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!
Such a wonderful update! Will continue to keep you all in our prayers. Don’t let your mom overdo it. She needs her rest. Don’t want her getting sick. Happy birthday to your dad. Hopefully all the cards will help cheer him and give him strength.
Good morning Rhoda , I’m so pleased to hear that dad is doing better. We have him on the prayer list. You know Rhoda , no matter what the facts say God deals with the truth, and the truth is , is that God still hears and answers prayers and He still performs miricals even in 2017 . One thing I know and that is He is who He says He is , and He can do what He says He can do !!! He will complete the number of our days . So we will continue to lift him up in prayer daily. That his strength will improve to rightness . I loved your fashion yesterday. The walking shorts are very feminine and cute. I believe you two have hit the lotto with each other You two make a precious couple together
Thank you for the update, have been wondering how he was doing. I will continue to have him and all of you in my thoughts and prayers. God is well able, we know that. Your dad and mom are amazing people…..and such a great witness of God’s love and care. Blessings, Linda
so glad to have an update on your sweet family; your trust in the Lord will surely get you through this – here’s to a big old birthday tomorrow for him!! that thought changes my tears to a smile for you – God Bless
Glad to read this positive update on your dad! I’m sure he’s anxious to get home to some home-cooked veggies from his garden. That should perk him up better than the doc’s pills. Sending good vibes for continued progress!
Keeping your Dad and the family in prayer. It’s so good to see the progress. Please let him know I (and I’m sure many others) miss his garden updates and am looking forward to the next one. Praise God for the progress and pray for continued strengthening and improved health. Wishing him health and happiness on his special day!
Great news!! Continued prayers for speedy recovery! God bless!
I’m keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. I know it has been a tough time, but it truly does seem that things have taken a positive turn. Your family is so strong and loving and I know that is extremely helpful to his recovery.
How we thank God for answered prayers! We pray that God will continue to lay His healing hand upon your dear and precious Daddy! We also pray that you, your Mom and family will feel God’s arms of strength as you travel back and forth each day.
May your Dad be blessed with a Happy Birthday tomorrow!
Bless you all!
Prayers for his continued healing and strength for you all.
Can your mom bring some of her food. That may help him eat better.. Prayers for your dad. So happy for you.
Please be sure to arrange for home health physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy before your Dad is discharged from the inpatient facility.
I LOVE that Bible verse that the Lord gave to your Mom! So many wonderful promises in the Word! I continue to pray for your Dad and each of you. Happy Thursday!
Rhoda, what a wonderful praise report on your sweet dad! How do people face life’s challenges without knowing and having a personal relationship with the Lord. He is faithful!!
I don’t know your Daddy but I feel that I do. I will pray for him and for you caregivers. May God bless you all.
Great to hear such wonderful news about your sweet Daddy. I’m sure when he gets home to enjoy your Mom’s cooking his appetite will improve. I think I remember you once saying that her cooking was his favorite.
Isaiah 41:10 is the verse the Lord gave me when my first husband was diagnosed with stage 4 brain tumor. We knew it was incurable but he lived
12 1/2 months . I clung to that promise and even after the Lord took him home.
It is so good to hear your dad is on an upswing.
Will continue to pray for him.
I should have told you this sooner. I kept a notebook and carried it with me everywhere. I wrote down what the docs and nurses told me ( and PT) , wrote down all meds , dosages etc and when I gave them. Also wrote any questions I had and anything I noticed, good or bad. If a question popped in my head even in the middle of night, I wrote it down.
You learn so much when someone you love gets sick.
this notebook was invaluable to me because I couldn’t remember everything. you may have a notebook already; if not, hope it helps.
HI, Karen, thank you for sharing. A notebook is a good idea, I’ll have to tell mom about that and maybe she can start one, since she is with him most days and we can fill in as well.
Great news, indeed!!! It takes a special man to battle so hard against such a tough illness. And to think he is is 90+ years old! Amazing. Can only be done with the Glory of God. I’m continuing my prayers for his strength and appetite to return. So, so glad to get the good news.
A most happy birthday to your dad! I’m so glad that he is improving and hope he’s able to go home soon. He is riding the stationary bike a lot longer than I could. Truth!
Rhoda I am so happy to hear about your Dad’s progress. I copied the Scripture that your mother read. My hubby goes in for another cancer surgery on 7/28th. and I will be repeating that over and over again. I will keep your family in my prayers.