Long time no see..

Hello blog land.. or Hello Megan of the future. Let's face it, nobody probably reads this but me anyway. I'm on the brink of finishing up my summer classes as well as a humongous project at work. I'm fighting with myself to stay focused on all of the finish lines and not to get side tracked or completely derailed. The latter of those has been a possibility more than once. Dad was in the hospital again this past week. However, I think he's finally met his match. He's such a fighter through all of his health related issues. He constantly blows my mind with the things he overcomes. I hope he still amazes me after this most recent scare.

He was sick for quite a few days with symptoms of food poisoning. His doctors thought it would be in his best interest to hospitalize him for a few days because he was dehydrated, but more so to monitor his heart through it all in case his sickness took a toll on it or he took a turn for the worst. After a week of not eating and still no sign of getting better, tests were ran to prove that he has a type of intestine infection that will continue reoccurring even after he is released. More medications were given, and still no progress towards recovery was made. In fact, his lack of activity and eating was causing his liver to shut down. Additional tests were ran to conclude that on top of the previous findings, he had a blockage of sorts within his intestine. Measures were taken to prep him for a potential emergency surgery, once he and his new gastroenterologist (if that's even spelled right) met and decided a plan of attack. Luckily whatever he had lodged was passed through his system, and he was released to go home for a few days. He will have to return soon for a study of sorts to see what may have caused it and to decide preventative measures for the future.

I've never seen him so weak, so in pain, so just plan miserable before. We spent hours together, and he couldn't even say a word because it was so unbearable. He is still weak, weaker than normal. He is unable to get up on his on, and once assisted up, he still has to use a walker at a very, very slow pace. He started physical therapy yesterday. I haven't heard how it went, but I hope this is a new routine that will become regular. He's needed the therapy for a while, but refused to given in and do it. I think he sees it as a form of surrendering to his ailments.

I know this could very well be my last and final wake up call. Though my dad and I have had the best relationship one could as for, I still know I'll regret not being able to spend as much time with him as I possibly can. I know it's also a chance for me to brace myself, more seriously, for the worst. I'm thankful for the many, many chances God has given me to spend more time with him.

I have so many blessings to be thankful for. I'm attempting to show more gratitude to those around me. One way is to become a more positive, encouraging, uplifting, and caring individual. I've been saying this for a while, and I still haven't quite mastered that. I'm still working on my last personal goal of becoming a better listener and question answerer. Maybe I should concur one mountain at a time? That wouldn't be near as much fun. At least now I can find something to work on in every conversation that I have.