BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital

Subject: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 06:19 PM

Copy-pasted from bits of my online diary, because I don't have the focus, right now, to rewrite the whole thing from scratch.

I got a call from my dad (Monday afternoon). He was trying to get into the crawl space, to try and figure out what was wrong with his wonky, insane, schizophrenic, phone line when the step ladder gave way, and he crashed down on his one good knee. He's basically unhurt, but just can't walk anywhere. He's called his neighbor and 911, and the ambulance is on the way. He doesn't know, but he may have to spend a few days in the hospital :-/. At least he's not hurt in any of his middle bits that really matter, but still....

(Tuesday) He's still in the E.R., because they don't have a bed available for him, upstairs, yet.

They're going to have to operate on his knee. But, in the meantime, they found a heart condition no one knew he had -- which, as he said, is "a puzzle" -- beating too fast, or something. I don't understand it, because he just went to see his G.P. a couple of weeks ago, and got a proctology exam last week, and came back from both with a clean bill of health; I would have thought they'd pick up on an irregular heartbeat. Doesn't every doctor have that stethoscope thingie? And don't they use it every time?

So, anyway, they're trying to treat his heart rate with drugs, now, and then, we hope, operate on his knee tomorrow. Then, as he said, he'll have to go into a nursing home, because there's no way he could get around that house on crutches. He talked about getting a neighbor to bring in the mail and put out water for the cat. ... I think he's underestimating the time it will take to heal. He'll be 79 on February 10, after all. This won't be like the knee injury he got in college...

But at least he's chipper. Just going by the tone in his voice, and not the words, you'd think he was planning a family picnic, or something.

(Today) Finally called the hospital, and got transferred through to Dad.

The Good News:

• They won't have to operate on his knee, but just put it in a massive splint


• His heart rate has come down to normal


• He's just as cheerful as ever

The Bad News:

• In the course of a routine chest X-ray, they found a "spot" on his lung.

He no longer smokes, but until he quit, some 25 years ago, he was a heavy smoker. His sister, Jean, died of lung cancer a few years ago. And he's had a shallow dry cough, in the mornings, for a while now, that he'd just assumed was post-nasal drip, or something. But maybe not.

The nurse was coming in to take him for the biopsy during the phone call. So I hung up and came to make this post. On the positive side, from the sound of things, it sounds like a small spot, so they may have caught it early enough to do something about it, and besides, we won't know if it really is cancer until the biopsy comes back anyway. Of course, this being the weekend, it will be several days until the results come back.

So, he'll likely spend the weekend in the hospital. At least, I know which buttons to push when I want to talk to him, now....

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 06:23 PM

best wishes to you and your Dad

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 06:24 PM

Breathe, dear, and we'll be sending all good thoughts along in due course.

Would you like me to send this around to the prayer chain as well?

As far as focus-- don't worry about that for now. What's he like? What's his first name? What sorts of things does he like to do? What makes him laugh?

We're with you,

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Peace
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 06:26 PM

Best wishes to your dad and you, both.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Hollowfox
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 08:37 PM

I'll fire up a $#@!-reduction candle for you and yours when I get home from work in about a half an hour.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 09:00 PM

Talk about Good News/Bad News. Sorry you have to deal with this, CU. Another candle lit here.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Alba
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 09:38 PM

Candle being lit here too and nothing but positive thoughts heading your way CU.
What an emotional rollercoaster ride.
Strength, Love and Light to you Both
Blessed be
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 12:15 AM

I'll be holding you both in the Light, CU. Thanks for letting us know. You know we are a powerful force of Love and will do all we can.

I am offering Thanks Givings for you and your dad for the best possible outcome, in all ways, for the Highest Good of all concerned.

{{{{{{CU}}}}}}}

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 12:26 AM

Thanks for all of the good wishes, guys (and the $#!@+?@#-reducing candles); they're all very much appreciated, and felt.

Susan -- I wouldn't feel comfortable putting my father's name in the prayer chain without his knowledge or consent, first. As for me, I'd welcome all good energy for calm, peace, and strength. For the record, I'm Neo-Pagan, Polytheistic Universalist (but please don't call me a "P.U." ;-)) with deep Quaker roots.

My dad's first name is Lincoln ("Like the president?" "No, like the logs."), and his main passion, right now, is connecting with the "more-than-human world" (a phrase borrowed from David Abram's book Spell of the Sensuous: Language and Perception in the More-Than-Human World), which Dad has acronymed into "the M'ThHuW."

(Yes, he is a bit of an eccentric, why do you ask? ;-))

His favorite sitcoms are "Everybody Loves Raymond" and (I think) "The Office." And before they were cancelled, he and I both enjoyed "Pinky and the Brain" and the early shows of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" (back in the days before cable channels were scrambled).

Thanks again for all the good thoughts.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: jimmyt
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 11:57 AM

CU the irregular heartbeat could have been stimulated by the injury. SOme of these thingies only pop out when there is a stress or injury or fever or somesuch thing. Most of the time benign. Hopefully the spot is also a less agressive entity than cancer also. We will be thinking of you, kiddo, Keep your chin up!jimmyt

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 01:14 PM

Thanks for the snapshot of your dad, C-U. I bet he is making the most of every moment, even at this scary time. He sounds like someone who is able to welcome the unpredictable, with curiosity.... I'm seeing it like this-- curiosity and good humor welcoming healthcare people who come in and out of his room, and seeing how they can help him while his body and spirit are busy doing most of the work of healing.

