Saturday, May 14, 2011

Heart times in the city!

I really wanted to call this post No sex in the city but one of my sisters thought it would be bad for her reputation. Ahem.

And while there isn't that, there is a whole lot of other stuff. Drama stuff. You know all that stuff that happens when you are living through big life events? New babies, death, trauma, new love, weddings, surgery...big life stuff.

It's like you are living inside a bubble and nothing else matters. You know that life is going on around you but you don't care, it doesn't interest you, there's no more room in your head to deal with it.

The people in the bubble with you are living the highs and lows too. They get it. But for everyone else it's difficult. It's like its ok when they are talking about your stuff, but then when they start telling you about their cousin's new job or their great theatre tickets, your eyes glaze over. It's like there's no room left for other stuff.

It's almost like we should have a sign on us that reads: Our Dad is recovering from open heart surgery. Please be nice to us. Please excuse us.

One morning we went to visit my Dad in intensive care and he was so happy to be on the other side of the surgery. He was chatty and ready for rehab and the rest of his life. He asked me to knit his nurse's three year old son a jumper and bring it in the next day!

We practically skipped all the way home. We visited a department store on the way and bought handbags for us and fancy chocolates to thank the ICU staff.

Another visit he was exhausted, he couldn't breathe deeply and could barely speak to us. At home we discussed him and we cried. We went to an action movie to take our minds off it.

Before hand we had discussed how he would walk on Wednesday and he did. He moved downstairs to the ward, he sat in a chair by his window and looked out over autumnal Melbourne, at an oval he used to jog around when he was a med student.

We were sure he was home free. His quadruple bypass was in the past and we could talk about which day he would be released. We went out and had a delicious dinner and fancy cocktails. I slept for about six hours despite the crazy inner city noises.

And then this morning we learned that his heart beat had shot right up over night and unable to control it with medication, they had shifted him back to the ICU.

He's in the best place he could possibly be. He knows we all adore him.

Two steps forward, one step back.

Life!



PS. Abby we miss you like crazy. In June we'll take these pics again with you in them.

PPS. If you haven't entered my giveaway, you totally should. Who doesn't need an I love craft t in their life? Leave a comment on this post.

PPPS. You'll have to excuse any misplaced commas or typos for the next little while, my Dad is my editor.

PPPPS. I've said it before and I'll say it again, THANK YOU for your comments, calls, emails, texts and love. Trust me, its making this so much easier for all of us.

PPPPPS. Thanks for returning my post blogger. I am most disappointed you didn't bring back the comments too.

55 comments:

  1. Love and hugs to all of you. xo

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  2. You're all gorgeous and you'll all get through this together. x

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  3. many hugs coming to you lovely.
    I know about that bubble, it's hard for people to completely "get it".
    love to you ♥

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  4. Oh no. I'm so sorry for all that your family is going through. I truly hope your Dad recovers quickly. I (thankfully) can't imagine what it would be like to watch a parent go through something like this. Look after yourself.... x t.

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  5. Beautiful photos. Your girls will be looking at them in the years toi come and saying we wish Mum wasn't taking all the photos! Hope these end up reminding you of happiness too. Hugs Cherrie

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  6. Oh god Kate, what a time of it all you are having! I hope that your dad is better again soon. Take care of yourselves in your bubble. Love the photos. Shall be thinking of you and your family.

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  7. I hope his ticker behaves soon and that very soon afterwards you're all together laughing about this time around your mum's kitchen table.
    Sending you & yours good vibes!
    Jenny

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  8. I love that last photo with your sisters laughing.
    You are right - your Dad is in the best place and it wont be long before he is better I am sure.
    Thinking of you all x

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  9. We're in a family bubble of worry too Kate, so I hear you. Hope your Dad has a good night tonight. Big love. x

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  10. aaargh Kate!
    Our love and thoughts are with all of you. Hope there is good news soon. So glad you have each other at this really difficult time.XXX

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  11. Oh Kate, what a roller coaster. Hope tomorrow is the first of many, many good days in a row.

    You all look so alike in those photos. Lovely shots.

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  12. My dad had a triple bypass 5 years ago. 3 days before Christmas. It was scary and stressful, but he's been fine for 5 years now and hopefully for many more. Hang in there...it will be better.

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  13. it is a good thing to have over. I went through the same with my mum in 2009 and she hasn't looked back. My Dad was in hospital at the same time with pneumonia, hard on us all - different hospital, and they were both so worried about each other. You are lucky to have your sisters and mum with you. May all your lives so be back to normal. Lots of hugs for you all. Jodie

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  14. hoping that the next few days will be wee baby steps in the right direction we've been through this too some years back.
    jill x

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  15. May the forward steps be so much bigger than any of those backward ones. Hang in there possum. x

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  16. Positive vibes I'm sending your way and healing energy to your dad! So nice to have your family around you and around him, great photos too. Hang in there all of you.
    Leah x

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  17. It is always hard seeing the ones you love in pain and discomfort. You have your beautiful family to draw strength, love and comfort from. It brings everyone so much closer.
    The gorgeous photos made me giggle..

    Keep strong x

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  18. I don't know you and I don't know your dad, but this has moved me more than I thought possible, I had tears in my eyes when I read his comment to you on your blog. Bless you all, such a beautiful family.
    x Sandi

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  19. Wishing you all lots of luck.

    Leah x

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  20. What a roller-coaster ride Kate. I hope your dad has a good night's sleep and wakes up stronger tomorrow, and then stronger again the next day.

