday with the near passing of Reid's Dad who suffers from Parkinson's Disease. The details are below with his Mom's email to the family:

taken Summer 2005

"Bill has been slowing down the last few months. Since Thanksgiving, I have been starting to stress as to whether I could continue working and leaving him home alone all day. I have been working a demanding job for 10 years now and never have a minute to think of my personal life while on the job. During the month of December, I would catch myself wondering how Bill was doing and anxious to get home at lunch to check on him. He was beginning to let up on showers, shaving, etc.--too painful and too tiring and lots of back pain, neck pain, etc. The last week before Christmas he had blood in his urine. On my first day off for our 2-week break, I took him to the doctor for a checkup and a urine sample. The doctor didn't think it looked like it had an infection but gave Bill some samples of high-powered antibiotics anyway. They did clear up the blood after the first dose. On Sunday before Christmas, Bill didn't want to go to our family party at Ryan's. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have thought too much of it, but this time I was really stressed because I wasn't sure I should leave him alone. Since Reid was down from Montana, Bill encouraged me to go which I did. Next day, the WHOLE family came to our house after sledding in the mountains. Bill came out and visited for a bit, then retired to his bedroom. He took it easy on Christmas but enjoyed himself. Next day, I called on the urine culture which showed no infection so Doctor wanted a CT scan on his kidneys, which I scheduled 2 days later on Friday. In the meantime, we all wanted to go to a movie, but Bill didn't feel like changing from his PJ's so we simply put a jacket on him and went in PJ's (this is Utah--nobody cares!). At the end of the movie, Curtis (Kelly's husband) and I helped Bill to the parking garage while Lana and Craig got the car. Bill was so exhausted he didn't feel he would ever make it to another movie. Next day we went for CT scan. I walked him all the way in and helped him undress and dress again. The nurse offered to wheel him out to the van which she did. Next day I offered to bathe him and shave him since he just couldn't do it on his own. (That was a nightmare--bathing was easy, but he had no energy to get out of the tub). He finally made it to bed. Next morning I went to church as usual. When I came home, Bill was sound asleep and hadn't touched his breakfast or medicines. I figured the bath ordeal really exhausted him so let him sleep a bit. As the day went on, I just couldn't wake him up. Lana & Craig came over and she suggested I get some medical attention--we were worried about him not eating or drinking. I called my long-time friend and nurse and neighbor, shannon. She checked him and said his pulse and BP was normal. The she sat me down in the living room and explained that if we did nothing, he would have a peaceful passing in a week--two at the most. A trip to the hospital would revive hiim but he could end up in a nursing home. She suggested I call his doctor the next day which I did. His doctor wanted him to go to ER in an ambulance to be checked. My family and I were very hesitant only because we know how Bill feels about that very thing. I talked to the doctor a 2nd time who said we could wait a couple of days but defintiely have him checked, hoping for something simple that anitbiotics or a blood transfusion could correct. Amazingly, Bill woke up! So we could explain to him what was going on and got him to agree to go to the hospital. At the hospital ER, his BP was only 70/29 and his heart was in atrial fibrillation! Doctor said this was serious! Bill was conscious the whole time as they ran all their tests. Finally at the end of the night, New Year's Eve, the doctor said they could not turn that heart condition around so they could keep him for 2 days and try to get him back to how he was (in a weakened state) or we could take him home and he'd die in a day. I left the room and called my daughters--they said "Mom, BRING HIM HOME!" They felt strongly that is what Bill would want. When I returned to his room, the doctor told him to his face he would die in 24 hours if he went home--but that is what Bill wanted. So we left. We got home and the girls had party hats ready and Bill was wide awake, sat up in bed telling his stories, jokes and had us laughing and crying. I cannot even describe what an emotional roller coaster this was. We were all so sad knowing he would be dying soon. so everyone took their turns lined up around his bed to express their love and saying all they wanted to say. We videotaped on a cell phone. When we finally settled down for the night (our house was full--no one would leave) I truly prepared to wake up to a cold body. EXCEPT he woke up in the morning insisting to get up and use the bathroom. He also wanted breakfast. When shannon checked him that afternoon his heart rate was normal as was his BP.Next day, his doctor said nothing on his lab tests at the ER showed anything life threatening and to simply keep an eye on him and call if any concerns. The timing of the ER trip was miraculous in catching that heart problem but they could not correct it, so we are so grateful it corrected itself at home. I was stressing so bad about returning to work and leaving Bill so I simply told my boss I would not be able to return to work under these circumstances. Our missionaries are moving to another home this week after 7 years with us. Since our basement is now empty, Kelly and Curtis are moving back with us. We are going on the faith it will all work out. At present, Bill is slowly regaining his strength and we hope it continues. I doubt if he will ever be completely well again, but who knows. I hardly know what to do around the house--my mind is still at work, but know I'll dig in soon. I've worked full time outside the home for 15 years but I am sure feeling at peace being at home for now. I had no idea Bill was near death--I thought he was fast becoming bed-ridden and was feeling helpless. But now, he is getting up on his feet again and I HOPE I can get him out of the house on occassion. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS AND CONCERNS."

taken May'07

Reid had called his Dad on New Years Eve before they took him to the ER. The only thing he could mutter was "I love you, Reid", but Reid had the opportunity to say all the things he wanted to say to his Dad. We are so thankful that Grandpa Garrett has more to do here on the earth. We believe that he was kept here because he has more to teach his grandchildren. They've certainly learned a lot about eternal families through this experience.

We Love You, Grandpa Garrett!