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Monday, August 18, 2008

Dad's Illness and Time Off

Here's a pic of my Dad and me at Easter, hamming it up at in my parent's living room.
As many of you know, Hobba's been fighting small cell lung cancer since May. And what a trooper he has been! He's had chemo and radiation since.
The day his hair fell out he said to me, "Daughter, look!", and he took off his hat,"I went into the shower a young man and came out an old-I'm bald!" We giggled.
"At least your head is a nice shape", my husband chimed in. We giggled some more.
The tumor, luckily, was in his bronchial tube. They said it may not have been detected otherwise (as it left a shadow on an x-ray) until it was possibly too late. He had gone to the doctor as he was coughing quite a bit and thought he may have had pneumonia. The radiation treatment appears to have "burned" his esophagus. He is having a hard time eating and keeping things down. He's been in and out of the hospital and has had a number of transfusions.

I believe in positive thought and we have kept a positive atmosphere for him with my Mom leading the way. We talk about the T bone steak we'll go out for as soon as he can eat a good meal. We discuss all the pasta meals my Mom will make: beans and escarole, lasagna, pasta fazuli...(that'll make you well!).
When he was in the hospital last week my son called him and asked if he needed anything. He wanted his flower beds weeded. My son and brother went over to my parent's house and spent the afternoon completing the task! He was relieved and happy. Funny the things you think about when you are lying flat on your back!

I believe so strongly he'll be OK. The doctors feel he is doing well and these after effects of the chemo and radiation are all to be expected.
But I think I am going to take the week off from blogging, spend time with my family...my son leaves again for college Sat. and I want to get over to my parents a little more this week before the girls are back at school and my son is gone.
Thanks for your kind thoughts...some people have even emailed to send good thoughts my way and I cannot tell you how special that was to me! Enjoy your week! :0)

60 comments:

Lamp Tramp said...

My prayers are going out for your Dad! and for all of your family as cancer does a number not only on the patient but all that love that patient! Stay strong.

MeMeMe said...

Hi Tara, your Dad is so blessed to have you all. I think that was sweet of your son and brother to weed for him! I just love reading your blog.

Thanks for stopping by. I did turn my day around, and walked just like you said.

Enjoy the time with your family and folks.

Alison Gibbs said...

What a wonderful supportive family you are. Your Dad is so lucky to have you all by his side.
Maybe you should have taken a photo of his weeded flower bed. That would have brought a smile to his face.
My thoughts will be with you all while you take this break.
Alison

oliver rain said...

I am sending lots of positive thoughts your way. Have a good week & we'll be there when you are ready to come back.

Susie Q said...

I will keep positive thoughts and many prayers in my heart for your sweet dad. You need to be with your kids now and your parents...such a wonderful, loving family.
Blessing to you all.

Love,
Sue

Mama said...

My prayer is that your dad's health will improve easily and quickly, and that all the time you have together will be filled with joy and thanksgiving.

Just A Girl said...

Hi Tara,
I've been praying for your dad... all of you really and will continue to pray.
XO Cori

Adrienne said...

Dear Tara -
I'm praying for your dad. And for you!
~Adrienne~

Melanie said...

Take care-- Our prayers are with your family.....

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Tara

I think it's a wonderful idea to concentrate on your family right now and spend as much time together before the school and work schedules kick in.

Your Dad looks great! I'm sure he's weak right now, after going through all his treatment, but I'm sure he knows that with all the love and support he gets from all of his family he can rest and recuperate and ultimately get stronger.

I'm continuing to pray for him!

{{{{ HUGS }}}} Pat

A Romantic Porch said...

Tara, Enjoy your family. Hug them lots and lots. You're in my thoughts. xo rachel

Mary said...

So funny that we each decided to tell our stories on the same day. And similar stories at that because they both involve positive attitudes and nicely shaped heads!

Thanks for your concern and prayers for us. You can be assured they are coming back to you from us.
Mary

Betty said...

Oh Tara! I hope your dad will be feeling himself soon so that you can take him out for that big T bone steak! I'm sending prayers your way. Hugs!

Janet said...

Tara,

Please spend as much time with your Dad as you can. I am sure he loves to see you and the kids as often as you can make it. He is in my thoughts.

Janet

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your words of wisdom on my blog!! Really appreciate it...I want so badly to look after our children all the time, but in reality that can't be! He's doing good in class and I hope it continues! Your family and father will be in my prayers and I hope everything turns out as it should be for you all! *Kristen

Anonymous said...