    You gals are like peas in a pod. Gorgeous pics.

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  21. thinking of you. family is family and the huge tightness of waiting is not comparable to anything.
    x

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  22. love to you and your Family, hope your Dad's little dips are just a part of an overall upward trajectory.

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  23. Oh, Sweetie, sending you a Hobart ♥ tonight. We're in a bubble with my Dad now as well - I *get* you. Hang in there, my friend. J x

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  24. Ah, hope it is only a little glitch and he is out of ICU and on the ward and road to recovery soon soon soon.

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  25. Hi Ulman chicks!
    Hang in there!!
    xx

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  26. I was wondering what was happening and how it was all going.. Funnily enough I've been thinking of FOX'S LANE a lot from way down here in NZ..
    I know what that bubble effect is like. Totally.

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  27. What gorgeous photos. I know the bubble - very surreal - very hard to stay focused. Life stands still for a while. So good to see you have a wonderful support system around you - so important! My thoughts are with you.

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  28. Sending healing thoughts from England xx

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  29. Oh, thinking of you Kate. You're an amazing person and it looks and sounds like you've got an amazing family there too. Allow yourselves all the time you need to exist in that bubble. Whatever gives you comfort and strength, just take it with both hands.
    Sending loads of positive energy to you xo

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  30. I am glad that you posted. I was getting worried about you. I hoped you were with family. I love those photos and right now, I envy your obvious close knit family. My thoughts are with you all. xx

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  31. Get well soon Kate's dad!! (I love that he thinks you're a super speed knitter)

    So glad you have those you love around you right now, it must help a lot. Mind you, you look absolutely nothing alike... Are you sure you weren't adopted? ;) xx

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  32. I get it.
    Much love.xx

    Those pics are wonderful!

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  33. Oh Kate. A virtual hug for you, something you give us every day when you hit 'publish' on Fox's Lane. I hope he improves quickly. xx

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  34. Heart goes out to you all.
    I've had a tough time with my dad this year... bowel resection on 30th December, sent home 4th Jan, back in that night via ambulance, into resus, then ICU, called in following day to coz he was going to die... he didn't!! Spent 3 months in hospital then a month in intermediate care home, then HOME! He has aged a lot, but he's alive and slowly getting back to normal.
    Big hugs to your family xxxx

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  35. Grr, signed in with wrong google account! Rectified now (just in case you wanted to visit my blog lol...)
    Dad was in for bowel cancer by the way. Just in case you were wondering... ok, I'm gonna shut up now, lol... I do tend to waffle!! LOL!

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  36. Tough times :( or like somebody said "it was the best of times it was the worst of times". So nice to be together so stressful about your dad. I pray that he keeps making steps forward today.

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  37. Big hugs, Kate...ope all is going well and that you're seeing steady improvement.

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  38. I cannot imagine the constant heart flutters and anxiety during these early days, just wanting your dad to be home and safe in all your arms instead of hooked up to machines. You are blessed to have the love and support of your gorgeous family & friends and I wish for you that the inner city hospital phase (even with it's yummy cocktails) is soon replaced with cups of tea on the couch.

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  39. I can't even imagine what you are going through at the moment but I just wanted to say we are all thinking about you. Keep your chin up! I hope all goes well and your dad gets better soon.

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  40. Love to you guys xxx
    hope your dad is back on his feet soon

    x

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  41. Such a cute bunch.
    Hope your Dad is improving still Kate.

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  42. What a great fun group of pics.
    A circle of strong and confident women, you dad must be so proud! Hope all is well with him, take care :)
    Jacqueline.

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  43. Loving you all being solid together. Wishing your dad a speedy exit from ICU and recovery free from further events.

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  44. OH Kate. My virtual hugs hardly seem enough. Sending thoughts of steady heart beats your way with love :)

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  45. I hope you get a good news phone call very soon and glad to hear that you're home again with your girls (and the farmer boy). I was keeping an eye out for you the last few days - we've been in Melbourne but probably hanging in different places and I spent my whole time under a big raincoated hood!!

    Thinking of you and your family whilst you wait.

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  46. Hugs to you Kate & family !
    Its amazing what medicine can achieve these days, you will be staggered at your dad's recovery once he is up and about.
    Wonderful photo shoot :)
    Hope you keep up your energy with everyone back home and in Melbourne.

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  47. Hmm, my comment's gone. Take two. What a maelstrom of emotions you're experiencing, Kate. Sending you all my love and prayers for your darling Dad. J x

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  48. Life is a roller-coater isn't it. I am glad you are able to do the good things in between and connect with the family.....Great photos, thinking of you Jen xx

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  49. Fingers crossed for your dad. It's funny we spend so long being their kids with them all worried about us, and then at some point the tables turn, and we find ourselves worried about them.

    I really hope everything goes well. At least you had some catch up time with your fam in Melb's.

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  50. Prayers being sent for your Father's speedy recovery and return to health.

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  51. Oh my! I don't really know what to say... other than my eyes are welling up with tears for you. I do hope they're have been more steps forward since.
    Take care dear Kate.

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  52. Wishing your dad well with the speediest of recoveries. I am always amazed at what our bodies can go through.My thoughts are with you all at this time. Big hugs and lots of love being sent your way xx
    PS i love these pics, you four are adorable : )

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  53. Oh gosh, Kate. I'm only just reading this now. I'm so sorry your dad and your family had to go through all this trauma! How awful. So glad he's out on the other side though! I bet he'll be kicking his heels up in no time!

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

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