My Dad is Home!

My dad came home Friday. I went to see him today. It is a miracle that he is doing all that he is doing only one month from his surgery.
He is on oxygen, not portable, but stationed in the middle of their home, with a 45 foot tubing. He has already walked up to his garage behind the house twice to check on his cars and fill the bird feeder.
He still has his feeding tube, but he is eating well so he may be able to get rid of it soon. Mom has an approved list of foods, and she cooks and mashes things up so that he can eat them. He had chicken and dumplings, lima beans, and a baked sweet potato while I was there, and he ate some of everything.
While Mom ran some errands, Dad and I sat out on their deck overlooking the lake and watched the turtles on the log. The afternoon was just beautiful.
Dad and I shared with each other a little about being "survivors", and about how blessed we were to both still be here.
News on the girls -
Katie loves Anderson! She got a good score on her first anatomy and physiology exam last week, and Friday she made the dance team.
Sarah and Paul came yesterday and moved the rest of Sarah's things and the wedding gifts to their new home. Emily was also at the house doing laundry and we all had dinner together. We talked with Katie on the phone, so it was almost like everyone was here.
Emily has a tough academic semester, but she is hanging in there.
Her boyfriend, Hunter, was injured in the game Friday night - he sustained a sprained ankle. We are praying that he will heal quickly and be in shape for the next game in two weeks.
I am gaining strength daily, but the pain is still difficult. I am not sure how soon I will be off the pain meds, which is frustrating for me. I am doing some housework now and taking care of more at home, so Bryan is able to focus more on his work and teaching his discipleship group at church.
We are both working through the adjustment to the empty nest!
Jan

I'm Back!

I haven't written for awhile.
I am gaining strength daily, but STILL dealing with a lot of pain. I am trying to wean off the heavy meds, but I have my ups and downs.
The wedding was beautiful and the newlyweds returned from their honeymoon safely.
Katie is enjoying Anderson, and Emily is busy with her senior year at UL.
Our main concern right now is my dad - he is still in rehab at BHE, and it is uncertain when he will be able to come home. He will undergo a "scraping" of his lungs this week and have a bedsore attended to surgically while he is sedated - "twilight sleep", not the heavy stuff. Mom called me today on the way to the hospital - Dad accidentally pulled out his feeding tube, and they were going to have to put it back in. He will come home with a feeding tube and on oxygen, with a home health care nurse to come daily. He can only eat some pureed food, and he cannot drink anything - it could go into his lungs - so he puts ice cubes in his mouth and has to spit them back out. Please pray that he will be able to eat again, and that eventually he can get rid of the feeding tube and the oxygen.
Please pray also for my mom. Both of their lives have changed so much. I am praying that they will resume a quality of life together.
I have been having moments of finding myself overwhelmed with too many changes - empty nest, my dad, my mother-in-law (Alzheimers), and my frustations with pain and fatigue - but I am trying to take it a day at a time. Thanks for continued prayers.

More on Dad/Wedding

Dad has moved to rehab, but not to Oaklawn. He is at BHE rehab, because he needs more rehab than Oaklawn offers. He has to have speech and physical therapy, I guess as a result of being sedated for a week and having so many tubes in his throat. He did start on pureed food by mouth today, but will still have the feeding tube for awhile. His stomach is much smaller, and he was amazed at how quickly he was full.
Things are coming together for Saturday, but right now the forecast looks a little rainy for an outdoor wedding! We are hoping that it will change before the weekend. I am looking forward to seeing Katie for the first time since we left her at Anderson - she comes home Friday.
I have felt better yesterday and today, but tonight I am fading fast!

Update on Dad

Dad is improving everyday. I am not allowed to go see him, however, because he has C-Dif, the same type of colitis that landed me in the hospital back in July. He is still being fed through a tube in his stomach, which will continue until his epiglottis starts working again. It stopped as a result of multiple intubations and the respirator, but therapists are working with him to regain that reflex. Otherwise what goes down goes into his lungs. No Frosty yet! He has been moved to a regular floor, and by the end of this week or early next week he is supposed to move to Oaklawn. He may be there for about three weeks or so. Thanks so much for prayers for him.
I am about the same, trying to wean off pain meds, but still having pain. Please pray that I will be able to do this, so that I can start driving again. I lost my chauffeur when Katie moved away!
Jan

Dad Needs Prayer for a Clear Path!

My dad failed the same test yesterday and today. They put ice chips down his throat and x-rayed what happened. If the ice chips had gone through his digestive system without a hitch, he would be able to get his Frosty! This was not the case. The ice went into his lungs instead, and he did not even feel it. The nurses had to suction out his lungs. They are not sure how long it will be before he can start eating. They are feeding him through a tube into his stomach, and he is very frustrated by this. Please pray that he will pass the test soon. I don't understand it, but it seems to be a case of healing rather than a surgical correction.
I am taking it easy this week. I am so emotionally drained with my dad, the upcoming wedding, Katie's move to Anderson, my fatigue and pain, that I think it has physically drained me as well. It's OK for me to rest a lot, as I am home alone during the day and nothing much is required of me, but I am hoping to feel more energetic. I am going to the hospital almost every evening, and I am doing the things that are required of me, such as a dance lesson to prep for the wedding, going to the ballgame on Saturday, etc., so I am not a total slug! I am asking God to show me what is the proper balance for me between rest and activity.
Again, thanks for your prayers for our family.

Rip Van Winkle is awake! (previously posted as Rumplestiltskin - I do need rest!)

Yesterday, Wednesday, September 3, my dad was taken off the respirator and he opened his eyes and spoke. When I visited last night, he was full of himself! His speech is unclear due to all the tubes that have been in his throat - some remain - and he is weak, so he speaks quietly, but he was joking with us and being Dad! He first said he wanted to go home, then he said he wanted a Frosty (his favorite treat) and an Etch a Sketch (so that he could write to us as he has difficulty speaking).
Mom called today and said they actually stood him up by his bed for a few minutes! I would not have thought that to be possible a few days ago.
His condition is still very serious, but he has made great improvements.
Thanks for continued prayers!
Jan

My Dad

My dad has been in the ICU on a respirator since his surgery. He has a multitude of other tubes - I can't tell you how many. He is heavily sedated and does not wake or speak to us. He has had complications with his kidneys and his lungs - both seem to be resolved. My mom is staying in a small private room there for families of ICU patients. My sisters have taken turns sitting with her. I only go briefly because of the risk of another infection. The doctors are telling us this will be a long haul. Please pray for total healing for my dad, and for quality of life. It would be great if there could be some improvement before Sarah's wedding on the 13th, but we have to be patient.
On another note, Katie is doing well at Anderson. She is making friends and looking forward to class on Tuesday.
Sarah and Paul closed on their home Friday, and moved some things in on Saturday.
I am gaining some strength, but still dealing with quite a bit of pain.
Thanks for prayers for our family!
Jan