So I got a phone call a few days ago that my father was in the hospital.  A shock to me for two reasons: first, it was my sister who called and the last time she called me was to tell me my mother had died back in 2001.  Usually I am the one to call.  Second, the fact that my dad was in the hospital was enough to tell me of the severity of his illness.

It seems he had heart failure and fluid was building up around his heart and in his lungs.  He could not breathe and could barely speak, so he took it upon himself to call an ambulance.  Good for him – and I am glad he did not wait it out or take some cold medicine and go to sleep, because the severity of this situation would have certainly resulted in death – and so says his doctor.

My father had been taking medicine to prevent this from happening but I just found out that in November he had stopped taking his meds because they were too expensive.  With a few months to still go in the year, he had reached the cap his medical insurance allowed for prescriptions and what was once costing $30 a week ended up costing $185 and he could not afford it – so he stopped getting the pills.  And what was being prevented, the build up of fluid around the heart – started back up again.

A cap?  Are you serious?  How many people are losing their lives each day because their medicines are too expensive and they must choose between eating, heat in the winter, and prescription medicine.  It hurts me to know my dad was going through this and never told me a thing – not even a hint….until that phone rang and I heard my sister’s voice.

The news at the time of this blog entry is more of the same.  He is in the hospital, a long road ahead of him and I certainly thank everyone who has shared their thoughts and prayers with me on Facebook and in person, the phone calls and the e-mails, the texts and the notes.  I have been surrounded by friends both literally and electronically.  I thank you.  And, if he could, my dad would thank you too.

I will keep you posted.