Day 6: I Can't See My Grandpa In The Hospital, But Let's Go To A Restaurant With Fifty Strangers

^ Me, my grandpa, and my sister ^

Before I get into my feelings, I want to start by saying, yes, I know that the hospital is the worst place to be right now. Everyday, countless healthcare workers go into hospitals, nursing homes, continuing care centres, group homes, and risk their lives. Knowing that they could come into contact with COVID19. I want to thank all healthcare workers for being warriors through this pandemic. I completely understand the restrictions on visitors, but comparing it to other settings makes it seem a little ridiculous.

Two to three times a week, my mom goes to visit my grandpa in the Cornwall General Hospital. My grandpa has been in said hospital as well as the Ottawa General Hospital since his birthday, December 23, 2020. That was the last day I saw him. When my dad took him to the hospital I remember thinking I couldn't wait until he gets home. I couldn't wait until Christmas day when my sister and her son would come and our family bubble would be together for one special day. I remember hugging him and telling him that I love him, and that I would see him soon. I had some worry in the back of my mind about the possibility that his condition would be critical and he wouldn't return home for Christmas. I tried to put the worries to bed, but then he didn't come home.

That night he was taken by ambulance to the Ottawa General Hospital where they preformed an emergency tracheostomy surgery. There was a blockage in his throat, which had been making it really hard for him to breathe. My grandpa no longer has a voice. With the cancer on his voice-box and the location of the trache, he will most likely never be able to speak again. Later we were notified that it was tumours in his throat. A little over a month ago, they began radiation, twenty treatments. There has been no update on whether the cancer is cured as of yet.

Right now his social worker is trying to find him a nursing home or continuing care centre where they are trained to take care of traches, as well as stomach tube feeds (He was choking a lot when eating).

With COVID19, If hospitals are allowing people to visit patients, then it is typically only one person consistently. My mom is allowed to go visit for one hour each day, but she works, so she goes when she's off. (The hospital is also nearly 2 hours away from us)

As much as I understand the restrictions for healthcare facilities, I have to question the balance of restrictions. I know that it is important for all businesses to continue running, and the possibility of people having to close their businesses for good is devastating. However, all I want is to see my grandpa.

From the beginning, when COVID19 first hit Canada, I wish there would have been a stricter lock down. If they would have kept everything shut down other than grocery stores (Not department stores: i.e Wal-Mart) and pharmacies. Plus, shutting down the airports and closing borders right away, I think we could have been okay. It could have taken a couple months, and then all businesses could open and we could function nearly normally. I could have seen my grandpa.

I know people all over the world are suffering, they are not able to see their families. I believe if greed didn't overcome the people in power, we would have been walking free long ago. I believe that we should continue wearing masks for a long time as a precaution. I mean, did anyone get the flu this winter? They help, a lot. They give me crazy acne and awful skin, but they save our lives.

Just remember that you aren't wearing a mask for yourself, you're wearing a mask for those around you. Not wearing one, or not wearing it properly is basically saying that you don't care about others lives.

When the vaccine is made more available to you, I hope you ca find in within yourself to go and get it. As much as I disagree with vaccines, I just want the world to be okay again. If taking the vaccine means seeing my grandpa, I will take it. I would do anything. Whenever I think about the possibility of me refusing the vaccine, I think of all those who have passed from the effects of COVID19. I think of all of those around me whom I could infect. I think of every citizen I could possibly come in contact with. I think of everyone who wants to get back to their lives. I think about Roney Jamieson alone in a hospital bed crying in a depressed state because all he wants is to see his granddaughter.

Me and my grandpa have a special bond, we are both quiet, but so much alike. Ever since I was young he and my late grandma were everything to me. They were like my second set of parents delivered to me by the gods. Their home, was always my second home. The kindest people I have ever had the privilege of having in my life.

This is a photo of me and my grandpa on a video call. When my mom goes to the hospital, she calls me if I'm not working or in school so I can see him. He always cries instantly, and pulls out his draw/erase board out and starts writing. Every time he asks me how I'm doing in school. Education has always been very important to him. He never got the chance to further his education, so, he believes if we are able to go to college then we should. I'm happy that at least through this time, we have technology to help us see loved ones.

This 91 year old man is one of my hero's, and one of my favourite people. I can't wait till the day I can see him in person, and hug him again.

https://cornwallsportshalloffame.com/inductees/jamieson-roney-zip/ This is my grandpa when he was young. He's in the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame for Lacrosse.

I hope y'all are enjoying your day, despite everything that's going on. It's important to find the light in the darkness. It's been just over a year. Two days ago Seneca was locked down, and I began online classes today a year ago. Here we are a year later, same same. But I am safe, and healthy.

ALRIGHTY THEN.

I have to get to my first class of the week!

Thank you humans for reading my daily thoughts,

x

Kailee