This Was A Very Good Day

y father is living the life. He is the center of attention, the king of all he surveys.

Everyone at the hospital is polite and respectful. The more hands-on contact they have, the more likely they are to call him Harold. The white coats call him Mr. Fox.

judah give a picture to grandpaWithin the first two words I knew that was a good day for my dad. He was exuberant, a word seldom used to describe ninety year olds in the hospital.

“This was a very good day, Geoffrey.”

He had extra pep in his voice. A product of his angioplasty? Maybe.

It was a big day for visitors. My sister and brother-in-law came, as did his two granddaughters (and spouses) and three great grandchildren.

My father is living the life. He is the center of attention, the king of all he surveys.

charlotte with hospital socksEveryone at the hospital is polite and respectful. The more hands-on contact they have, the more likely they are to call him Harold. The white coats call him Mr. Fox.

More than once someone has come into his room to perform some medical necessity after first asking for a joke. Like I said, the king.

He walked a little today and got tired, not short of breath. Shortness of breath was how he landed in the hospital in the first place. He was getting worse day-by-day. This is a small positive sign.

He has a pacemaker now. The incision is painful when he moves his left arm, but healing.

The last word I got on his kidneys was positive. They were happier with better blood flow and a more regular heartbeat. There’s still a ways to go, but this is the right direction.

He’s being sprung tomorrow. He’ll head back to his apartment, possibly temporarily signing up for a higher level of assistance.

He should. Sometimes he’s stubborn.

This battle is not yet over. My dad still needs the prerequisite test and TAVR procedure. That means waiting for his kidneys to stabilize in a reasonably healthy state. All of this has to happen sooner, not later.

In the meantime, today’s call was wonderful.

“It’s not your time yet,” I told him.

“Geoffrey,” he said, “I enjoy life too much.”

You know what? He does!

5 thoughts on “This Was A Very Good Day”

  1. This was such a great entry. It’s great when little ones can visit a loved one in the hospital. It demystifies the medical center and brings everyone such joy! Your Dad is strong willed because he has such a supportive family. I wish more families did this for their folks. It’s sad, as a nurse, when older folks are lined up at the nurses station saying, maybe someone will come visit me today…. And they don’t… It’s why I am so in love with The Fox Family. You guys “get” it. And that is such a blessing to all of you!! Rock on, Mr. Harold! We, in your fan club, salute your great job of getting well! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

  2. It is certainly reassuring to read your happiness and his. The pictures with the kids are so cute. He surely is loved.

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