And....exhale

Yep, holding your breath for like 4 days is very tiring...and I don't think blue looks that good on me, personally. Dad's surgery on Friday went very well. Dr. Bergin said there were no surprises and he was happy with it all. Mom and Carol got to see the tumor that was removed (*hurk*....but still kind of cool). Dad was out of it pretty much all day on Friday. Saturday was a tough day - he was very sore, and the pain meds seemed to make him feel sick. No food/drink can pass through his mouth and down his throat until he has some...uh...air "movement" below. =) His lungs are taking a beating because he is having a hard time breathing really deeply, so he has an oxygen mask on. He was not up for talking on the phone Saturday, and my heart went out to him - and to Mom. She's such a trooper! I hope to have her strength some day.

Sunday, I wanted to call all day, but decided to wait until our appointed Sunday time. Chatted with Mom for just a few, and she handed the phone to Dad. He sounded so frail, and I hope he never knows I said that. :) He had a rough day again - still in a lot of pain, and had to receive two units of blood because he is anemic and not producing enough on his own. He broke my heart when he apologized for not being in the mood to talk on the phone on Saturday. I informed him that we would have plenty of time to talk when I'm home with him the week after he's out of the hospital. Have to remember he'll still be recovering, and leave the joke book at home, though...

Mom called today to say that Dad's having a better day (at first freaked me out to see her calling during the day...assumed the worst...major heart palpitations). They removed the catheter, so he can put pants on (much less drafty that way), and that he is "gurgling", which gives them hope that some things are starting to move. I will continue to post progress here.

So...thank you for your prayers, thoughts, love, and support. It's so hard to be so far away at a time like this. I had to5 my minutes on my cell phone plan so I don't keep going over my minutes limit. :) Keep Dad in your thoughts as he continues to heal, and for my family as we work on being strong. Oh - and if you're a close friend, maybe lift some weights so if I call to lean, you can hold the extra burden.

love and peace
Denise

p.s. my hubby doesn't read this, but my heart goes out to him for being so strong when i break down and cry during all of this. he's not a man of many words...but sometimes it's not the words that count. thank God for my Brian.

Power of Prayer

Tomorrow my Dad goes in for sugery to remove cancer from his colon. When Dad called to let me know his colonoscopy hadn't gone well, and that there was a "spot", my first thought was that my hubby's dad died from colon cancer. I was a good girl, though, and did not cry on the phone with Dad. He sounded positive, so I was going to be positive. I don't know if he'll ever know how hard that was. I am the one who has heard the horror stories of doctors who tell patients one thing, and it's really another, and they die. Or, a doctor says nothing can be done, and a second opinion proves something can be done, and the fight ensues. I know my parents trust their doctors, and I am happy with that. But, I will also be the daughter who questions things. Ask Dad's kidney doctor... :)

So, Dad checked into the hospital today because the last half of the prep for the surgery is harsh, dehydrating, and really lowers his blood pressure. I called to check in, find out when the surgery is tomorrow, and just to tell him I was thinking of him. The way he told me he loved me before we hung up the phone ripped my heart in two - in such a nice way. I told him I loved him, too and to take care, hung up the phone, and burst into tears. Yes - I get my sappiness from my mother... But, I'm ok with that. I love my parents so much, that the thought of them in pain or suffering just wrenches my insides out.

Short and to the point - please pray for my dad. Pray that God guides the hands of the surgeon, Dr Bergin, that God holds Dad in his arms before/during/after the sugery, and that we all lean on Him for strength in this time. The prognosis is very good, and I am putting my faith in the knowledge of the doctors, and God above. I hope you can find it in your heart to send him happy thoughts.

love and peace
denise