World of Jop

After a week of hard working, I was looking forward for a relaxing weekend; but fate had something different in mind. Saterday early morning I was wake up by a call from Liesbeth, my youngest sister; my grandmother had had a heart-attack and was in hospital, in critical condidition.

Obvioulsy I went to hospital as fast as possible, to see my granny and support my mother. On my way, many thoughts went through my head…Like, why I was too busy to fix a date to meet my granny for diner recently, while I realise my grannies are getting older and it will not be possible anymore one day…Than, I also felt happy I was not abroad at this moment. In fact, my grannies probaly have been the most important reason to come back to the Netherlands instead of staying in Asia, something a big part of my heart wanted and still wants.

It was kind of emotional to be back in the Rijnstate Hospital of my city Arnhem again. Several years ago, I was in the same hospital with my grandmother (the same one who is in hospital now) because my grandfather had a brain-infarct, and was in coma. The rest of my family was on a vacation in Denmark; I had stayed home to take care of the house and the bird-hopsital of my mother. It was the most difficult task in my life so far, than, as we had to make the decision to go for a heavy surgery, which would make my grandfather a man without a normal life, or to let nature do its work, which would mean the end of my grandfather. We decided to do the latter in the end, as my grandfather already had become very weak and dependent, which he hated being a very proud and independent person. The next night my family came back, and my grandfather died. The night my grandmother and me spend together with my grandfather in coma has brought us very close together.

The situation yesterday was very serious, and pictures showed that she had to undertake a very heavy heart-operation. If not, she would die in a week. I could not believe it, my grandmother is still so vital and mentally healthy…By than my sisters and father also were there, and everyone had the chance to say some words to granny. It was bizar…it might have been the last words…Allthough things look stable now.

My granny needed to be operated in Nieuwegein, a city close to Utrecht, and parents and me went there too. We stayed with my granny as long as possible, and the moment she fell asleep because or narcose was a difficult one….Especially as the docters had spoken their big concern about the situation, and told that they had detected even bigger problems than seen before.

We could just wait…While we did, I went to bathroom to pray. Very little people know I pray sometimes, not being raised religious at all….But praying often gives strength, and when I pray ussually feel Someone is listening…

Would it be because of that? The operation went perfectly, and the problems were less than they had foreseen…the heart has been repaired, and the situation of my granny is stable now. Still, we have to wait….the recovery will be a hard process for a lady of 82, but than, my grandmother has a strong determination and will for sure. Well, I am full of hope now…and keep on praying of course!