Updates

Sorry I haven't posted for a couple of weeks. I am able to be a little more active, but then I just crash, which means I haven't spent much time at my computer.
Today has been a couch day - Mondays usually are after a busy weekend.
The weekend before last Emily spent the night with me while Bryan was away at a men's retreat. We had dinner together and went to watch a friend of Emily's try on wedding gowns for her July wedding.
Emily, Bryan and I went to watch football on Saturday, and then on Sunday, our whole family (minus Katie and my niece, Whitney) went to the pumpkin patch at Gallrein's. My dad was able to come, and he even rode in the wagon behind the tractor out to the patch. He did not get out and pick a pumpkin, but just the ride was a huge deal. He carries oxygen, but manages it very well. Afterwards, we went to my parents' to roast hot dogs and carve pumpkins up in the field. Dad rode up on his tractor and sat by the fire with us. He seemed to have a great time, and was able to eat.
This past Thursday Katie came home for fall break, which was a real treat. Our immediate family, along with Paul's mom, Nancy, went to see "Pride and Prejudice" at Actors Friday night. Emily and Katie spent the night together here and caught up with each other. After a big breakfast Saturday, we enjoyed the win over South Florida at Papa John's and joined friends and some family at the Outback. Yesterday Katie returned to Anderson and I went to a tea for survivors at church.
After reading this, I understand better why I have been on the couch today. It is extremely frustrating for me, but I need to be grateful that I can rest when I need to and not fight against it.
Thanks again for cards, calls, and prayers!
Jan

Update on Dad and Me

My dad got the OK to eat real food Monday. No more purees. He is excited, but scared to eat, afraid the the food will go into his lungs. PT worked with him to strengthen the epiglottis so that food would take the right path. It sounded a lot like vocal exercises. I teased him that he might be able to join the choir (if you heard my dad sing, you would know how funny that is). He is still having to thicken his drinks with a substance that makes liquid the consistency of honey, and he says it changes the taste of everything. He can sip water, but only 30 minutes after a meal - no risk of washing anything down. I think he is a walking miracle! He is hoping to get off oxygen soon.
I am still dealing with fatigue and pain, but I get a little better everyday. My purse no longer looks too heavy to pick up, and I am able to rest up and go to the football games. We are following UL football this year, even some away games, as Emily dates Hunter Cantwell (QB) and they are very serious about one another. I got a third haircut yesterday, which is so fun now. I can also shop some and do some things around the house. I take nothing for granted. A trip to the grocery is exciting. Thanks for prayers!
Jan

Updates!

We traveled to Memphis with Emily Friday to watch the Cards play. We had dinner with the Cantwells, Hunters' parents, and the McElroys, Hunter's grandparents, which was nice. We also stayed in the same hotel and had breakfast together, which stretched into a two-hour visit! It was good to sit and relax and talk, which we don't get to do on game nights.
The Cards won, but Hunter is still healing from the sprained ankle he sustained a couple of weeks ago. We are praying for speedy healing - there are no more weekends off to recover.
Saturday on our way home we dropped Emily off at a church in Nashville, where she is doing a mission trip over fall break.
Katie made the dance team at Anderson. We will go to see her dance for the first time on November 1st. I am looking forward to the visit. We have not been to Anderson since we took her back in August.
Sarah is painting her and Paul's new home room by room - I think three are finished as of this writing.
I did well traveling, but I am pretty tired this evening. I am looking forward to a quiet week ahead.
My dad has a test tomorrow, called a video swallow test, which looks at how well his epiglottis is healing. He has been doing therapy like crazy to get his swallowing muscles back to normal, which would allow him to eat a wider range of foods. Please pray that he "passes" the test, so that he can begin to eat more normally.
I still receive cards and e-mails of encouragement almost daily - thanks so much! It will be a long time before I feel like myself again, so every bit of encouragement and prayer helps.
Jan

Dad's Feeding Tube

My dad got his feeding tube out! He is really working at his recovery, doing everything they ask of him and more. Mom is crucial to his recovery - if it weren't for all that she does daily, he would have to be in a nursing home right now. It's a good thing that he married a nurse!
Jan