Recently, my Grandpa was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma which a a rare form of blood cell cancer that has no cure. Need less to say, it has been a rough few weeks in our family and my Grandpa was also hit hard with a pneumonia and suffered two heart attacks on top of everything else. As of last weekend, the doctor was not sure if he would survive the pneumonia.
After I heard the news about my Grandpa and I spoke with Eric, I went straight into my kitchen and I baked a loaf of Banana Bread to bring to the hospital. Baking comforts me in a way that I can’t really describe; no matter if things are going good or if things are going not so good, baking seems to always provide me with whatever I need at the time. Enjoyment, relaxation, satisfaction, or solace. Baking has taught me that things don’t always work out as we anticipate and sometimes we have to get through the dirty dishes and start again the next day.
I stood there with tears dripping down my face as I measured ingredients with the utmost precision. I chopped some dark chocolate.
Shortly thereafter, Eric’s head peeked around the door (he must have smelled the chocolate).
‘Need some help?’
We stood in the kitchen and talked about my Grandpa as we baked banana bread.
Eric and I went to visit my Grandpa in the hospital last weekend and it was really difficult to see him so frail, but at the same time, we were really glad to be able to visit him in such positive spirits despite everything going on. He has always been a strong and upbeat person and I was happy to see that still rang true.
On Saturday, just after Eric and I had finished eating our Black-Eyed Pea Masala, I received a call. My grandpa was doing so well that they were going to let him leave the hospital as long as his health was stabilized. His blood count was also looking so good they decided to take him off of the antibiotics. This was not only wonderful news, but it was also timely news; my mom just flew in on Friday for a visit and it was a true blessing for her to be able to have such a great visit with her dad during her stay.
So, was it the luck of the Black-eyed peas?
I guess we’ll never know, but one thing is for sure I’m going to keep some in my pantry just in case.
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{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
I am happy your grandpa feels better and I am so sorry to hear about his health problems. It is so hard when people you love get sick – I think even harder than when it’s you – my thoughts are with you!
This is so sweet! I’m so sorry to hear about your grandfather but also so glad to hear he is doing well! I will keep you and you family in my thoughts :)
xo
So glad your grandpa is doing better. Thoughts and prayers are with you!
I’m so happy your grandfather is doing better. I had tears in my eyes reading your post,I know how hard this is. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Sending you love and best wishes xxx
Your Grandpa is in my prayers. I have a very special relationship with mine, so I am totally with your family with my heart and I will pray for all of you, maybe I will even cook some black eyed peas for all of us to have more luck!! Wish him well, even if I dont know him, hooe you will say that I said : “HI” :) and “Be strong!! ”
Hugs!
I’m so sorry to hear about your grandpa’s illness but it’s great that he is improving. I”m sending good vibes your way.
Hi Angela~thanks for sharing such a tough news with us~and I’m so thankful to see that it’s gotten better! I will be praying for you and your family and your gramps. Someone out there is listening. :)
Thank you for sharing this. Very sad news but what amazing timing with the good- I hope your grandpa continues to improve. I entirely agree with baking being calming, I always bake when I’m upset and/or sad and just really don’t know what else to do- and it always helps :)
So sorry to hear about your grandpa, Angela. But so happy to hear that he is already doing better! I can totally identify with the solace you find in baking, except I find it in photography. I’m not even very good at it, but something about snapping away really settles my emotions during hard times. Such a blessing to have something like that, and I’m glad that baking was able to bring you comfort during this time.
mmmm that looks bomnb!
Your Grandpa will be in my prayers. Glad to hear that he was able to leave the hospital!!
Thinking about your sweet grandfather!
I’m so glad your grandpa is better. Sending prayers your way. I agree cooking is cheap therapy, huh?!
My thoughts are with your family Angela – I hope everything is OK.
xx
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers!
So sorry to hear of your Grandpa’s ill health. My grandfather was so special to me and it meant so much to be with him towards the end. Savor the moments you do have with him.
Love to you and your family.
Sorry to hear about your grandfather and his diagnosis. If you need support or information about Multiple Myeloma the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (lls.org) is a great source of information. I work in an oncology/bone marrow transplant unit so I see patients with this disease on a daily basis. Best of luck to all!
Best wishes for your Grandpa- I know that stuff can be tough to deal with :-(
My best wishes for your grandpa. My dog has this too.
Oh no Ange, I’m so sorry to hear about your Grandpa! I can’t even imagine what you must be going through right now. I’ll keep him and your family in my thoughts.
Call it peas or the power of prayers, I am really glad that your grandpa is doing well now! I hope he only gets more and more strength now!
Thoughts and prayers to your Grandpa, Angela.
Im sorry to hear about your Grandpa, but what great news it is that he’s doing better. I hope he continues to get better and stronger. When my Grandpa was sick, it was so hard to see that big strong man so weak. Its a really difficult situation. Your family will be in my thoughts.
My prayers are with you, your grandpa, and your family.
That’s great news! He’s a lucky guy! I guess you’ll be eating those peas a bit more often eh? ; )
I’m glad to hear your grandfather was able to go home. You all will be in my thoughts!!!
You have an amazing family :)
I’m keeping you in prayers..
Keep up the spirit, he’ll be just fine..
Many, many prayers for your grandpa and your entire family!
Sorry to be so late in saying something dear Angela. I know how hard it is to see a loved one especially a grandparent suffer. But I am so happy to hear that he is doing much better :) That is great news. We have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Wishing all the best!!! xoxo
The Pure2raw Twins
I’m so happy for you and your family, Angela. My own 90-year-old grandpa has just recently survived two bouts of cancer in one year, and my 96-y-o grandmother has bounced back from falling and puncturing her lung and cracking ribs. It’s horrible to go through, but so wonderful when they recover as we all hope :)
Blessings to you and your family Angela!
Sounds like your grandpa is a fighter!
I will be saying lots of prayers for you and your family!
I’m so sorry to hear about your Grandpa, but hopefully this improvement will last a long time and give you many more happy years with him :) I lost my Grandma this past weekend very suddenly, but she lived a long 96 years of wonderful life full of family, friends, and love.
My family has carried on the tradition of eating black eyed peas and stewed tomatoes every year on New Years day to bring good luck in the upcoming year. Funny how those weird superstitions become tradition :)
Ohhh! You and your family will be in my prayers!!!
Hope your grandpa is doing better!!! xoxo
Black-eyed peas masala look ummmm-mazing!
I am so sorry to hear about your grandpa. My grandmother was also recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma, so my family feels your pain. I pray that God heals them both!
I know that this is late- but I wanted to say that 5 years ago, my grandfather got acute leukemia, pneumonia, shingles, temporal arteritis, a necrotic infection and several other things all at the same time. It was a really, really tough 3 years ( 1 year chemo, 2 years recovery plus pneumonia), but he made it through. They are statistics, and I know it seems like someone that age hardly has a fighting chance, but I swear to God, if they want to live, that is more important than anything.