A week ago, I never would have guessed I’d have the week I’ve had.
(Did you follow that? Are you still reading?)
On Friday, my dad called to say that the doctor was concerned about his heart. They found blockage in one of his arteries.
M’s mom was here to help with the kids, so I travelled to Kansas City to be with my mom and dad at the hospital. The doctors found 99% blockage and put in three stents to correct it. I slept at the hospital so my mom could go home and rest. Overall, the trip was short and intense–and I’m so glad I got to go.
While I was in KC with one patient, there was another one in Katy.
On Monday morning, Catie woke up with a chesty cough and a fever. She stayed home and rested. She went to school on Tuesday and Wednesday, but she didn’t feel well. I kept her home on Thursday and nursed her while she slept and slept.
Poor Catie. She’s never sick, and the on-and-off fever drained her of her usual sparkle. Her eyes in this picture tell it all. Sullen and red-rimmed and shadowed with fever and fatigue.
After my week of “nursing” I have to say, there could not be two more different patients.
My dad knew his recovery would be slow, but he was a patient patient.
Catie was so anxious to feel like herself, that after every nap, she proclaimed she was “COMPLETELY BETTER!”
My dad’s hospital stay was scary…scary to hear words like “blockage” and “heart disease” and “heart attack.”
Catie’s stubborn fever was such a benign malady. Not even Tylenol-worthy. We followed our pedi’s advice to let fevers run their course rather than break them with drugs, so she ran a steady 102 temp.
By all reports, my dad’s stents will make him feel much stronger. All that oxygenated blood circulating will improve his entire C-V system. The whole ordeal should leave him with more energy and mental clarity.
This illness was tough for Catie. She thrives on being all up in everyone’s business. Laying low in bed while the rest of the family went along our chaotic way took away her oomph. Or confidence. Yesterday evening, while Elisabeth gave Nate his bath (don’t ask) and M took Sam to Tball, she asked to go outside and swing. I watched her from the kitchen window, where she (with her sullen, sick eyes) just stared at the ground.
When she came inside, I gave her a big hug, and reminded her to be a patient patient.
And then we said a prayer that she would be COMPLETELY BETTER.
And Papa too.