In my own prayer tradition, one way I pray is to give thanks for all the energy and power ("God") already flowing through, hard at work in the joy of creation. I'm sending that up now for you both.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 01:52 PM

Your dad sounds like a really interesting guy, CapriUni (apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, eh?)

;-)

Best wishes to your dad and to you, for the best possible outcome for all of his health issues, and for whatever help and comfort you both need during this time.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 01:59 PM

Thoughts and prayers CU.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 04:36 PM

Jimmyt -- Yeah, that is our thought about the heart rate, too. What concerned the doctors at the time, though, is the heart was resistant to the drugs they were giving him to slow it down (frankly, I wonder if the heart was just being stubborn, and wanting to do its own thing in its own time, Thank-you-very-much-Mr.-doctor-man!).

And yeah, I'm reminding myself that the reason they do biopsies, in the first place, is that not all spots are cancer. And if it is, then, well, we'll deal with it one step at a time. And treatments are improving all the time, anyway.

Susan -- one more snapshot -- Dad's father taught physics at university, and when my dad was about 10, his father pointed out to him that everything in the universe is made up of the same stuff, what makes us unique is how that stuff is arranged into ever more complex patterns, and that a good life is one which is lived in a way that's in balance with the larger pattern of which we're all a part.

The puzzle for my grandfather, though, and the question he put to my dad was this: Since we're all a part of the larger system of the universe, we can't get outside the system to observe it. So how can we know we're working in balance with the universe or not?

Anyway, that question rattled around in the back of my father's brain for many years, and then, one night, he was coming back home from his time in the Coast Guard (I think), looking out at the stars through the train window, and the answer popped into his head: we know we're in balance with the universe when we're having fun.

And then, he told that story to me while I was growing up, and now, I'm a pro-fun troll on the internet! ;-)

CarolC-- Yeah, "interesting" is one way to describe him... I've seen cousins roll their eyes and give him wierd looks when he starts on one of his quantum physics & and Norse mythology metaphor riffs. ;-)

Gnu -- Thank you. It is deeply felt.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 07:40 PM

Aw, Ann.....so sorry. Keep on truckin, girl.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Leadfingers
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 08:04 PM

Couldnt get into the Cat at all yesterday , so I am a bit late adding my Tuppence ! Good Thoughts from across the pond for you and your Dad Ann !

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Genie
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 08:41 PM

Ann, I love your dad's answer to that universe-balance puzzle!

Sounds like, with a dad as complex, interesting, and fun as yours plus his recent travails you should eventually be able to come up with a great song or two in tribute.   Probably not the time for that now, though, so we will just hold him in the light and visualize healing and well being for him and your family.   Thank you so much for letting us 'know' your dad a little and reaching out to us catters.   Big, warm healing hugs!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Capri and her dad}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Genie

PS
Where do you get those $#!@+?@#-reducing candles?
If I don't have one, can I do some purring-cat-stroking for you and your dad instead?

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 11:02 PM

Okay -- talked to dad this evening. He's still doing well, though he's getting a bit bored in the hospital, which is mostly waiting around. He has a personal tv by his bed though, and it gets cable, so he's enjoying watching the two C-Spans, his favorite radio sports comentators on their tv show, and 1930's western-sci-fi movies that are so bad, they're fun.

He had a tissue sample taken yesterday, for his biopsy, and his doctor told him it went swimmingly, which isn't always the case.

The next immediate step, though, medically, is to get him into a rehab nursing home, so he get physical therapy for his knee. Even without the surgery, his doctor said that it would probably take about two months to heal. So...

Next step, non-medically, is to have the neighbor go through the house, cell phone to ear, so that he can pick up all the stuff Dad needs, especially his address book, so that he can call family members and let them know what's up, and perhaps work out a time when my cousin can come and house sit, and take care of the cat (which was her cat, once upon a time). We both think it will be a good idea not to tell the family about the spot on his lung, though, until the results of the biopsy come back, and we know, for sure, what we're dealing with.

I told Dad about the Mudcat prayer chain and the $#!@?!+@-reducing candles,* and he said he'd welcome it all. So I'm certain he'd love a little cat-purring magic as well.


*(Which, as I understand it, are ordinary candles put to the dedicated purpose of being the scapegoat for $#!@?+@, so that as they melt away, so does the nastiness)

Thank you all, from both of us.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 11:53 PM

CapriUni, the prayer chain is now notified ("please see" as we discussed).

I LOVE that story you added! I think I KNOW that man, in one guise or another. I'm sure he's right!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 02:01 AM

I'm sure he's right!

Yeah. I am, too.

Once, I was in audience for a session with the Wampanoag storyteller, Manitonquat (Medicine Story), and he prefaced a story about the wisdom of dolphins with this saying:

If what you're doing isn't fun, you're either doing the wrong thing, or you're doing the right thing in the wrong way.

So if the same idea can emerge spontaneously in both my father's brain, and in an ancient, native North American culture, then there's got to be some truth to it!

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: open mike
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 02:05 AM

hugs to you...and your dad..
and if i knew any good jokes about Richard Feynmann
i would send one to cheer him up.
I have a book here...perhaps
Lincoln would like it?
Richard Feynman was a
nobel prizewinning scientist,
a physisit--gosh that is not
the right way to spell that
that is a fizzy way...
anyway i guess it was
your grandfather, not
father who taught physics,
but if yo think he would
be interesed in the paper
back i could send it to
where ever you think would
be the best address to get
to him in about a week..
it is called "Surely You're
Joking Mr. Feynman!" by him.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 06:05 AM

CapriUni - best wishes & hugs to you & your Dad - you are both such interesting people.

open mike - that's a great book, about another interesting man who made his mark on the world.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Jeanie
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 06:20 AM

Thinking of you and your dad,
With Love and every Good Wish
- jeanie x

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 06:35 AM

Your dad sounds like a wonderful man. You are blessed to have such a warm relationship with him. I am holding you and your dad in the Light.

