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!
This is wonderful news, Rhoda ! So happy your Dad is making progress & on his way to getting well. I will keep praying. Give your Dad a big hug for me. Stay well as you have a lot going on 🙂
So glad ?
I follow your blog daily and have for some time. We have just gone through the same thing with our mother. She had a uti and had to be in hospital for about 3 days and in that amount of time, she lost her ability to get up, walk or even stand alone. We moved her to a rehab facility and went through the same things that your family is going through. My mother is 85 in Oct. and is back at the assisted living facility, walking on her own again after about a month. She is still not back at 100 percent but can walk and manage on her own. It is definitely a learning experience and one that you don’t want to go through many times. I hope your dad continues to get better and congrats on all of your big news.
So glad to hear he is doing better. I sent you an email, thanks for being the postman for us. I am thinking of your mama as well. I know this is very hard on her as well.
Praise God for prayers answered!
Your dad (and your family) has been through a rough patch but he is victorious through prayer. Happy Birthday, Dad!
God is good! He hears our prayers and answers them too! Thank you for the update and good news. I enjoyed the picture of your dad in physical therapy. I was able to work with patients in PT, as an aide to the therapist, and met many wonderful people as they work to regain their strength and heal their bodies. Physical therapist are known as “body mechanics.” Tell your dad he is in good hands with his therapist. Thanks again for the pictures and update. So glad your Dad is loving all the mail he is getting.. Tell him he has many surrogate daughters that love him.
Rhoda,
Continuing to pray for your Dad and family. I’m glad to read this update! Please do wish him a very Happy 90th Birthday for me! He’s so blessed to have your all as you are to have him!!
So glad to hear that he has turned that corner in his recovery!
I hope he has a wonderful birthday!
Happy birthday to your dad. I feel your pain….had two parents live into their 90s and back and forth to hospitals and health care facilities all while keeping my own household going. They are both gone now, but just keep hugging and visiting. Love to you and yours.
Happy Birthday to your sweet Dad. Continued prayers for his full recovery. God is faithful.
Caregivers are angels. It is a very hard job and PT is hard work.
Excellent news, Rhoda! You can really see the look of determination on his face while on the equipment!! Happy birthday to your Dad!!
Celia
So happy your Dad is showing progress in his recovery and gaining strength. We will keep our prayers for him, mom, you, and your family. Sending our wishes for Dad to have A Very Happy 90th Birthday!!! What a Special Day…
Continued prayers for you and your family. So glad to see he is progressing!
Oh, I’m so happy that your Sweet Dad is doing better. I will be praying for strength, energy and a full recovery. I know your mama is worn out too, going back and forth, plus the anxiety of wondering about her husband when they are not together. Blessings to you all. Happy Birthday to your Daddy…WOW, 90!!!! That is so cool!!!
Thanks for the update friend. So glad he has finally turned a corner. Continued prayers for all of you.
Tears in my eyes as I read the scriptures, see the pics and read your words as the powerful testimony of a woman who has learned to trust God implicitly – even when life has handed her some hard days. You are a cherished prize to your parents – and I know they are beyond proud. Praying your dad continues to strengthen – and be aware of his fragile state and that a fall at this stage would be detrimental in many ways. Love to you and your family. 🙂
Thank you, Becky such sweet words!
Rhoda, you and your family are such an inspiration to all of us. Keep the faith and one baby step at a time. Keeping all of your family in my prayers.
Excellent news! Please wish him a Happy Birthday!!! 😉
This wonderful news made my day!!!!!!!