Just when you think you've mastered patience...

Just when you think you've mastered patience, something happens in your life and you wonder if you ever had any patience at all! That is how it has been feeling with poor Dad's health lately. (though he really has mastered patience)

The past 6 weeks have been kind of crazy health-wise with Dad. His doctors never want to take any chances (smart) and so when something goes truly amiss, we have to go straight to the ER. We have been in the ER at least three times in the past six weeks, all for different reasons! That's a lot of visits. That's a lot of health issues. The first two issues, regarding his stomach, resolved themselves after an ample amount of wait time. (which we proudly considered ourselves the experts in patience at that point)

THEN last week, literally out of the blue, Dad lost his voice. We had been joking that he sounded like Barry White with his gravely low voice. Then ALL OF THE SUDDEN (as these things usually go with Dad) his health took a nose dive and he found himself battling a horrible bout of Bronchitis bordering Pneumonia. We went to the family doctor and he gave us a list of things to watch for, and should we see any of them, we should go straight to the ER. Saturday night we saw ALL of the things on that list. 

It always bugs when a doctor tells you that you're bad...but not bad enough. GRRR!!!! It is almost like I want to grab their stethoscopes and yell "FOR THE LOVE OF PETE!!! JUST DO SOMETHING!". Probably wouldn't be too effective but it might make me feel better. To make a long story short, we were sent home, AGAIN, with poor Dad unable to stop coughing, unable to keep his blood oxygen up, and with a raging headache. He didn't have a fever (according to hospital standards...don't get me started) so they couldn't do much else besides tell us to keep watching his condition. They did acknowledge that given Dad's condition it takes forever and a day to get better, but can get worse in a split second. (thank you for realizing, kind doctor)

So here we are, nearly a week later, still watching. It has been so humbling to see my Dad fight through this, and I think that is the only thing that is keeping me from making angry phone calls to medical personnel around Utah County. My Dad is truly a champ, taking each day in stride, even though each day is a rigorous battle. Mom is amazing too, being constantly vigilant day AND night. 

All things considered, though this current experience is really crummy, we do have some things to be grateful for. First off, back when Dad initially came home from his 4 month hospital stay the doctors told us that he would have pneumonia (and be in the hospital for it) at least three times a year. He hasn't had it once in the whole time we have been home. Second, even with his super low blood oxygen, his CO2 levels haven't given him grief. (which is definitely something to rejoice about) And third, we have bonded more as a family. 

So here's to patience. Raise your Dr. Peppers and let us drink to good health. 

With love,

The Baers

Barry White. Or as we called Dad, "Very White"