Communication
I don't think I need to tell anyone how important communication is, but I will say that communicating with each other sure makes things easier!!
Mom and I went up to see dad this morning. Bill and Christy were already up there. So, we spent some time trying to catch up on what all has been going on ... I still have a cold, so I'm still wearing a mask ... Mom is still a little sniffly so she's wearing one, too ... Christy is fine ... Bill is still coughing, but assured us dad won't catch it and refused to wear a mask. During the conversation we learn that their son is now sick, too. Happy, happy, joy, joy! Apparently we are all doing our best to share the love! I just hope and pray dad doesn't get it, too!
Dad was quiet today. He wanted ice chips. He slept a lot. He wanted his face shaved. Mom stayed for a while, but then drove herself home around 1:30 as her housekeeper was due to be there at 2:00. Bill and Christy would bring me home later.
After spending several hours with dad, plus giving him a break to nap while we went down to the Atrium and shared a chicken wrap, Christy and I agreed something must be wrong, but we didn't know exactly what the problem was.
When we got back upstairs dad was still quiet and had quite the long face going on. Enough so that it bothered both of us. I went out to talk with dad's nurse and while I was doing that, Christy asked dad what was wrong. I had a good conversation with the nurse and alerted her to his mood. When I walked back into the room Christy was sitting on the foot of dad's bed and was looking at him in a very concerned manner. Bill was standing beside her looking at dad. She told me that dad said he is depressed!
Honestly, I had expected that might happen. After all, who can simply lay in a hospital bed for days on end without feeling at least a little blue?!? Well, the truth came out ... He's worried that we're keeping something from him. That couldn't be farther from the truth, but he still had his doubts.
We reaffirmed that he has a tumor in his throat, that he is going to go through radiation treatments and targeted therapy. He told us, that he would have 30 treatments - Five days a week for six weeks, which is correct. I reminded him that the side effects of the radiation would be a burn on his neck similar to a bad sunburn and it will peel, and his throat will be sore, but it will all go away. He said he knew that and was okay with that. He was worried because we are all there so much and is worried about us. Christy told him there's no need in worrying about us ... We WANT to be there with him! I told him that Conrad will be here soon and that my flight doesn't leave for almost two more weeks, so he's stuck with me! And, then ... There was that smile we were missing!!! Twinkling eyes and all!
I told him we are all in this together and we will be with him every step of the way. We double checked and he is scheduled to start radiation tomorrow and I asked the nurses to call me when they get the call so I can hurry on up there. She told me it might be as early as 7:00 in the morning. I may not be there with him when they take him down, but I want to be waiting for him when he comes out!
I love my daddy and if I could go through this in his place, I would. It hurts me to think of the suffering he has been through and how much these treatments might take out of him. My hopes and prayers are that he will make it through this with grace and strength and dignity and will be stronger and healthier than he's been in years.
Communication is key. Our family decided that at the beginning of this journey. We made the course of action decision as a family, and we will stay together giving dad strength, encouragement, and motivation throughout this ordeal. We have been open and honest with dad about everything that's going on and we will continue to do so, but perhaps more a bit more often since we now know he has had doubts.
Again, communication is key. Mom and I have been having our own issues lately ... Stress will do that ... So, tonight we had a heart to heart conversation ... It seems like we have things worked out, but that's another story ...
Thanks, everyone, for sticking with us and supporting us with good thoughts and prayers. This is an interesting journey with beauty and grace with a few potholes mixed in to keep things interesting. Much love and gratitude coming your way!
I don't think I need to tell anyone how important communication is, but I will say that communicating with each other sure makes things easier!!
Mom and I went up to see dad this morning. Bill and Christy were already up there. So, we spent some time trying to catch up on what all has been going on ... I still have a cold, so I'm still wearing a mask ... Mom is still a little sniffly so she's wearing one, too ... Christy is fine ... Bill is still coughing, but assured us dad won't catch it and refused to wear a mask. During the conversation we learn that their son is now sick, too. Happy, happy, joy, joy! Apparently we are all doing our best to share the love! I just hope and pray dad doesn't get it, too!
Dad was quiet today. He wanted ice chips. He slept a lot. He wanted his face shaved. Mom stayed for a while, but then drove herself home around 1:30 as her housekeeper was due to be there at 2:00. Bill and Christy would bring me home later.
After spending several hours with dad, plus giving him a break to nap while we went down to the Atrium and shared a chicken wrap, Christy and I agreed something must be wrong, but we didn't know exactly what the problem was.
When we got back upstairs dad was still quiet and had quite the long face going on. Enough so that it bothered both of us. I went out to talk with dad's nurse and while I was doing that, Christy asked dad what was wrong. I had a good conversation with the nurse and alerted her to his mood. When I walked back into the room Christy was sitting on the foot of dad's bed and was looking at him in a very concerned manner. Bill was standing beside her looking at dad. She told me that dad said he is depressed!
Honestly, I had expected that might happen. After all, who can simply lay in a hospital bed for days on end without feeling at least a little blue?!? Well, the truth came out ... He's worried that we're keeping something from him. That couldn't be farther from the truth, but he still had his doubts.
We reaffirmed that he has a tumor in his throat, that he is going to go through radiation treatments and targeted therapy. He told us, that he would have 30 treatments - Five days a week for six weeks, which is correct. I reminded him that the side effects of the radiation would be a burn on his neck similar to a bad sunburn and it will peel, and his throat will be sore, but it will all go away. He said he knew that and was okay with that. He was worried because we are all there so much and is worried about us. Christy told him there's no need in worrying about us ... We WANT to be there with him! I told him that Conrad will be here soon and that my flight doesn't leave for almost two more weeks, so he's stuck with me! And, then ... There was that smile we were missing!!! Twinkling eyes and all!
I told him we are all in this together and we will be with him every step of the way. We double checked and he is scheduled to start radiation tomorrow and I asked the nurses to call me when they get the call so I can hurry on up there. She told me it might be as early as 7:00 in the morning. I may not be there with him when they take him down, but I want to be waiting for him when he comes out!
I love my daddy and if I could go through this in his place, I would. It hurts me to think of the suffering he has been through and how much these treatments might take out of him. My hopes and prayers are that he will make it through this with grace and strength and dignity and will be stronger and healthier than he's been in years.
Communication is key. Our family decided that at the beginning of this journey. We made the course of action decision as a family, and we will stay together giving dad strength, encouragement, and motivation throughout this ordeal. We have been open and honest with dad about everything that's going on and we will continue to do so, but perhaps more a bit more often since we now know he has had doubts.
Again, communication is key. Mom and I have been having our own issues lately ... Stress will do that ... So, tonight we had a heart to heart conversation ... It seems like we have things worked out, but that's another story ...
Thanks, everyone, for sticking with us and supporting us with good thoughts and prayers. This is an interesting journey with beauty and grace with a few potholes mixed in to keep things interesting. Much love and gratitude coming your way!
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