His epiphany about fun resonates with my purpose in doing what I do- especially in teaching- if I'm not having fun, it's not worth doing!

love and blessings,

Allison

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 07:23 AM

Ann I'm sorry to be so late on the ball with this one. Best wishes to your Dad, it's hard to have to cope with things like that at his age. and healing's a lot slower. He's just going to have to grit his teeth and let other people take over his life for a bit. I know it's hard when you're the sort of person who would go ladder climbing at that age, he's obviously a 'do'er' and not a 'sitter backer'.
Spots on lungs aren't too much most times, when I was about 12 we were going to emigrate to Canada, and they discovered a scar on my lung so that was the end of that big adventure. Turned out it was from a bout of pleurisy I'd had as a kid, and I've not had a moments trouble from it, in spite of the fact that I was silly enough to be a smoker for 30 years. Stopped that silly pastime now, and although I'm not fitter, I nearly am, I'm fatter, just needs a vowel movement to get me there.
Chin up girl.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: fat B****rd
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 08:56 AM

Yeah, my Dad climbed up a ladder to paint the guttering of "The Old Bloke"next door. As he was in his seventies it was A for effort and F minus for being over ambitious. All the best to your Father, CapriUni and a speedy recovery. All the best from fB.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: rumanci
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 09:02 AM

My very best wishes to you both
and your joy in each other shines through

I'm thinking of you
rum

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 09:29 AM

Feynman was a great lockpick and, I believe, safecracker as well; he also believed in fun.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Janie
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 10:27 AM

Just now checking in on this thread. Light, love, peace, health.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 01:40 PM

Thanks for all the good wishes, guys. I'll pass them on to him. :-)

Actually, Dad is just as sceptical of science as he is of organized religion. In fact, he sees both as cut from the same cloth, in that both claim to be the system for finding The Truth, and he prefers to think more in terms of indefinite articles.

He's also dedicated his life to becoming post-literate, so he doesn't read as much as he used to, in his youth. I do have that Feynman biography, however, and agree that it is excellent.

As he says, when we let the frontal cortex (particularly the left hemisphere) become dominant, it interferes with our interaction with the M'ThHuW, and forces us to live in the H.O.W.L. (Humans-Only-World Labyrinth). In order to be truly happy, the whole brain must be satisfied: the brainstem (the 'fart'), the limbic brain (the 'heart') and the neo-cortex (the 'smart'). He spent his youth and middle age catering to the smart, and so now, he's letting the fart and the heart have their days. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 02:59 PM

What a guy, my goodness that made me chuckle, Ann put him on the same list as Spaw, that's the list of people I'd love to meet.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: open mike
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 03:04 PM

Sounds like he's got it a figured out!
and now another truth to add to the mix
Gravity Works...darn it!
or rather is it gravity sucks?

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 03:42 PM

and now another truth to add to the mix
Gravity Works...darn it!
or rather is it gravity sucks?


How about "Obey Gravity! It's the Law!"?

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 07:24 PM

Just an update: Well, just talked to Dad.... the "Spot" is indeed cancer, but they'll have to do wait for other test results to discover if it's small-cell or non-small-cell cancer, to determine the type of treatment. And they want to do a CAT scan, or somesuch, just to make sure it hasn't gotten into his brain. But dad got the feeling that is more precautionary, rather than something done in a panic.

In any case, his doctor is fairly optimistic about his chances, because, really, he is in over all good health, and he has the immune system worthy of an army tank, if army tanks ever needed one (His sister, who had died of lung cancer, had a much more advanced case, and she had been smoking longer, and had been smoke-free for a shorter amount of time).

We also admitted to each other that we've both been thinking its about time he sold the house up there and moved into this area. After all, 30,000 sq. feet and 27 acres is a bit much for one old man and his old cat (who'd be just as happy in one room, thank-you-very-much).

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 06:20 AM

Well that's a bit of a bummer Ann, but it sounds like they may have just discovered it nice and early. Maybe the fall off the ladder was so's the lung spot would be found. You know karma and all that stuff, to some people it's as strong as gravity.
I'm sure he's being well looked after, and it does sound like time he sold the wonky phone line, along with the surrounding property to someone younger and fitter.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: jacqui.c
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 08:49 AM

CU - Giok beat me to it. If Lincoln hadn't bust his knee how long would it have been before the cancer was found? Sounds like the Universe is taking care of the old guy in its own way.

Whereabouts in the USA is he? If there's anything we can do in Maine please let us know. We'll be keeping him in our thoughts and hoping for fast resolution of the cancer.

Love to you both.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 11:25 AM

Giok and Jacqui both beat me to it --I guess a smashed knee is worth it to get rid of the really nasty stuff early.

Your father sounds like someone I'd not only like to meet, but someone to sit around the table with after a good meal, drinking wine (or whatever) and discussing life, the universe, and everything until the sun comes up.

Lots of good thoughts, white light and prayers headed in his direction.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 11:55 AM

Giok -- Yeah, I'd been thinking that thought about his knee ever since he told me they'd found that spot.

That's one more pebble to throw on the pile of anecdotal evidence to show that the Universe is pretty durn intelligent.* I know ancedotal evidence often doesn't count for much, but that pile is getting pretty high!**


Jacqui -- Dad is in the Mid-Hudson region of New York State, about 60 miles north of Manhattan, and across the river from West Point.

