Strangers in the Night
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The faces inside the room are ones that become more familiar every day. You share their happy news and your share their disappointment. This past few days has been a wave of emotion in this respect.
There was very large family that was in the waiting room on Friday, the day of dad's surgery. They were loud, and obnoxious and a bit 'uncivilized' if you want my honest opinion, but they were a family none the less. And they did not have it easy. There father was recovering in ICU (operation unknown) and apparently he wasn't doing well. They were having difficulties with the doctor and his treatment and there were a lot of anger and tears flowing. On Saturday morning, we found out that their dad didn't make it. We didn't see that family anymore.
Another woman and her family were occupying the back corner of the waiting room. Again, I'm unsure whom their relative was and what they were in for. But we got to see the doctor walk over to the family and tell them in so many words that "Let this be a lesson to everyone to take care of themselves." This woman was in the waiting room every time I arrived and she was there every time I left. The doctor had also mentioned how unhealthy it was for her to set up camp in the room. She needed to get out of there and get some normalcy. She still stayed. And as of this evening, she was still in there when I left.
My father was the first one in to surgery on Friday morning, but while we were waiting, they wheeled another man in. Probably in his late 60's, but the family was obviously European (I'm thinking Swedish or somewhere around those parts). We kept crossing their paths in the ICU when we'd go to visit Dad. This morning Jeff and JR rode the elevator with the daughter and got the scoop. They have been in San Antonio on vacation and were at the pool when the father blacked out and collapsed. Apparently he stopped breathing and his son-in-law (we are assuming) had to administer CPR while the ambulance was called. She said they even used the defibrillators on him. He underwent a bypass surgery as well, but he had SIX blockages. I can not imagine how they are feeling. In a foreign country and having this come on so unexpectedly. However, good news reigns. There father is doing excellent in recovery as well and he's expected to be moved out of the ICU shortly. Great news!
And to the saddest, and happiest, story of them all. As soon as Dad was rolled towards the surgical room on Friday morning, we took ourselves to the surgical waiting room to wait for news. There was a man sleeping on the chair, he looked very uncomfortable, but he was snoring away. He continued in the position for at least 2 more hours. I didn't think much about him until we rode with him in the elevator later that day. He was going on his 6th week at the hospital. His son, age 14, was undergoing his 4th surgery in as many weeks and this last one was a full blown heart transplant. Can you believe it? Age 14. I was shocked. On Saturday morning, as we were celebrating Dad's speedy recovery, we saw the 14 year old being wheeled back into the ICU. He'd had some bleeding that morning and they had to go in and see what was wrong. In the midst of this, his gall bladder erupted and they had to do even more surgery. By mid-day, by way of family member conversations, it sounded like he was going to have to have a kidney transplant. I was so upset by this kid. It made me so sad to think about all the normal 14 year olds out there living life, taking things for granted and this kid was struggling for life. His family was in and out of the ICU all day checking in on him. It hurt me to look at their expressions. I prayed so hard for that kid on Saturday night. When I went to the hospital this morning to visit dad, I expected the worst. But good news greeted us. His heart and kidneys were both doing better and I think they are postponing the kidney transplant. What great news! I was relieved. Don't' get me wrong though, he's still very critical and anything can still happen. I don't know this kid. I don't know his story. I just know that a 14 year old deserves a chance at life and that he needs all the prayers he can get.
And now, a quick update on Dad. He's doing fabulous! He got orders to move to the 6th floor this morning, but as of this evening they were still waiting on a room to open up down there. Apparently, transfers take a while *sigh*. They removed his chest tubes around 3pm and after that he said he felt even better. It was almost like he was back to his old self today. It was great to see. However, I have a definite feeling that the grouchiness is fixing to break the horizon. Boredom is fixing to set in! Maybe it's a good thing that I head back to work in the morning!
*Pic depicts me pinching Dad's oxygen tube shut :)
3 Comments:
A lovely post, Colleen. I remember that poor dad snoring up a storm the morning that we waiting while John had his surgery. It was a lesson to us all on judging people - he was snoring so loudly and I wondered how anyone could sleep so soundly in a public area. When we found out later what was happening with his son, and how long they had been basically living in that hospital, it all came clear. Wish I could have conjured up a cot for him!
Glad to hear things are looking up for your dad. That's great.
Also, really love the photo. I can totally see the love in your mom's eyes. I'll be honest... it made me tear up a bit. :)
Wishing you guys the best.
Thanks for the sweet comments, Ellen! :)
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