The ABCs of a Very Merry Christmastime Land and Sea Adventure- M is for: Making the Most of a Morning Safari!

[Steppesister]

Friends:

Sharing some news as it may impact this trip. It's too soon to know or make decisions....


Saturday morning my dad suffered a severe stroke and has left him in the Neuro Trauma Unit in Nashville (an hour from home). The intensivist, neurologist, seizurist (no, I'd never heard of that sub-specialty either), and the rest of the team are still gathering information and doing diagnostics, but at this point, he is mostly unconscious with brief moments of eye-opening.

Family is gathered around him and he has the best providers possible in this area. At this point, I'm still planning to leave as scheduled, but will have to wait on what the tests planned for later today show. Meantime, we are making medical decisions given his long-standing wishes of "no heroic measures". It's not easy and this will be a long road for all of us, especially him.

I will keep you updated as I can....

 

[Steppesister]

I think it was one of the first things the new CEO did.

It was a smart move!

 

[Steppesister]

No other feeling like when you pass your boards. Don't forget to message me if you are interested in a telemedicine job.

The wave of relief was immense!

Right now EVERYTHING is on hold. But I WILL reach out and get more information for sure!

 

[ambula603]

I am SO very sorry to hear about your dad. Sending up prayers and hugs!

 

[Steppesister]

THatLiesa!! I love that you shared that throwback picture One of my favorite nights and photos from that amazing trip. I hope our paths cross again soon!!!! I’m so excited to hear all about your trip- especially the cruise!

Also, I’m obsessed with your super-official NP pic.

There you are!!

That was definitely a WONDERFUL evening together! We all had so much fun!

I really hope so too, Molly! You are the bestest!

Now.... off to find a job after we know more about Dad's prognosis.

 

[Steppesister]

I am SO very sorry to hear about your dad. Sending up prayers and hugs!

Thank you so much! It's been rough!

 

[irene_dsc]

So sorry to hear about your dad! Hoping for the best, and sending healing vibes and hugs

 

[Steppesister]

So sorry to hear about your dad! Hoping for the best, and sending healing vibes and hugs

Thank you for all your thoughts and good wishes! We need miracles.

 

[Wood Nymph]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It's good to know that he is getting very good care.

 

[zanzibar138]

Sorry to hear about your dad Sending my best vibes to you and your family!

 

[juniorbugman]

Sorry to hear about your Dad.. I hope for the best whatever that will be.

 

[pkondz]

Sorry to hear about your dad. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

 

[Paulaparm]

Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Sending good thoughts to all of you.

 

[missjackiemcg]

So sorry to hear about your Dad. He is in good hands for now, and I know you all will make the best decisions you can once you have all the information. Prayers for all of you as you navigate.

 

[Steppesister]

It's been a long week. There have been many highs of encouraging progress and just as many gut-punching lows. There have been times Dad has fought courageously, and times where he has gotten discouraged. Today, he has made the decision that he "is tired of fighting" and wants to go home on hospice. Despite being lucid of mind, his body is too broken to recover to a quality of life he desires and tomorrow we will bring Dad home to live out whatever remaining days he has in the place where he is most comfortable. He is a man of enormous faith, but he has permission to doubt and be autonomous. He deserves his wishes to be respected and carried out.

After long conversations with my sisters, my mom, the doctors, and the hospice team, I have decided to go ahead with this trip even though it will mean more times of contemplation. But it will also provide times to find rest and rejuvenation. It was Dad's last wish for me to go on this trip after such a long road of work getting my certification/degree/license and when I had told him I'd passed my last class, my Board Exam, and had gotten an an interview (Monday!) he could hardly hold back his emotion-that was before the "big" stroke that left him unable to speak (well) and paralyzed. I want to honor his last blessing and gift to me of "permission" to go.

Hug your loved ones. Tell them you love them often. Make sure they know how proud you are of them. Life is fragile.

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. I can't respond right now to each of you, but all of your well wishes are cherished.

​

 

[pkondz]

It's been a long week. There have been many highs of encouraging progress and just as many gut-punching lows. There have been times Dad has fought courageously, and times where he has gotten discouraged. Today, he has made the decision that he "is tired of fighting" and wants to go home on hospice. Despite being lucid of mind, his body is too broken to recover to a quality of life he desires and tomorrow we will bring Dad home to live out whatever remaining days he has in the place where he is most comfortable.

I'm so sorry for what you and your family is going through right now. I'm sure the decision was a difficult one. My thoughts are with you and your family.

After long conversations with my sisters, my mom, the doctors, and the hospice team, I have decided to go ahead with this trip even though it will mean more times of contemplation and time to find rest and rejuvenation.

Another difficult decision, I'm sure. Hopefully you will find the peace you are looking for.

It was Dad's last wish for me to go on this trip after such a long road of work getting my certification/degree/license and when I had told him I'd passed my last class, my Board Exam, and had gotten an an interview (Monday!) he could hardly hold back his emotion-that was before the "big" stroke that left him unable to speak (well) and paralyzed. I want to honor his last blessing and gift to me of "permission" to go.

Certainly an accomplishment worth celebrating. I understand your father wanting you to go, especially in light of your comments of how emotional he was about your successes.

Lovely photo of the two of you. Was this recent?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Despite being lucid of mind, his body is too broken to recover to a quality of life he desires and tomorrow we will bring Dad home to live out whatever remaining days he has in the place where he is most comfortable.

The quality of life is extremely important.

I love the picture of you and your dad.

 

[cheryllarsen]

What a great Trip Report!

 

[cheryllarsen]

Thanks so much for sharing! I enjoyed a great read!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Found your TR this morning. So sorry to hear about your dad. Keeping him and you all in my thoughts