I starting composing this blog post in my head a few days ago..... While sitting with dad the thought "gentle giant" came to mind..... There have been many comments about dads height, requiring for his comfort bed extensions, and the constant challenge him up in the bed (he likes to slide down).... Of course that explains the "giant" portion of the story, but the gentle part is much more sacred. Through all this chaos dad has keep a calm and loving demeanor, holding our hands and caressing our arms... Squeezing our fingers gently, his expression of love and affirmation... And tonight while holding moms hand, bringing their hands up together to his lips to place a loving kiss on the top of hers... A moment that touched the hearts of Karlene and I, an expression of love we have not seen in recent history...
Tonight however there was a moment when "gentle giant" became to me less of a passing thought, and became the story.. Dad had a minor surgery to place a PEG feeding tube in, to replace the NG tube that he had been receiving nutrition through.... The thought is the NG tube was irritating, holding him back from swallowing properly and actively speaking.. The PEG tube, feeing him directly into the stomach is less cumbersome and will allow him more freedom...
After arriving back to his room (another new one with more space and a better view, more on that later) he needed to be shifted from the transport gurney back into his bed.. After gathering the necessary pieces and people the move began, two men on his left and 3 women on the right... I was suddenly struck by a scene from Gullivers Travels, the gentle giant surrounded by small helpers... Funny where the mind takes you, no?
Looking at your dad from my 5 ft perspective has always had the tall if not giant connections!!!
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