LaPera / LOSING DAD

Chapter One

Like a master computer, the brain controls everything, but when it malfunctions theres no
system reset, no disk recovery, no memory restore. That speaks volumes to the frailty of man.

Joseph graduated from college in Illinois, bought a house in California, and raised a family in the suburbs. By all accounts his life seemed normal. And it was, until he got the news. It was cancer. At the hospital, Hilda held her husbands hand before his procedure. The operation was successful and his prognosis good, until a routine follow-up procedure went awry. Doctors rushed Joseph into emergency surgery and, for the second time in a week, put him under general anesthesia. This changed everything. Nobody anticipated his quick descent into psychosis, extreme paranoia, and grandiose delusions. Joseph did the unthinkable. He embarked on a trip that involved four continents, thirty countries, and thirteen wives. He gave up everything along the way, his career, his finances and his family. While homeless in America, he had run-ins with drug dealers and prostitutes. He was purportedly arrested in Israel, preached to the Mafioso in Italy, and hailed as a prophet in Africa. This is a true story that follows one mans bizarre journey through mental illness. This man is not a faceless stranger living on the streets. He is my father.
Many names throughout this book have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.

f individual

Chapter Two (1996)

Im scared. Joseph confided to his wife. How can it be cancer? Ive always taken good care of my health. He leaned his head into her chest, wiped his tears on her blouse and wrapped his arms around her waist. Itll be okay. Hilda ran her fingers through her husbands thinning brown hair. I dont want surgery. She held him tighter. But your doctors said you need it, she said. Shouldnt you listen to them? You know I hate needles. What if they screw up? How many people come out worse than when they go in? Hilda also held distrust for modern medicine. She had been researching alternatives to surgery and had heard about an unconventional hospital that boasted of a high success rate with all types of cancer. Placing her palms on both sides of his face, she stared into his blue eyes. What about that hospital your friends told us about? she said. The one in Mexico. Dont they use holistic methods and natural medicines? Its not cheap, but yeah, I suppose its worth looking into. Its going to be all right. She squeezed his hand. I love you. I love you, too. He looked into her brown eyes and admired the sun-kissed wrinkles which formed smiles around them.

LaPera / LOSING DAD

www.amandalapera.com

They drove down to Tijuana (TJ), Mexico to discuss Josephs medical options with the staff. The doctors professed whole-body healing and an antioxidant rich diet. When he felt ready to commit to the treatment plan, Joseph phoned his father for advice. No, dont do it, John said to his son. Its definitely not a good idea. There arent any competent doctors down there. Theyre not properly educated and trained. But Ive heard many success stories. When Hilda and I went there, everything they said made a lot of sense. The doctors are smart. Theyve had extensive training and education, much of it done here in the States. They just choose to work with holistic treatments. Mexico is dirty. Its not sanitary. Youre going to open yourself up to problems, like other diseases, and then itll be too late to get treatment here. Theyll make you sicker with their hokey medicine. I know people whove been cured there. I dont want surgery. I understand youre scared, but you need to listen to your doctor before its too late. Trust modern medicine. Dont trust those people in Mexico. Get treatment here. Well, at least Im going to get a second and third opinion. Thats a smart idea. But if they agree, ultimately you should trust your physician.

After visits to other doctors, Joseph was overwhelmed and decided to proceed with the surgery. On August 19, 1996, he drove to the hospital with his wife and his fifteen year-old son. Their pastor from church met them there. In the final moments before they administered anesthesia, Joseph probed his wifes eyes. One word escaped his lips, Jackie? the name of his eldest daughter.

LaPera / LOSING DAD

www.amandalapera.com

She asked me to call her as soon as youre out. Hilda looked away. He sighed. She planted a kiss on his clammy forehead and stroked his pale cheek, still smooth from this mornings shave. Their pastor turned to Trevor, Josephs youngest child of threehis only son. The pastor nudged the teen on the shoulder, and whispered in his ear. Trevor, he said, you can give your dad a hug and kiss. Trevor did so then slunk behind. Hilda kissed Joseph on the other cheek and released him from her arms. The nurses and her husband disappeared down the hallway.

A doctor entered the waiting room and approached Hilda. How is he? Hilda asked. Your husband did just fine. Hes being brought up to his room and should be coming to in a few minutes. She and her stepson found him asleep in a hospital bed. When Joseph opened his eyes, he glanced around the room until his eyes found hers. He smiled at his wife before dozing off again.

Days later while Joseph was still in the hospital recovering, doctors came into his room to do a routine procedure, to remove the catheter. With medical instruments in hand, the doctor got to work. Joseph winced.

LaPera / LOSING DAD

www.amandalapera.com

The doctor sat up, face blanched. He pushed a button that brought several people into the room. They scurried about and thrust papers into Josephs face. Joseph penned his signature. Sides of the hospital bed raised and locked in place. The wheel mechanisms released. Joseph recognized the anesthesiologist. Whats happening? Im going to be giving you a general anesthetic. When was the last time you ate? Teary-eyed, Joseph reached for the doctor. Help me, why does it hurt? The catheter splintered up. Fluorescent lights blurred overhead. The room grew dark. Joseph closed his eyes. *** How does something like that happen? Hilda said. And why wasnt I notified? Im sorry, maam, the nurse said. There wasnt time. Dont worry. Your husbands fine. Fine? How can you say hes fine? How could the doctor have screwed that up? After Joseph recovered from this second surgery, Hilda took her husband home, but the man who left the hospital was not the same one who had entered. She didnt know it yet and neither did he.

About the Author Amanda LaPeras life drastically altered course when her loving father disappeared on a trip that involved four continents, thirty countries, thirteen wives and a lost fortune, and returned to America homeless. This painful experience inspired her to complete her first non-fiction book, LOSING DAD, and helped her to reconnect with her sense of humor and her passion for writing. With LOSING DAD, she hopes to increase awareness, provide comfort, and offer hope. More information about her writing, including links to her blog, short stories and poetry can be found at www.amandalapera.com. You can also find her on Facebook at

LaPera / LOSING DAD

www.amandalapera.com

www.fb.com/amandalapera and www.fb.com/losingdad. Her short stories have been selected for publication by The Midwest Literary Magazine, The Short Humour Site, and Pill Hill Press's Flash Fiction Anthology.