Linn -- Thank you. ... Are you a fan of Douglas Adams, too, by the way? ;-)

*along with the fact that dock eases the pain of stinging nettle, and they grow side by side.

**Personally, I think the ID people got the Intelligence right, I just don't buy the idea of a Designer planning it all out, ahead of time. Using my own little life as evidence, I think the Universe makes everything up as it goes along.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 12:07 PM

That sort of ties in with my theory about there being no such thing as an inanimate object.
They all have a life, and they are all united against humanity.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 01:24 PM

Giok -- well, I agree with you that there's a conspiracy going on, but whether it's for or against us depends on your perspective.

On the atomic level, the stuff objects beings in Dad's life probably knew about the cancer even before a human with a fancy machine could find it. So, starting about a month ago, the phone line decides to go dead, and prompts Dad to call the phone company, who comes and fixes the line with one that is shinier and clearer than any we've ever had before. But the phone line continues to switch between working perfectly to not working at all, completely at random, and always goes back to working perfectly the moment the repairman arrives at the house.

In this way, the phone line lured Dad up the stepladder to the crawlspace. Then, at the critical moment, the stepladder does a sidestep, and therefore makes sure that Dad gets in touch with the doctors he needs in order to save his life.

So. They are a pack of conspiring rascals, all right. But I think they deserve our thanks, rather than our curses.

When was the last time you thanked the electrons in your life, eh? I mean, we wouldn't have the 'Cat at all, without 'em.

Which goes back to my grandfather's observation (just about a century ago... yikes!), that deep down, we're all part of the same thing.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 06:51 PM

Just thought I ought to give you folkies an update:

I talked to him a little while ago. The CAT scan came back clean (yayness!); there's no word yet on the results of the biospy for type of lung cancer he has. So he probably won't be out of the hospital into the rehab facility until at least Wednesday (and which facility it will be is still up in the air), because the oncologist will probably want to start chemo before Dad leaves.

The P.T. people may start him working with a walker, or somesuch before then, though. And he was taken off the heart monitor, today.


... And I think he's starting to get bored....

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 07:39 PM

Continued thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 08:20 PM

Well C-U, I was back in myself for a few days when this thread started (no big deal) and I'm feeling better than I have in probably 15 years. AND....Karen is doing great after the gastric surgery and is healing nicely with everything going just the way it should......and she has already dropped 20 pounds in the first two weeks!

SO

Tell your old man that this old man and complete agnostic can (after years of experience on the receiving end) vouch for the power of the Mudcat "Vibe."

All our best thoughts for you both!!!

Pat and Karen

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 12:46 AM

'Spaw -- first off, congratulations on your own healing, and Karan's. I'm sure my dad would be happy that your heart, your fart and your smart are all in balance. May they long continue to be so!

Second, I've been hanging around the 'Cat for just about 5 years, now. So I've witnessed, at least second-hand, what the Mudcat magic can do.

After all, if my granddad was right, and All of It is just a variation on the "Arrangement of Energies," then how can a group such as this, with it's high ratio of talented folkies per captita anything but raise a good harmonic vibe?

... even with banjos, accordians, and bodhrans?

:::Ducks and runs

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 08:45 PM

Just talked to Dad...

He had surgery, today, to put a tube into his chest, so they could get the chemo directly to the tumor.

And, for the first time, heard some stats on the same.

• The tumor is in a position near the larynx that makes it inoperable.


• The tumor has both non-small cell and small cell cancer types.


• They will therefore use both radiation and chemo to treat it.


• The tumor is 12 cm. o_O (eep)


• Chemo will start tomorrow.

Also talked to my cousin, Toni, who is at the house for a few days, looking after the cat for a bit.

We're both in shock.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 08:51 PM

And we're all praying for you all.

B R E A T H E .

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Alba
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 09:10 PM

CU darn it...

All I can say is I am thinking of you all, especially your Dad tonight.
All I can do is send you Both, my Love and all the Healing Energies I can muster.
Strength and Positive Thoughts CU and to your dear Dad.

Blessed Be
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 10:20 PM

So sorry to hear this news, Ann. I'll be thinking about both of you.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 01:52 AM

Thank you, all.

I knew the day would come, sooner or later, when I'd have to face the reality of my Dad's mortality (even if that actual death is years away -- where there's life, there's hope).

It's just that... well, I always hoped that I'd have a family of my own when that day came.

So... It's just a lot to wrap my mind around, right now.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 12:45 AM

I didn't want to refresh this thread until I had some definite news to report...

Dad just finished his first run of chemo (three days every three weeks, or so), and seemed to take it okay. Of course, he decided a long time ago that life is better if you don't spending trying to fill it up with doing things, and just aspire to be like the cats and dogs, and curl up on the spot and sleep if there's nothing important going on... so if it makes him more tired than usual, he probably wouldn't notice anyway. :-)

Yesterday, they moved him to a long-term care facility, where he will receive physical therapy for his knee, and start daily doses of radiation for five weeks. He goes in for another cat scan on Monday, so the doctor can get a clearer picture of the target, and radiation treatments will likely start Tuesday.

I asked him if he was up for receiving mail from Mudcatters, and he said: "Sure! Why not? Might as well give the hospital mail system a workout, and see if it gets to me all right."

