One of the things that has been preoccupying my mind lately—thusly preventing much posting—is that my dad is currently in the hospital. Something some of you may already know if you also follow my mom’s blog. He went on Tuesday for a double bypass, but it’s been delayed because it was discovered that he has pneumonia and it looks like they might just keep him in the hospital until it clears up and then go ahead with the surgery rather than send him home. That is, as long as the medical insurance people don’t throw a fit. To top it off his vision has once again gone out on him so in addition to being somewhat drugged up and stuck in a hospital bed he can’t see the TV and boredom is starting to get the better of him.
Originally I thought he’d be going home until he got well enough for the surgery so I hadn’t gotten around to calling. Then I read on mom’s blog last night that he was still in the hospital and my sister called this morning telling me that he was asking folks why I hadn’t called. Oops, I’m a bad son. So I gave him a ring this morning and we chatted for a little bit and he seems to be doing as well as can be expected for someone who’s in the situation he’s currently in. His speech is a bit slurred from some of the drugs, but he’s coherent and mainly just bored.
Now my dad is probably the biggest fan of SEB out of all of you. A fact that still surprises and delights me. He’s also a big fan of many of the regulars; in particular GeekMom, Elwed, Decrepit Old Fool, Brock, and Deadscott. Now here’s the kicker: Mom’s paying a little extra a day for a toll-free number to dad’s room because it’s a 64 mile trip to the hospital so she can’t afford to drive down every day and she really wants to get her money’s worth out of it. So I figured it would be fun to have some of you guys give my dad a ring and just chat with him a few moments. Nothing like having strangers you know only from comments on a blog call you up to see how you’re doing to help raise the spirits a bit, right? Dad doesn’t comment too often, but he’s a font of trivia and loves to talk endlessly about anything from cars to cooking with anyone who’ll sit and listen for awhile. Though his current condition may limit his chat times a bit.
Anyway, if any of you regulars think you’d like a chance to talk with my dad for a bit just and I’ll pass along the needed info in terms of his name and the phone number. I think he might get a big kick out of it though it’d probably confuse the hell out of him at first. If nothing else, mom would get her money’s worth out of that toll free number.
Not sure if the name is correct but Jay wanted me to acknowledge Laurie’s call from Orlando today. 
I talked to your dad this afternoon, and he seemed in good spirits. He was very gracious in spite of the fact that I interrupted his dinner. He said his pneumonia is improving and sounded like the charm had worn off the whole hospital experience (which normally takes about 1 second anyway) He had some rather uncomplimentary observations about what constitutes a “full portion” of hospital food. I guess that’s a good sign because it suggests good appetite.