I'm sorry to hear about your dad but really glad that he's doing better. And from your description he sounds like the kind of guy who would hate it if you hovered over him worrying instead of doing your work and living your life. My parents are late '70's but nobody's told them that. They still gallivant around as though they were 25. And yeah, it's very hard to think of them as being mortal. So I try not to. Wishing your dad a quick recovery.

Oh dear. I feel the same way about morning phone calls -- must be bad news. I'm glad your dad's improved so quickly. Hope he gets the all-clear.

"Perhaps I should put this project off for later." - What would your dad have to say about that?

He wouldn't like it one bit. But for now I just can't stop worrying.

Of course you can't stop worrying right now; that's normal. So it may not be the best time to make huge decisions -- is there a deadline for deciding about your fieldwork?

Of course you're fretting --- that's natural and understandable. I'm so sorry to hear about your father's troubles, but it's great that he's stable enough to be irritable!

Seconding that it might be good to put off the decision about fieldwork, if feasible. Right now, everything is upside-down for you. Even a few days may help you feel like the world has turned upright again.

In a few days, you might discuss this concern with the leader of the fieldwork project. Often, there is a mechanism in place for just such contingencies --- family emergencies and other vital news. But give yourself a few days just to settle your thinking.

I'm with Elsa: I wish the best for your father, and take a few days and see how you (and he) feel. Best wishes, truly.

You are allowed to worry. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your Dad.

It's his job to brush your concerns aside, and it's yours to be concerned family.

You don't have to decide about the fieldwork right away; when things have settled down with your dad you can think about your calendar. Right now that's probably too overwhleming. Glad everything's OK though.

It's true that in some professions this is a neverending challenge; it just might mean you want to set up a phone relay and know what the backups are for whatever region you'll be in --shortwave radio? Someone who can get an email and dispatch a message to you? Satellite uplink? Not knowing what you do or where you'll be I don't know the communications issues, but usually where people are in the field there's some supervising body that can help you with this, because it is a need. Also, remember that we aren't ever in control of everything, and bad things can happen any time, they even happen to people who don't travel or take jobs in the field. Staying home is not a guarantee of controlling everything, so you may as well give and get the most from your life and always stay in as good touch with everyone as you can, and let them know you love them as much as you can. When it's time for you to be at home, you can get there.

Big hugs - I've been on the receiving end of those calls and, my, they are hard and strange. I'm SO glad he's doing better. Remember to breathe!