Day +1, A New Phase for My Dad and Son

Day +1, Sunday, April 3rd.  I texted Mom and Dad at 8:21 a.m. this morning to check on the two of them.  Mom immediately rang and told me that Dad was not feeling well.  He was nauseated and had vomited.  It sounded as though Dad had started feeling bad sometime during the night after Mom had left.  Mom declared she was feeling 100% fine and wanted to go to Moffitt.  I packed Mom a couple of the frozen foods I picked up from Trader Joe’s on Friday.  I also sent along a dozen, delicious celebratory Gigi’s cupcakes for the medical staff.  I knew Dad wouldn’t eat any cupcakes in fear that they would cause him harm during his immunosuppressed state.  By 9:30 a.m., I dropped Mom off at the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Dad didn’t eat any breakfast.  Who could in a state like that?  Mom worked on getting Dad to eat a bit of potato soup for lunch.  Dad then spent the remainder of the day feeling nauseated.  He attempted to get some rest when he could.  For dinner, Dad had another round of potato soup.

Tonight was a special night for Son.  At 6:00 p.m. in the same church Son was baptized as an infant, Son was confirmed along with 32 other young ladies and gentlemen.  In the United Methodist Church, confirmation is the first time a person publicly declares his intention to live out the vows of the baptismal covenant.  During tonight’s ceremony, I had wished that Mom and Dad were able to witness Son standing behind the pulpit giving his personal testimony about the confirmation process and to celebrate this milestone in Son’s spiritual journey.

During my last checkin via FaceTime tonight, I could see that Dad was still miserable.  They were waiting for the nighttime nurse to bring more anti-nausea medication.  I asked Mom if she, herself, had eaten.  She said that she ate the rest of Dad’s dinner since he could only eat the soup.  Over FaceTime, I perceived to see Mom sniffing.  She quickly denied that she was sniffing.

I cannot wait to be in Dad’s room, in person.  I feel extremely hindered.  I am praying that any lingering sign of my sinus infection is gone tomorrow.  If so, I am heading directly to Moffitt after I drop Son and Daughter off at school.