October 31, 2012 - Traveling Home

Traveling Home

I just got word that they have moved my dad to ICU to monitor is O2 levels closer. My mom, brother and sister in law are up there with him now. I am going to do my best to get a flight for this afternoon or evening ... At this point, I'd consider a private charter ...

***Just SHOOT ME NOW!!!!! Trying to book flights ... Found one leaving this evening and arriving this morning. By the time I jumped through all the required hoops one leg of the flights was no longer available. So I begin again. Found one. Tried to book it. "Warning: The price has changed for your flight schedule." From $900.00 to DOUBLE!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????

***I booked flights. WHEW! I'll be arriving in Maryville tomorrow morning at 8:33 AM. Now I have to finish laundry, pack, and get to the airport!!

Only thing I know is that they are doing some tests and trying to put him on a ventilator and have postponed the surgery.

***UPDATE*** on my dad ...
First - I am in Phoenix right now, on my way to Maryville VIA Charlotte. I will be there by morning.

Second - I talked with my brother a little while ago. He said the doctors were able to do everything they had hoped to do for/to dad today. They did the biopsy, put him on a ventilator, and a breathing tube. He's not been able to breathe, and they haven't given him anything to eat since the night before his aborted surgery yesterday, so 48 hours or so. The assistance of modern medicine will help him get some rest tonight and hopefully gain much needed strength through the nourishment of oxygen and the feeding tube. Bill said dad looked better this evening than he did this morning. We are hopeful that they will be able to do the surgery soon. We are all hopeful he will be strong enough to survive the surgery and start to heal.

My faith is totally with God. I am trusting He will take care of daddy and do whatever is best for all involved.

Please continue to pray for him. We are all indescribably grateful for your prayers, love, and concern. Thank you all!

******Just got to Charlotte and to my gate. Now all I can do is wait. Praying that daddy got some rest and re-energized during the night. Me, I am relying on Starbuck's this early morning. I will post again when I know anything.

October 30, 2012 - Waiting For Surgery

Waiting For Surgery

Well, my dad was scheduled for surgery this afternoon. They took him out of his room into pre-op and determined his oxygen levels weren't high enough to do the surgery. So now he's back in his room. Waiting. And now for the really bad news ... It's cancer.

Thank You

I am pulling my posts from my Facebook page to better preserve our journey.

Mercer Cotton was my dad. He was an awesome father, husband, son, employee, neighbor, church member, rotary member, and friend.

So, without further ado ...

Thank you all so much for following this page. Your thoughts, prayers and love have done so very much to help us through these trying times. My intention is to post all of my daily entries starting back in October so they can be found easily without having to wade through everything on my page. Eventually, this will all be turned into a book. My motivation is to help others realize the emotions, the thoughts, the trials and tribulations, the strength and the love that happens along the journey. Thank you all for being part of our family and our journey!


Comments:

Lynn:  It's a great way for all of us to stay connected with you during this difficult time and we all want to support you and your family as much as we can!

Carol: Thank you, Lynn! Not only do I appreciate your thoughts and prayers, I value your friendship greatly! I miss you girls!!! 

Debbie: Great idea Carol. You've done an excellent job of keeping all of us updated on the family's journey and this is a wonderful way to keep it all organized. Thanks for including me and btw, prayers are being sent 24/7 !!

Carol: Thank you so much, Debbie!!! Love you!!

Jack:  Hang in there....

Carol: Thank you, Jack! How are you doing?????

Jack: Getting better.......and praying for your Dad.

Carol: Thank you, Jack! So glad you are getting better!!!!! We should swap notes sometime. AND go diving!!

Mercer Cotton's Journey

At the time I was living in California. I got "The Call" from my mother saying "If you want to see your dad alive, you better get home."

I talked to my mom and my brother earlier ... Dad has been admitted into the hospital. Seems he's not swallowing properly and food is getting into his lungs. Prayers for Mercer are welcome and greatly appreciated.


October 29, 2012
***UPDATE*** on my dad … 
 Apparently they have found something on dad's vocal cords, and surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. I can't get back there in time to be there before the surgery, so I will just have to rely on the phone Gods to allow us to talk to each other before they take him back. Please keep Mercer in your prayers ... He's a tough old bird ... Let's help him get through this with the power of prayer.

Mercer's Smile

I captured this photo of Mercer as he watched his 6 month old great grandson playing. 

Gotta love that smile! He sure loved that little boy!

Jayson, Bill, Mercer and Effie

The Reason for Mercer's Sweet Smile ... Jayson.

They Loved Each Other So Much!