Health Scares and Happy Endings (or Beginnings?)

Two weeks ago Friday we were anticipating a visit from my father-in-law.  He comes often to spend a long weekend with us.  I think more to see Cooper than to see D.Jones and I, but we have become accustomed to coming second to the boy.

Papa J. is like clockwork and always arrives right around 3 to 3:15 p.m., so around that time I told Cooper that we could sit on the steps and wait for his arrival.  We played a few games on the front steps, I gave him some horsey rides by the front door, and then I ran inside to grab him a popsicle to continue to appease him.  I began to get that weird feeling.  It was late, it had to be.  It seemed like we’d been outside for a long time, so I ran back in to check the time.  Sure enough, it was a few minutes after 4 pm!  Papa has a sports car that he likes to drive fast and all sorts of things began running through my worried mind.  I ran to look for the phone to have it near, just in case.  I found it in the master bedroom and as I grabbed it, it rang.  I thought I bumped the buttons so I looked at the readout to double check.  Sure enough, it was my brother-in-law Tom’s number.  My heart beat faster as I said “hello”?  I heard him say “Dad’s not going to be able to make it this weekend.”  My heart sank, but I tried to take a deep breath and sound calm.  “Oh, really?  What’s up?” I replied…knowing that he couldn’t be calling with good news.  He replied that Papa was in the hospital.  He’d turned around a couple of hours into his drive because he’d had some chest pains and Tom was heading to the hospital to find out more. 

I hung up with the promise that he’d call as soon as he had more news, and began to explain to Cooper that Papa wasn’t coming after all.  Cooper hugged me and cried on my shoulder and kept asking “why, Mommy?” 

As I comforted my boy, I saw D.Jones get off of the bus at the corner and walk toward us.  I coaxed Cooper to run and say hi to his Daddy and played out how I’d tell him what was up, all while sounding completely calm, cool, and collected. 

We waited for more news to come, and began the task of calling some of Doug’s siblings, who are spread far and wide across the country. 

Turns out that Papa had indeed had a mild heart attack and they were able to successfully introduce a shunt to keep the blocked area open.  Good news all around, but a scary moment in time.

This past Friday, Papa decided he wanted to try the trip again.  Doug and I told him that we would drive to see him, instead, but he insisted.  I couldn’t understand why, but we finally gave in.

I understand, after speaking to him that he needed to make that drive to assure himself that he could do it and everything would be fine, so with the doctor’s seal of approval, off he went.

We had a fantastic weekend, filled with parks and ice cream, relaxing moments on the deck enjoying the sunshine, a dinner on the river while Cooper J. entertained a crowd dancing with a band, and Papa even got to see our Karate Kid in action at his Saturday morning lesson.

Papa was in great spirits this weekend and told us that he literally feels better than he has in years!  Not everyone is lucky enough to have a wonderful relationship with their in-laws, and this past weekend I was reminded that I am truly blessed that I not only have a fabulous family of my own, but also a second one that has welcomed me in with open arms.  These weekends together are times to remember and cherish and hopefully we will have many, many more to come.