I wish I could express how relieved I am that I was able to be there -- to see my granddad for myself, to see him smile and wink at me despite everything that is going on, to knit and watch Westerns and war movies with him and my dad in the silence, and especially to be there with my dad because I know this is quite a responsibility for him.
While I was there, we found out he has bladder cancer that has spread. It is likely a matter of time before the main tumor causes kidney failure and he passes away. He is being moved to a nursing home within a few days, which I know he's not happy about. He hasn't been eating much, and I wonder if he's willing himself to shut down at this point.
So that's that. I've been happily distracted since I got back from Pittsburgh, because my brother and his girlfriend are in Virginia Beach for the week on vacation. Seeing them is helping take my mind off things for now. I've spent lots of time with them. They and I (along with my boyfriend) took a little road trip Monday to the Eastern Shore. We stopped on the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel to check out the views -- we saw a fisherman reeling in a three-foot-long shark. So cool!
We also visited Kiptopeke State Park and hit up the little village of Cape Charles for some mini-golf and cold beverages. They have had good beach weather all week -- it's just been in the 90s. So hot! I visited the beach house Tuesday and today. I've been wearing SPF 50 and sitting in the shade most of the time -- when I wasn't in the pool. I avoided getting burned, but the freckles on my nose are a little more noticeable.
Tonight, Josh and I are going on a double-date with my brother (also a Josh, for those who don't know) and Megan. I can't wait. Having my boyfriend and brother in the same room is just awesome. They are so funny -- and they're really, really good at teasing me. Together.
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