Treacheotomy 101

So you all know that my dad had surgery for throat cancer. He is home and doing just fine but he has these tubes sticking out of him. He has one in his throat. He has to keep it there until all further treatment has been completed. We have to keep it swabed and gauzed. I found out that I am not cut out to be a nurse. Today I had to clean it up a bit and he flinched and cleanched his fist. I about lost it. I jumped back and looked at him all wild. I asked him if I hurt him and sounded out of breath even to my ears. He gave me this look like "God help me if she is the one to take care of me in my old age!!!: and said "Honey, I just had my staples taken out and I'm a little bit sore."

Oh, right. 40 plus staples will do that to ya.