Keith and his granddaughter Carly
Keith was visiting family in Dalby on Father’s Day in 1993 when a major cardiac event took everyone by surprise. The then 54-year-old had been about to begin his journey home to the Sunshine Coast when he felt a sharp tearing sensation in his chest, followed soon after by a loss of vision. While the ambulance was quick to arrive, it was a terrifying trip to Dalby Hospital as Keith went in and out of consciousness and paramedics had trouble detecting a pulse. Keith was promptly taken to the Toowoomba Hospital where it was discovered that his aorta had split and was continuing to dissect. Things were looking grim, so they rushed him overnight to The Prince Charles Hospital, Australia’s leading cardiothoracic hospital, for life-saving surgery.
Following this surgery Keith recovered well, however, his heart has continued to give him trouble in the three decades since. During that time, he has spent many nights at The Prince Charles Hospital receiving outstanding medical care.
Now 83, Keith always knew he had so much more life to live and was determined to get through each life-changing event. In saying that, it was difficult for Keith’s family to endure the events and his wife Lyn spent countless hours worrying about her husband. His grandchildren, including Carly, 37, would often visit him in hospital. Carly is incredibly grateful for the precious time she’s been able to spend with her beloved grandpa – and will never forget the first time she was able to introduce her own sons to him.
Special time with a special man
“When I was little Grandpa was so vibrant. He was a very young grandpa, and along with my family, I was lucky enough to live with him and grandma for a little while when I was about two. I have the fondest memories of that time. Their house was always full of music, kids, and animals. I’d get into their big bed in the mornings and their dog Charlie would bring the paper in to us. It still warms my heart to think about those days.
I was only young when grandpa’s heart started to fail him, so I didn’t really understand what was happening. I do, however, remember being very worried about him. I also remember visiting him time and time again at The Prince Charles Hospital. Sometimes I’d climb up onto his bed and we would do the cryptic crossword together. By that stage he was recovering, and he seemed happy and so well cared for.
He’s slowed down a bit now, but he’s still the type of grandpa who would come to his great-grandchildren’s concert even if he was in a wheelchair. He never wants to miss anything, and he was always so eager to get out of the hospital to join in on those family moments.”
Care that impacts generations
Over the past three decades Grandpa has been in and out of hospital. It hasn’t been easy, but I can’t thank everyone at The Prince Charles Hospital enough for the incredible care they’ve given him over the years, and of course for each extra precious moment we’ve been able to share together.
It’s only thanks to their skill, care and support that he’s been here as I’ve grown up. It’s thanks to them that he was at my wedding and that my children – his great-grandchildren – have had a chance to get to know him.
I’ll never forget Father’s Day in 2013. Grandpa was at The Prince Charles Hospital for another surgery and my mother was upset she couldn’t visit her dad that day. My oldest son was just three-weeks old, but I took him to the hospital to meet his great-grandfather. Grandpa was able to hold him in his arms and it is a moment I’ll treasure forever.
There’s nothing I can do to pay back such a debt of gratitude, but I encourage everyone who can to donate, so more grandparents like mine can have this incredible care and get home to the ones they love sooner.
Keith’s granddaughter, Carly
Help The Prince Charles Hospital and Caboolture Hospital provide the best possible care and support so more precious grandparents like Keith can return home from hospital in time for Christmas.
This Season of Giving donate to The Common Good and help fund life-changing medical research.
