A couple weeks prior, my dad drove himself to the emergency room. Turns out, he had a large kidney stone the size of a quarter. That wouldn't have been as serious except for the fact that he only has one kidney. He was born with an underdeveloped kidney, and the other one was twice the normal size to over compensate. So they removed the smaller kidney since it was causing issues. He was fine for 56 years of his life until now.
My mom and I rushed to the hospital to make sure he was ok. The doctor was very encouraging and said they would call in a specialist the next day to proceed with removing the stone and that he'd be fine. They were going to keep him overnight for observation.
So I felt secure enough to go home and pack his overnight back. Meanwhile, Marc had left work and was racing up to Sacramento. My poor brother lives in Nevada, so he was unable to be there.
While I was home packing, my mom called me frantically. The tests came back that the build up from the stone caused a blood infection, and his kidney was in mild renal failure. They rushed him to a difference hospital for emergency surgery. I wanted to fall to the ground, but it's as if there was this force carrying me and steadying my step. I had this amazing peace that didn't make sense. I knew he would be ok.. and I needed to be strong for my mom.
So I mechanically packed up the rest of his things, my mind stuck on the last hug and kiss I gave him and the last words we exchanged. Marc arrived and we prayed together. I'm so glad he was there.. My mom and I sure needed him, especially in the waiting room while my dad was in surgery. He was amazing, running out to the car/cafe multiple times. It was nice to have a male presence there with us as a strength.
It seemed like forever that we waited.. This surgery wasn't to get the stone out. First, they needed to re-route the urine in a tube from his kidney to his bladder and clean out the infection and try to save his kidney. It still hasn't sunk in that I could have lost him..
But he made it through just fine, and they scheduled him for the next surgery to remove the stone. Before the day he was to have it out, our district superintendant, James Braddy, called all ministers to a day of prayer for my dad. Amazingly, the stone started to move and my dad had to go back to the hospital. The urologist that was supposed to do his surgery the next day had really bad reviews.. and my parents were nervous about him. But the one on duty the day he went into the hospital was competent and sweet and had great bed-side manner. He took a special interest in my dad's case and got him into surgery early the next morning. They found two more stones and broke them all up.
My dad didn't need much rest, and he was back to doing what he loves at Teen Challenge.
Then Father's Day came.. That was the day I was scheduled to preach my first Sunday morning sermon at my church. My parents were there and so was Marc. Even my neighbors from across the street came to support me. I don't know if I could have stood there and poured my heart out without my dad sitting there supporting me.. I don't even want to think about that.
We spent the day together. And he protested when we brought out our gifts for him. He just wanted to spend time with us.. Then he started to get choked up and I went over to him and hugged him. He told me hearing me speak that morning was all the gift he needed and that he was so proud of me..
I love my dad so much, and I can't imagine him not being in my life. I am who I am today in large part because of his love. Dad, if you're reading this.. I love you forever <3
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