I had plans to decorate my downstairs WC today but I got a call from my dad at about 10am saying my grandad had been taken into hospital! He had a valve replacement in 2012 and he's not been right since! He got a chest infection last weekend and he's getting no better!

Off I went to the hospital to relieve my dad for a few hours, my grandad couldn't talk because he was breathless so I just sat with him and helped him when he needed it.

He's 86 and he used to be so active, a right bob the builder, never paid anyone anything if he could fix it himself! He had a "lady friend" from Germany and he used to drive there twice a year until his hips could no longer take it!

To see this man go from a strong independent fellow to having to rely on strangers from the residential home he is in and the hospital helping him use the toilet and changing his pants because he is to immobile breaks my heart.

He's had a good life but I can see in his eyes he's done. He has served his country for 20 years in the army and the dignity he once had has all gone.

Life goes by too quickly, I need to savour my time more and remember things better......