Back to the hospital again!

A couple of times a year my dear ole' Dad gives us a good scare. This past Friday it happened again. For the past 12 years he has been in and out of this hospital with heart trouble. He had open heart surgery when Andrew was 1 and he is now 13! I remember so vividly that day juggling my two little boys around the hospital waiting for the word. Since that time this has become my folks vacation spot! He has good times and bad times! I decided this needed to be in my blog for the memory since we spend so much time there. He was a good sport about it-but he always is a good sport about everything!The 4th floor is for heart trouble! I know he's been in this room before too!Nice red warm socks to keep his feet toasty!Chips of ice!IV'sNeedles and wiresNana taking care of himAnd here he is so much better than last week!This is where my mom stays-a neat little place she calls home that is attached to the hospital.Always making her laugh and thinking of others even when he feels rotten!

Last Friday he was sitting on the couch and just feel over! My mom said she really thought she lost him this time. This has happened before at Wal-Mart and another time fishing with his buddies and other occasions. My mom tried to slap him back awake and his defibrillator shocked him. When he woke up she said his big blue eyes were looking at her and he wondered what in the world she was slapping him!

He was transported to St. Thomas by ambulance again. He is much much better now and hopefully will get home by the weekend.

He is truly like a cat with nine lives or he could be compared to the saying "takes a lickin and keeps on tickin" I wish I had recorded each time this has happened. It is gives me peace to know he's out of the hot water and his way to recovery again. He is an amazing person (even if he flirts with the nurses!) As I watch his body wearing down he keeps fighting on. I know he is in pain most all of the time and I hate to see him that way but in between the pain he still finds the strength to be an amazing Papa and Dad. He gives me strength, encouraging words and always knows what to say and just when to say it. He is a constant strength to all of us. He has been through more than any human I know. He lost his mother at a very young age (she was struck by lightening) He was raised by many different people learned to take care of himself at a very young age. He even lived in the school once! He worked his way through high school where he met my mother, he went to the army then to college after my brother and I were born and on to get a master's degree despite of his life. He is the hardest worker I have ever met. His life is a constant example of righteous living mixed with fun! He is always a joy to be with in all situations. I wonder how I got so lucky and was blessed to have him.