Sunday, March 7, 2010

It's been a VERY difficult three weeks!

On February 13th my Mom called from Florida saying my Dad was just sitting there unable to speak or respond.  I told her to call 911.  We called her back 10 min. later and Gordy talked to her to calm her until the ambulance arrived.  I immediately called my brother David that lives close by them in Florida and my other siblings, then started packing to go to Florida. My son Luke start looking online for plane tickets for myself, my brother Al, my brother Bruce and my sister Renee to fly there on the next flight out to Florida.  The first flight we could arrange was for the next morning.  They took my Dad to the hospital by helecopter, the closest hospital was 30 miles away.  It was a VERY scarey roller coaster night for my Mom, my brother David and the rest of the family we were communicating nonstop over our cell phones.  It wasn't certain whether my Dad would still be with us by the time we arrived on Sun. afternoon.  My sister Cathy,she lives in Colorado she also got the first flight out and arrived in Florida a few hours after we did.  My Mom was so happy to see us, all six of her children together for the first time in 11 years.  For a week we didn't know what caused him to be there in the first place was it a stroke, his heart or brain?  It was such a scarey time.  Four of the days he was on a ventilator so drugged up we didn't know if he would know us when he came out of it or not.  On the forth day they took him out of the coma and were able to remove the ventilator.  I have never seen so much pure LOVE in someone's eyes when he saw my Mom his bride for 55 years, he was a wonderful thing.  We were so happy he was with us again. He was in ICU for a week then he stayed in the hospital for another week until he was strong enough to make the trip back to Minnesota. His primary doctor in Minnesota got him an appointment at the Mayo clinic in Rochester Minnesota for March 5th. My Florida cousins, uncles and aunts were so wonderful to us, thank you so much to them for everything you did while we were there!  My brother Al drove my parents motorhome with my Mom and Dad, sister Cathy and I back her to Minnesota. Thirty miles out we had two rear tires blow which damaged some other things.  We called Good Sams road assistance, they sent out a repair truck with a super nice guy who changed the tires right on a major highway and got us on the road again.  We arrived back here to Minnesota late evening on  March 2nd.  We took my Dad to the Mayo clinic last Friday for his first visit and now we have another appointment on Monday.  So far we know that he has a brain tumor but not sure of all the details yet.  Please send prayers, positive energy whatever you believe in our way.  He is the most amazing husband, father and grandfather and we love him so much words can't even say.    My father in law who is  a very amazing man that I love VERY much is also doctoring at the Mayo clinic for replacement of a heart valve.  He will be having a ballon placed in his valve March 17th then hopefully in May they will do a non evasive valve replacement.  What a nightmare to have two Dads to worry about!
I have been unable to work on my dolls or even think of it right now so I'm not sure how long it will be but I have other more important priorities now.  I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again but I will when I can.  Take care, hugs!

8 comments:

Kelee Katillac said...

Oh Deb!

So sorry for all of your struggles. Saying a prayer for Dad right now!

Perhaps you could keep a little handwork in your bag so as you wait and help you can have a little therapy close-by.

Sometimes great creative ideas emerge in the midst of hardship... don't be surprised if they do. In the space between our schedule of everyday and the hardships of the moment exists some fertile ground...watch for ideas to pop-up in the space between you are experiencing right now.

love, kelee

Unknown said...

Oh honey, what a lot of worry for you and your family. Love, hugs and prayers coming to you all from the UK. Pam xx

♦Down Willow Lane♦ said...

Thinking of you Debs and hoping everything will turn out well for you.♦Lynne♦

Anonymous said...

Oh Debbie, I'm so sorry to hear about what your family is going through right now. I'm sending prayers up for all of you. I will be keeping your fathers, you, and your whole family in my thoughts and prayers.
hugs,
Cindy

Deb's Country Crafts said...

Thank you so much for all of your kind words and prayers. I really apprieciate them. Hugs!

Patch of Heaven. said...

I am sorry to hear about your dads. I am so thankful for hospitals and modern medicine. My prayers go out to you and your family.

_Dreamer_ said...

Hi Deb !
so sorry for everything that you are going through right now i can only imagine the agony of waiting , the pain of suffering. Im sorry if im being rude reading ur blog , im new to this and i clicked something here and i saw ur blog, your dad will be in my prayers.

honeycreekprims said...

Oh dear. Sending you hugs, prayers and best wishes at this time of struggle. God Bless You All!