Stressed and Possessed

Ok...I apologize for ignoring this blog, but it has been a crazy two weeks. I will try to not let it happen again. Lets start at the beginning.

My Dad (Papa) has not really been feeling well for over a year. He has slowly been getting weaker and weaker. His breathing was getting more labored and he was getting forgetful (well more forgetful then usual). He would go to different doctors but nobody could find anything wrong. As I have learned with all of my medical issues, sometimes you have to learn to be your own doctor. A blood test found that he had only half the blood that he should have. That meant he was bleeding from somewhere in his body. Finally two weeks ago a Doctor had him do an endoscopy and colonoscopy...Poor Papa had the full Roto-Rooter treatment. The colonoscopy was fine but they found a bleeding polyp in his stomach. He was scheduled to have another endoscopy to remove the polyp that Thursday.

Unfortunately the second procedure was unsuccessful and they decided that they would have to remove the polyp surgically. The surgery went perfectly well. The polyp was non-cancerous...all great news. I went to visit Papa in ICU the first day after his surgery. He was sleepy, itchy and uncomfortable, but in good spirits. I had planned to come back on Monday morning...That's when the fun started.

I arrived at the hospital and searched for his new room since he was no longer in ICU. When I walked into his room and greeted him, he gave me a very strange look. He told me that in his mind he was telling me not to come see him. He was angry, uncomfortable and just wanted to be left alone. I went to console him and he told me not to touch him. Then he basically threw me out of his room. I went into the hallway and just sat there in shock. Looking back...I'm surprised there was not smoke, coldness and furniture moving in his room by itself..I would swear a demon had Possessed my Papa. The person in the room looked like my Dad, but that was not him in the room. I had nowhere to go to since my Medivan would not return for 3 hours. So I sat in the Hall until Kathy arrived to have lunch with me. I sat listening to him moaning, groaning and occasionally cursing. His nurses were angels. That Monday my Dad threw out not only me, but also my brother, my sister-in-law and his best friend.

Tuesday turned out to be not much better. At times my dad didn't know where he was. He kept ripping out tubes and being quite a handful. This was so unlike my father who is normally a gentle very reasonable person. He would call my brother at all hours to come pick him up. Finally, they had to give him a 24 hour nurse. That made my brother and I feel much better. Now, this is all a very different role for me. I am very used to being the patient, not the caretaker. To be honest, I think I prefer being the patient. It's much less stressful.

Finally on Wednesday, when I walked into his room, I started seeing glimpses of my Papa coming back. He didn't remember much of the previous days. He was still very weak and a bit out of it, but it was Papa. He smiled when Kathy came in . We watched him try to eat Jello with his eyes closed, which is not easy to do. When he thought he was pulling up his sheet, he was actually pulling up his gown...so I saw way too much of Papa that day.

By Thursday he was both physically and mentally better. The Doctors suggested a rehab facility for him, but he overrode that. He is most comfortable in his own home. My Dad came home Friday and with the help of aftercare people, my wonderful nephew who flew in from College and my saintly friend Kathy...He is getting stronger every day. I expect a full recovery.

I want to thank all the wonderful friends and family who sent prayers and good wishes our way. I want to thank my old but new friend Wendy for our nightly gab sessions on Facebook..you helped me keep perspective. To my friend/sister Kathy...you rock! And to my Papa. I am sooo thankful that you are the person you are. I look forward to many more years with you around!

Remember to appreciatte every day and all those around you.

That's all for now!
Be Thankful, Be Considerate and Be Superb!
R