Vamos a la domenica republica

We are off to our very good friend - Patrick's wedding in the Dominican Republic. Felicidades en tu matrimonio, Patricio y Joanna! [Al & Patrick have been best friends since their college days, so we are happy to join in his & Joanna's festivities this weekend.] Anxious about not being around for a few days, we've asked some of our family and friends to check in on Mom & Dad while we're away. Dad just had dialysis yesterday, gets a break today, and resumes dialysis again tomorrow. His dialysis schedule: Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays for two-and-a-half to three hour sessions . . . with all kinds of specialist doctors' appointments in between. Sometimes Dad thinks (& acts like) he's a celebrity!

Thank you to everyone who calls, stops by for visits, and sends peaceful intentions. Nursing a sore throat for the past week, Mom is currently getting over some kind of bug. I think the day-to-day is making her feel a little run down, which causes me great concern. I am thankful that I will be working from home on Fridays beginning August so that I can give Mom some kind of a break. Off to the DR! Hasta luego.

Dialyses, transfusions, and grafts -- Oh my!

Seems like every time Dad goes in for hemodialysis, he's also going in for another blood transfusion.  Dad's hemoglobin has been low.  He had another blood transfusion today.  

He was scheduled to have a minor surgical procedure done this Thursday, July 31.  It's been postponed due to his low hemoglobin count. The procedure is supposed to create more direct and permanent dialysis access, an entranceway into Dad's bloodstream that lies beneath his skin and is easy to use. 

The two kinds of access portals are: 

- FISTULA -- joining an artery to a vein

- GRAFT -- a man-made tube made of plastic or other material that is inserted under the skin to connect an artery to a vein

The procedure is now scheduled for Thursday, August 7.  

Pinching his cheeks which are always a bit rosily flushed after dialysis and/or transfusion, Dad looks at himself in the mirror and asks, "When, when?"  He seems to be having more of those conversations when he thinks no one is looking. Or maybe he knows Someone is always watching and listening . . .  

Transfusion

Transfusion: (1) the act of pouring liquid from one vessel to another (2) the transfer of blood from one individual to another. 

Dad has been receiving a couple of blood transfusions since last week.  He just had another one yesterday.  Doctors say his hemoglobin is low.  Every now and again, Dad says some wacky things like --

(Even as the sun shines through the front window) "Leave the light on.  I want to see what heaven is going to be like."

"What kind of blood are they giving me?  Maybe Chinese.  If it's Korean, that's good too."  (Must be all of his daughter's years working as an educator in Asian American Studies.)

(To God) "Just take me now.  I'm tired."

It is those spontaneous comments that remind me just how wacky Dad is.  Thank goodness for his sense of humor which manages to pour itself from Dad's being into our hearts for all of us to appreciate and make light of the moment and feel just a little better. Transfusion.