I don't want anything to happen to him, Sarah.

Guess today calls for a blog post.
My dad.
In the hospital. Cancer. Prostate removed.
The doctors are more than pleased with how the surgery went, and with how he's doing.
But...
they told him he'd be home this morning.
And he's still there. And he's tired. And so frustrated. And in pain.

His girlfriend is being more than amazing. I told her I'm not sure I'll ever be able to thank her enough. I won't. That's my DAD she's looking after.

My cousin, his niece, flew in today to help.
She'd offered, he said it wasn't necessary. I sensed it was. Emailed her. She bought a plane ticket that next morning.

We all met at the hospital. My sister and I had been there since early afternoon. Sally (girlfriend) left to pick Lisa (cousin) up from the airport. My sister and I did our best to keep him comfortable and as entertained as possible. Crossword puzzles. Piano music from my iPod so he could sleep. This Old House on PBS. Hands to hold. Extra pillows. Fewer pillows. More blankets. Fewer blankets. Walks down the hall. Call the nurse. Ask for more pain medication. Make sure the prune juice was warmed up.

Lisa and Sally showed up and we all let Sally stay with him alone for a while. She has a way with him. And he needed it right then.

After eating dinner with my mom, Lisa and I came to my dad's, where I now sit typing this. She walked in about 10 minutes before I did, after 15 years of being away. When I walked in to help her find the keys to his truck so she could go relieve Sally and spend some time with my dad, I found her standing in the middle of his living room with tears in her eyes.

"I don't want anything to happen to him, Sarah."
"Me either Lisa."

........

This is a much longer story than I've made it here. I hope to elaborate later. I love my dad. More than words can say. I'm overwhelmed tonight.