What to take: a needlework project, a book, Bible, pen and notepad, change for vending machine, cell phone, kleenex
What to do: pray, look for others who need prayer, make small talk with extended family members show consideration to other families, jot down list of non-family members who show up for support, and what am I forgetting…oh yes, wait…and wait.
How to be: poised, soft-spoken, calm
How to feel: often the opposite of “how to be”
What to know: God is not panicked. He is in control. Prayers are definitely heard.
My father was diagnosed with colon cancer, and promptly scheduled for surgery to remove it. The surgery went well. He was a model patient during his hospital stay, and is now recovering at home. Later today, we will get the pathology reports on the lymph nodes telling us whether or not chemo is needed.
The hardest part is the reality of someone you love going through the pain and stress of the entire ordeal. You can’t do it for them, and there is so little you can do to help. The incision hurts, so just turning in bed is very painful. The catheter and IV are uncomfortable, and don’t always work right. There will be good nurses and bad nurses, and it doesn’t really make a difference which you have, because the hard part is still up to the patient. So… you fluff a pillow, or straighten a blanket, and offer ice chips. Having the catheter and IV removed, graduating from ice chips to liquids, and other less delicate milestones become cause for celebration, because they mean your loved one is one step closer to getting out of this hospital.
Thank you to my friends who prayed for my dad. I didn’t want to blog or facebook about it because I didn’t want to trivialize something so important… and it was his battle much more than mine. But now, I am so glad that it is over, and that he is home safe!
What to do: pray, look for others who need prayer, make small talk with extended family members show consideration to other families, jot down list of non-family members who show up for support, and what am I forgetting…oh yes, wait…and wait.
How to be: poised, soft-spoken, calm
How to feel: often the opposite of “how to be”
What to know: God is not panicked. He is in control. Prayers are definitely heard.
My father was diagnosed with colon cancer, and promptly scheduled for surgery to remove it. The surgery went well. He was a model patient during his hospital stay, and is now recovering at home. Later today, we will get the pathology reports on the lymph nodes telling us whether or not chemo is needed.
The hardest part is the reality of someone you love going through the pain and stress of the entire ordeal. You can’t do it for them, and there is so little you can do to help. The incision hurts, so just turning in bed is very painful. The catheter and IV are uncomfortable, and don’t always work right. There will be good nurses and bad nurses, and it doesn’t really make a difference which you have, because the hard part is still up to the patient. So… you fluff a pillow, or straighten a blanket, and offer ice chips. Having the catheter and IV removed, graduating from ice chips to liquids, and other less delicate milestones become cause for celebration, because they mean your loved one is one step closer to getting out of this hospital.
Thank you to my friends who prayed for my dad. I didn’t want to blog or facebook about it because I didn’t want to trivialize something so important… and it was his battle much more than mine. But now, I am so glad that it is over, and that he is home safe!
4 comments:
It is always so hard to see our family or other loved ones suffer and you're right that there is not much we can do to help. But prayers do help and I will be praying for your dad and your family. You will all get through . Hugs.
Thank you, my bright and precious daughter who did all of those things while patiently sitting with him all night.
All four of you taught him a lesson in sacrificial love that will give him pause to think when he's all well again.
I love you.
mom
I am so gald to hear of this news. Will continue to pray for you all.
Hugs.
Jackie.
I really enjoyed reading your blog. I also will keep you in prayer. God's blessings, Lloyd
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