Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day

Correction: Normal white blood cell count is between 10,000 and 12,000.  Good news, my dad is up to 4,200.

Mom and I made a Father's Day brunch that we took to the hospital this morning.  The three of us snacked on her tasty cheese-egg-avocado omelets, grapefruit, and chicken sausage.  It was a nice little celebration.
I leave in a few hours to get back to LA (let's just hope it works this time!).  Just hanging out in the hospital till then, and Mom is catching up on some things at the hotel (hopefully, but not likely, including a nap).  Dad's trying to sleep with some wet washcloths on his head to help break another fever.

As Mom puts it, "This isn't a vacation and it isn't reality."  It been really hard emotionally and physically to be here this week.  I so greatly admire both of my parents who have been here so much longer.  On the bright side, it was good to see them, and I ate some amazing food and did some fun shopping.  More posts to come later about the other restaurants we went to, as well at the aquarium and the museum.

I have mixed feelings about going home.  I'm looking forward to my bed, my cats, my friends, my fiance... well, my life, really.  Selfishly, I'm excited about days that end around 6pm.  However, it's a struggle to lead a 'normal' life, knowing this stuff is still going on here.  It's sometime a fight to enjoy my life and take care of normal activities (going to work, going to school, cleaning the house, seeing friends) while I know there could be a health crisis with my dad at any moment.  Still, can't put my life on hold, especially considering this has been going on for most of the last decade.  It's a balancing act.  And I will also miss the indulgences.  Eating out is a much rarer treat back in LA.  But overall, I am looking forward to going home.  

If this was a Lifetime movie, he'd be all better by now.  If this was an episode of House, he'd be better now.  It's not.  But we're all taking it one day at a time.  My gratitude and thanks to all my wonderful friends and family who have been so supportive during this difficult time.
Live Long and Prosper!

2 comments:

  1. Dear Brandie and dad,
    My name is Jean and I’m with the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link. Our organization helps patients, caregivers, and families cope with the social and emotional challenges of transplant by providing vital information and personalized support services. We subscribe to Google blog alerts, where we found your story.
    Please know that others are thinking of you and pulling for you! If you would like to learn more about our programs and services, please visit www.nbmtlink.org or call 800-546-5268.
    All the best!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Jean,
    Thanks so much for all the information. I sent the info to my mom, and will be sure to check it out as well.

    ReplyDelete