Good thoughts, prayers and cyber hugs for you, your Dad, your Mom and family and all the health care workers caring for him. I posted that recipe you wanted today. Come on over and get it. :) Lynn

Unknown said...

What a lovely picture of you and your dad! I will thinking of you...hope your daddy is well very soon!

annie

{oc cottage} said...

You enjoy all your family time...that's what's important!!!

M ^..^

Kelly said...

Enjoy your time with your family, they are so precious, our Mom's our Dad's ...our children .....all of them! Praying for your Dad, he looks like a trooper. Many Blessings to you~

((hugs))
Kelly

Carletta said...

Tara,
I'm sending prayers your way for your Dad's complete recovery.
Do take some time off to be with family and enjoy the love that surrounds you.
Many blessings.
Carletta

I have so enjoyed catching up on your blog. You've done some lovely things.

Gina said...

Tara, enjoy the extra time with your family..you have a wondreful & positive attitude and I'm sure this means a lot to your dear Dad! Take care and I will be thinking of you! Gxox

bj said...

Sweet Tara...I feel just like you...I just know your dad will be able to overcome this valley and be strong again. You are soooo right in thinking positive and keeping positive thoughts flowing around your daddy. When I spent 2 weeks in the hospital not long ago and got so weak and tired, my sweet Bill and all the kids just kept encouraging me to eat, to laugh, to think....it helped more than I can even express and I KNOW that is why I felt better so quickly. So, keep up the wonderful work you are doing with your dad. I just added him to my prayer list....
And, I am excited about seeing your WHOLE living room...your banner has always made me want to come see you and sit in that pretty room. So much character!
love, bj

Mary said...

What a warm and loving family you have! I am sure that all your positive thoughts are helping your father more than you can imagine. I love the picture of you and your father -- it is so sweet! All of my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
xoxo,
Mary

Rhondi said...

Hi Tara
I will be praying for your dad for a complete recovery. Enjoy spending time with your family
Hugs, Rhondi.

Tracy said...

Hi, Tara! My thoughts & prayers are flying to your father and all your family...I'm so glad he's doing so well, and that all of you have been up-beat. But do take the time you need--enjoy time with your family! If you get a moment, stop and see me tomorrow, where I will have something fun to share with you! :o) Thinking of you... ((BIG HUGS))

Sandi McBride said...

You know Tara, I'm a firm believer in the positive attitude! I'm praying for your Dad...did you show him the Lunch in the sky photos? What did he think??
hugs and love
Sandi

kelly said...

have a great week and enjoy your time with the family! sending healthy vibes for Hobba!

Unknown said...

Tara, your father is in my prayers. Have a wonderful week, looks like the weather is on your side. Blessings, Karen

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, Tara, great pic of you and your dad.

Thanks for stopping by! I did know about the Blogger bloglist thing too & started to do that on my blog, but I've got SO many blogs listed it just didn't make sense to do them all. So, like I mentioned a couple of posts ago, I use Bloglines. It basically does the same thing that this blogger list does, but I click on a Bloglines saved page that I've already added all the blogs I want to keep up with (about 40-50). I click on the Bloglines page & it only shows my favorite blogs with NEW posts. I can read them directly on the page OR click over and open up their blog if I want to leave a comment. It saves a ton of time too. So everytime I open it, only the new posts come up for me to see. I love this one too!

Rhoda

Judy said...

You go spend all the time you need with your dear dad and family. We will all be thinking about you and sending good thoughts and prayers your way....we're always here for you.

XOXO
Judy

Deb said...

Hi Tara
Thinking of you & sending good wishes your way!

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry. I am catching up myself.We have been some hard times lately. Your dad is blessed to have a strong and positive family. What a great daughter to take time away for him. So many do not know what they have until it is gone.
God bless and keep you all in his arms,Brenda

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Tara,
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family...take all the time you need. We will be here when you get back.
Penny

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Aw, what a sweet photo. Daddies are the best.

Prayers & hopes for a full recovery for him and many more happy years with your father.

Blessings,
Melissa

Beth Leintz said...

Your positive attitude is so inspiring- thanks for sharing it- good thoughts to you and your family!

Kathleen Grace said...

Hi Tara, just doing a little catcvhing up on everyone. I am saying a prayer for your dad that everything goes well and he will be better. He is a lucky man to have so much loving family support!

Anonymous said...

