Back in the Hospital

Dad had a check up with Dr today and blood clots were discovered in both legs.  The largest one is in the leg that was operated on.  Dad ended up being sent to the ER where the doctor on duty wanted to admit him.  Mom and I both had reservations about this decision.  I ended up joining Mom at the ER to discuss the options. After several hours and numerous conversations with a couple of Dr's, we finally agreed to have Dad admitted.  

Trusting that we made the right decision.  Praying for Dad to be peaceful while in the hospital. Praying for wisdom for the myriad of Doctors that seem to be involved. Praying for mom's peace regarding decisions made and wisdom and clarity for decisions to follow.  Also asking God to show himself as provider.

Thank you for your interest in our family and your prayers on our behalf.

Taking Care of the Boys

The school closings have afforded me more opportunities to see Dad and Larry this week.  

On Monday evening I took a movie and watched it with Larry while cutting out preschool stuff. Larry has been having some swallowing issues which makes eating difficult.  Mom and I are a bit amazed at how it doesn't seem to be hard to eat desert though!?!?!  Larry is going for a throat CAT scan today. Next week is is plan of care meeting at the nursing home.  We are hoping that the Doctor will have some findings and perhaps a plan of action prior to that meeting. Larry's speech has become increasingly difficult which is frustrating for him as well as listeners.

Dad is slowly making progress.  He still has moments of confusion however during my visit with him yesterday he seemed more rational than my previous visits. After asking him about how he slept Tuesday night, he told me he went to bed early (of which I knew because I had been there) and then he went on a business trip up to Virginia.  Then he said "but then I woke up this morning and here I was."  He was able to agree that maybe the trip had been a dream.  

One of the crazy things about Dad's rehab, is how close he actually is to Mom and Dad's condo.  The following pictures are taken from the parking lot just outside dad's room at the back of the Rehab center.  What you see directly in front is mom and dad's neighbor and to the right is the roof line of mom and dad's house.  The second picture centers on the roof line of mom and dad's house.

Mom and I have been able to engage in some tag team visiting.  Tuesday night she visited Larry while I visited Dad and then we met in the middle for dinner to swap stories.  After that I went home with her to watch TV.  Mom has realized that even though Dad has traveled a lot during their marriage, because Larry has always been at home this is the first time she is "home alone."  She doesn't seem to mind.  It was actually funny to help her unpack her groceries the other day.  I could tell she had bought the things SHE enjoys eating. Mom is quite the lady.  I admire her strength, stamina and perseverance.  

Thank you for praying for my Brother, Mom and Dad.

CrazySouthern Weather

I saw this cartoon that read "You  wore flip flops yesterday and today you are in your snow boots? Oh you must live in the south."  That would peg this week for sure.  On Monday the car thermometer registered in the 60's but by Tuesday morning there was snow on the ground and school was closed. The public schools have declared today and the two before it Schooling at Home Days.  I can see its benefits but it doesn't transfer real well on the preschool level.  Yesterday was closed because of the anticipated snow that came yesterday evening.  It is presently melting and I anticipate our being back in school tomorrow.  Here are a few pictures of what I found this morning : ) It is not exactly the kind of snow that you would think keeps kids home from school.  But once again this IS the South.

Somewhere between a little off and right on

Yesterday afternoon I spent some time visiting with dad in his room at the Oaks.  He was more like himself than I had seen all week.  He said some things that was a little off but for the most point, dad seemed to be doing well.  

This morning dad called mom at 5:30 and he was very agitated and confused.  When she arrived at the Oaks around 10:30 it was evident that he had been agitated and confused most of the morning. He did participate well in his morning therapy session though.

When I reached the Oaks at 5:00 this evening I could not find him in his room.  I was told that he had been sitting at the front door area but he was not there.  After hearing someone refer to him by name I discovered that he had spent close to two hours by the front door waiting for me to come. I finally found him settled into the dining room.  After waiting for me so long he seemed frustrated at me and was kind of quiet. But as we sat there waiting for the dinner he became rather peaceful.  My dad has not been known for his patience so I was quite amazed at how calm he was while waiting for his food, which took some time for it to find him.  We had some interesting conversations about how they had redone the dining room since he had last stayed there. Interspersed with things that were out of context were things that were right on and very "normal.".  

