Sunday, June 26, 2016

Waiting


I sit next to my dad in the hospital waiting room. He is awaiting an ultrasound procedure to see if the swelling in his feet and right hand is being caused by a blood clot. A blood clot that could have happened post shoulder surgery. A week into recovery, his shoulder is doing as good as it can being confined in a sling 24/7 for the next eight weeks, but now there is this pesky swelling. He has had blood clots post surgery before, so there is reason to be concerned.


In the corner of the room a suspended television broadcasts The Weather Channel. On the screen are images of the flooding in West Virginia; whole houses floating by in rivers that have overrun their banks, houses where the water has receded but left behind three inches of mud on the main floor, bridges washed away and people stranded at Walmarts and McDonalds, sleeping in store conference rooms and in booths meant for enjoying Big Macs and french fries. On the television the scene changes from the floods of the east to the wildfires of the west; rubble where ten houses once stood, people standing next to the television crews car being interviewed about how they had lost everything, including their cell phones.


As we watch these images, my dad turns to me and says "I wish I had traveled more, seen some of the things you have seen: Yellowstone, Glacier, The Rocky Mountains. But I wouldn't want to travel on those crazy expressways, I would want to take the back roads." In my best loud voice I say "It isn't too late dad, you could still do it." He looks at me and says "Oh Sarah, at 81 it is too late".


They call my dad's name and off he goes for his ultrasound. I rub my right shoulder, feeling the ache of the constantly changing temperatures.


My dad comes back and we wait for the ultrasound results to be read and the decree from his surgeon.


As we pull up in from of my parents' house an half hour later my dad says "I'm sorry I spoilt your day for nothing". I said "You didn't spoil anything, we found out you just need to stay away from salt, and wait for the swelling to go down, and the best part, I got to spend time with you".

16 comments:

Andy said...

Not too serious and being close to your Dad brought some happiness. In my experience a father has to do absolutely nothing for his daughter to love him. PS: Excellent photos.

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

It's those intimate moments those glimpses that mean so much....

Jeanne said...

So glad nothing serious with your dad and that time is such a blessing!! Always enjoy your musings Sarah!

Anonymous said...

Such a moving post, Sarah. I'm glad your dad was all right and I hope his healing continues to go well. I understand how he feels about the travel, though. There are so many things I wish I'd done in my life that are unlikely to ever happen now. I fight the impulse to automatically say "It's too late." The reality is that it IS too late for some things...but there are still many possibilities left!
PS - These photos are simply beautiful!

Peggy said...

It is not too late! Don't let it be too late. I'm 71 and I find myself saying I want to do all I can right now before I'm not able. it's a fact of life that as we age we slow down and are not able to do all we could once do. But we can do some things. We just have to do them at a slower pace. And even little simple trips mean a lot. I know when you're young you don't realize that older people love stimulating activities too.

Lissa Forbes said...

This is so well written, Sarah. I love the building anticipation of ultrasound results, the reflections you dad expresses, and the resolve that there is a simple fix for his symptoms. Yes, you got to spend time and share your adventures. That is as precious as going on the adventures themselves. Love your supporting photos.

Unknown said...

Cherish these moments, as I'm sure you do. The place you're together doesn't matter - it's just being together that counts. Praying for you dear friend - this is a hard season in our lives.

Lynne said...

Good news on the ultrasound . . .
"Sarah Photos" along with the reflective "bits and pieces" was creative . . . you had me at the start . . .
Hay Stack photo was a favorite . . .
And the Appalachia Trail sign photo . . . 1972. 0 miles to Maine, is a keeper . . ,
I like "your touch" in word and photo . . .
May your dad continue to heal . . . and maybe take a back road photo trip with you soon!!

Cathy H. said...

Glad the news was good for your dad. As our parents get older, the times we spend together are even more special.

Anonymous said...

So relieved to hear the results. Time with our fathers is so precious and I am glad that you could be with him and chat. They are the best times. Blessings.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post, Sarah, and I am so glad that your Dad is okay.
Have a wonderful week.

Deanna said...

So happy to hear that your Dad is OK!! I hope you encourage your Dad to travel to a few of those spots he missed along the way, if it's possible. But as Patti said, it's not the place that is important, it's the time spent together. I am so glad that I was able to spend the last 2 1/2 years of my Mom's life with her living with me.

Nicki said...

Time with parents is never to be taken for granted. I am glad it is a straightforward remedy for your father's symptoms. You should take him along on an adventure - you are never too old.

Unknown said...

My heart Sarah...Give your dad a kiss for me. What a precious, precious moment to tuck away. xoxoxo

Suburban Girl said...

You are sweet.

Michelle B said...

So glad your dad is ok. Time spent with parents is never wasted. I can see a father-daughter road trip in your future. :)