to recover from a blow

My grandfather lived to be 94. After he passed away an autopsy revealed a number of large stones in both kidneys. We were told that it was only his sedentary lifestyle that stopped any of these stones from dislodging and descending into his urinary tract. Had that happened it would have caused him excruciating pain and, at his advanced age, surgery would have been risky.

I guess in retrospect it was a good thing that he died when he did. A week later was his 95^th birthday and I had planned a big party at the local trampoline park.