A Long Road Ahead Of Him

As you know my dad has been sick. He got pneumonia. Not your simple, average, take some antibiotics and get better pneumonia. He's had complication after complication. He developed ARDS, blood clots, his oxygen saturation was so low at one point that he didn't know who he was or where he was. At one point while in ICU he was given a 50/50 percent chance of survival. The doctors told my mom that if he hadn't been in such good shape he would have died already.



A 50/50 chance.



Really?



To tell you the truth I wasn't so much scared and crying as I was pissed off.



Yep. It really makes me mad.



See, my dad is a great guy. He's nice. He has worked hard every damn day of his life. And I mean hard. He has always worked physically taxing jobs. My dad has missed out on holiday celebrations, school recitals, picnics, and even a few family trips, so that he could work and provide for his family. And he barely ever complains.



My dad is technically my "step-dad". But from day 1 he never acted like a step-dad. He never treated me like I was anything different than just his daughter. Never, ever. (Also, my biological dad is active in my life and likes my step-dad too!)



My parents are the kind of people who help other people. If there's a family who is in need at Christmas time, my parents will buy them presents. My mom will buy extra school supplies just in case there's a kid in the class who can't afford them. My mom will send flowers to the Jr. High on Valentines day for a kid who gets bullied all the time. My mom will donate money to kids who have cancer. They support almost every cause that comes to their door. My mom will also feed and get medical attention for any cat or dog who shows up at her house hurt or hungry.



And my dad? Well, he just keeps working hard so that they can continue to provide for their family and continue to help others. They don't make it publicly known how much they help others either. In fact, I'm not even sure they realize all that they do.



So it really pisses me off that this has happened to my dad. He certainly didn't deserve it.



My dad is laying in a hospital bed in an acute care facility. The doctors think he is going to get better. (As long as no other complications arise that is!) But it's going to be a LONG, HARD recovery. He'll be in the acute care facility for 4 to 6 weeks, and then most likely he'll be in a regular hospital for a couple weeks after that. Keep in mind that he's 2 1/2 hours away from us. The expense of 3 weeks in ICU, specialist after specialist, test after test, 6 weeks in acute care AND the travel expenses for my mom to go see him and stay at a hotel are going to be CRAZY. And it makes me sad to think of all the people they aren't going to be able to help anymore.



I am so glad that my dad seems to be on the road to recovery. And I pray that he doesn't have anymore set backs.



My sister (who also has a post up about my dad) and I have received many supportive comments and emails and I would like to say THANK YOU for all your thoughts and prayers!! When my dad was awake I told him about the many people who were praying for him and it made him smile. It was also comforting to my mother to know that so many people cared.

Since quite a few people have asked how they can help we have set up a Chip In account. We are also doing a raffle. The gold mine that my dad works for has generously offered to donate a brand new laptop as our grand prize!! And I am currently accepting other donations for the raffle. I will keep you up to date on the prizes available. So in exchange for a $5 donation you will receive 6 raffle ticket entries. Just please leave your name, blog name and email address in the comment section of your Chip In donation form. (Also if you would rather not be entered into the raffle please make a note of that with your donation.) The end date for the raffle has not been set quite yet. But will probably be around May 1st. I will make sure you are all kept up to date with my dads health, raffle prizes, and the end date when it is set. If you win I will contact you for your mailing address and mail you your prize! Also if you have an Etsy shop, or crochet blankets, or have anything you would like to donate for a raffle prize please email me!

Again, thank you to all who have supported us and prayed for us! It truly has helped knowing that you are there.