Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Out of Right Field...

It is kind of ironic that I would post yesterday about our faith being on trail.
Today started out like any other normal day...
went to the high school and volunteered...
ran a couple of errands...
ran into a friend and went to lunch with her...
while I was out to lunch with my cute friend, my brother called me...
I didn't answer it... thinking I would call him back after lunch so we could chat and not to be rude to my friend.

My dad has liver failure.

Yep, that came out of right field.

My sweet dad has had a rough life, health wise. He is a great man and has been so blessed in many ways but his health has been HIS big trial. Although, if you asked him, he would tell you it was not a trial, he is healthy. I called him today to check on him... I asked him how he was feeling and he gave me the SAME answer he has for years and year... "With my fingers."

Now, it HAS been a trial to my dear mother... about 48 years ago or so he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, actually a venous malformation in the brain. At the time, there was really nothing that they could do about it. No surgery due to location, etc. The Dr's told my parents they could not say how long he might live with this. They described "the tumor" to my parents like it was a hand... with fingers (veins) extending. Once in a while a "finger" would rupture and he would be hospitalized. It would cause blood to run down his spine, they would give him vit. K to clot the blood and then they would do a spinal tap to check for blood in the spinal fluid. He would be in horrible pain and they would have to give him pain meds to help. I recall the pain meds causing him to hallucinate. But, he did quite well with it over the years... yes, he was in and out of the hospital... yes, he had to change jobs... yes, he was told not to do anything too strenuous, etc... but he was able to work and support our family, and THAT he did!


Continued from yesterday....

In about 1986 my father went to Harvard and had Lazar surgery, cauterizing the tumor so not to have any more bleeds. He hasn't had any problems with the tumor since then BUT he had serious side effects... seizures. So they put him on seizure meds. HEAVY duty ones for years. With time they have changed the meds and/or reduced the amount but... nevertheless, he has been on heavy meds for years. I am guessing that that is what has caused the liver failure. (I must add that even with the seizures, the meds have controlled them for the most part and he has been able to continue to drive etc. I also would like to add that he served 2 missions, back to back at the cannery, he loved it! Dang, while I am at it, I must also tell that he helped 2 young girls - twins - to join the church, save their money and serve missions for the church! I could go on and on about all the good he has and will continue to do... You are awesome dad! Actually, you can go HERE to read more about my great dad!)

Anyway, he has not been feeling well... he is quite yellow (jaundice) and is really itching. When I was there just a few weeks ago his HANDS were REALLY itching but we thought it was because he has husked the corn for us a couple of different nights. (He is allergic to corn) Since I have been home the itching has increased and a few other symptoms have occurred. So, they took him to the Dr. yesterday. His sweet Dr. gave my mom a hug and told her he was sorry. They did blood work yesterday and they are doing a scan tomorrow. They hope to be able to tell us more as soon as they get all the results. The Dr. did say it could be the "C" word or they might have to put him on a transplant list. Yes, I have done a lot of reading the last couple of days... IF the need for a liver transplant occurs he should be a candidate for a "living" organ... meaning IF we have the same blood type we can give him a part of ours. He has most of the symptoms for Cirrhosis of the liver... no, he does not drink... again, I think it is all of the toxic meds he has been on for YEARS.... but I guess we will "put our faith on trial" and be patient and wait for results... We are praying it is a blockage and it can be repaired!

Here is my most recent picture of me with my dad
















I know that MANY of you are going through this same kind of thing... either you, or a loved one... I am just thinking... and praying... I am not asking for your sympathy... only your prayers!

Thank you...

I love you daddy!



18 comments:

Kim said...

Shaila, I have been meaning to say hi for awhile, since I found your blog. Now I HAVE too! Our prayers are with you, your mom and dad and family. Love ya...

chelle said...

I am grateful you have such a wonderful man in your life. If is a blessing to me to just read about him. I can only dream what a blessing he has been to his family.


You are on my prayer list. {lots of people in need this week, so I made a list so I don't forget anyone.}

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your dad. m

Linda said...

Your dad sounds like a wonderful man...you are blessed!

He will be in my thoughts and prayers as will you and your mom. Take care!

Ashley said...

I hope he recovers well and that your family will be able to be strong through this very hard time.
Your Dad sounds like a truly wonderful man!

Joneel said...

Oh boy, lots of worries for you. So sorry. Keep us posted.

Anonymous said...

Shaila, I talked to your folks last night. James was upbeat as always. I prayed for Shari and James on the phone. I am up early praying for all of you. I know it is hard on Shari. Another "Bend in the Road".

Love you.

Janell said...

Please please please ask for our sympathy, empathy, whatever you want to call it!!!! When we all live all over the world we are limited in what we can actually give. I have so much empathy for what you, your mother and your family are going through. The waiting game, when this is something so serious, is horrible.