So if you're of the mind to do so, you can PM me, and I'll give you the address.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: billybob
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 08:41 PM

Hi Ann, have just read this thread from over the pond.Fairly new to Mudcat, but I know what strength and friendship it brings,our thoughts and love are with you and your dad.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 30 Jan 06 - 12:29 PM

Thank you, Billybob. Your warmth is felt and deeply appreciated.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 01 Feb 06 - 12:13 PM

Dad starts his radiation therapy today. The doctors have decided to go with two sessions a day for three weeks, instead of one a day for 5 weeks (skipping Saturday and Sunday), as the excelerated pace gives slightly better results.

Meanwhile, he is starting to climb the walls slowly -- I think he put it this way:

It's good excercise for my brain, to try and keep my sanity...

As if it were a grand oportunity.

Here the fellow is, having lived totally in the M'ThHuW, calibrating the upkeep of the house to the lives of wild birds, cats, dogs, even toads, mice and snakes, spiders, bears, all the green creatures.... to living in totally in the Humans Only World -- he doesn't even get the bed with the window... So last night, I told him to look for Animal Planet on the hospital's T.V. system. It's not the real M'ThHuw, but I figure it would be more entertaining for him than a Law and Order marathon...

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad's health
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 10:11 AM

Refreshing this thread, because I finally have solid information to report.

(He's home from the hospital, btw, taking chemo and PT for his leg as an outpatient)

[crossposted from my journal]:

Okay, so it's been almost three months since Dad's cancer was discovered, and he finally had the second CAT scan to see if the chemo's been doing its job, yesterday. He went back to the doctor today for his Procrit injection, blood tests, and the results. ....

When the tumor was discovered, it was 12x10 cm, and threatening to push against his trachea (this is a new bit of info to me -- didn't know about the trachea threat back in January). The tumor is now 7x5cm -- so almost half the size it was, and is shrinking away from the trachea.

So the chemo is doing its job, and will continue. They'll do three more chemo sessions, then do another CAT Scan.

Fingers are still crossed... but at least my fingertips are getting their circulation back...

{{Whew}}

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: jeffp
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 10:32 AM

Glad to hear the progress against the tumor. Looking back at your posts, I'm wondering if there is enough shrinkage, will the tumor become operable?

Tell him to keep up the good work. My wife begins her second bout of chemo with Xeloda and Taxotere tomorrow.

Jeff

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 10:40 AM

Great News C-U.......Keep your own spirits up and I'm sure that will make your Dad happy as well. And if he's happy, he has a lot better chance. Attitude is a big part of healing. It doesn't replace or even aid any meds or chemo, but everyone knows that confident and happy patients do better!

Much Love,

Pat

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: MMario
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 10:51 AM

Even better - based on the observed dimensions - the shrinkage is about 80% by volume rather then the 50% based on the measurements...

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 12:20 PM

Good news Ann, send him my best when next you chat.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 12:33 PM

Thanks for your continued good wishes, guys. I'll be seeing Dad this weekend -- going up to New York for the Art Garden (something I do twice a year), and I haven't actually seen him since the last one, at Thanksgiving...

He tells me he looks like Yul Brenner...

Oh, and sorry for forgetting to close the italics tag... :-/

Fixed it......Fat Clone

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 01:31 PM

Good news, indeed. Thanks for the update, CU. Continued thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 05:31 AM

Thats really good news Ann - You must be quite relieved ! Hope things carry on improving for your dad .

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Alba
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 05:57 AM

Hello Ann.
That is wonderful News. I am sure that You and of course Your Father are relieved to hear it.
You are both held in my thoughts and heart and I look forward to hearing more and more positive results over the next few weeks.


My Love, Light and Brightest Blessings and continued Healing Energy flowing from the Northlands
Judi

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Big Mick
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 09:28 PM

Ann, I apologize for not seeing this earlier. I am not sure why I missed it, but a lot of my time on the Mudcat is pop in, pop out.

I have you and your Da squarely in my prayer/healing light mode. I haven't found a hill here in NJ but I have found a wonderful place near water that I can get to. When next I am there, me and the old Low D, we will sing together to whomever is listening for peace of heart, and healing ways for all of you involved.

All the very best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CarolC
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 09:39 PM

Great news, Ann. Best to you and your dad, and thanks for keeping us posted.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Apr 06 - 12:00 AM

That is great news, CU, thanks for keeping us posted.

I echo Big Mick and Alba in sending healing energy and good thanks givings for more of the same. May it be so.


{{{{{{{CU & DAD}}}}}}}}}}

All is well,

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 03:40 PM

He's not in the hospital, anymore; he's home. But I'll just use this thread as the general health update place.

Dad finally had another CAT scan, to check on the tumor in his lung, on Tuesday. It's at 7 cm -- exactly the same size it was the last time. This means, I think, that the tumor is growing at the same same rate as the chemo is killing it off. There are no signs of it matasticizing, which is great, but it's now pressing just slightly against one lung, so the doc put Dad on very low dose anti-biotics, to guard against pneumonia.

The doctor seems to think this is good news. As Dad reported his basic mood, before we moved onto other subjects: "Thumbs up, and fingers crossed!" But ... meh. I hope it's just a platau...

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: fat B****rd
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 03:43 PM

I know all your friends here are thinking of you and yours. All the best from Charlie fB

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 03:50 PM

Thanks for the update, CU. Been thinking of you both and giving thanks for peace and healing.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: robomatic
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 04:10 PM

My old man in his late 70's used our rickety step-ladder to trim the hedge bordering the driveway. Yeh, he took a tumble, but he rolled with it and only hit his head a bit.

To all the ol' dads who don't quit!

