Thanksgiving Blessings

Thanksgiving was a very blessed day! We all sat at the table as my Mom gave a heartfelt prayer. The holiday was all the more joyful as Uncle Frank was able to join us.

We had a special treat of having at the dinner table: good friends Gregg and Chrissy Ott. The Otts flew out from Chicago to help us get some items chopped off our ever-growing TO DO list, and spend time with us. My dad is especially close with Gregg, thinking of him as more of a family member or son. Gregg always has the best stories and he had us rolling recalling memories of the time my parents joined them on a NYC trip several years ago!

Dad enjoyed many, many phone calls from family and friends over the weekend and it was a truly blessed Thanksgiving Season. In our blessings, we thanked God for ALL OF YOU in our lives....so freely sharing your generous spirits and prayers which no doubt contributed to us enjoying dad at the dinner table this holiday instead of us eating turkey in a hospital room. Thank you for this gift.

Uncle Vince called as we were sitting down and explained that while they wanted to, he had a prior engagement with a "friend" that kept them from joining us......


We especially missed Aunt Bex's helping hands with the dishes afterwards, but she was apparently busy getting her hair done.


We sat down with dad at the computer and read through all the beautiful, funny and poignant comments everyone has left on this blog. There are no words to properly express how fantastic, loved, appreciated, and humbled it made him feel!!!! It was a truly special moment. { A bounded book is being created as a keepsake.}

While dad has been going in and out of painful moments, he's been feeling relatively good and even had some energy to pull some Christmas ornaments down and later helped me put lights on a small tree I'll be using on my front porch (compliments of the Delgado shed, which means it had my favorite price tag on it: FREE).

We trust everyone had a joyful Thanksgiving weekend. Your are all part of our blessings for which we are continually thankful.

Flying High

As we enter the Thanksgiving season and begin preparations for a wonderful feast, we are especially thankful this season. He sees one of his doctors this afternoon and we're hoping they have a solution to ease the pains that continually pop up.

We are FLYING HIGH that Dad is home and out of the hospital.......

Happy Smiles

(Dad with brother Joey in Utah...year???}

He's in a fair amount of pain from the hernia and has difficulty walking as a result BUT he still managed to laugh his butt off while on the phone with brother Frank and brother Joey last night. Uncle Frank Delgado also has a hernia and he said when it hurts he "just pushes it back in"...!!

Uncle Joe Arias sent me these pics which I think are hysterical and sum up my dad's disposition perfectly.....the first is from one of the famous Arias' Halloween parties.....I'm assuming it's from the 70's...


These photos are from one of the many Puerta Vallarta vacations with the Sotos and Arias' families, both of whom have time shares there. My parents would come back with the most hysterical stories, mainly of how Uncle Vince would negotiate with the waiter or busboy to bring him out "the good stuff". The really good and hot salsa, that is!

A Family of Tailors

Dad tells me this pic is of him and Aunt Josie, during one of his many visits to San Francisco.

The chic suit she is wearing was CREATED BY HER,,,,with no pattern! She asked my dad to help give it a lining so he took the suit back to the army base and created a lining. What you see in the pic is the finished product of their talented hands. My mom tells me Aunt Josie would often make suits by trying them on and pinning in place then sewing where she pinned, then back on again and pining and sewing and so on until she had a perfectly tailored ensemble!

Beloved Aunts

Several years ago around this time, my Godmother and Aunt was in the process of being called home to God; she passed on Nov 26.

I have so many pictures of Aunt Josie but am unable to find most of them, so I'm sharing a few my dad has in his collection of albums....

{Aunt Josie with Uncle Vince, Aunt Bex, Alison and Aaron in  San Francisco}

I stayed with Aunt Josie for a weekend in San Francisco many, many years ago, and she and Harry were so amazing. They were so excited to take me to Raiders football Game....although Aunt Josie refused to let me wear a Bears sweater!

{Aunt Josie and Harry; Raiders Game/Oakland, CA}

On this day, Nov 22, many years ago Aunt Mary was welcomed home by God.

Happy Thanksgiving, Aunt Josie and Aunt Mary. You are missed by so many.

Protection & Memories

Just as my father has protected me all these years, I am feeling protective of him as he heals....

