Dad-Surgery on Tiberias

DAD-SURG Rhoderick D. Ice All rights reserved © 1999


"Children! Come on! We've got to get to the Spaceport. Your Grandpa is having surgery tomorrow on Tiberias and I have to be there!"

The com unit chimed. "Accept," I said. The screen lit up and Tritch's rugged face appeared.

"Reba! I'm at the Spaceport! What's happening with Dad?"

"Tritch! My Galaxy roaming brother!"

"Tell me about Dad? What are they going to do?""

"The doctor is doing surgery tomorrow, on Tiberias. There's too much to tell over the com. We are on our way to the Spaceport now. I'll explain when I get there."

"Ruth, Stin, come on!" We rushed out to the waiting transportation floater and were whisked away to the Spaceport.

When we arrived, we worked our way through the crowds to the Incoming Area.

Ruth was leading the way. She saw Tritch first. He was dressed in Old Earth cowboy style, just like in the Videos.

We hurried to him as quickly as the crowds would allow.

"Uncle Tritch!" Stin screamed!

I gave him a hug that cracked his ribs. "My brother, the galactic gypsy!"

"Whew! What a welcome! I'm sure back home!"

The children each gave him a big hug.

"Let's sit over there," I said. We gathered in a corner.

"I can't get over the children. Ruth, you are a woman now. What are you, about 20? And Stin, you must be at least 11. And Reba, my sister. You don't look a day older!"

"Tritch, you still look the same. Where did you come from this time?"

"Seltan Pri. I came as quickly as I could when I got the news about Dad. "

"Seltan Pri," I said. "The Aurorans? You've been living among the Aurorans? That explains the cowboy clothing."

"Yes. But tell me, what about Dad? He was never sick. Will he be all right? Is it the big C?"

"Tritch, we don't know yet. It may be."

"Why don't they bring him back to Earth? Tiberias seems so far away."

"They can't wait. He was losing a lot of blood. The tests show dysplasia, tissue change in three polyps, possible cancer. The surgeon must operate now."

"I can't imagine Dad being sick!" Tritch said. "He was always the rock of strength."

"It comes to everyone," said Reba.

"But not Dad! You've had lots of surgery. But has Dad ever been sick?"

"Not that I can remember. Mom, yes. And Ronto always said he was made out of old used parts. But not Dad."

"What will the doctor do?"

"He has to cut Dad open and find out what is happening. They've already given Dad some units of blood. But he is losing it somewhere. Doctor Flower did the original exam, and he expects the worst. But Doctor Norjah will be doing the surgery. He is more hopeful. He says you've got to get inside before you can see what is actually happening."

"Isn't there some other way? Don't they have some new procedure to remove the polyps electronically?"

"Only sometimes. Dad has to be done the hard way."

Stin spoke up: "Uncle Tritch, will Grandpa be better?"

Tritch did his best to sound strong for Stin. "Dr. Norjah says he's still hearty as an ox! And just as stubborn. His lungs and heart are both good. The doctor is hopeful."

"We are all hopeful," I said. "Dad will come through this and be all right!"

"Does he still want Old Earth food?" asked Tritch.

"Biscuits and gravy. But the hospital won't let Mom bring it to him."

Ruth blinked. "Wouldn't that Earth cuisine make Grandpa sicker? That doesn't sound like hospital food."

"Why does Grandpa want to eat that way?" asked Stin. "What part of Earth is he from?"

"Grandpa was born off-world at a service colony on the moon," I said. "His father worked for the SpaceCorps."

"You mean Grandpa is an alien?" said Stin. "Cool!"

I smacked him with the back of my hand. "No, No! Your Grandfather comes from Old Earth stock. His father, your great-grandfather, was born in West Virginia."

"Yeah," said Tritch. "Your Grandpa helped engineer the chain of stations from here to Saturn! They included his name on the 'Wall of Heroes' at New Cleveland!"

Stin's eyes were wide. "On . . .Mars!"

"That old timer has been all over," said Tritch.

"Well, what must be, I guess," I said. "We're wasting time. Let's get to Departure. Ruth, you watch out for Stin while I'm gone. You know your father. We'll call you when we get there."

Ruth and Stin stood watching as we hurried through the crowds.

We walked through the scanners into the Departure Area. We went to the Destination Screen and touched the proper code for Tiberias. Then each of us stared into the opticon viewer to allow our right eyes to be identified and to debit our accounts. This also identified each of us as a passenger to board the Ship. This has been normal security since the beginning of the 21st century. There are few terrorists anymore. Yet security remains tight. That's the government for you.

A floater took us to the Space Ship. We were among the hundreds who were going to Tiberias on this flight.

Before we entered the airlock which led to the Ship, there was another opticon viewer which identified each of us.

