Van just turned 70, he needs to keep on truckin’

Van underwent emergency surgery late in the evening on August 21 for a total bowel obstruction.

This is what happened: he sent a text to mom and me on Friday, August 19, at 4:45 PM, and something was clearly wrong when I called him back. I could hear it in his voice, something so similar to the incident 10 years ago when he had total sepsis and was on his way to the OR. I could never have imagined that my dad would undergo this nightmare again. I called my mom, and she rushed over to the house and immediately called 911. Deputy Daniel Anaya was first on the scene, followed shortly by the Exeter Ambulance. Dad rode in the ambulance to Kaweah Health that evening.

He has been there ever since. 33 days. The surgeon said it was an extremely complicated surgery, and it lasted 6 hours. They removed 4 inches of dead small intestine and completed a successful resection of the bowel. This means no stoma, no ostomy bag! So, it is not exactly like last time.

In the coming days, he will be transported to Transitional Care Services for physical therapy until he’s stable to return.

He has made progress after the surgery. But not without setbacks. He wasn’t allowed so much as a glass of water for weeks. He’s had all of the hospital specialties like IV, central line, pick line, CT Scan, X Ray, trips on the gurney, sponge baths, NG tube, and staples. He’s had hallucinations, nightmares, stress, worry, and some peace. He really misses Mickey, his doting tuxedo cat.

As many of you know, I’ve been commuting from SD to 3R in all of my spare time.

One of the biggest hurdles to Dad’s new circumstance is what will happen when he returns home.

The purpose of this GoFundMe is to support:

1) In-home nursing indefinitely

2) Housekeeping weekly for two months

3) Meal prep weekly for two months

4) Preparing the home for his safe return

5) My travel expenses

6) Unknown share of medical cost

7) Home medical equipment

8) Handrails for the stairs

My father might be loud, but he’s private. It’s only been recent that he’s felt comfortable sharing his story online. I have his blessing to start this GoFundMe. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention all of the support we’ve received from our community already. I may be an only child, but I have siblings galore. Ya'll know who you are.