Red

Just saw the movie "Red". I liked it a lot! Different, funny and lot's of shoot'em up.

We went to see my dad this morning. He was wide awake when we got there. The nurses had just changed all his dressings and he was pretty clear thinking. Well, mostly clear thinking. The doctors say that along with the medication and the prolonged stay in the hospital, he still has a bit of ICU psychosis. They expect he'll come out of that in time.

The prognosis from his surgery is good. His wound is healing and the doctors are pleased with how things are starting to work as they should. They most likely will watch his progress over the next four days to determine whether he will get to move to rehab. From there they expect a few weeks of rehab and recovery and then home. He's been off his feet for 6 weeks and that combined with the stress his body has endured from the surgery, the complications and the infection, he doesn't have his equilibrium back yet. He does however, still have quite a bit of body strength. And evidentially his lips are working as he and my mom were smooching right before we left. lol

I'm super happy it is Saturday although a bit bummed that the day is almost over! Last week was super busy at work. Up at 4:30 am, out the door by 5 and off to work. There till late, then to see dad and home by 7 or 8. Walking out of the door in the morning while it is still dark and then returning home in the evening darkness is for the birds!

Can't wait for church tomorrow. We are in a new sermon series about the life of Jesus through the eyes of Luke. Love it.

5 Weeks Tomorrow

The other day I left work for the day, on my way to see my dad in the hospital. Lost in thought and with the radio distracting me, I realized that without concious thought, I had taken the exit to the VA hospital. I don't remember getting over to the exit lane, putting on my blinker, or even slowing down to exit. And I as sat at the exit ramp light waiting to turn onto La Jolla Village Drive, I just shook my head. Too many visits. I'm on auto pilot. Auto pilot for the hospital, isn't a good thing.

6'2", ruggedly handsome, a Vietnam Vet and such a man's man, my dad has never really been sick a day in his life. Then a car accident, the discovery of bladder cancer stage 2/3, and it all changes. None of us saw it coming.

And over the past two years, that's just what it has done...kept coming.

Tomorrow is 5 weeks.

First there was the unexpected, yet immediately necessary surgery. Another life-changing surgery for my dad. Then the waiting... was the surgery successful, would he recover. Ah the questions and more questions. And then the day I walked into the ICU and saw him sitting up in his bed, eye's bright and mind clear. He said he finally felt like he was going to live again. The surgery seemed to have worked and the doc cautiously watched his progress. They moved him to a regular room, good news and he got to eat regular food again. Coming home was in sight. Saturday was to be the day. But Saturday morning the call came, that he wouldn't be coming home, some complications had occured. Dad was back off food and water, and a few days later back in ICU, an infection had set in. His fever was rising, his white blood cell count too high. Standing in the hall with the docs, them telling me it would be a good idea to have my mom come down that night.

I called my friend and cried the whole drive home.

Prayer, prayer and more prayer, prayer.

Then a miracle, part of the infection was drained and his body was accepting the antibiotics. Such amazing news. The power of prayer! But dad had been in ICU so long and that along with his strong medications for the extreme pain he was in, made for what they call ICU psychosis.

Now dad is stable and everyday a little better. Still in ICU. But better.

I think about what this is teaching me. Simply put, I only get one time around for this life and like Nike says, "just do it".