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Friday, December 23, 2011

Update: A Different Kind of Christmas

Hello Friends.

I hope you are all enjoying your pre-holiday festivities.  Christmas is going to be different for our family this year.  

As many of you know, my 87 year-old father underwent back surgery earlier in the month at a Columbus hospital.  If you or anyone you know has had lower back surgery, you know the road to recovery is long and arduous.

The anesthesia and pain meds left my dad very confused and, at times, combative.  Thankfully, most of that has since worn off.    

Monday, we were able to move him to a rehab center in Marion, where we live.  He seemed very comfortable there and everyone relaxed a bit.  

Wednesday was perhaps the most peculiar day of my life.  I received a call, while I was driving to work, from the nurse at the center saying they were rushing Dad to the local ER because his breathing had become labored.  I turned around to head back to Marion and started trying to contact my brothers.  No one answered their phones so I finally called my nephew, who is a police detective and used to getting calls in the night.

When I got to the hospital BJ and Jordan were there, but the ambulance was not.  Jordan offered to drive to my oldest brother's house to awake him.  When he returned he said something is wrong with Uncle Chuck.  He is bloated and can't talk right.

I called him and his speech was slurred.  I asked him if he was ok and told him  he should come out to be checked.  

Before he could get there, some family friends came into the ER.  Their children were driving to school and the car was struck by a truck.  

Dad had sustained a small heart attack and was in congestive heart failure.  He was admitted to ICU for observation.

Chuck's kidneys were not functioning correctly due to a change in medication.  He was admitted to the hospital in a room just outside of the ICU.

The children who were in the accident are fine.  They are very sore and shaken up, but are home recuperating.    

Needless to say, Christmas will be different this year.  There will be no cookies, no big family celebration, no day of playing.  It is disappointing, but we are very thankful that everyone is healing.  

I would like to thank my Secret Santa for all the wonderful treats she sent me.  As soon as life settles a bit, I will share my box of goodies with all of you.  

Until then, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday.  I think of you often and hope to rejoin you in the very near future.  La

9 comments:

  1. I've been thinking about you and wondering if things were OK. I am glad everyone is healing. There will be time later on for celebrating when everyone is back to normal. Wishing you peace, hope, love and joy this season. ((hugs)) xo

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  2. Oh, no. I am so sorry. It's one thing after another. Hoping for some calm days ahead for you!

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  3. La, I am sorry to hear what has been happening in your life! Sometimes it rains when it pours! Take one day at a time and just enjoy "right now". Merry Christmas~ Hugs, Patti

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  4. La, I hope that things will return as close to normal real soon! As Patti said, just take it one day at a time. Thinking of you. Hope we can all get together once again soon. Sue

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  5. SO thankful everyone is healing. What an incredible stressful day!

    Sending you a prayer that things continue getting better for the members of your family of friends and relatives. It'll be different, but have a Merry Christmas and improvements from the status quo in 2012!

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  6. I truly hope everyone gets well quickly and things calm down for you soon. Merry Christmas and be sure to take care of yourself:@)

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  7. Hi La, I haven't blogged for a while or read any, but I was trying to catch up today and I am very sorry to hear about your dad. No time is good but Christmas is a worse time than others. I pray for your dads recovery and when he is home and feeling ok you will be able to have late Christmas celebrations.

    Take care and love to all the family, Jackie in Surrey, UK.xx

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  8. La ~ I am so sorry to read this. I had been wondering where you have been. Must have missed this post during the holidays. I hope that your Dad is doing better by now. It is hard to watch our elderly parents suffer. I remember it well and think about my Dad and our time at the hospital nearly every day. My Mom is coming along fine, but her collar bone did not heal normally, so she will have some limitations. Overall, we are grateful my Dad is in heaven not suffering and our dear Mother is here with us. Cherish every day you have with your Dad and treat him like the king that he is. Such important roles our Dads play in our lives molding us into the people we are. Take care. Sending you lots of love and prayers.
    Cindy

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See you soon! La