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Alba
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 04:52 PM

Well Hi there CU.
It is great to hear from You.
Thank you for the update and glad to hear that your Dad is Home and things are not too uncomfortable for Him.
I think of you Both often.
I hope that you are doing well also and that Life is being kind to you Darlin:)
Love and Brightest Blessings as always,
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 05:46 PM

Thanks Ann for the update, hope the old guy beats the bugger. Hope you are looking after you too. Please keep us up to date on what you're both doing, we don't see enough of you on here lately.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: SunnySister
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 09:19 PM

Oh Ann, I hadn't know about what's been going on with your father! Please know both of you will be in my thoughts!

Sending my best loving and healthing thoughts,
--SunnySister

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 07:04 AM

Ditto what Giok said.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 12:27 PM

Thank you all for your kind words and good thoughts. Father and I are both doing well, mostly. But the hot, humid days of summer make everything seem just a bit heavier, I think. And it's hard being 450 miles away from each other, without an easy means of travel. Phone calls help, but...

Meh.

Thank the gods for ice cream and fresh fruit! In the Greek pantheon, I think that would be Apollo (he watched over herds of cattle) and Pomona (the Nyad of orchards, rather than wild forests).

In the meantime, I do have a new discussion up: In Praise of Verse, and Iambs, Grouped by Five in the Mudcat Poetry Corner.

MudChat is often empty these days, and I need to open a second browser to go into www.failtefolk.net, but I'm around...

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 24 Oct 06 - 03:58 PM

Just opened this email message from my cousin:

Hi, Ann! I just got a call about Lincle - he had a mild stroke which affects his speech, and this morning, he called 911 and got to the hospital, which was the right thing to do. I just spoke with him and he has trouble putting the words together and pronouncing them. I told him I would email you that he is okay, and will probably be admitted to the hospital. I'm so sorry this is happening - I spoke to him on Saturday, and he seemed fine, or status quo. However, he and I both noticed that his speech was sort of different than normal. I told him that I would call you when I know more. Right now, he is in the ER, and waiting for a room assignment. It's 3:29 on Tuesday.


I will stay in touch with you. Take good care of yourself.


Luv, Your Cuz

Shoot, shoot! Damn and Frazzle! Good thoughts, please.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Oct 06 - 04:30 PM

I've got loads of energy these days, CU...coming your way along with a great big {{{{{{{{{{{{HUG!!}}}}}}}}}}.

lvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 25 Oct 06 - 01:36 AM

Thanks, Kat. That's a good thought to go to bed on.

{{{{{{{{{HUGS BACK}}}}}}}}}

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Oct 06 - 05:18 AM

CU nice to see you, as they say, a big hug and best wishes from me here in Scotland too. Come talk to us more often if you can, 'it's good to talk' as the UK phone company TV advert says.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: jacqui.c
Date: 25 Oct 06 - 08:43 AM

Good thoughts coming from Maine. I hope that everything goes OK.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: ranger1
Date: 25 Oct 06 - 09:07 AM

More good thoughts from the Maine contingent.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 25 Oct 06 - 11:44 PM

Ranger, Giok, and Jacqui -- thank you. Your warm wishes are felt and appreciated

I've still not received any new information. As soon as I know something, though, I'll post it here.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Oct 06 - 11:49 PM

I can always have a hug and a good thought for you C-U.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 05:57 AM

Thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 01:18 PM

Latest update from my cousin:

Finally got an update about my Dad from my Cousin:

This morning I called the hospital and asked for Linc and I spoke with him briefly. The cancer has spread to his brain, and that is why he can't speak. They are giving him radiation treatments. Therefore, he will be in the hospital for a while. He is so frustrated because he can't communicate, and as you know, he is a most articulate man. So, I kept guessing, and I got most of what he was saying.


I will call his doctor when I get the number and ask what the prognosis is, but I guess it doesn't look good.


[...]

He was feeling better before I went to New Mexico, and I was praying for a few more months. As long as he is not in pain, I guess we can be grateful for that.


Take care, and I will be in touch.

I'm afraid that Dad won't live until the next Art Garden, and I won't get a chance to see him alive again. And this is exactly what I was afraid of when I moved out on my own (my family dying while I'm away from home has been a morbid fear of mine since I was a child, and my mother died while I was away at university).

And I hate being in Virginia, and having fewer close family members than fingers on one hand on the whole planet. And AAAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Megan L
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 01:26 PM

Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers lass

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 01:39 PM

Thanks. I'm debating whether to call his hospital room, right now. But with his trouble communicating, and my shakiness, I fear it will be more painful than soothing for the both of us.

I just feel so trapped, here, being so far away, and living alone.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: MMario
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 01:42 PM

Hang in there Capri! I think the frustration of trying to have a phne converstaion *would* probably make it worse for you both. Don't be afraid to vent to us out here in cyberland either.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 02:10 PM

CU, IF he has signed the proper papers, you can call the nursing staff and get more info from them. That's sometimes easier to do than speaking directly to someone who may not be in the best fo shape to relate medical stuff.

Remember, even though we may not be there, we ARE with you. I know it is difficult. If you can just imagine us surrounding you with warm hugs like one of MMario's shawls, giving you strenth, peace, and knowledge that the best that can be done IS being done for him, then it can help.:-) We love you, ya know?

Love and Light,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 03:03 PM

Kat said it.... "we ARE with you".

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 01:43 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Megan L
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 01:46 PM

Remember you are special and important.

we are keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 02:29 PM

Thank you, all.

There really are no words beyond that, yet...