I can't quite find the words to describe the experience. Nothing really prepares one for watching your parents enter this phase.  We continue to pray that there will be more clarity and less confusion. The hope is that he will push through in therapy so that he can go home and that will too help increase the clarity of mind.  

I am sure dad would enjoy hearing from friends.  His address is The OAKS at Limestone, 2560 NE Flintridge Rd., Gainesville GA 30501.

Narnia or Frozen, pick a movie.

So one friend described it as a scene from the movie, NARNIA and others have blamed Elsa of the Movie FROZEN. It definitely has looked like the set of some crazy movie.  This ice storm did not so much effect the roads as last year's storm.  However the ice on trees and power lines have made electricity missing for many this week as well as lined the streets with numerous broken tree limbs. Interesting how something that is on one hand so beautiful can be so inconvenient on the other. Sharing my version of THE ICE STORM 2015.

View from my porch

The Beautiful.

My side yard

The Inconvenient

I heard crashing and clanging at the back of the house.  Opened the back door and was greeted by branches!

The tree branch moved away from the door.

More Crashing in the back of the house.  

Saturday

Let me start with the information you may be looking for.  Dad was released from the hospital yesterday (Friday) and admitted at the Oaks for Rehab.  Mom said that he seemed resigned that he needed to go there before being able to go home.  When she and I spoke last night, he was content. The expectation is that he will be there for 2 weeks receiving physical therapy.  

I want to say thank you for sharing this journey with us.  I have noticed how with every request there seems to be the corresponding answer very quickly.  I am grateful for those who have been walking beside us in this week's trek through your prayers.  It has been very encouraging.

After a seven year absence from BSF bible studies, thanks to the Satellite Groups I am able to participate in a BSF class just down the road from my house.  It is not coincidental how the lessons so correspond with the life one is living.  This week as we studied Numbers 13 and and 14 we talked about the contrast between the 10 spies who didn't believe the Israelites could claim the promised land versus Caleb and Joshua who said "let's go."  I was really convicted today by how focused I have been this week on the circumstances as opposed to focusing first on God and circumstances second.  And I confess it boils down to belief.  Do I believe God?  Do I believe his word?  Do I believe he loves me and my family?  I am grateful for this reminder as the journey with my Dad, my job, and my son attending a school I can't afford continues.  I want to focus on God's power and faithfulness and not the Giants living in the land.

My prayer is that dad will have little confusion while at Rehab and be motivated to do the work so he can return home.  Also praying for mom as she juggles two nursing home/rehabs and all the business that accompanies them.

Again thank you to those who have encouraged and prayed with us. It has more of an impact than words can express.

Small Steps

Dad has been given a space at the Oaks for rehab.  They will hold the spot through Saturday. This is the place just a few blocks from Mom and Dad's home and they are known for having very good therapist.Today with the help of the physical therapist and a walker, dad took 3 or 4 steps.  That is certainly progress over yesterday.  However when Dad learned the plan was for him to go to Rehab and not home, he was not happy to say the least.  So today's prayer is for Dad to be sound enough of mind to realize that he is not physically able to go home at this point. And for him to realize that the quickest way home is to go to rehab and do the work.  

The blessing in dad's long hospital stay is that while we have had wild icy weather and power outages in Gainesville, mom and dad have been spared all its inconveniences by being in the confines of the hospital. There is always something to be grateful for.

Two days after Surgery

So the North GA ice storm means I have been out of school all week.  (Monday was a holiday for Presidents day.)  And it looks like due to the cold and ice we are out tomorrow as well.  I spent a few hours at the hospital this afternoon so that mom could do some needed errands. Dad (and mom) got sleep last night and dad was definitely less agitated today.  He still has moments of confusion and conversations that make no sense.  Yet at the same time he sometimes shows considerable clarity. Like when the physical therapist said he had to get moving and start standing on his leg and taking steps.  He responded that he had just had surgery 2 days ago. That was true. However this was stated just shortly after the crazy conversation about how it was cold in the room because of the ice cream parlor.  

One of the big concerns is dad is not physically making progress regarding standing up and walking. He just closes his eyes and says he can't.  The original plan was for him to be headed to rehab tomorrow.  There is concern that the rehab will not take him due to the little physical progress made in the hospital. Dad needs to rally to the point of being willing to push through the pain to do the work to become mobile.  