We walked through to the passenger area and settled in our seats. The safety restraints gently moved into place. We would get a few hours of sleep before docking in the morning.


The intercom beeped. "This is Captain Stevens speaking. We dock at Tiberias Cylinder at 0500 hours. Prepared to debark. Our stopover will be one solar day."

We hurried to gather our carry-on things. What baggage we had would be off-loaded by the ship's personnel.

The docking signal sounded. We picked up our bags, stepped into the airlock along with some others, and waited for it to cycle. Then we walked through to Customs.

"Please step through the scanner." A senior citizen, very military in appearance, was sitting at the desk.

We queued up with the others and stepped through the scanner one by one. Then each of us stared into the opticon eye identification camera. Everything was as it should be.

The official gave each of us temporary resident cards and breathings permits. "Enjoy your stay," he said, and waved us on through.

We stepped through the doorway into Tiberias City. The view took my breath away. Green things everywhere! Plants and flowers and potted trees and bushes and vines climbing all over. The artificial sunlight filtered through fresh green masses of vegetation tumbling from hanging baskets, tiers and balconies.

"You've seen this many times, haven't you?" I said to Tritch.

He nodded his head. "Many times. But let's get to Dad."

We sent our things on to the hotel. We had reserved rooms. Then we boarded a floater to Central Hospital.


We entered the lobby of the Hospital and approached the computer terminal. A man sitting near a potted plant got up and came over to us.

"Saluton! You are Rod's family from Earth?"

"We are," Tritch said.

"I'm Lloyd Nivea. I'm one of the elders of the Church of Christ here on Tiberias. As is Rod. He's one of our elders. We want to let you know we are with you in all this. Rod never gets sick! It's hard to imagine."

"I'm Tritch, his son; this is Reba, his daughter."

"Rod has spoken of you. I'll take you to him."

Central Hospital felt strange. Out here in Space things are done differently. Tiberias was designed by an architect and his team from San Francisco back on Earth. Some of our ancestors once lived near there. Traveling seems to be in our blood. But more in Tritch's blood than mine, I thought.

I wonder how Tritch feels about all this? My legs feel stiff, heavy. I feel nauseous. How long has it been since I saw my parents? Two years? More? And when did Tritch last see them?"

Lloyd led the way into the room. We saw a man in a doctor's uniform.

But our eyes went to Dad. He had fallen asleep to the mellow buzz of the stasis field. He had aged since I had seen him last. His skin was pale and dry. I wondered what Tritch thought? He hadn't seen Dad for some time.

"This is Dr. Lowe," Lloyd said.

I remembered him from somewhere. "Dr. Lowe," I said, "good to see you."

"I remember you," he said. "Good to see you again. Your father has been asking for you and your brothers."

Tritch shook his hand.

A nurse came in. She looked at Tritch and said, "You sure look like your Dad."

I thought I saw a tear in Tritch's eye.

Then Mom came in. I thought she looked very tired, and gray. She has been here through all of this.

"Hi, Momma!" Tritch said. He gave her a big hug. I hugged her too.

Momma patted my back, then looked up at Tritch.

"Look at you," she said to Tritch. "You're so trim! Have you been on a diet?"

"Mom, how is he?" I asked.

"Exhausted," she sighed. "It's taken all of his energy to fight this thing. But the stasis field helps keep things in balance. It keeps the oxygen level high for him, and it keeps him warm."

Tritch shivered and said, "I'm not ready for this, Momma."

"No one ever is," she said. She touched his cheek.

"Don't you have a new wife?" she asked.

"She will be here shortly," Tritch said. "I came on as quickly as I could from Seltan Pri."

"She is an Auroran?" I asked. "You married an Auroran?"

"You got a problem with that?" Tritch said.

I quickly shook my head, "No."

Just then Dad began to stir. The stasis field was still a pale blue-white arc over his bed. He sat up against the pillows, The field generator peeped, then shut off.

"Tritch. You finally took a day off from running around the galaxy."

Tritch hugged Dad for a long time. "It's me," he said.

Dad looked over. "And Reba."

I gave Dad a hug. "I love you, Dad," I said.

"How long are you here, Son?" He pulled the blanket up a little.

"I'm going to stay put a while, Dad. My traveling days are over."

"You met a girl? It must be that."

"You'll like her, Dad. She's on the way here now. From Seltan Pri."

"I was there once," Dad said.

More people were coming into the room.

"Where's Ronto?" Dad asked. "Did he come with you?"

"He's on the way," I said. "I called him."

"Did Ronto ever get a wife?" Dad asked.

"Not that I know of," I said. "He doesn't talk about much to us. We won't know he has a wife until he brings her to meet us."

Dad fell back, and the stasis switched on again. He looked so tired. He had lost weight. Only a shadow of the beefy giant that was my father.

By now the room was crowded. A nurse came in, waving her electronic clipboard. "Please! Can't we give the patient some room!"

