In a previous thread: Mr Asshole - Passport Control I talked about my wife, Washte going to the US to visit her father who was suffering from lung cancer.
Before she left, Washte suspected that she may be pregnant. Having had four miscarriages in the two years we’ve been married, the idea of all the flying mentioned in the previous thread did not fill us with glee. But with her dad being in a really bad way, she decided that she had to go.
So Washte got to spend some time with her mom and dad, cooked 'em some lovely English grub (Toad in the hole with mashed potatos and mushy peas - yum!) and helped with her dad’s care. She told her folks that she thought she may be pregnant, then got a test kit and found out that she was. The news excited her dad and seemed to give him a bit more life.
Then on the Sunday before she had to leave, she started to bleed. She knew what was happening and so excused herself to go lay down in her trailer. A couple of hours later she was woken by her brother in law, who told her that her dad was having trouble breathing and was being taken to ER. Washte got up and went with him.
While in the ER, a nurse saw that she wasn’t looking too good and asked her what was wrong. When Washte told her she rushed into action and got her looked at. Washte was quite worried about paying for all this, said that she couldn’t afford treatment many times and was directed to the signs on the walls that said that in cases such as her’s she had to be treated if she could pay or not. (This I am gonna point out when we get sent any bill).
Sadly, very sadly, my wife had lost a fifth child. But there is good news even at time like this. She had been carrying twins and only one had been lost. After being given a shot or two Washte was cut loose and went back to her folk’s place (her dad had been treated and sent back home an hour or two earlier).
So then she spent a couple more days with her folks before coming home (The doctor had cleared her to travel). We had a couple of scares over that weekend, but a scan showed us our lovely chavvie had doubled in size and his little heart was beating ten to the dozen.
This week, we’ve had our first visit to the midwife. It looks like some health issues Washte has will make this a difficult pregnancy and she’ll be looked at by the hospital, not the midwife.
Today, we got an email from her mom asking us to call. Washte’s dad passed away yesterday (12th September) at 5pm. He had just been released by the hospital after a short stay and had slept peacefully the previous night. He spent his last day almost comatose but awoke about 4.50pm when the pastor from the hospital popped in to see him and say a few words.
He asked the pastor to read Psalm 23 and passed away just as he finished reading.
To my Father in Law, Jimmie Knight: You, sir, were a wonderful man. I treasured the time I got to spend in your company and am saddend by your passing. You died well, with dignity and style.
Travel on, travel well and please - if you would - keep an eye on our baby.