So many have referenced what these images portray:

Dad enjoying one of his many loves:


Dad and Dexter and our beloved Mandy! Dexter was a gift from a boyfriend one Easter. Mandy and I adored that wild duckling which grew into a flying, out-of-control duck!


Oh SUNDANCE! Ice-cream loving Sundance! The best dog ever (sorry, Joey, Peanut loses by a long shot!):

Such Love!

Dad is feeling pretty decent....we're thankful his pain isn't intense right now. He's eating well and getting lots of much-needed rest!

{Uncle Joe D and Uncle Joe A with Janet outside Holy Angels (Gary, IN) on Joe & Sue's Wedding day!!!}

Such heartfelt comments....such funny, laugh-out-loud memories. We are all benefitting from your treasured stories. My dad is going to LOVE them! Thank you for remembering my father and my mother's husband with such beautiful words.

{Cousin Julie, Aunt Sue, Aunt Mary, and Priscilla Martinez... I believe this was at one of the famous Ramos' picnics}

{I'm pretty sure this is Aunt Bex with a very young Aaron!}

{Donnel and me at my parent's house on Tyler/Northgate..year????}

{Lara and Donna Davids; When growing up I thought my two older cousins were the prettiest girls I'd ever seen}

And saving the best for last....................!!!!!

{My first mom and my second mom...such sexy mammas!! I believe from one of the many Delgado/Arias Wisconsin Dells' trips??}

La Familia Delgado

Yesterday and this morning have been good days for Dad. We are thankful for this! He's been fitted with a truss to aleviate the pain caused by the hernia, which will not be corrected by surgery.

My mom has been trying to reach Uncle Frank Delgado so if anyone knows the best time to catch him at home please do let us know!

Inspiring Words

  {Moms' 60th party:Dec 29, 2001}

Dad is home and for that we are all grateful. He is in obvious pain but they did give him a small dosage of pain meds even though it's not the best for his liver. He takes it only when he absolutely feels he has to, which thus far is has been per the recommended dosage. His feet are pretty swollen but he gets to sleep in his own bed. God answers prayers and my mother and I both said tonight we know his being home has EVERYTHING to do with all the prayers you shared with us.

He needs to sleep A LOT so please by all means call him, but understand there's a good chance he's taking a nap when you do!

Thank you also for contributing to what will be a special card book. My mom and I have been taken aback at how beautifully written and heartfelt....such inspiring words for such a wonderful man. I'm slowly going through photos to find ones of everyone who touched his life. If you weren't aware, he was a PASSIONATE AMATEUR PHOTOG throughout my younger years. From my earliest memories as a toddler, he was never without a camera. Needless to say there are boxes and boxes and drawers and files and books of pictures and slides and negatives! I promise to find some of everyone as I know there are tons of the DAVIDS, ARIAS', KLUGA's, MARTINEZ's, RAMOS', DELGADO's, and SOTO's and so many others!!!

Some comments had my mom and me laughing out loud:

Donna: How you remembered the sled story is beyond me. He is going to laugh his heart out just as I did!
Jeff: The Vega comment...well, let's just say. I can't believe that car name rears its ugly head and is still haunting me in my 40's!! hahaha Thanks to you I now also remember where I get my appreciation for fart jokes, fart noises, fart anything...
Gregg: So beautifully written and laughed out loud envisioning you being invited into the tool sanctuary with no place to set a cup of coffee least of all a butt.

{Gregg & Chrissy with Dad & Mom; NYC 2005}

Dobbs: What a perfect recount of what is truly my dad's idea of a perfect morning! Ironically just found this photo 2 days ago...

{Dad, Corey & Delaney}

Julia: This made me laugh...he DOES have the best legs, doesn't he??? We've always thought this but thought we were simply biased!

{Proud owner in his Northgate (Dyer) yard!}

Blessed for a good day!

Pop is feeling pretty decent today! They've given him two dosages of platelets so he's gained enough energy for them to release him! He's coming home this afternoon!

He sounds good and we're thankful to go into the Thanksgiving holiday season with him at our side!!!! He will still be in pain but the doc said "You'll have to pull up your bootstraps and learn to deal with it". Easy for him to say! haha

A Gift to Share

The surgeon team of doctors consulted on dad's chart and advised that his disease is now definitely in advanced stages. Pain meds only further damage his liver so they are reluctant to give him more which means he will have to remain in pain.

I continue to worry how my mother is holding up with this latest news.

