This past week has been an emotional whirlwind. My dad was rushed to the hospital with severe chest pains and ended up needing a triple bypass surgery. Two years ago, we faced a similar scare when he burned his feet walking on the hot sand in Cocoa Beach— and when this happened, my heart sank. My first thought was, how do I tell my clients I need to reschedule? But as always, life has a way of reminding us of what truly matters.
Now that my dad has been cleared to leave the ICU, I can finally take a breath and share what’s been happening. The outpouring of love, messages, and prayers has meant the world to me. It’s in these moments that I’m reminded of how strong we truly are — and how much strength we draw from the people around us.
My nail clients are so much more than appointments on a calendar. They are my friends, my cheerleaders, my extended family. For that one hour every three weeks, we share stories, laughter, life updates, and sometimes tears. They’ve prayed for me, supported me, and lifted me up when I needed it most.
I am beyond thankful, grateful, and blessed — not just for my dad’s healing, but for the community of amazing women who surround me every single day. My business is built on beauty, but it’s the love and connection behind it that make it truly special. 💕
I must say a huge heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff at AdventHealth Orlando. Their incredible cardiovascular unit saved my fathers life not just once by performing the triple bypass surgery on Monday but twice! As he sat around Saturday awaiting a schedule as to when and what surgery would be taken place, he had a room full of nurses when it hit! A full-on heart attack came over him! To hear him take about what he had just experienced gives chills! He said it was exactly what he felt 25 years ago when he had his first one. All the bells and whistles went off, and he was immediately surrounded by 10 people! And just as he yelled “guys, I’m scared!” it was gone, and he was still here. After that he was moved up to the front of the line. They had no idea what they were going to do and would know more when they got in there. Monday morning 10:06am the surgery began. At 12:59pm he was put on the bypass machine. At 2:30pm he was taken off the bypass machine; the surgery was a success and by 4:30pm it was complete. He was doing great! 2 days in CV ICU and he’s now resting comfortably in room 8808.
So, here’s some things that had me on alert. I’m a big dreamer. I’ve been fortunate to receive insight and messages from the cosmos in my dreams. On October 15 I had a horrible disturbing dream about my dad. It shook me so much that that morning I couldn’t even share it with my husband. In my dream, it was daylight, the beginning i saw wind whipping, so strong, like the strongest hurricane in existence. Then on the right side I saw his late brother and sister. I spoke to Uncle Tony and said to him ‘hey, you have a teal shirt just like your older brother!’ Uncle Tony looked and smiled at me then turned and walked away. Then i panned to the left and saw my dad sitting up in a hospital bed. Later that day I spoke to my sister. I shared with her the dream I had about dad. Immediately that morning I called dad. I said Hey dad, how ya doing? he said we’re fine for being old fogies. I said good, so you and Bev are feeling good. Yup, ok, great. On 1-22 my dad said to his wife and friends at the old folk’s home (Hearthstone assisted living in Lake Nona) you know, I’ve been having some pain in my chest a bit. They all scolded him enough that he walked into the local ER. Next thing you know has being transferred to Advent Hospital East. My brother knew what was going on but didn’t tell me anything. But I didn’t say anything to him either about the dad dream. Nobody tells me anything. They think i can’t handle stuff. it’s always been that way. Maybe earlier in life but actually now I’m the strongest sibling, and definitely the calmest. On the next day my dad sent a text to the family group that he was in the hospital. As i sit there playing with nail art i hear this explosion then shattered glass. I was like what in the world just happened?! I walk into the kitchen and low and behold, the glass decanted i keep my crystals in busted and there were crystals blown out onto the floor. But this one in particular was sitting out of the glass chicken decanter, it had a pointed top! I thought wow, that’s weird, and grabbed my phone to take a photo. NEVER looking at my phone to see the messages at that time, it wasn’t until driving to work I saw a text from my sis that said oh i know, i shouldn’t have sent that given dads current state! I was like what…? So read through all the messages. Shit! at 10:40am my dad sent us a text he was in the hospital. At 10;50am the glass chicken with the crystals in it exploded!!! What the heck is going on! It was crazy… and cool at the same time. I mean, I could go on about this crystal thing but I’ll save that for another post. Bottom line, we are grateful, thankful and fully blessed to everyone involved who saved our dads life….. Mr. Dominic XOX