"I'll be in the waiting area," Lloyd said. "You know, all of this is on video. The central computer views everything and records it. All the church people are watching. We love Rod and we are all praying for his recovery."

The church really is family. That's how it is at home. I hadn't thought about Tiberias that much. But it surely would be the same here.

"We've got a great group here, no better anywhere in the galaxy," Dr. Lowe said. "Dr. Norjah is one of the best surgeons. Your Dad is in good hands. And your father's attitude is good. We'll do our best. We promise you that!"

"Thanks, Doc!" Tritch said.

A blue clad orderly appeared at the door with a gurney.

"All right people," the nurse said. "Let's clear the room. Mr. Glacio is due in surgery. Now!"

I steadied Mom as we walked outside. We went to the waiting area. Central Hospital is like everything else on Tiberias, very compact and squeezed together. There isn't much room to spare. But then again things aren't all that different in the big cities of Earth.

We watched as they rolled Dad through a set of glass sliding doors. He gave us a 'thumbs up' sign.


"Let's go sit in the solarium just around the corner," Mom said. "It won't be as crowded. We can talk."

We walked through the doorway.

"You know, this is a new journey for me," Tritch said. "Sort of an alternate final frontier."

"It comes to us all," Mom said. "All cultures, races, planets. Sickness, and death. But Dad is going to get well!"

"You better believe it!" Tritch said. "Dad has just got to get well!"

We looked up to see Lloyd Nivea and some others coming into the solarium. We could use all the support we could get at this time.

"We've come to sit with you," Lloyd said. "Rod is dearly loved by us all."


After what seemed a long time a nursing assistant came around the corner.

"You can come in. The doctor is finished and Mr. Glacio is in recovery."

"Thank you," I said to the nurse.

She led the way for us.

Dr. Norjah came through the doorway.

"Rod was in stage one cancer - which is good. Things could have been much worse. But he had internal bleeding. This caused our main problem. It was touch and go for a while. We gave him nine units of blood. The next 48 hours will tell the tale."

"Thanks Dr. Norjah," I said. "We appreciate your help. We know he was in good hands with you. And certainly God was there for him. For all of us!"

We could hardly tear ourselves away, but we had no choice, We must return to Earth. Dad is surrounded by people who love him. Surely he will get the best care. He will recover!


I can't believe it has been two years since Dad's surgery. I've got to talk with him. I wonder how he's doing?

I sat down at the videophone. I clicked the address bar. A winking dot told me the videophone was ringing on the other end at Tiberias.

"Rod here," he answered. His picture flashed on the screen. "Oh, Reba! How are you and the children? I wish you were all here with me now! I miss you all!"

"Dad! You're looking well! Has it really been two years since your surgery? I can't believe it!"

"I can hardly believe it either! So much has happened. But I seem to be my old self again. I have my strength back. I can do much of what I used to do. But I get tired now and then. It couldn't be because I'll soon turn seventy."

"Oh, Dad! You'll live to be a hundred! But we did have our doubts. It worried us to death to see you in that hospital bed, white as a sheet. And to think what was happening to you. We thank the Lord that He brought you through!"

"How are the children?"

"Ruth wrote a poem for class and the teacher sent it away to be published. I'm so proud! She is following in your footsteps. And Stin has been involved in that science project. He's received honors! You'll be proud of them both!"

"I wish Earth wasn't so far away. You could move up here? I have to live on Tiberias as you know. This low gravity is good for my heart as well as other things. And I am needed here. I keep busy working with the church people. I am doing something and I feel worthwhile."

We talked on for some time. You should see my videophone bill! But if I can't see Dad in person, I can at least talk with him.

Then I thought of a question.

"Dad, there's a lady in church here who just had a colostomy. I want to help her. How do you deal with using the Necessary? I mean, at home is one thing, but out somewhere else, what do you do?"

"Well, I have learned what to do. Reba, are you sure that you want to hear this?"

"Dad, I did raise kids. I've seen it all."

"Well, it is messy and it sure isn't sanitary. I go into the Necessary to the stall by the receptacle. I tear off about ten sheets of paper and put them where I can get to them. I take the clip off the pouch and empty it into the receptacle. Then I take a sheet of paper and wipe down into the pouch to clean it out about three inches into it. I have to wipe several times, as much as necessary. I said it wasn't sanitary. Then I put the clip back on, and go wash with that soap that sterilizes germs. Then I'm all done."

"And you have to do that every time?"

"It isn't so hard. It is a nuisance, but I can live with it, and do. It could be worse. I'm alive and well. I can preach and teach and go places and do things. Praise the Lord for all that!"

"Dad, we are so glad that you can! We worry so much about you and Mom. We love you very much!"

"Well, Dad, I have to go. Love you both! I'll talk at you later. Good-bye."