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 27 Oct 06 - 04:07 PM

No need, CU. No need. Just take care of yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 11:04 PM

I didn't want to call him on Thursday, because I couldn't think of anything to say beyond either how upset I was or trivial chitchat, which didn't seem right to lay on him through the phone.

But then, through insomniac listening to the BBC radio, I heard a report about Plane Stupid, a Greenpeace-styled direct action group aimed at stopping people from flying everywhere, because the altitude at which planes fly make them a greater danger to the environment than cars and trains, which is exactly the argument he's been making about jets for at least the last 30 years. Often, when we were driving in the car, and a jet would fly overhead he'd point out to me how quickly a fine haze would spread out from one of those contrails, and completely fill a previously clear blue sky (like within a few minutes). He also noticed, and commented on, how deep blue and clear the sky was in the days after 9/11, when all jets in the U.S, were grounded. For him, the issue was (and still is) as clear as the nose on other people's faces. But when he'd try, back then, to point this out to his fellow pilots (he flew for Eastern Airlines for thirty years), and they would just look at him funny and walk away, as if he were wearing a tin foil hat. So it was nice to be able to pass the news on to him that finally, his views are being vindicated.

The tumor is in his left hemisphere -- the part of his brain that forms words; luckily, the part of the brain that keeps things in perspective and sees the relationships between things is still clear. But trying to have a conversation with him is like watching someone bob for apples. He can't form consonant sounds, and sometimes, whole words go missing -- or can't get out. At one point, he said: "ahI 'an' ard-ex," which I heard as "I can't hard text." After a bit of free-association on my part, I was able help him say that I'll need to tell Toni (my cousin) that she needs to have power of atterney, because he can't sign his name, anymore. At least, his sense of humor is intact; he starts laughing when the word he wants isn't there.

I called Toni after our conversation, and passed on his news, and said that we two need to figure out how to get together and work out what needs to be done with all the property and assets. I think she found this a little disturbing, because he's not dead yet. But I know. from conversations we've had over the last few months (as in he's told me directly) that he lies awake at night worrying about how I'll handle all the money and things after he's gone. So I think he'd actually be comforted if he knew we were starting to tackle these questions before he dies.

It's just so frustrating that the only means of communication we have is the phone, and we can't use facial expression and/or pictures to communicate. At least, he can still understand what people say to him, even if he can't easily get a reply out. I hope that lasts for quite a while longer.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 06:35 AM

Continued thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Megan L
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 09:34 AM

It is not easy to do lass but from what you say knowing that everything is being taken care of will help him find a place of peace.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: jacqui.c
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 12:07 PM

So sorry dear - it is very difficult not being there.

Take care.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 01:22 AM

Okay. So today (Well, to be strictly accurate, yesterday, by now) started with a somewhat panicky email from my cousin Toni.

She was sending the email because she had gotten a concerned call from the Radiation department of the hospital, saying Father had not shown up for his treatments. She told them to check with his social worker, and then she tried to get ahold of his nurse, but only got put through to the voice mail thingie.

This, of course, gets my heart racing, but I reply to Toni's email saying that if he had died, they would have told us, because someone needs to pay the bill. And then I spend the next hour or so in A State. Then, I decide to call the nursing home, myself (he's been moved out of the hospital, as of a couple of days ago, because they needed his bed for someone else), to see what's up, and I'm told the nurse has gone to lunch (one more sign that Dad is still breathing-- no code blue, yet).

So I call back in an hour.

The nurse told me he's fine, but just that Dad hadn't been delivered to the radiation department on time because the radiologists had been given one schedule, and the nurse had been given another.

...
...
...
*headdesk*

Wouldn't it have made a cubic ton more sense for the radiation department to call the nursing home to find out where my father is, instead of my cousin (who, by this time, is back home in another state)?

Of course, once the stress was releaved, I couldn't stop giggling -- which has been my default stress reaction for as long as I can remember.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 06:05 AM

Well... that kinda stuff you can do without! Just glad to hear the happy ending. More thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Hollowfox
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 10:19 AM

Just so you know, there's still a #!@-reduction candle series going.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 12:02 PM

My cousin has been pressing me to visit Father,* and an opportunity was open at the spur of this moment, so Audrey (my aide) and I drove up Thursday early morning, and we just got back last night.

We did miss a crucial fork in the road, early on, and ended up on Interstate 50 West, inatead of 13 North, and we didn't realize it until it was several hours too late to double back. So we ended up taking the scenic route around Baltimore, and arriving a couple of hours later than we originally wanted to. I was also white-knuckling it for about 3/4 of the way, because I realized, several hours from home, that proof of my current car insurance was in a box with my insurance papers, instead of the glove compartment of my van, where it was supposed to be. But (Hermes be praised) we did not need them...

I'd called the reception desk at the nursing home on Wednesday, and told them I was coming, and asked about Dad's schedule on Friday (so I wouldn't arrive while he was in therapy, or something), and luckily. his neighbor came to visit, and was able to pass word on to him (I'd have thought that one of the nurses would've have told him, out of common courtesy, but I guess not). But Dad didn't believe him. So it was a total shock when Audrey and I showed up... Though he was glad to see us, obviously.

He's doing better, and can mostly speak, but the right side of his mouth is paralysed, and his right hand is still weak. He's thin, and his face is puffy from the steroids he's on (to reduce the inflamation in his brain) the ulcerated toe on his left foot looks really bad, and he has to wait for the nurses to come change his dressing, instead of being able to do it himself, like he does at home. But the staff there are friendly, and it seems like a nice place, despite being a bit drab from being under repairs at the moment. His room is small (I really don't think there is enough room to swing a cat in there), but his window looks out on several houses across the street where families with dogs live, so that's nice...

