Being a parent myself, I have always felt there is no greater love and admiration than for that of your child.  However, having experienced a very ill parent proves that the love a child has for a parent is equally as deep.  This past week my father was admitted to the hospital after not feeling well.  Allow me to back up and explain that a week prior to this ER visit, he had a heart procedure.  He was starting to feel a lot better and then suddenly took a drastic turn for the worse…..bringing us to this first ER visit this past Monday.  He admitted himself and they didn’t see anything vascularly wrong.  As a result, they sent him home.  Two days later, he readmitted himself and vowed to not leave until they found the culprit.  He was having severe pain to his right side.  His right knee, shoulder, elbow, and now ankle are all swelling and causing immense pain. 

In all 35 years of my life, I have NEVER seen this man in physical pain…….and certainly not able to move.  When my step mom called stating he was at the ER again and they suspected a stroke, I lost it.  I was a complete basket case….so much though that I wasn’t able to go see him, as I knew he would get aggravated with my emotional state….thankfully he was in good hands with Sandy and my brother.  I sucked it up, gained my composure and marched myself up there at 8am the following morning….bound and determined to have a word the doctor.  As I entered the room, I lost it.  I can honestly say seeing my sweet dad laying there motionless, struggling to speak his thoughts, not knowing what was wrong with his otherwise very healthy body, was one of the hardest things I have encountered in my adult life.  I broke down.  I was an absolute mess and knew for his sake I needed to get myself together and quickly.  In true “first born, daughterly fashion”, I bucked up and got to work.  I was determined to find out what was causing this pain.

While we still aren’t certain the diagnosis, we know our prayers have been answered….we know he is going to be okay (well as okay as Frank can be :)), and we are hopeful to not encounter this severe pain anytime in the near future.  Brad, his children, and myself met at the hospital today.  We were greeted by a dressed, groomed and smiling patient who suggested we escape the room for a lunch down at the “garden level”.   

Long story short, he is still there and we are hopeful he will leave this week.  While it has been a very long week, it has been nice spending quality time with my wonderful step-mom, brother, his children, and of course the patient.  I was reminded that family is special and to not be taken for granted.  I have always had a special place in my heart for Dad, but now that space is even larger.  Walking into that room last week and honestly not knowing how this would end, was a paralyzing feeling….and one I hope to not experience again.

Thank you to everyone for their prayers.  A huge thank you to my clients for their patience and understanding during this emotional time……and most importantly, thank you to my husband and children.  They have carried on beautifully while I was at the hospital……..truth be told, I am sure they welcomed the break from me.

The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God; I call him Dad!
~Author Unknown