Mom physically says she is well but her mind is whirling, questioning decisions made and how to navigate decisions yet to be made.  From my perspective things look rather bleak. However I read a portion from a friends weekly e-letter today that encouraged me.  This is what was shared.

"Most of us are busy, running to and fro in our daily activities. Family, friends, church, our jobs; these things consume our time. Many times we feel burned out, tired and stressed. We might feel that the weight of the world is on our shoulders as we attempt to balance our lives.

Are you feeling that way today? Why not STOP, STAND WHERE YOU ARE AND WATCH. Moses said these words many years ago, yet their power is very real today,“Don’t be afraid, Just stand where you are and watch, and you will see the wonderful way the Lord will rescue you today.” Exodus 14:13"

My prayer is that we will see God rescue my parents in a very challenging and discouraging place.

Spoke too soon

So it looks like I spoke too soon.  Shortly after posting that dad was doing well, Mom called to say that the confusion had started.  I saw it for myself today and it isn't funny.  It is sad to see Dad so agitated, confused and unreasonable.  It is hard to leave mom to deal with it non stop.  Again the doctor said that what Dad is experiencing is common among those his age who are in the hospital and on pain medicine. The pain medication has been changed in hopes that this may help.  I asked the nurse if they could give Dad some kind of sedative. Today's nurse is great and she had already asked the doctor.  He said that chances are the sedative would actually have the reverse effect making it worse.  So I am praying that God will sedate him, help him to not be anxious and confused.

Our first choice of rehab is called the Oaks.  It is just around the corner from Mom and Dads house and around the other corner from Larry. They have a really good rehab program. They need to have a space when the Dr. is ready to release him (likely Thursday) and be willing to take Dad (not acting crazy would help that.) 

Mom is staying at the hospital with Dad.  God bless her. 

Funny is Good

This Fall my dad was in the hospital for a stomach blockage.  He became very "confused". That  is the polite expression. I called it "crazy."  It was scary. What created it is not known. Nurses did say it is not uncommon in older patients who are in the hospital.  There is also the thought that maybe some medication aided it.  It took dad quite sometime to return to himself.  At Christmas he got the flu and it knocked him down for several weeks.  It has been just recently that he has seemed to recover his humor.  So when the doctor said he needed knee replacement I was nervous.  After the last hospital stay and the "crazy" that came with it I wondered how another hospital stay as well as anesthesia going to effect dad.  So all day today as mom and I sat at the hospital waiting for him to come out of surgery I was a bit anxious.  What a relief to get to Dad's room and find funny, not crazy. I know Dad has a long road ahead with recovery but I am hopeful this evening.  The next couple of days will determine if he goes home to recover or begins the process at rehab.  Praying that God will provide that which is best for both Dad and Mom.

Family Update

Just a little family update.  The following pictures were taken February 14th when Mom, Dad and I visited Larry to celebrate Valentines Day.  Mom gave Larry a quilt made of his childhood t-shirts. Peter was at school that day so missed "the party." 

Dad has been doing well after recovering from the flu at Christmas.  However his knee pain has increased and he is scheduled for Knee Replacement surgery tomorrow (February 16th) weather permitting.  (Ice storms are predicted.)

Larry is doing well at his new home.  However he has been having difficulty swallowing food requiring all his food to be pureed.  Even some pureed food is difficult for him to swallow. Recent test show that one of his vocal chords is paralyzed.  Further test have been ordered.  The results will determine what the next step might be.

Mom continues to take care of everybody and seems to be doing well.

Happy Singles Awareness Day

On February 15th, in honor of Singles Awareness Day some dear single girlfriends gathered at my home to celebrate. Taking after the style of roommates Tammy and Heather who have hosted similar girl gatherings, the evening consisted of food, crafts and conversation. The food was a collaboration of finger foods with highlights including Tammy's marinated cheese with crackers and my chocolate fondue made from of 1/2 price Russel Stovers Valentine Truffles.  Crafts included personalized mugs with single girl quotes, bead and knot bracelets, as well as an attempt at paper flowers.  These gals are some of my dearest friends and it was fun to introduce them to one another and share some good food, crafting, and laughter.  

The inspiration for the event

On display, single girl quotes via Pinterest.

Personalized mugs

Leanne, Heather and Dora beading and knotting.

Our beaded bangles

Tammy making paper flowers.

Chocolate fondue from 1/2 price  Valentines Candy