Posted: 11/20/07
Grandpa has best reason to be thankful this year
 Alexys Olson, right, gave her grandfather Leon Olson a gift that touched his heart in more ways than one. Her quick thinking helped save his life. |
By Steve Morris
It's probably safe to say that his granddaughter will be on the top of Leon Olson's list of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving day.
Olson's granddaughter, seven-year-old Alexys Olson, used a toothpick to unlock the bathroom door to reach her grandpa who was bleeding internally and in need of immediate medical attention.
The quick thinking action may have saved his life. How would a seven-year-old know to use a toothpick to unlock a door? Ironically, she learned the trick from her older siblings who, on many occasions, locked her out of rooms.
Leon Olson, 68, was at his home in North Branch Township recovering from quintuplet open-heart surgery he had Oct. 17. As a standard protocol, he was put on blood thinners.
However, he and his doctors didn't know he had three stomach ulcers which were exasperated by the blood thinners, causing internal bleeding.
GRANDPA'S HERO
The incident took place on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 3. Leon Olson had gotten up around 8 a.m. to use the bathroom. He soon knew something was wrong when he noticed blood in his stool. Then he became dizzy and lost strength, and was clinging onto the vanity to keep from falling.
"I was yelling for help. I thought I was going to fall on the floor and break open the stitches from the open-heart surgery," he said. "I sure was glad when the door opened and she was there."
His cries for help went unheard by the family for most of them were taking advantage of the weekend morning to sleep in. And Leon didn't have the strength for a loud yell.
It was only because his granddaughter had fallen asleep on the couch that she was able to hear his call for help. She went to the bathroom door and realized it was locked. Then apparently remembering the toothpick trick, she unlocked the door to get to her grandpa's aide.
Leon Olson recalled the first words out of her granddaughters mouth, "Grandpa, can I help you."
Once in the bathroom, grandpa told the child to get her parents. With an uncanny calmness, Alexys woke her parents who in turn called 911.
Within minutes, Leon was in an ambulance on his way to the hospital where he received four blood transfusions.
Recalling the incident, Leon Olson said he couldn't even get the door open and barely had the strength to keep himself from collapsing.
When asked how long he thought he had to live, he said, "How quickly can I bleed to death."
Today, Leon is recovering at home and treating the ulcers that caused his internal bleeding. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Weeks after the incident, thinking about the quick action of his young heroine brings tears to his eyes.
"I am so grateful to my little granddaughter Alexys and her parents. Their quick action helped to save my life. I also want to thank the Isanti policemen and the rescue squad who quickly came to my aid. Thank you all very much for your quick response."
Comment from Marie, 11/21/07
This story is so awesome. espically this time of the year when we all have things to be thankful. How proud her family must be.
Comment from Jeanne, 11/27/07
What a beautiful gift this grandpa and granddaughter share. Bless you all as you celebrate Christmas together! And to you, Alexys, what a smart and fast thinking little girl you are...your family must be proud of how calm you were.
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