Dad Lapp is finally back in PA with us!!! It was decided on Monday, after he was again taken to another hospital in Arizona, that we need to get Dad back home. You know in times like this, we try to figure out our emotions. We try to stay hopeful and positive and the trip last week that Mike and I took to be with his parents in Arizona, really helped me work through some of those emotions a bit more. It is SO hard to hear the bad news from the doctors but Mike is one that doesn't beat around the bush and especially so with his Dad. I have found this to be a blessing!!! He doesn't want to be thinking there is a program or treatment out there that can help cure Dad, if there's really not. Mike takes the harsh words like, "Your Dad has stage four cancer and is not well," seriously!!! We both love his dad so much and want the very best for him! Last week, in Arizona, it gave us time to sit beside Dad's hospital bed. I would sit there and just look at him. Pray for him. Read books and devotions to help me process all this grief and sickness. Dad has been such a trooper through all of this. He doesn't complain. He still doesn't want to eat or drink much but he did when we offered it to him just because he knows he needs to keep trying. Keep trying to make it through this tough disease!!!
So, on Monday, after Mike got through wrecking his truck and thanking the Lord that he wasn't hurt, he was on the phone most of the day with trying to make contacts to get Dad flown home as soon as possible!!! Between calling Mom and talking to Rosie (who were both down in AZ with dad) and other siblings, they all worked together to get Dad back home!!! Dad needed a medical plane. It took a lot of time to get things all lined up perfectly because Dad doesn't even have a cancer doctor here at home! When he was diagnosed this past February, Dad and Mom went to Florida for a few days and then went straight to Mexico to get surgery and treatment for pancreatic cancer! After three weeks there, they came home for one week. Dad was not well that week here at home and because they wanted to have other options instead of just Chemo and Radiation, the decision was made for them to go to Scottsdale, Arizona. There at the Envita Clinic, Dad received good nutrition and some more cancer treatments. He's been in and out of the hospitals down there numerous times. Two weeks ago, he had another surgery to have his stomach rerouted to help with digestion. Because of Dad's pancreatic cancer, his tumor is blocking any foods or liquid to digest. Dad's not eaten a real meal in months! He's lost about 60 lbs.. He threw up daily for weeks! When he would try to eat or drink, it would come back up because of the blockage. So, to get this stomach surgery done was a must! Dad has been on a TPN bag for a few weeks to help nourish him and give him fluids. He's been on different infection meds to help fight infections in his blood. We hoped that after this surgery, he would begin to eat. Begin to gain more strength and get well!!! At least ... well enough to keep fighting against his cancer. But because of his body being so low and with him having infections and surgery, any type of actual cancer treatment was restricted!
The rest of us family were all back here in PA praying for miracles. Wishing we could be there for Mom! Longing to see Dad and encourage him!!! We were all hoping that with each new day it would bring better reports and results! But after being down there last week, it really helped me see the situation for what it is. Is that easy? NO!!! Does it make it any easier knowing that Dad is now coming home? NO!!! How do we all deal with this sickness? We are all so different! The kids hear so much talk between Mike and I about his dad and I know that they are asking in their minds questions that are rough and tough!!! Without God's grace and strength, I would be a wreck! I hate situations that are out of my control!!! But God's teaching me to let go of stuff that I cannot not change!!! What we really need is for God to heal Dad!!! God has been so good to me and is growing my faith! When I look for miracles intensely, I can see them all around me! I'm trying to do this every day!!! This journey has been very difficult but not impossible because God is with us!!! We still believe that God can touch Dad and heal him!!!
After all the arrangements were finally in place, Dad, Mom & Rosie flew home from Arizona last night in a medical jet with medical personnel. Mike and I went to the airport to watch them land. Matt and Lena and the boys went along too! There we stood by the runway ... waiting. Standing beside an ambulance that would escort Dad to Fairmount Homes for medical assistance. We gazed up in the sky until we heard the jet coming!!! And then we watched them land!!!
Then they landed!!! I wanted to cheer and shout!!! We did wave and were so happy to have them here safe and sound but knowing Dad is back home not well, still leaves a sick feeling in my stomach!
We thanked all those who helped fly Dad home!!! What a blessing!!!
Mom is finally on Lancaster County ground again!!! So good to have them home!!!
Dad did great through the whole flight!!! He was transferred to an ambulance and taken to Fairmount Homes.
Mom and Rosie were escorted to the Home also. We followed behind them and got Dad to his room. Mike had made arrangements and had been at the Home earlier in the day to make sure things were all lined up!
It was good to see them again!!! At midnight, we were around Dad's bedside as he answered question after question about his health. This happens at every new place. He's so patient!!!
Mom and Rosie were so tired!!! We were actually all tired and by 1 AM, we had Mom heading for home!!! Rosie stayed with Dad overnight at Fairmount. Mom needed to rest! And sleep!!! She's been through SO much the past few months and to finally be back in her own bed, must have felt heavenly. The whole cancer story is still being fought though!!! She was up this morning and now with Dad at Fairmount. Family and friends are there to support Dad and Mom!!! Thank you all for the thoughtfulness you have all shown to our family personally and to Mike's family!!! We are truly blessed!!!
Now what? What happens next? We don't have answers. But God knows!!! Dad will stay at Fairmount Homes for a little while until we can get a doctor to over see his situation. Then we hope to move Dad home. Back to his own living room and property!!! Back to where we as a family can support Mom and Dad!!! Back to where we can all try to coop with emotions and more trusting in God!!!
Thank you so much friends and dear family for praying for us through this very difficult journey!
