Day Seven - Something New Has Been Added

Poor Dick, if he only knew what was going on while he slept. Today was pretty uneventful for us but for him he had a busy day. He was taken for a procedure this afternoon. He now has a feeding tube in his stomach which will replace the tube going through his nose. Although, they will still leave the tube in his nose for a few days just until they see how he tolerates the new feeding tube. If he aspirates it will come up through the nasal tube and not through his mouth lessening the chance of choking. He also had a CT scan late last night which has shown no change (two thumbs up). We are all pretty amazed at the miracles of science and medicine that we see every day. In the short time that Mike and Amy have spent in Florida most of their waking hours have been spent by their dad's bedside so they have become very versed in what each number on the monitor means and what each tube going into their father's body is for and why each fluid is returned from it. We are all very proud of the way they are holding up under the pressure. They are taking on the responsibilities that have been thrust upon them with great decorum. I know today was a very hard day for both of them as Mike had to return to Illinois and to work but hopes to be able to return soon. Amy still has family with her but having her big brother leave was very difficult, we cannot fill that void. Today has also been a day for us to seek housing. We need to find some place close to the hospital. Jerry and Darryl will be heading back to Illinois soon and I may stay behind with Amy and Kathy for a few extra days. It is unbelievable the things one must think of in a time like this. Housing, rental, deposits, utilities, transportation, all the while considering how close you want to stay to the hospital and how you can keep expenses down so you can afford to travel back and forth from Illinois. Not just us but as other family members want to come to relieve Amy so she can spend some time with her children as the months go on. We need to find someplace that will house at least 4 people. (If anyone has any suggestions we are listening) The responsibilities for Mike and Amy will get greater as the days go on and we the Hasty family will continue to hold strong and support each other. I leave you with this quote by Elbert Hubbard - "Responsibilities gravitate to the man who can shoulder them and the power to him who knows how". Dick would be very proud of both Amy and Mike.