I want to be loved like that

Since 3am this morning, my dad has been with my mom at the hospital . As her surgery began at 7:30am I pulled into the hospital garage. It was hard being back in the very same hospital that Arthur's mom was in for over 4mths. It brought back painful memories and that empty feeling left by her death. At 7:45am on my way to the surgical waiting room I ran into my dad as he was on his way to the hospital food court. I waited while he ordered coffee and a breakfast taco. We went back to the waiting room. As we waited we chatted, and my normally talkative dad was fidgety and distracted. Worried.

Her surgery, although routine, was complicated by the possibility of her having a rare genetic disease known as Malignant Hypothermia. A different type of anesthetic was required and her post-op vital were very closely monitored. Her brother suffered from what is known as a Malignant Hypothermia Crisis (MHC) and now has extensive brain damage. If my mom has it, there is a good chance that my brother and I will as well. After she recovers a muscle biopsy will be performed to determine for sure.

At 9:30am the surgeon came out to tell us that she was fine and there were no problems with the alternative anesthesia. We could see her after she was out of recovery. 2 1/2 hrs later she was given a room on the 5th floor and I got my first post-op glimpse of my mom. She was pale and sleeping.

As soon as my dad saw her he took her hand and kissed it, even through she was too asleep to realize it. He pulled his chair up next to her bed as close as it would get, one hand holding hers, the other gently massaging her shoulder. He spoon fed ice to quench her thirst whenever she was awake enough to ask for it. The rest of the time he just sat next to her.

Tonight, as my mom sleeps peacefully in her hospital bed, my dad will be by her side. He will doze in an uncomfortable hospital chair until early in the morning when the surgeon releases her from the hospital.