I’m still here
Monday, December 5th, 2005Between work (things are really crazy at Bob’s Event) and my father, I haven’t had the time to update much recently. I haven’t had much time to work on Pride either.
So… since last I checked in…
We almost lost Dad. As I wrote, the surgery on Tuesday went well, but the next night (Wednesday) about 10 pm, we got “the call.” The whole family was to gather at the hospital. At first, they told us he had a blood clot, then they were thinking stroke. 24 hours later, he still hadn’t waken from the surgery and been lucid. Aunts and uncles, all my grandparents, all my siblings gathered at ICU. Jayne and Brian booked a flight out of Pheonix to arrive Thursday morning. Around 11 pm, they had all of his kids (except Jayne), my aunt Martha (his only sister), and my grandmother (his mother) gathered around his bed saying goodbye. Mom was asking him to hold on until Jayne got here. While we were doing that, he finally woke up and recognized where he was and who was with him. He was still obviously dazed, but more or less aware of things beside his dreams.
We all spent half the day Thursday at the hospital before Mom finally kicked everyone out. Dad needed rest more than he needed the constant stream of visits from his many children. At first, no one wanted to leave, but I thought I’d be the good example and head in to work. As I got on the elevator, my asshole-in-law Brandon commented, “Oh, I guess work is more important than family?” I could have killed him. I found out that later, while he and Joanna were visiting Dad again, he commented that he wouldn’t kiss my dad because he didn’t want him to think he was “becoming like Jere.” As soon as he left the room, my Dad mumbled “jerk.”
Anyway, on Friday night, they moved Dad to the progressive care ward. I guess he told my mom that he didn’t really know why he’d “come back,” that he had made his peace with God and was prepared to “let go.”
Today he had another operatoin. They put in a pacemaker. Last I heard, he was out of the surgery and doing fine, he may even get to come home tomorrow.
I think I’ve been numb for a number of days. Since saying “goodbye” to Dad, I don’t know what to think or what to do. His condition changes so often, I don’t know whether to be excited he’s recovering or worried that he won’t. I’m trying to be prepared for anything, and to be there for my brothers especially (my sisters are their own support network).
Luckily work has been very distracting. All the films have been chosen for Bob’s Event and my department has about 10 more days to finish the guide to this year’s event. If I might monger some rumors… it seems that a certain gay crooner (:cough::rufus::cough:) will be appearing in Park City during this event for which I work. This isn’t 100% confirmed, but it’s close. I offered to provide lodging if that would help. 
I’m developing a bit of a crush on my coworker L. He’s in the middle of a break-up, though, and even if he wasn’t I’m so not his type.
Oh, and I don’t want to hear any shit about it right now, but I’m smoking again. I’ll decide when it’s time to quit again soon, but there’s enough stress in my life right now without adding that to the mix.
