Round Three - Part Two

May 10, 2008

Charles arrived in Ridgetown Friday night about 11 o'clock. He decided to avoid the rush hour traffic by leaving later in the evening. I think that was a smart move, but it worried us a bit that he was so late arriving. He and Arend went to Daddy's fairly soon after Charles arrived to work on Daddy's computer. While he isn't really interested in using the Internet, he still would like to use his computer to write letters since he receives so many from friends in Pennsylvania. It's all fixed now so he will have something to "play with" when he comes home from the hospital.

Yes, you read that correctly. He isn't home yet. He was disappointed when we arrived there just after noon today because it had become clear that he wasn't going home at least till tomorrow. We are guessing that it will probably be Monday at the earliest since tests aren't usually done in hospitals on the weekends. The doctor told him this morning that they don't know what is wrong with him, but they are going to find out. Right now it appears that they are testing him for diabetes since they keep checking his blood sugar. We really don't know anything about blood sugar numbers but his have ranged between 6.1 and 8.6 over the last 24 hours. He is on an IV to help re-hydrate his body and is being encouraged to drink a lot more than he has been drinking. Having a Tim Hortons in the hospital makes it a bit easier to get him to drink more because he likes Tim's decaf coffee.

He was very happy to visit with Charles whom he hadn't seen since Easter. The four of us talked for nearly five hours straight. From that you can tell that he is feeling pretty good which makes it even more frustrating that he is still in the hospital. We are hoping that they will find an answer before long.

We appreciated having Charles here for it gave us an opportunity to discuss what we need to do to continue to care for Daddy once he is released from the hospital again. We bounced a lot of ideas around and have come to some good conclusions that we think will work out well for all concerned.

What a blessing it is to be able to talk to your children as adults! Our sons have been very helpful in talking with us about what is going on with their granddaddy and how all of us are coping with it. When your children are little, you don't think about the fact that they will (all too quickly) be adults and be able to talk to you on equal terms. And then, suddenly, there you are with four adult sons who love and care for you and for each other and have a mature view of the world. Wow! My mother was right!

Our thankfulness to the Lord continues unbounded. He has watched over Daddy and over the health care professionals who are working with him. We are confident that He will continue to hold us in His hands and give us the strength we need to cope with what He has given us.

We thank all of you for your support, too. It is wonderful to enjoy the communion of saints!

Till next time,
Willa Dale