You all have been so precious about my dad’s sickness with your thoughts and prayers on getting him well. We are realizing it’s going to be a slower process than we have hoped and even though he has made progress each week, it’s still slow going and day to day has its ups and downs. We never dreamed that his 90th birthday would be spent in a rehab trying to get well again, but it has turned out that way after all.
If you aren’t up to speed on how my dad got in a rehab, you can read this post from July 4th all about what happened and why he is sick.
You were all SO sweet to send in so many birthday cards to him. He was truly shocked that so many people care about him and wish him a speedy recovery and happy birthday. Someone sent this to print off so I taped it to his door.
He’s definitely improving and feeling better than when he arrived here 3 weeks ago. Day by day and week by week, he’s improving and doing better, but still not ready to come home. We had a family meeting with the social worker and one of the therapists that has been working with him to access where he is this week, so that they can try to get an extension for him of at least another week. We were supposed to find out something yesterday, but don’t know yet. This has to go through their insurance company so we are hopeful that it will happen and he can stay longer. He’s not ready to come home yet, as mom can’t handle his care alone. She was helping him put on his socks.
He’s walking every day on the walker and doing the stationary bike and that’s helped to strengthen his legs, so we are hopeful that every day he will gain more strength and eat more. He definitely needs to eat more to get stronger and we keep telling him that. So, overall improvements in the last week, but still not ready to go home. We know that day will come though!
We had family come to visit on dad’s birthday, my mom’s brother, Uncle Edward and his wife, Frances and 2 of their daughters, my cousins, came to visit and it was a happy time. This family is very special to us and we loved having them there.
We sang happy birthday to dad and he enjoyed telling stories and talking to Uncle Edward. He lights up when people come to see him.
I already showed you this pic of him holding the cards, but he really was amazed at all of these so thank you all so much. He isn’t up to reading much these days, so I opened the cards and read through most of them, reading him all the cities and states that the cards came from, all over the country. Y’all are amazing and made his day! I know when he is stronger he will sit and read the cards himself.
We went out to lunch with our family members and enjoyed catching up even it if was a brief time. My mom and her brother, Edward, look so much alike don’t they? Those family genes are strong. Uncle Edward is also a retired pastor and we have several of those in this family. Very proud of our Godly family heritage and this is the family I grew up in.
I captured us singing happy birthday to daddy and got a few of his remarks on camera, so enjoy this one! He’s such an animated and enjoyable guy to be around and we love him dearly. He didn’t have his hearing aids in so it took him a minute to register what we were saying. So happy he’s doing better and we look forward to the day he comes home. I’ll share more as there are new updates!
Hi Rhoda, will u also tell your dad we are thinking of him here in Ireland too!! And praying he is very soon home with his family. Dads and daughters have a special bond, I miss mine every day, and I love to see my own 3 daughters connecting with my husband. I pray you have much happiness with your dad still this year and in your own new ‘ventures’ lol. X Cheryl
Happy Birthday Dad!! ♥
Rhoda, I am sure he will come around. He is so much like my Daddy. He is strong willed and use to the hard work of the ground. There is something about that that makes them strong. My Daddy lived to the age of 92, and every time he was in the hospital/rehab we wondered if we could ever bring him home again. Once he would get where we could bring him home in his own surrounding, he would perk right back up. Of course, my Mom always prayed that if the Lord would let live she would continue to take care of him as long as she could. And she did, they were married 73 years and she passed at the age of 89. God is so good to let us have them and share their lives for this length of time. God Bless you and keep you and your family strong.
So sweet, Rhoda. Happy 90th Birthday to your Dad! He sounds great!
Praying for health and more years to come!
Your Dad reminds me so much of my Dad. He was always working in the yard and his garden, and always there to lend a hand with my crazy home improvement ideas. Your Dad sounds good–I am glad to hear he is on the mend and still praying!
Happy birthday to your Dad! I’m praying for good rest and healing and a return of his appetite. Maybe you could tell him that food is just like his medicine, you have to take it whether you feel like it or not!
It touched my heart, he sure seems like a sweet man. Happy Birthday to him
Praying his Birthday gift would be that the Lord will bless him with good health and let him go home with his lovely wife
Happy Birthday to your Dad? I am praying for his speedy homecoming..
What a sweetie! God bless you all! His spirit is contagious!
It is a whole new world, entering into the care of parents and dealing with rehab, the social workers, and insurance companies. Emotionally and physically exhausting, to be sure. My sister was a saint over the years for the loving care she gave our mom. Y’alls strong faith and family will get you through this. Prayers continuing for all of you, and especially that your daddy will get to go home soon.
Precious!
Oh my goodness! He is even more precious now that I’ve heard him speak! What a great video! Continued prayers and well wishes for your dad and your family! He is delightful!
The video brought tears, what a sweet, sweet man. Praying he continues to get strength he needs to go home.
My dad passed when he was 82 and he was a sweet man. Popa always helped us with our projects. I think that’s why I enjoyed your redo so much, getting to see your dad helping his daughter.
Prayers for the all the care givers and family.
Rhoda, please send me an address so that I may send your dad a card. Love y’all.? Thank you so much.
HI, Ruth, please email me and I’ll send to you, [email protected]
I just love your daddy. What a special special man. He sound so good! I know he’ll be back in his garden soon. Love to see those prayers becoming reality.
What a sweet man!
Happy Birthday to your sweet Dad! Hope his birthday was very special!!! Give him a hug for me and hope he is home soon . 🙂
What a sweet and precious man your daddy is. Happy 90th birthday! Many prayers to all y’all for strength, healing, and more birthdays!
Happy Birthday to your Dad and continued prayers for healing. 🙂
Happy Birthday to your precious daddy!. I hope his day was filled with love, laughter and Cake and by the looks of it, it was! Praying for him and all of yall. I’ve been following yalls journey for quite a few years and God is good isn’t He!