backs and babies

my x-step sister just had a baby. i called for a somewhat awkward congratulations and it ended up being the most sisterly conversation we've ever had. 30 hours of horrendous labor and a c-section later - she was pretty amazing to talk to. as distant as we are with nothing more than those unfortunate ten years, her mother that i could refer to as she-who-shall-not-be-named and the less memorable and occasional good times to bond on - it made me wonder at the possibility of more than the obligatory christmas get-together.

Monday my dad scared the crap out of me. got a call that he'd spent all night in the e.r. leaking spinal fluid. in severe pain. had to have a blood patch? the procedure sounded horrible. a ton of blood taken from his hand and injected into the base of his spine.

but a few days later, before they even know if everything is clotting, before they know that no more fluid is leaking, before they're sure he wont need to return to the hospital. i'm trying to get a hold of him all day yesterday - only to find - he went to work. i wanted to see how he was. to get some addresses for the all the grandmas and moms in my life - and he was at work - "Yes, the pain was unbearable, but i was so behind."

he'll need surgery. says he'll wait until after the wedding because there will probably be complications and he wants to give the hour long embarrassing speech. he made jokes about buying a do-it-yourself spinal surgery kit. asked me to help him - said i'm not the beneficiary any more though (he got married last fall to an awesome woman) - so there'd be no benefit from me messing up...

and now he says he wants to visit my x step sister and the new baby (he considers her a daughter - no pretense)... and i filled her in on the complications - the fact that he shouldn't even be driving - we agreed to strong arm him into waiting to visit... and here he is - driving into work?!?!

when i told him - pithicus smiled and gave me a "like father like daughter look"....

god, i hope not.