Difficult Seasons

Tomorrow’s going to be an early morning.  I’m supposed to have Dad at the hospital by 6:00 a.m. for his procedure.

I’ve never been a fan of early mornings.  Even for fishing, although that’s about the best reason I can think of for getting up early.  Eloise and I enjoy late evenings and slow starts to the morning.

Tomorrow morning’s difficult for another reason.  Dad’s procedure is to remove a tumor from his bladder.  The doctor seems confident it’s cancer.

Fortunately, the procedure itself is quick, although performed under anesthesia.  It only takes about 30 minutes to perform, and then after a couple of hours to let the anesthesia effects dissipate, he will be able to go back to his apartment.

We’ll appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we take this step which will help us learn what’s next.

Five Things

My buddy Virgil Fry, Executive Director of Lifeline Chaplaincy, has been collecting statements hospital patients would rather not hear over his 25 years of chaplaincy.  Here are a few of my favorites from his list:

1.  “Wow!  Look at all the flowers in here.  Looks like you’re getting ready for a funeral!”

2.  “Did you know that massive doses of vitamins could have prevented that?”

3.  “I’d have come sooner, but I didn’t know that you were this bad.”

4.  “At least you’re getting a break from the kids.”

5.  “I can’t believe I had to pay to park just to see you.”

I bet you’ve heard some other statements that should be added to the list.  Fire away in the comments.