As some of you know, well at least the ones who have read me for a while, my Dad has been in the hospital. It all began in November when he had triple-bypass surgery. He seemed to recover from that to a point, but never really got rid of some of the complications. Then he “found out” that he’s diabetic. He’s still kind of struggling with his meds and may have to inject insulin. The next complication was that his system was retaining fluids. He had so much fluid in his lungs that he had a hard time breathing and had to go in twice to drain off the excess fluid. Well, they brought him in to the hospital this last time because he had a viral infection of some kind that he just couldn’t shake. He was coughing a lot - to the point where his entire chest and shoulders hurt. Also, he hadn’t been taking care of the diabetes.

Today they removed three of his toes on his left foot, due to complications of diabetes. The doctor says that went well; chances are about 70% that this is all he’ll lose. At one time they were talking the entire foot and ankle might have to go, so this is really good news. I hope that he heeds what’s been going on and follows the doctor’s advice. While my Dad is one of the smartest guys I know, but as Will Smith says in I, Robot: “You’ve got to be the dumbest smart person I know.” When I was in high school he had a gall bladder attack (whatever that is) and was supposed to cut back on beer and salt and take meds. After about a month he figured the doc was off his nut and abandoned the advice and the meds. He’s done stuff like that since. Maybe this will scare him into sensible action. He’s only 73 and I don’t want to lose him just yet. He hasn’t seen any great-grandchildren yet (well, not any blood-related great-grandchildren) and I want him to be around for that. The problem is that you can’t make up for decades of doing the wrong things in a few short months or years.

I just hope he gets his head on straight and stops being the ornery cuss that he can be and become the cooperative, insightful guy that I know he can be.