It was a looooong night. We all camped out on the floor at Dad's bed with Mom on the couch. It almost felt like Christmas having us all together. Aunt Dena stayed up all night at Dad's bedside. She was there keeping an eye on Dad and making sure he had a cool washcloth on his head when he was warm. She finally went to bed at 5:00 this morning when Mom got up to be with Dad.
About an hour later Dad woke up. He woke up with a smile on his face but had pain in his mouth from his infected teeth. We gave him some of his morphine elixir and he slept a little more.
The nurse came back and was impressed with how well Mom has been taking care of Dad: on top of his medications and dressing his bed and etc. She was even more impressed with Dad. His stomach is a little softer and she heard some faint bowel sounds. It's not much. But we'll take anything we can get!
Early this afternoon he woke up alert and happy and full of life and energy.
Right about then our beloved Dr. Wells showed up. Dr. Wells was our dentist in Tooele. We all love and adore him. Dad has a sharp tooth that has been cutting his tongue. Mom called Dr. Wells and asked if she could file the tooth down with a fingernail file. Of course he said, "no, I have tools that can take care of that." And Mom replied that Dad couldn't drive, especially all the way to Tooele. Dr. Wells immediate response was, "Well I can!"
He arrived with tools and a smile that lights up the room (and not just because he's a dentist) He took great care of Dad and provided much needed relief to his aching mouth.
While Dad was still awake and alert, my dear friend Sara arrived with her camera. Sara is an incredible photographer (check out her website) and offered to take pictures of us with our handsome daddy. I texted her when Dad woke up to see if there were any time today that she could come over. She asked for our address and was here within 20 minutes!
She captured some priceless and precious moments of us with Dad. We can't express how grateful we are to her. We found out that she needed to be at another photo shoot but wanted to make sure to come here first for us.
We are so grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people, quick to serve and be here at a moment's notice. Thank you so much! We have also been so touched by the beautiful words that have been expressed here. Mom has been reading them to Dad and they are both so grateful for all your kindness and support.
And we are especially grateful for each and every moment we have with our treasured Daddy. He is amazing and incredible. We are awed and inspired by his love for us and his tenacity to keep on fighting. His friend Jim Davis (a fellow Marine) called yesterday and asked how he was doing. Dad replied, "I'm hanging in there one nut, one bolt and one Semper Fi at a time!"
Diana, it has been neat to read about your gentle, loving, yet fighting warrior dad. Please tell him to keep it up!! Praying for your family.
ReplyDelete