Joy to the Room

Day 17 in the room with a view: 

Being a night watcher alternately with son #3, I was advised by friends and family to get a “companion watcher” so I can have uninterrupted sleep. It was an idea too brilliant to ignore. 

And so I asked the nurses (their station is two steps away from our room) if they could recommend someone for that night. “Joy,” one said. "Here’s her number." 

And so I called up Joy.

And Joy came into the room. 

By staying awake for all of 12 hours, Joy enabled me to sleep for the same number of hours. Lost sleep have been more than replenished.  

How are we doing? 

Son #2, with my daughter-in-love and grandson, have flown in from the US to visit Tony. Joy. 

Son #3 has relinquished his night job to Mother Teresa because of busy schedules. He is now, however, the dynast of the Chong dynasty (our nickname for household), relieving me of all duties so I could focus on his dad. Joy. 

Son #1 continues to buy his dad’s medical needs and fave foods, even if he has totally lost his appetite for anything edible. Joy.

In our conversations with his heart doctor (a classmate of my doctor son #2), we recalled Tony’s first heart attack in the early 90s, then his quadruple coronary bypass in 2002. The Lord had given his heart multiple leases on life, more than many heart patients.   

Support--prayers and well wishes from loved ones from many corners of the world--continues to pour, flooding our room with joy.  

We are grateful; we are blessed. We are totally dependent on God's immense grace.  

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)