Mom and Dad called me yesterday to notify me that Dad’s new admission date for his stem cell transplant is Thursday, March 24th, which is exactly one week from today.

During this week, our family will be traveling to various parts of the country.  Daughter and Son’s school spring break starts tomorrow.  Daughter is off to space camp tomorrow, and Son is off to Savannah on Saturday.  After they return back to Tampa, the family is scheduled to fly out west to go skiing.

I am “battling” Mom and Dad about staying in Tampa to be with them.  Of course, selfless Dad is doing his best to force me go skiing with the family.  I know he feels terrible and full of guilt at the thought that I would be missing the opportunity to spend family time with Husband, Son and Daughter.  Dad even took that authoritative “I’m your father” tone of voice with me yesterday.  Mom and Dad were trying to convince me that the doctors and nurses would be doing all the work and that there would be nothing for me to do.  I understand that I cannot take medical action, but I have learned how important it is to have 3 sets of ears versus two when meeting with the medical team.  Mom and Dad countered with the promise to call me when the medical team visits Dad.  I argued that Dad is the most important person in the family at this point in time, and he needs to come first.

We shall see.  We will be out west before Dad goes into the hospital.  I am contemplating returning home early.  To add more guilt to the mix, Husband suggested that he, Son and Daughter fly home with me.  And, Daughter said she only wants to ski with me.  I know that is not really a true statement.  Thus, if I don’t go, she doesn’t want to go.  Then, we have Son who has been counting down the days to snowboarding since Christmas.  Ugh. I am adamantly against the idea of anyone returning to Tampa with me or staying home with me.

The planner in me wants to make a plan.  We have learned that Dad’s schedule seems to  invariably shift.  I have to get out of my comfort zone and take it day by day.

Now, I am hearing in my head the song, by the Clash, “Should I stay or should I go?”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=oGIFublvDes%3Frel%3D0