Just got off the phone with my mother who just got back from seeing my father admitted to the hospital. His health is delicate and the long story goes back to a freak virus that attacked his heart about 15 years ago- it caused pericarditis which damaged the heart muscle and triggered some very severe respiratory problems. These are now congenital conditions and the best that can be hoped for is holding the line- he'll never really improve. So any kind of chest infection is deadly. But they wouldn't be if he weren't so stubborn/reluctant about going to the doctor. He waits until he's on death's door and has to be admitted. Then he is the worst patient imaginable- such that they sedate him to keep him from fighting the equipment.
So the situation has everyone worried: this infection is especially bad and he waited especially long to seek help. So prayers would be appreciated: that he chooses to fight the infection rather than the nurses, that he finds the strength to pull through, and for my mother who is very tired, a little angry, and a lot scared.
And gentlemen of the Hobbit Hole.... you may not realize what a blessing it is to your friends and loved ones to NOT BE SO BLASTED STUBBORN ABOUT YOUR HEALTH. Take care of yourselves- for your loved ones' sake.
Many thanks ahead of time.