Across the street from my parents is a very good neighbor and friend , Bill, who is also a former ER nurse. He has provided a treasured source of comfort and information.  Bill said something very poignant to us what is now late-yesterday evening:

My mother and I are given a gift. A gift to be able to say goodbye. A gift to be able to make choices. A gift to help my father move on to his next stage in life with dignity. A gift to help my father be welcomed by God's loving arms. A gift to tell him how very, very much we love and adore him.

As I learned so beautifully from my father, a gift is only worthwhile when it is shared.

We are sharing this same gift with you. A moment to write something on how my father touched your lives for him to read while he is still with us. This is for you to contribute. Your spouse to contribute. Your children to contribute.

{Each entry will be printed on 4x6 card stock and attached like a book, which he can read or it will be read to him this weekend. My only request is that each written comment be kept upbeat and not full of sorrow for we are celebrating the good and amazing person we all know and love!}

Many Talents Abound

As anyone who knows him, my dad is filled with tremendous talents....
....he can build just about anything from wood....

....knows how to mix fish emulsion and a host of other special fertilizer concoctions for all his trees, plants, flowers and cuttings....

I so fondly remember how he took a simple wood shed and turned it into his own special creation!



An amazing, talented tailor, which he perfected in his Army days...


But the biggest talent he offers, is that of FATHER...he offered a child the chance to be with a loving, caring, and incredibly giving father anyone could ever dream of....
His strength, wisdom and unselfish hands forever on my shoulders.

No surgery just yet

They are unable to perform the surgery he really needs to address the hernia issue, which is causing a considerable amount of pain. It has to do with poor blood clotting and the high risk surgery would pose to his life.

They've given him some pain meds through an IV as he still can not take anything orally and he is still very nauseous. This is day 3 of nothing staying down.

Surgeon and his Specialist will be speaking to us later this afternoon. He still has some humor and on the phone with Uncle Joe Arias he said "You calling to play some tennis?" Aside from the pain, he looks okay.
Prayers continue....

Potential Surgery

Visiting hours at his hospital are odd: 11-8, which is an awfully late time in the day before you can go see a loved one whom you are worried about.
Nurse just called and said we could come now, as his doctors are gathering to assess the current situation and how it affects his underlying condition of liver disease.
They are talking surgery. We aren't sure of any details just yet as to what KIND of surgery.

They haven't been able to give him his meds as he keeps throwing it up, just as he did while at home. This means he hasn't eaten solid food for 2 days and is incredibly weak. Right now he has to use a wheelchair as he's too weak to walk.
We thank you for your prayers that he gets past this particular stage and can walk around his beloved yard soon.

In Hospital Again

Dad was admitted overnight. An ultrasound revealed a slight hernia and they want his regular Gastro specialist to see him in the morning. This means there are possibly some other issues.

Good news is they have isolated part of the pain and are now able to provide a healthy dose of pain relief meds!  Very sad to see him in the hospital bed, but we're grateful for the relief of pain.  Aside from the obvious jaundice in his eyes, his skin is clear and his spirits are pretty good.

God Bless for that.

Back to the ER

Dad is in a tremendous amount of pain today, and has been for two days.

The pain is in the lower front abdomen, which we were told is a prostrate issue (he sees that specialist Tues).

He has been taking SPIRONOLACTONE, a  water pill that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.  It provides relief from bloating and pressure, but is unfortunately NOT a pain medication which he desperately needs.

After speaking with his doctor late morning, it appears that it could be a prostate issue, which means he may have a urinary tract infection. 

My parents are headed to the ER now. Please pray with us that he is NOT admitted again, and that relief from the intense is provided soon...

MY MOM, MY HERO

Dad is likely not a candidate for a liver transplant. He's anemic and a host of other issues abound. I find out more when I hopefully am able to have a consultation with his specialist next week. Each day some new pain arrives.

My mom regulates his daily liquid intake....makes his special, bland and limiting meals....weighs him daily (as per the doctor to insure water retention is decreasing and thus far it has)....takes his blood pressure several times a day.....checks his temperature and supplies him with a cold cloth if needed.....and sits and laughs with him. She tends to his needs throughout the night--24/7. Even without any of these things, she likely wouldn't be getting much sleep anyway. This is her husband. Her best friend. Her life.