My thoughts are with you.
Brenda

Shannon (Faith and Chocolate) said...

OH Tara... you sweet girl you. Thanks for stopping by my blog in the midst of all that is going on with you... I will pray for you all. Back to school is a bitter-sweet time. Exciting, yet a little sad... BIG HUGS, peace and hope your way from little ol' me! Take care, enjoy the time with your family.
Catch ya later...
Love,
Shannon

CIELO said...

Hi Tara....! Love love that pic of you and your dad! Love that happy look on your dad's face.... dads are such special person in a woman's life..... to see that pic makes me happy...

Hugs

cielo

Anonymous said...

Do what you need to do for your family, it is that simple...

bj said...

just letting you know I am thinking of you and your dad...and whispering a prayer for all of you...
i so wish there was something i could do...but, i WILL keep praying.
love, bj

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Tara!
My good good good thoughts are with you and your dad, as are my prayers. I'm believing your dad WILL be alright! My dear friend Cindy that I talk about had a partial lung removal from cancer and recovered by God's grace and goodness. She is so dear to me and I'm so thankful she is now cancer free! So I assure you it DOES happen!!
May God's peace, that comes without understanding, be yours...
Big hugs, Sherry

Rue said...

Good morning Tara,

I'm so sorry it took this long to get over here. Catching up since I was gone has been tough. I don't like rushing through and taking my time, takes a while.

I want you to know that I'm praying for you, your dad and your family. I think taking some time to enjoy them is the right thing to do. We'll be here when you get back :)

(((hugs)))
rue

blah said...

Hey beautiful girl, I believe in pryer and so we will pray. Actually I will get my boy on to it - he earnestly prayed for a BIG CLOUD the other day and we are currently in a direct hit typhoon - God hears his prayers. Enjoy your week off - there's blogging - and then there's life - more people should take more weeks off:-)

Including me

hugs bug and I'm not signed in properly as your blog kept jamming in firefox browser so I'm here in Safari

Anyway - its Felicity - All ThIngs Bright and BeautifulXOX

Vee said...

Adding my prayers and positive thoughts, too. Glad that your dad is surrounded by cheerful, upbeat attitudes. It must be a big help to him.

Don't be gone any longer than you must be...you'll be missed.

Barb McMahon and Alan Mailloux said...

Hi Tara,

I'm just back on the internet after too long away.

My thoughts are with your Dad and with you. Take all the time you need with him and with the rest of your family.

I spent a lot of time with my parents when they were alive - and I am so, so glad I did.

Donna said...

My thoughts and prayers are with your Dad and you and your family. Keeping positive will truely make a difference.

Take care. See you when you get back.

Hugs,
Donna

Just A Girl said...

Hi Tara,
I know today is your Hammock day. I hope you had a wonderful day filled with love and your family.
XO Cori

Unknown said...

Back again Tara, I hope that you are enjoying time with your Dad. He is in my prayers daily. I love this photo of the two of you. Karen

Tina Leavy said...

here is wishing your dad a speedy recovery!
have given you an award over at my blog.

Life on an artistic shoestring said...

I am sending out healing prayers to your father. The positive vibes are a very good thing, as you know, and he is lucky to have you for a daughter.

Gypsy Butterfly said...

Hello Tara,
I will keep your father and the rest of your family in my prayers. I hope your dad feels better soon. Wishing you all the strength, healing and blessings needed.
Lydia

Tricia said...

Nice photo of you and your dad. Enjoy that family time.

Cottage Contessa said...

Oh Tara, sweetie I am so sorry to hear about your dear dad. Please know that I am praying for you and your precious family as you travel this path together. Sending hugs your way.....
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Cottage Contessa said...

Hi Tara, just checking in on you sweetie and to let you know I have been praying for your dear dad. Hugs Tara.
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Mary-Laure said...

Wishing your dad all the best...
And the college-bound kid too!
Sounds like you have a very precious family.

blah said...

Hey gorgeous lady - just popped over to let you know we've been praying :-)

kari and kijsa said...

Take all the time you need and want. Your inspiring comments and prayers for us have shown such a beautiful positive Christian spirit. As God sustains you and your father and family through this trial, there will be blessings along the way-cherish every moment!
Thank you for all your prayers and blessings!
Have a wonderful Labor Day,
kari & kijsa

dlyn said...

Stopped in to say I am still praying for your Dad - hope the week off helped you recharge!

Anonymous said...

Time taken is precious!