November 21, 2012 - Thankfulness

Thankfulness

In hospitals many things are "hurry up and wait" ... Being admitted, having tests run, getting test results, learning about treatment options, surgeries, recovery, therapy, just to name a few.
Today was no exception. Something happened today that dad has been waiting on for over a week. Radiation. Christy got to the hospital first this morning, then mom and I arrived, and then Bill. Dad was quiet. Long face. Fixated on watching the clock. He asked us what time his treatment would be, and then he asked us several times if the time for the treatment had changed. At 1:15 he held up his hand showing all of his fingers three times ... meaning 15 minutes. He was disappointed when he realized it was only 1:15.
The hour passed quickly ... At least for us, but who knows how dad saw it. The nurses told us we could go downstairs and grab some lunch, so we went to the Atrium once again. At 2:45 we wondered if they had taken dad down to radiation yet, so we headed upstairs to his room to find out.
As we got off the elevator a man rounded the corner with dad on a stretcher heading for his treatment. Dad looked scared half out of his mind. He seemed a bit relieved when he saw us, so we all rode down in the elevator with him. We held his hand and told him everything would be fine and the treatment would be painless and fast.
Someone led us to the waiting room and said they'd come back for us when dad was done. We sat down in comfy chairs and talked. About 15 minutes later we got word that dad was finished and they'd be taking him back upstairs shortly. We followed them back to where dad was. He was all bundled up under warm blankets. His hands were ice cold! He looked exhausted, and when asked, he admitted that he was.
Bill and Christy headed on home and mom and I went back upstairs with dad. We didn't stay long because they were busy moving him back into his bed, cleaning him up, and possibly prepping him for the second dose of targeted therapy. Someone who shall remain nameless was there to see daddy and brought a copy of a photo that he had been promising to share with us. LONG story, but the photo was of General George S. Patton urinating off the pontoon bridge in March 1945. Dad smiled and said, "That's alright!" I found it online ... See the link below.
I titled this post "Thankfulness" because our entire family has so much to be thankful for:
*Dad's diagnosis before it was too late.
*Great doctors, nurses and case workers who have genuinely taken an interest in dad and his well-being.
*Modern medicine/technology to make treatment options possible.
*A rehabilitation facility in town who has accepted daddy as a patient during the next part of this journey.
*Our family for it's strength, love, direction and devotion.
*My sweet husband for allowing me to be away for an entire month.
*Our wonderful friends for all their kindness, support, concern, and love. We love you bunches!