It’s been a week of ups and downs with dad, but I’m happy to say right now we are on an upswing. He’s been here in the rehab center almost 2 weeks, 2 weeks tomorrow in fact, which is also his 90th birthday. July 14, 1927 was a good day for our family, when this little red headed baby boy was born into the world.
We have all been hanging in there with him getting treatment at the rehab going through speech, occupational, and physical therapy with him. Some days have been good and some not so good. Monday, mom and I were here with him and he just had a terrible day. Sleeping most of the day and really out of it and when they got him up he was in pain. We finally had an X-ray done, but thank goodness nothing is broken and he’s probably just bruised from the original fall in the kitchen. After such a dismal day on Monday, we had the prayer warriors rallying with my pleas on Facebook and Instagram and mom and dad’s church were all praying too, as well as all of YOU out there who are lifting up my dad to the Lord.
Mom got a wonderful word from the Lord on Tuesday morning from her devotions before she went in to see dad and I can now say, we have a miracle. Here’s the verse she was directed to:
Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
When mom walked in on Tuesday morning after such a rough Monday, she hardly recognized that dad was the same man. He was sitting up and alert when she got there, talking and interacting, and had a really great day with all his physical therapy. A complete turnaround from Monday! I was with him all day Wednesday, giving mom a break and he was very much the same, on an upward track and doing much better overall.
He’s done pretty well on the stationary bike and Tuesday when mom was there, he rode it for 15 minutes and walked over 150 steps down the hall on his walker. Progress! He did the same thing for me on Wednesday.
Mom called me Tuesday night after he had such a good day and was so joyful and happy over his good day and progress, so we think that the turning point has come. God has been hearing our prayers and he is starting to get stronger every day. He still gets tired out from the PT, but overall we are seeing positive movement in getting better. So much better than last week, praise God!
Physical therapy has been challenging, he’s still not able to get up on his own and really doesn’t have a lot of strength in his legs, but as he keeps doing these challenges and exercises, he will get stronger and stronger.
We are trying to feed him food and keep the calories in so that he will gain weight. He’s lost about 20 lbs. though all of this and can’t afford to lose more, so our goal is to keep him eating and drinking liquid supplements that will help him gain weight. His appetite is just not there, so we are trying to make him eat more than he wants to to get his strength back. Little by little, I think it’s working. We are getting him on appetite stimulants and hope that starts helping too.
You have all been SO kind, caring, and supportive through all this. I shared a couple of Get Well cards with him and that boosted him so much. He is just amazed that so many of you out there know about his health issues and care about him, but I have assured him that y’all are praying for him and that people all over the country are concerned for him.
All the birthday cards that you all have sent in, we will open them Friday on his birthday! He was amazed at this stack!
My family was NOT at all prepared for all of this and as caregivers are finding out all the hoops to jump through and ways of working with the rehab personnel. We are having to learn this along the way since this is the first time we’ve had a health crisis like this in the family. I do appreciate all the comments, ideas and suggestions that you all have given, we’ve taken some of them and are implementing them and trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t. It’s all a learning process, that’s for sure. And I can see he’s making progress.
Friends of the family stopping by to see dad. He enjoys talking to these dear folk!
So, that’s an update for this week. I’ll do another one next week after his birthday and show you all the stack of cards he got and how much fun that will be for him to see and hear these cards from all of you out there. He’s got a long ways to go, but we see a glimmer of improvement this week and hoping for even more next week. It would be so great to have him up and walking soon and back home with mom. That is the ultimate goal, to get him back home where he belongs and eating mom’s home cooking again. Being in a rehab is tiring for all involved, so I feel for all of you who have gone through this. It’s no fun at all, but it’s a part of life that I knew would be coming sooner or later. It’s just hard to prepare yourself for it and know what is coming.
Finally got him interested in going outside on Wednesday and he really did like the sunshine and fresh air. We have turned the corner this week!
Again, thank you ALL for the sweet comments, prayers and thoughts about my dad and his recovery. We know that he is going to continue to get better and will be home before too much longer, we pray!
Dear Friend:
Special prayers that your Dad will continue to get stronger every day. Prayers for your Mother too! Thank the Lord that he has your wonderful family as his advocate. I am sure that you are learning that you have to manage your Dad’s care for him. Not all health care facilities are the best. Sad to say.
Much love to all of your family.
Love You!
Judy
G*d bless.
You have been blessed in the power of prayer. Good to see your dad doing better after his fall.
Excellent news! Happy Birthday, Sir!
Thank you, Lord!
Wonderful!!! So glad there is improvement.
Wishing him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Praying he will celebrate more.
Thank you for to update! I wondering how he was doing these past few days. Besides wishing him well and all the best, I wish I could do more for you all. I’ve been in rehab and know how tough it is from both sides. I’ll keep praying for ur dad and the family! All take care and all the best for everyone.
Lifting your Dad and all of the family up in prayer
What a wonderful update. I pray for all of you. Being caregivers is the hardest thing–not only physically, but emotionally and then there is the dealing with the business end, doctors, insurance and everything else that goes along with it. It is a labor of love, but still not easy. Much Love and many prayers and The Happiest Happiest 90th Birthday to your wonderful Dad!!!!
Reading your Mom’s devotion gave me goosebumps. The Lord always knows what we need. It is incredible how many hearts your daddy has touched! Continued prayers for all of you.
This is wonderful news! We will continue to hold him in prayer! Can’t wait to hear about his birthday celebration that I’m sure you will be having tomorrow.
P.S. We all love your daddy! He’s been such a wonderful part of your blog journey. I love it when you post your family gatherings and all the work your daddy has done on your house and love seeing his wonderful garden. Your mother’s devotion gave me chills because it was so powerful! The power of prayer!
Thanking God that your dear Daddy is getting better. I know how hard that has been for you all. This birthday will be the sweetest I am sure! My strawberry haired
grandson shares the same birthday. He will be three. He is so funny, smart and has the best manners. Take care of yourselves. Care giving is hard work!
I pray for your family and especially for your mom. I hope your dad regains his strength and he and your mom can enjoy more years together. God is good and His strength keeps us going. The hardest thing I have done in my 70 years is watch my parents as they grew old. My dad spent his 90th birthday in the hospital as my mom had surgery for a broken hip. That began the hard road to the end. My Dad never left her side literally. He slept every night in a chair in her room and moved into the nursing home with her. He died at 94 and she at 95.
Praise God for this wonderful report!! Keeping the prayers going for each of you !
Continued prayers for your precious Daddy and his caregivers. Congratulations and many blessings to you and Mark.
AMEN!
oh what a blessed report!!!!! Praise God from whom allllll blessings flow!!!! I know your Mom and all of you are rejoicing !!!!!!
I feel like I know your sweet Dad…always enjoy reading about him and all his endeavors..He truly amazes me. You are so blessed to still have him in your life…my prayer is for healing for him and strength for you and your family as you are there for him. I will share a quote that a friend of mine shared with me when my daughter had ovarian cancer (at age 16)…”When we can’t see God’s Hands, we have to trust His Heart”…I am trusting that he will give you and your family the peace and strength you need as you walk through this.
Denise
Great news!!! Sending hugs and continued prayers to your sweet hardworking Dad and family..hope he has a great birthday!!!! keep us posted!!!