He's there until Thursday, he thinks, when his current round of radiation treatments are over, and then he thinks they'll send him home-- Thursday or Friday, he thinks-- no one's told him anything, directly, yet. I'll have to call his neighbor (who's his ride) today, and tell her. He'd like to keep living on the mountaintop for as long as he can, but doubts he'll be able to do it alone. So that's the immediate question for "What happens next." As soon as he gets home, his oncologist wants to continue the chemo treatments, for the lump in his lung, and his main concern is whether he'll have the stamina to drive himself to his appointments. And I worry about what's going to happen when winter comes, and that nearly half-mile long, narrow, steep, unpaved, driveway becomes impassable, and how he'll be able to get to his appointments at all, then. (She looks at the preceding paragraph. Can you tell she's in the middle of iNaNoWriMo?).

I expect he'll live at least until my 43rd birthday, two months from now, and even, perhaps, his 80th, three months from now. But I doubt we'll be able to celebrate either of those days together (he was about to come down for a belated-early, combined birthday celebration when he fell off that stepladder and broke his leg). And I have to brace myself against his dying before my 44th.

{Sigh} Had a dream, last night/this morning: Audrey and I were waiting in the hotel lobby for the elevator, and when the bell rang, Audrey went in to hold the door open for me. The elvator's car was very shallow -- less than a foot deep -- and I couldn't fit my chair inside it, even turned sideways. Then Audrey pushed on the back wall: it was only a flap of cardboard, spray painted with gold paint. Behind that cardboard was the real elevator car was behind that -- normal sized, but clearly in disrepair, with flaking floor tiles, and mold growing up the walls. Maintainace staff had clearly just covered it over with the false back to avoid really fixing anything. But we decided to risk it, anyway, since that was the elevator that came. Audrey pushed the button of the floor we wanted. And the elvator got stuck between floors. We tried the pressing the alarm button, but that didn't work, either -- total silence. I woke with both of us saying "Well, F@&+! it!" and wondering if banging on the walls of the elevator car would do any good...

I think the symbolism of that dream is fairly obvious...

*Though, as Father asked, when I told him how Toni pretty much told me to come: "Why doesn't she come visit?" (She's only three hours away, instead of nine, and it's a lot easier for her to travel than it is for me... Father and I suspect her Significant Other is putting pressure on her to not be "too sentimental" -- she didn't return my last phone call, but instead sent me an email, because he's worried about the phone bill... meanwhile, he's got a dentist's salary, and takes vacations around the world every year, and I'm on social security. But called because I felt the need to hear her voice. ...Yes, I'm angry).

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Megan L
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 02:50 PM

Lass no one ever said families were fair. the only thing is to be true to yourself.

Old saying theres nowt as queer as folk :)

Take good care of yourself.

Dauvitt and his meg

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 03:03 PM

Lass no one ever said families were fair. the only thing is to be true to yourself

Yeah, this is true. Still frustratingly head-bangy, though. Especially since I think she wants to go visit Father. And I don't really trust the S.O. ... he hates cats, and only likes dogs if they are hunting dogs...

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 03:04 PM

Yes, Megan... wise words. And, let the anger go, if you can. Thoughts and prayers.

g

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 02:54 PM

I got a call from my cousin Toni, (yesterday, around noon). Father has had another heart attack. He's now in the hospital, again, instead of the nursing home, and his doctor has called her down there to sign a "Do Not Resuscitate Order." The doctor said he is not doing well. I spoke to her last night, but didn't talk long, as the cellphone connection was sounding rather weak. She said he was resting comfortably, but is very weak, and his blood pressure is low, and that she would call me back, this morning.

But I have not heard back, yet. So I am going to log off, to keep the phone lines clear.

Sigh.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: gnu
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 07:09 PM

My sincerest thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 07:16 PM

Thank goodness you got to see him when you did Ann. I'm sending happy thoughts your way, and hoping for peace to be with you and yours.
Big hugs
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: ragdall
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 07:31 PM

Best wishes to you and your family in this difficult time.

Wishes for peace for your dad.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 08:16 PM

Oh, Ann.....my heart is with you.

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: CapriUni
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 09:14 PM

Father is now officially on his deathbed. He's on morphine, and no longer conscious. And the doctors told her that he's basically having one heart attack after another. He's not in any pain, because of the morphine drip, but... *sigh*, The doctors say that the cancer has spread to his liver, and there's an infection in his blood and bones. When Toni went to the nursing home to pick up his things, the nurse said that his body just started failing right after I left, and she sees this kind of thing all the time.

*Sigh*

Toni did say that one of the last things he did while conscious was start playing "Patty Cake" with them (She and her S.O., Bob). That's at least a nicer set of last words than: "Oh, shit!"... I think he was channeling his mother, Josephine, really. Toni wanted to stay until he actually passed, but there was a storm coming, and they couldn't get a room in any of the nearby hotels, so they drove back to Allentown. The doctors will call her as soon as he actually dies, and then, she'll call me. And then, we'll have to figure out who to invite to the memorial service, and all...

*Sigh* again.

A bit numb, here. This has been a long, rather sucky, year... I wish I had brothers and sisters, but I don't, so...

And I wish you guys could've met him, but you couldn't've, so...

Blah.

(and thanks for the good wishes. They are felt and appreciated.)
Going offline, now...

Subject: RE: BS: CapriUni's dad in hospital
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 09:28 PM

Hugs, love and light Capri. Take care for YOU too, OK?