Those moments are everything to us, why not be fully present during this coffee breaks?!
I was diagnosed with Gerd and high cholesterol, years ago, and was told to be on meds for the rest of my life or change my eating habits. It was not easy, but we take little steps towards our goals and it gets easier. We drill down our reactions to the ups and downs, our interactions to which we choose to engage, and the bites we take. I am still medication free and borderline needing them but, my personal thought, we are walking a thin line in life and our body is a reflection of this road we travel.
Much peace to you and your family with the passing of your dad.