A Moment to Share

So Tommy came and sat with me in the hospital.

My daddy was trying very hard to get back to Ames.

Once he did, he came and sat with me at the hospital too.

He was very thankful that Tom had been there for me when he couldn't be.

There was one day when the doctors tried a procedure that was a little

"controversial" I guess.

They were going to put tetracycline into my chest tube. I'm not exactly sure what this was supposed to do, but I do know what it did do.

My father was there with me when they did this procedure.

I was ok at first, then all of a sudden I felt burning pain.

I screamed so loudly that there were nurses running to my room. They didn't know what was going on, they were just scared and concerned. In fact, I screamed so much that the doctor putting in the tetracycline said "I can't do this!" He stopped and walked out of the room.

I was in so much pain - I was scared I wasn't going to be able to breathe.

While I was still recovering and trying to catch my breath, Tom walked in.

My father seemed relieved to see Tom. He asked Tom to stay with me while he went to do something. I think he was just overwhelmed seeing his daughter in so much pain.

And I think my father really appreciated Tom being there at that moment.

That moment was special.

My father was letting another man share in taking care of me.