"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place."
-- Unknown
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Saturday, May 30, 2009

Test results and a huge hamburger

So, remember the whole "part of me is aching to be there for him" bit from yesterday's post about my dad? Well, that part won out and (thanks to my wonderfully understanding boss) I left work around lunch-time and came to Birmingham to be with him.

I got to the hospital before they met with the last doctor, and she was gracious enough to let me stay in the room while she talked to my dad and stepmom about his test results.

It seems like we were able to get a few answers yesterday, but in the long-run, those answers only led to more questions. I'm not going to go into all of the details here, mainly because it's not my body and I don't want to go splashing my dad's medical info all over the web. I'll just say that we're not quite out of the woods yet.

But we should know by June 10 if he's approved for a transplant, and Michelle's test results should be ready in about 2-4 weeks, letting us know if she's a donor match.

And on a lighter note — after we left the hospital we went to eat at a place called Five Guys. I had never heard of it, but apparently they are pretty famous for their hamburgers. Holy cow. That was the biggest, messiest, greasiest hamburger I have ever eaten. But it might also be the best. Ever. And their fries.... WOW. They hand cut their fries daily and they have a sign on the wall by the door that tells you where the potatoes came from on that particular day. Yesterday they were from Driggs, Idaho. Sixteen hours later, I'm still full.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, that does sound like a great place to eat! Glad to hear you were able to get there to be with your dad. I'll keep praying for all of you until you learn what the next step will be!

sherri said...

It's good that you were able to be there for your Dad. And yes, I'll continue to pray.

I'm jealous of the greasy meal you were able to eat--- I want one!

RileyScott said...

Sounds like a great burger

Diane said...

Still sending good thoughts your way, darlin'.

Ryan and I ate at 5 Guys this afternoon. They rock. We don't go ANYWHERE for burgers anymore.

Missy said...

Don't you love meals like that? The kind where you only need to eat once a day! Still praying for your dad and your family! :)

meredith said...

I hope your dad is doing well. I pray for you and your family daily. I ate at 5 Guys recently for the first time as well. My brother-in-law and his girlfriend LOVE that place. It truly is the best hamburger! Sadly, it was the last hamburger I ate too. The doctor has told me not to eat red meat at least for the next 9 months.
Jen came to see me today and were talking about getting you and Marcus and my husband to head over to Gant Lake soon!

~Meredith

Kim said...

You know what, I'm really glad that you asked to leave work to be with your dad. Wise girl you are my 24 year old friend. I'm keeping my thoughts with you guys.

Nothing like a good burger. Shaune and I love that show Diners, Driveins and Dives on Foodnetwork. Some of the little places you guys have in the states sound like pure gems!

Jenners said...

Good for you for going to see your dad. I think it is important to follow your heart sometimes at moments like this. Now you can hear everything yourself and know exactly what is going on. I hope everything works out. I'll pray for you!

And Five Guys -- yes...they are divinely bad, arent' they? We have one really close to our house but I just try to forget it is there as I would gain 150 pounds in a week if I remembered.

Blog Stalker said...

Hope your new questions are answered soon and your direction is clear. Sounds like a great place to eat. Sounds like the west coasts In and Out Burger.

Have a great day!

KatBouska said...

Awwwww...I'm praying for your Daddy!!

Sally's World said...

i bet it meant the world to your dad that you were with him...praying for him.

and also now hungry from the burger description yum!

septembermom said...

I'll continue to pray for good news for your father.

Great hamburgers are wonderful! Sounds like you found a good place to chow down!

~Thought's By Dena~/ JDs Gift Shack said...

so glad you got to be with your dad!!! and will for sure keep him in thoughts and prayers that it all works out!!! Now on to that hamburger.....omg it sounds yummy!!!!

H.K. said...

I'm sorry to hear about your dad, I hope Michell is a match. And I'm glad your boss let you be there for you dad, it would have been hard to concentrate at work. We'll have him and your family in our prayers!

If I am ever in Birmingham, I'm going to have to check out that hamburger place! I'll just make sure I have enough Weight Watchers points to eat there! :0)

Keep us posted with your dad.

Lacey said...

I'm just now catching up on your stories after many, MANY days off! Holy cow, I don't even know where to start!

It sounds like you had a great time with friends and family. I just had my family here for the weekend, and I have to admit I cried the whole way home from the airport after dropping them off. I don't live close to ANY of my family except my mom, and I miss them so bad I can barely stand it. The good news (in comparison) is that we've never lived very close, so there's at least more normalcy involved in them not being around than there would be if I'd spent my whole life living next door or something... The bad news is that they're the coolest people in the whole wide world and I MISS THEM SO FREAKING MUCH!

I'm really glad you got to go see your daddy. It seems like your family has been inundated with medical problems lately... I am wishing you the best! <3

bethany@sippinsweetteablog said...

Oh, yes! They have one of these in the Dulles airport! Their cheeseburgers were the first thing Gunter and I ate after we got back from Israel. I guess they ARE that deliciious...I just thought it might have been 2 weeks of kosher food that made them taste so good.

SSQuo said...

Just saw that the BIg O, Mr. Obama quite likes the burger from there as well :)

SSQuo said...

Oh and do let us know the update with your dad!