Update from Emily:
Whenever I write a blog post, I hope to write something that makes sense… something that flows together… something that ends tightly. I want my writings to almost appear like a package – neatly wrapped with a beautiful bow that ties everything together.
As you have discovered with our family, however, nothing seems to be neatly wrapped these days. Our plan As quickly turn to plan Zs, and there are moments when nothing appears to be neat and tidy (especially dad’s disease).
Let this week stand as our example:
Dad’s fourth round of chemo treatments proved to be a bit hard on his body. By Sunday afternoon, Dad passed out every time he tried to sit or stand. When his “fainting” took on seizure-like qualities, we knew it was time to call 911. Dad’s ambulance ride turned into a five-day stay at our local hospital.
Mom, Adam, and I took shifts sitting with dad at the "grown up hospital" while Jenny and her family prepared for Andrew’s brain surgery at the children's hospital across town. Andrew went into surgery at 9:00 am on Tuesday morning. The procedure was a bit more invasive than they had hoped (the neurosurgeon needed to cut into some of Andrew’s soft tissue). The doctors told Jenny and David that Andrew had done well – the recovery just might be a little longer than expected.
Longer than expected? By 3:00 pm on Tuesday afternoon, Andrew was playing video games on his hospital room’s big screen TV. Wednesday was spent with visitors in his room, and by Thursday morning at 9:00 am, Andrew was released from All Children’s Hospital to finish his “long” recovery at home!
As we packed up his hospital room this morning, Andrew looked at Jenny.
“Mom can we stop on the way home and buy balloons?”
“Sure, buddy. Are we celebrating with a party at home?”
“Yes, mom.” Andrew replied. “And why don’t we also celebrate with a round of putt putt golf on the way home too!”
Thank you so much for all of your prayers for Andrew this week. I think that Jenny’s biggest challenge is going to be convincing Andrew to rest!
While Andrew was pushing for a round of golf, Dad continued to stay in his hospital bed on the other side of town. Cardiologists continued to try to stabilize his blood pressure in order to send him home. What dad doesn’t know is that I was trying to get him into the vacant room Andrew had just left at the children’s hospital! What a difference 55 years makes, Dad! While Andrew was enjoying a private room with video games, waterfront views, and a game cart that came around several times a day; Dad was living life with some rather interesting roommates and a view of the hospital roof. I still almost chuckle at the thought of a nurse coming by the room to see if dad and his roommate want to play a round of Candy Land.
Dad wouldn’t have it any other way, though – he would give the world to know that his children and grandchildren are well taken care of. In fact, I think the thought of Andrew’s great experience and recovery put dad in greater spirits. For tonight, just about an hour ago, Dad was released from the hospital to come home too!
Unfortunately, while Andrew was greeted with cookie cakes, balloons, candy, and suitcases full of gifts; Dad came home to a low sodium diet and a broken messed up TV remote control. (Sorry, dad. I have been living here for five days without you, and I know you hate it when I mess up your remotes!)
Dad will hopefully update you next week about his treatments, his meds, and his journey from here. For now, I am just so thankful to announce that everyone is home! That is the gift. That is the beautiful bow to wrap this blog post together, to tie everything with a bow. Everyone is HOME!
“Every good and perfect gift is from Above!” James 1:17
Whenever I write a blog post, I hope to write something that makes sense… something that flows together… something that ends tightly. I want my writings to almost appear like a package – neatly wrapped with a beautiful bow that ties everything together.
As you have discovered with our family, however, nothing seems to be neatly wrapped these days. Our plan As quickly turn to plan Zs, and there are moments when nothing appears to be neat and tidy (especially dad’s disease).
Let this week stand as our example:
Dad’s fourth round of chemo treatments proved to be a bit hard on his body. By Sunday afternoon, Dad passed out every time he tried to sit or stand. When his “fainting” took on seizure-like qualities, we knew it was time to call 911. Dad’s ambulance ride turned into a five-day stay at our local hospital.
Mom, Adam, and I took shifts sitting with dad at the "grown up hospital" while Jenny and her family prepared for Andrew’s brain surgery at the children's hospital across town. Andrew went into surgery at 9:00 am on Tuesday morning. The procedure was a bit more invasive than they had hoped (the neurosurgeon needed to cut into some of Andrew’s soft tissue). The doctors told Jenny and David that Andrew had done well – the recovery just might be a little longer than expected.
Longer than expected? By 3:00 pm on Tuesday afternoon, Andrew was playing video games on his hospital room’s big screen TV. Wednesday was spent with visitors in his room, and by Thursday morning at 9:00 am, Andrew was released from All Children’s Hospital to finish his “long” recovery at home!
As we packed up his hospital room this morning, Andrew looked at Jenny.
“Mom can we stop on the way home and buy balloons?”
“Sure, buddy. Are we celebrating with a party at home?”
“Yes, mom.” Andrew replied. “And why don’t we also celebrate with a round of putt putt golf on the way home too!”
Thank you so much for all of your prayers for Andrew this week. I think that Jenny’s biggest challenge is going to be convincing Andrew to rest!
While Andrew was pushing for a round of golf, Dad continued to stay in his hospital bed on the other side of town. Cardiologists continued to try to stabilize his blood pressure in order to send him home. What dad doesn’t know is that I was trying to get him into the vacant room Andrew had just left at the children’s hospital! What a difference 55 years makes, Dad! While Andrew was enjoying a private room with video games, waterfront views, and a game cart that came around several times a day; Dad was living life with some rather interesting roommates and a view of the hospital roof. I still almost chuckle at the thought of a nurse coming by the room to see if dad and his roommate want to play a round of Candy Land.
Dad wouldn’t have it any other way, though – he would give the world to know that his children and grandchildren are well taken care of. In fact, I think the thought of Andrew’s great experience and recovery put dad in greater spirits. For tonight, just about an hour ago, Dad was released from the hospital to come home too!
Unfortunately, while Andrew was greeted with cookie cakes, balloons, candy, and suitcases full of gifts; Dad came home to a low sodium diet and a broken messed up TV remote control. (Sorry, dad. I have been living here for five days without you, and I know you hate it when I mess up your remotes!)
Dad will hopefully update you next week about his treatments, his meds, and his journey from here. For now, I am just so thankful to announce that everyone is home! That is the gift. That is the beautiful bow to wrap this blog post together, to tie everything with a bow. Everyone is HOME!
Comments
Ted & Carol W
We continue to pray for the family.
Love, prayers/praises,
Lex and Linda
Jenny