Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Dad Update

My brother got here today from Arkansas today. That makes us all a little stronger.

Dad is still very much alert and has been moved to a room in the hospital so that we can all be with him all the time. We left him and mom alone tonight. She recently told us that at one point, a couple of months ago when they were at the hospital in Houston and dad was uncharacteristically depressed, she got in the hospital bed with him. They are quite a pair.

The prognosis remains the same. He has too many infections in different parts of his body and they are all fighting against each other. He isn't in pain (or so he says) though we can all tell he is very uncomfortable. The only clinical signs he is currently showing are very low blood pressure, diarrhea and jaundice. He now has a tube for the diarrhea, so that is helping somewhat with his comfort level.

His low blood pressure and his condition is "stable" according to one of his doctors. The next couple of days will dictate the future of his care, whether in the hospital or with hospice.

Tonight, we were all in the room with him (except for my brother's family who will be down from Arkansas later) and it was a typical happy Ransonette time. Dad spoke to each of us privately in very matter-of-fact terms about very practical matters. It's all very surreal.

We all have our moments of weeping and hugging and clinging, but they come at random times and rarely all at the same time. So, there's always someone stronger around to lean on.

My dear friend Janice/Poodles gave us this prayer today:

The light of God surrounds us.
The love of God enfolds us.
The power of God protects us, and
The presence of God watches over us.
Wherever we are, God is.

I've seen...and felt...a lot of God today.

10 comments:

Lorna said...

Take comfort in your family, and in your closeness with God. Thinking of you all. XX

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

I'm still here, wish I had some words of wisdom. Just keep hangin' on tight to your friends and family. Laugh all you can, and cry when you have to cry.

Susan in St. Paul said...

Its good everyone can be with your dad and you have each other to lean on. still hoping that things will improve.

hugs

Zina said...

I love you guys!
I'm glad Stuart's there.

Mommy said...

I'm glad that you're all together and giving each other such comfort. I wish I had something wiser to say. Love you and thinking of you all.

Anonymous said...

One of God's greatest gifts to us, through our parents, is love of family. Thank God for that, as it brings such comfort to us in hard times. I am keeping you all in my prayers, especially your mom and dad.

Love, Mary Beth

Anonymous said...

Ditto on what Mary Beth said.
EEB

Lela said...

Though it's a sad time, how lucky you are to spend these days with your dad, talking, reminiscing, laughing and crying. How I wish I could have had the same opportunity. Don't forget that miracles do happen.

Love and prayers,
Lela

Anonymous said...

Laughter is the best medicine!

I, the penis, request a pay raise due to the following reasons:

1.I do physical labor;
2.I work at great depths;
3.I plunge head first into everything I do;
4. I work weekends & holidays;
5. I work in a damp environment;
6. I work in dark areas w/poor ventilation;
7. I work in high temperatures; and,
8. My work exposes me to disease.


Dear penis –
Your request has been denied for the following reasons:
1. You don’t work 8-hours straight;
2. You work in short spurts and fall asleep after each brief work period;
3. You don’t stay in your designated area and are frequently found in other locations;
4. You don’t take initiative and must be stimulated to start working;
5. You leave your work place messy at the end of your shift;
6. You are unable to work overtime or double shifts;
7. You sometimes leave your designated work area before completing the assigned task; and,
8. You have constantly been seen entering and exiting the work place with two suspicious bags.

Susan in St. Paul said...

LOL!

You got me laughing!