Your father sounds amazing. I wholeheartedly pray that the condition they find will have realistic sollutions, and that you can have many many many more years with your parents.

Take care - hugs and prayers aimed at you and fam!!

tammy said...

What an amazing man to go through so much, but still do so much. I know you didn't want sympathy, but you still have it, and my prayers.

{hugs}

Lindsay said...

You know one of the greatest ways my testimony has been strengthened is by spending my life with patients and disease. I realize how BLESSED we are to have an eternal perspective and to realize that if we have pain, it's only for a spell, and if we have to part with our family it's only for a spell. HOPE is one of the greatest blessings of the gospel. Your family is in my prayers!

Da Bergs said...

Thank you EVERYONE! I know this was a LONG post... I really didn't expect you to read it all, it was mostly for me... THANK YOU!!!

Kim, it is wonderful to find you! I hope all has gone well with the move! Stay in touch!

Mechelle, There are LOTS with trials... I guess there always is, but I seem to know SO many right now too! THANK YOU SO much for your sweet thoughts!

Linda, Thank you and thank you for remembering my mom... it is a tough time for her. She really lost it when the Dr. came over and hugged her, but truly appreciated it! He is a good man (the Dr.)

Ashley, it IS a tough time... I think the "waiting game", not knowing is so hard... thank you!

Joneel, maybe we can meet up at the temple one day! Thank you!

Wilma, thank you!!!!

Frumpy, you are TOO kind. I KNOW that RIGHT NOW is a very trying time for you too!!!! YOU are in my every prayer!!! Thank you for thinking of others... that IS the kind of person you are!

Oh, Tammy, ((HUGS)) right back at ya! THANK YOU!!!

And, Lindsay, you are SO right... we ARE so blessed to have an eternal perspective!!! THANK YOU!

Once again, thank you ALL. It is so wonderful to have such great friends... I love the blog world!

Jan said...

It always saddens me when I hear of someone so kind and great has had to suffer so much from health. I always wonder why. What a blessing he is for you as in the strength to carry on. He sounds fantastic. I just wish him all the best. Itching is such an unfun thing to experience along with all the rest he has to deal with. He is going to be on my little prayer list tonight. It has gotten pretty big this week, but there is always room for more prayers right. Thanks for sharing and we have you back because we are all in this together. I will email you too. ;)

tammy said...

p.s. Where did you get that adorable shirt?

Robin Beck said...

Shaila,
First off thanks for the birthday wishes that was so sweet of you to stop by my blog and leave a message.
Secondly, A few months ago my dad had some bleeding and they put him in the hospital-They did major tests and told me his gallbladder was bad but they also knew he was full of cancer. So they were going to operate and romove many organs. I said to the surgeon (who was really nice) "What if it's just the gallbladder?" and he smiled and said it was not..."what if it is though", I said nicely. Then he said we could just go in there and look around before we do anything but your dad is a very sick man and will be in the hospital for a long while. So I asked everybody to pray for a miracle to really believe that the Lord it going to heal dad and many people did just that. The day for the surgery came, I was waiting in the surgery waiting room...40 minutes after the surgery started the surgeon came in shaking his head in disbelief. He said, "it was just the gallbladder, no cancer and he can leave tomorrow" still shaking his head as he was leaving the room.
:) God is great and these miracles are nothing for him. So I'm praying with you for a healing touch on your dad and his liver in Jesus name.
Robin~♥

P.S. You have a beautiful family-what a blessing.

Jodi said...

I will keep him in my prayers and you too. My son that passed away had the same problems with his liver in the end. I am sure all the meds through his life contributed to that as well. His became enlarged and very painful.
Your dad sounds wonderful. You are blessed to have such an awesome father. In my prayers...

tiki_lady said...

Huge prayers your way! What an amazing man your father is. He takes things with such stride and dignity. I loved reading about your dad. Again, prayers.

Da Bergs said...

Jan, you are always so sweet... thank you!

Tammy, you are too cute. I got it at Macy's, sometimes I just run in and check their clearance rack... I get most of my cute shirts there ON clearance... picked up 3 yesterday for 7.99!

Robin, wow. Just, wow. You are right, there ARE modern day miracles!!! Thank you for sharing!

Jodi, I had wondered about your son... saw that he had problems at birth... I am so sorry. You are ONE STRONG woman!!! Thank you for your sweet note and prayers!

Motherboard, you are so sweet, thank you for being willing to read that WHOLE post about my dad! °Ü° AND, for your prayers!

Redhoodoos said...

So sorry Shaila. It's so hard to see our aging parents have health problems. Your dad sounds amazing and strong. Boy, your family is really going through it right now. My prayers are with all of you.

nikkicrumpet said...

I'm so sorry Shaila, I'll be keeping you and your dear dad in my thoughts and prayers! It's times like this that faith becomes such a comfort!