They must be talking about a camera or a telescope. 

She is in a hospital. No cameras.

He holds up the pink calendar they sent around to all the rooms with the daily specials down at the cafeteria. “I think there’s gonna be cream of broccoli soup tonight for dinner. Your favorite, Stell!”“She probably won’t be up for eating right after surgery, Tom,” my mom snaps at him, his face falling at her words. I try to sound enthusiastic. “If I’m up for it tonight, I’ll definitely get some! ”There’s a knock on the door and an orderly walks in, wearing a surgical cap and a pair of blue latex gloves. My parents both stand up, my dad reaching out to take my hand.It takes everything in me to steady it.

Может быть свою руку - чтобы отец ничего не почувствовал?

Или же кашель? Прямо перед этим было "Taking a deep breath, I suppress a cough, while my dad tries to make some small talk."

Впрочем, гн.Член уже все разъяснил. Зачем стараться?

She’s so nervous that her hand is shaking and it takes everything in her to keep her hand steady while her father holds it.

 You don’t steady a cough, you steady your hand, a camera, a telescope or anything that’s shaking.

👍

даже в контексте я не понимаю, что именно. Руку отца? Или же себя?

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Her own hand. She doesn’t want her father to see how nervous she is.

Именно это я и перевёл. У меня был такой вариант - см. выше

👍🏼