I've been worried how she is holding up. She is strong beyond belief, but she's only human (Wonder Woman be damned!). Now she has a cold along with him. Dad is susceptible to pheunomia so at the hospital he was given a shot, but since hospitals have so many germs floating around, it appears he caught something and now it's airborne in their home.

They are a wonderful couple. I hope I'm able to meet a man like my father someday (so far no luck-haha!) and have the kind of beautiful, giving relationship they have.

Dad's spirits were great today and I will be posting some recent, fun photos of him later this week. Despite not feeling great, he was sure to call me three times to check in on the "girls". "Make sure they aren't outside and you have all the windows closed. Did you feed them? How are they feeling?" {Due to CA fires all around us, it is snowing white and black embers. Very sad for those affected!}

Healing Magic of Animals

. Dad is scared and we want to keep it positive and as peaceful for him right now so please keep it upbeat when talking to him.

The hospital advocate, Marie, was telling mom today that she is there for them and that mom can call her anytime, etc, etc. What a wonderful person we have found in her! My heart broke as my mom said Marie was going through all the things that my dad can't have....and then she added "But Phyllis, if it's not salt or potassium or alcohol derived and he really wants it, give it to him. Let him enjoy what he can at this stage.... Let him enjoy."

My dad really loves the dogs so much and it's crazy how much they love him. Both Biscuit and Coco go CRAZY in the car as we approach their house...as soon as I take the turn on their off ramp from the freeway!! They bark and lick him and go nuts when he walks into the room ....it's all so sweet. Anyone who knows him knows how much HE LOVES animals....a raw, unconditional and crazy love.
I plan to have the dogs visit dad everyday, if only for a little bit. I really do believe in the magical healing power of touching a beloved animal. I see my dad light up when they are around

A Welcome Home

My dad was released from the hospital Thursday afternoon. He was given a prescription of meds to relieve the water retention he is experiencing. He was SO happy to be home that he was Mr Jibber Jabber and we couldn't get him to stop talking and laughing. IT WAS GREAT! He couldn't stop holding his beloved dogs, Biscuit and Coco...what joy they bring him! My goal is to have them visit for a bit everyday as I really do believe in the healing power of animals.

It was a very rough two nights. My mom has been up with him trying to break his fever (which finally did break) and keeping him comfortable. Uncle Frank visited on Friday afternoon and stayed for dinner. It was great to have him around although my dad gets tired so quickly and is obvious pain/discomfort.

His ankles and knees bloat up uncharacteristically due to the water retention. His latest challenges as per the specialist:

• No sodium/salt whatsoever;
  
• Only one QUART of liquid PER DAY--so challenging! he can't even relax with a cup of herbal tea at night now! My mom has to measure out each portion of any liquid intake to monitor this;
  
• No potassium...or in very, very low amounts. 
  
• No turkey (chicken is ok);
  
• No beef or pork;
  
• Lots and lots of other "not's..."
  

he needs to walk to reduce the swelling in his ankles but he has to limit water so he has to limit exercise. He needs to move around but it hurts him. His new pain medication requires it to be drunk with plenty of water but he can not....Oh golly!

He has also been experiencing very bad pain in his prostate area. He sees another specialist for this on Monday. I hope to have a consultation with his doctor then, too, and can provide more info.

The Power of Prayer

My father has been battling liver disease since February. It's been a rough ride for my entire family, least of all my courageous, amazing, beautiful father.

Yesterday he was ushered into a hospital room after poor results came back from the previous day's blood work. The attending doctor told him his liver is unresponsive. His specialist arrived a bit later and advised us that his liver is failing. When asked his level of pain on a scale of 1-10, he told them "10". A dosage of morphine was provided and an hour later the pain level had not changed for him.

No one wants to see anyone in pain.... but to see a parent?.... well it's unbearable.

Our family believes quite strongly in the power of prayer so I thank all family and friends who have included my dad in your daily and weekly prayers. It is important now than ever....

That he not be in pain
That my mother stay healthy. She is so strong and I pray for her continued strength

My mother really is amazing to see in action. The way she tends to his needs, the way she lovingly and cheerfully prepares his special means and how she refuses to eat anything other than his restricted diet.

Our hope is that he comes home this week which is both good and bad; bad in that it means there is nothing they can do for him. We have asked God if we might be blessed with him through the holidays.

Your prayers and love are appreciated beyond measure.