Don't Struggle Like That; I Will Only Love You More.

My Grandad is a truely excellent man. Despite him being homophobic (you can hardly blame him, he's of that generation, he hasn't yet adapted to the times) and stubborn, he is a fighter. He's already fought through a heart attack a few years ago, now a stroke has tried to take him down but he is having none of it!

My mum told me off when we got out of the hospital. Apparently I'm useless because I didn't break down. I think my family expected more of a reaction out of me, but since when have I been one to express such a strong emotion infront of people that close to me? It was important to me that I didn't break infront of them, and especially, infront of my grandad.

He was responding well which could only be a good sign. The last time my mum visited, he didn't even recognise her, he wasn't moving or speaking. Today he knew who she was and understood that we had visited. My mum held his hand and he held it, she explained to him how freezing it was outside and that she was still cold from the weather. My uncle Tommy arrived. My mum made a joke about aloe vera (my Grandad loves the stuff!) and we could tell that he understood. He tried to talk but couldn't get any words out, just noise.

That really got me upset. My Grandad is the sort of guy that gets frustrated about little things, and not being able to get the words out is something I know would really tick him off.

I think this visit was harder for the family because they could see how upset he was getting. As before, we weren't getting much from him, but now he was responding and that got a reaction out of us. At one point while I went for a coffee, he pointed at my cousin Rebecca. He could move his arm up and point, phenominal really. She went over and said hello, not really knowing what to say.

It really shows you how horrific it can be when your family get hurt. Me and my Grandad were never exceptionally close, but I know that this was one thing I hope to never see again. He was just not his usual self. I never thought it would be this bad.

I am a rock, I am being strong for the benifit of my Mum. Right now, she needs a Gal Pal and a someone to let it out with. I know she's sick of my dad running around after her and my brother just drives us all up the wall. My mum knows I am here. Today was my way of showing her that this will not stop me trying to help her, because that's what she needs right now.

Michael, you're a fighter and you will get better, cause you're a stuborn wee buggar like that.