So I got a chance to go see Dad tonight after working in the lab I walked over there. He was smiling from ear to ear and his voice was so loud and clear. I sat down and actually had a long conversation with him. He was in SUCH good spirits today --- it make me feel like I was smiling on the inside.
When I was about to leave - he asked me where is his quesadillas? I laughed. Tiff bought him quesadillas from Iguana Joe's (A mexican rest. in Crosby that our family frequents). She left them at my house the other day because it was past his dinner time, but mom told me not to worry about them bc he probably wouldnt eat them anyway.
Boy was she wrong! He not only remembered that Tiff promised him quesadillas and that they were at my house, but he remembered that I forgot to bring them!!! I promised him I would bring them for dinner tomorrow.
He seemed to be remembering more things today and to not be so heavily medicated was making him make more sense. He kept saying that these last two months he hasn't been in "reality". He called Jennifer (Scott's oldest daughter that lives in Ohio) after I told him how she calls and checks on him almost every day and how she spent alot of her vacation down here up at the hospital to see him. He talked to her and told her he was doing fine and was "on his way back to reality". He called Jacob after that and told him the same thing. Jen got back on the phone crying tears of joy --- so happy to hear her Uncle Mark's voice so loud and clear.
He seems to understand his condition more today than ever. He told me correctly how long it would be till he could walk and he kept asking about work, so worried about wanting to go back --- worried about who is taking care of all the work there that he is in charge of! Like James Bradley said at the very beginning of all this when talking about his own father's healing - that Uncle Herb just wanted to go back to work - because that would confirm much more that he was really better.
He read the paper today, and he actually had enough attention span to be able to watch the TV.
His expressions tonight while he was talking to me were priceless. His smiles were big, his laughs a little more sincere, I just can't tell you what a comfort it was inside of me to see him with a smile. I don't know if any of you have ever been to the hospital, but when I had my gall bladder removed in 05 they had a sign with little smiley faces and frowny faces - rated from 1-10 of how much pain you were in. I pulled it off the door and brought it to him. I said "Now 10 being your foot just got cut off and 1 being you could get up and do a cartwheel right now, what number do you think you are at?"
I expected him to say like 6 or 7 --- He looked at me and said "Probably a 3 or a 4!"
Gosh I just can't tell you how much I love this guy. It was really hard to leave tonight --- it was like we were catching up on lost time or something --- It was nice to be able to talk to him. I told him all of this of course, and he said "I'm back" with a huge grin...
It made me so unbelievably happy. Thank the Lord for putting moments like these in my life. It made all the yucky stuff of the past few week just fade away. Nothing mattered with my Daddy smiling and talking to me... what an amazing gift.
I love you all....
Love Meg
Maxwell & his Mom@Hospital
Love is a Pleasant Thing
My FAVORITE Grandson
Maxwell, Happy as Usual
Tiff & Maxwell
Tiff and My Little Sunshine
Brea & Maxwell
Another Special Part of my Life
Great Grandmother & Maxwell
Love is a great thing
Another Special One
Max with his Grandpa & Grandma
The ONE to blame for this
He is SPECIAL, too
4 comments:
Such wonderful news that Mark has progressed to calling folks and his taste buds are ready for something good to eat instead of just hospital food. And smiles!!! I must say that is fabulously amazing - if it were me in the hospital all this time having all these procedures I believe I would be so depressed -- Mark's positive outlook is fantastic. Y'all can pat yourselves on the back for being such a great support group for Mark. Betty, I know going back to work was so hard because you hated leaving Mark at the hospital, but it sure sounds like he is progressing to where he can give those nurses a hard time if he needs to.
Love to all,
Cousin Janet
I agree, this was a "WOW" kind of day! Megan, I'll say again, it's like being right there in the room the way you describe your time with your dad and his responses. Your expressive writing makes me feel like I can see what you see. I'm so happy for you. I know these milestones are what keeps you going. We may have down days, but when we get days like these, the others just seem to disappear from our remembrance. I'm glad you were able to spend the time with him and witness the progression. I'm sure it's also a huge help to your mom, although she's probably sad she missed it. But in Mark's own words, "He's back" and she'll have many more days like this one ahead.
Love, Sheryl
Mom was in the room with me when all this was happening too... she dropped me off and went and parked the car and then came in --- she was in much better spirits yesterday!
Plus, he's in a good room! There's a couch for her to sleep on! :)
Love Meg
I understand so much the smilling from the inside out - that is what I am feeling right now. I dreamed about Mark last night - I haven't had more than one or two dreams in the last two years since J. died. In the dream our family was at a gathering and Mark was walking around laughing, talking and having a good time. All of a sudden I realized Mark was back and out of the hospital. I gave him a big hug. After I woke up I could almost feel the hug. Thanks for the hug Mark, and thanks for being "back". There are alot of people here in Stephenville who are continuing to pray for Mark and the family.
Love to all,
Karen Bills - Older cousin
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