Decisions, Decisions ...
Well, every day is a new day with different obstacles, paths and decisions to be made. Today was one of the more difficult days. Luckily, our day was filled with new information, surrounded by positive medical personnel. What has been very foggy for us all seems clear now. We do have options, but one of them shined bright above all the others.
Yes, dad was sedated today to keep him from pulling tubes out, but he seemed very much with us. While doctors were in the room with us Christy and I monitored dad's expressions and his blood pressure and both of us felt like he was listening closely to what was being said.
We received a lot of information from his ENT doctor, then even more from the radiation doctor. Once terms were defined, procedures explained, his condition confirmed, treatments discussed, and a ballpark timeline was discussed, we all saw the correct path before us.
We all have a fear if the unknown. Medical terminology is intimidating. The word "surgery" is scary. Radiation. Tracheotomy. Targeted therapy. What's not scary about that?
Well, every day is a new day with different obstacles, paths and decisions to be made. Today was one of the more difficult days. Luckily, our day was filled with new information, surrounded by positive medical personnel. What has been very foggy for us all seems clear now. We do have options, but one of them shined bright above all the others.
Yes, dad was sedated today to keep him from pulling tubes out, but he seemed very much with us. While doctors were in the room with us Christy and I monitored dad's expressions and his blood pressure and both of us felt like he was listening closely to what was being said.
We received a lot of information from his ENT doctor, then even more from the radiation doctor. Once terms were defined, procedures explained, his condition confirmed, treatments discussed, and a ballpark timeline was discussed, we all saw the correct path before us.
We all have a fear if the unknown. Medical terminology is intimidating. The word "surgery" is scary. Radiation. Tracheotomy. Targeted therapy. What's not scary about that?
Our entire family is impressed with these doctors. We are impressed with their willingness to treat an 88 year old man. Maybe it was because our family was all present when they showed up. Maybe it was because the nurses told them how much we love dad. Maybe they just knew ...
So, tomorrow we work on details and rescheduling appointments, etc. I feel like we are on the correct path. It's a long, long road, but we are all committed to carry dad through this journey. With the amazing help of God, friends and family we will succeed. Thank you all for all you do. We truly do feel your healing hands holding us together and up.
***Something I didn't mention earlier*** I got the opportunity to be alone with my dad for a while this afternoon. I told him lots of things I always wanted to say, but never had the chance. I put his hand in mine while I talked to him. I told him what a wonderful father he has always been and that I could not imagine ever having anyone else as my dad. I told him we are doing everything in our power to save his life. I told him he's my hero ... At that point I saw a tear roll down his cheek and he tightened his fingers around mine. Now tell me a sedated person cannot hear you ...
We got a lot of positive feedback from the doctors yesterday. I think it was what our family needed to hear, especially for Effie. She was asking the doctors all the questions that she had concerns about. After the doctor answered all her questions with a positive answer, her face lit up with a big smile. That put a smile on all our faces, because we knew the relief that she felt. Effie said they had been married for 62 years and she was not ready to give him up anytime soon. I know Mercer heard that and he was thinking I am not ready to give up either.
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