Thank you for keeping us posted. Please let Craig know we (the forum family) are praying for him, and hope for a speedy recovery!

Hello.  This is Craig's other daughter.  None of us girls want to write our names in the event that Dad become upset that we are writing about him.  It seems strange to use his name when writing about him.

We left the hospital just about 30 minutes ago.  Mom is still there staring at him and she wants to know why he doesn't snore when the doctors put him to sleep but when he goes to sleep on his own he snores.  We tried to explain it to her but she doesn't believe us.

Dad is doing well and is stable.  The doctor's current plan is to slowly wake him Monday afternoon.  How fast will depend upon his responses as he awakes.

I know my Dad.  He won't do much beyond look around to figure out where he is and what is going on.  We each have a $20 bet on what his first words will be this time.  I usually win.

After reading a lot of Dad's posts on this part of the blog/website, you could see that Mom often gets mad with Dad.  You would be correct.  Most of the time it's not his fault but according to Mom, Dad does things just to make her mad.  Sometimes he does, yet it is always funny.

My sister and brother appreciate your thoughts and prayers!

I know Dad wouldn't want me to say this, but God Bless you all.  It means a lot to me.

Thanks girls for the update. Your mom sounded like she was sincerely worried about craig. I'm sure he'll be fiery when he wakes up. He's in our prayers.

Thanks for the update.
Prayers for a speedy recovery

Hope he has a quick recoery.
Prayers to your family.

I'm happy to hear it wasn't as serious as I first thought. I don't know what his first words will be but from his past history when he has been in a hospital....I feel sorry for the Nurses....LOL
It sounds like our prayers were answered and they are still on the way non-stop.

Girls, (Craig's daughters), Thank you for the updates and explanations.

It must be hard trying to explain to "Momma" medical details like blood types.

The "spring" she was talking about may be "vein", translation between her thoughts and her interpretations of what the doctors may be saying is difficult for someone that English is not a native tongue.

Good luck on the bet.

Craig is a tough old sailor, still I will take the time for a few extra prayers for him. As you may have observed, his wit and common sense are an important part of the forum family. I'm quite sure many more prayers will be said for his quick recovery.

Thank you again, both of you, for jumping in. While we also love to hear from "Momma", the clarification was very much appreciated.

Praying for Craig and family. Keep us posted.
THOMAS

Thanks for keeping us updated

Craig just called, he sounded a bit groggy and was complaining about the tubes they had in his nose. He still seems a bit confused as to what actually happened, however he did say the nurse asked him if he knew what day it was. Craig said he didn't, and the infamous Nurse Cratchet (or is that Ratchet) said "It's my birthday" to which Craig replied "OH @#$%^& is it Halloween already?" THAT sounds like the Craig I know.

I advised him to hang up the phone and get some rest, and no matter how much it bothers him to be there, to for once do what the nurses tell him to do and follow Dr's orders.

After Church and lunch we went back to the hospital to spend more time with Dad.

While we were walking to his room, we knew he was awake because he was verbally abusing his nurse.  He was calling her names like "witch" "spider" and more.

Mom said "Bird nurse.  Good to him.  You father need leash".

That was the thrid time we heard Mom refer to that nurse in such a maner.  So when we all got back home, my sister and I went through Dad's movie collection and determined that this nurse must be in reference to Nurse Ratched from 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'.  Correct?

Before we left for the night, I let Dad know I put his cell phone-fully charged-uner his pillow.  I know he'll make some calls.  First it will be his family then his friends.  Some one on this blog might be called.  If he does call you, he will sound hoarse.

Dad might be able to be come home as early as Monday.  It's up to his doctor and to some extent the surgeon.

Mom and Dad's daughters know he wants to get out of any hospital.  Dad considers staying in any hospital worse than jail time or seeing our mom's mom with no clothes on.

Between my sister and I, we can take care of him.  We just want our Dad out of there.

One of us said there was a $20 bet.  Mom read that blog post and she got $40.  $20 from each of us.  She knew that this nurse would be there and that if Dad was aware of her presence before us that as Dad would say 'use colorful adjectives'.

You have definately inhearited your dad's sense of humor - and you both lost $20 - now that's funny.

I'm sure you will have him home soon.

Glad to hear that Craig is doing better.
Thanks for the update.
Hopefully he will get out soon

Craig called me a little before 5 pm EST and said that "He wanted to get out of the hospital and AWAY FROM NURSE CRATCHET."  Yes, Craig's daughters, that IS THE NURSE in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' that Craig always refers too.  She is his favorite nurse.... to ridicule and 'rag on'.  (and probably the only one that can 'stand up to Craig' and prevail)    LOL  Did he ever tell you about putting his hospital gown on 'backwards' (exposing his frontal parts), just to annoy her when he was in the hospital last year? 

Craig doesn't remember exactly what happened, but is pretty sure he was up on a ladder working on putting 'gutter guards' on his gutters and the next thing he remembers is waking up in the hospital. looking into 'Nurse Cratchets' face (YUK!).  He doesn't remember if he fell, face first, onto the 'poor man's' rain barrel..... or if the rain barrel 'jumped up off the ground' and smacked him in the face/head. (his words)  He asked me what day it was, since he wasn't really sure..... the last day he remembers was Thursday.  I told him it was Sunday, April 22nd.  At least now he can tell the nurse that.... and maybe get 'points' towards his discharge from the hospital tomorrow.

He then hurriedly said, "Here comes the nurse - have to hide the phone!" (and was gone) 

Craig called me as well, but my cell phone was off. In his message he said he hoped that my weekend was better than his, I would have called him back and said; "not by much", but he's in the hospital and his rest is more important than my call. I'll turn it on later just in case he calls again.

Those d@mn rain barrels not only jump, they kick ladders out as well. I was going to warn him when he posted about his home made rain barrels, but nawh, I thought, he ain't gonna believe me.

I am very happy he's doin' better, recognizing nurse Cratchet as the first thing when one wake up is enough to make anyone forget what day it is.

He'll still be in my prayers, (for good behavior as well as being on the mend!), we don't want nurse Cratchet keeping him longer than he has to be there.

I think Craig should put a picture of Nurse Cratchet on his night stand, and look at it every morning, maybe that will keep him from going back.

I hope you are feeling better my friend. My bride wanted me to send her best wishes to you as well.