Special treatment

Pappy is getting the "special" treatment here in this photo from his great-granddaughter Brynna. . . (Sarah's daughter/Pam's granddaughter). They go into mom & dad's pretty much every week when Pam does and help take care of him. . . Brynna and her little brother Trey usually climb right up in bed with dad and play with him and take care of him. It is so very cute. They love their pappy kisner for sure! Dad asked me to post this so you all could see what great care he is getting.

An update since from dads doctors appointment. . .since I haven't posted recently. All of dad's bloodwork and vitals were great. However, he gave dad a lecture on his weight. He was encouraging him to really try to loose weight and watch his diet because he doesn't want to endanger his health or make it more difficult for us to care for him. Dad received it very well and he is working very hard to keep his diet in check - he has cut off sweets and is limiting his breads & starchy foods. . . the doctor wants him to stick with meat and a few fruits - water and of course vegetables - which dad doesn't like. So any of you out there who like to "treat" dad with his favorites. . . just know that he is on a restricted diet right now so find another way to make him feel special! ha ha The doctor also ordered some home health for him to care for his bed sore and we have already had that first appointment and it went very well. They said we were doing an excellent job taking care of dad & the wound. . . they trained us on how to care for it in the future. . . he also has a new rotating air pressure mattress that we requested at the doctors appointment and that should also help prevent future sores. The doctor also is going to request as a preventative for future strokes. . . physical therapy for dad. Since it has been over a year since he was involved in any - they are putting in a request for it to his insurance. . . so please pray that we get a positive answer - I think that will really help him with simple things like "endurance" to sit up in his wheelchair longer and just the range of motion exercises to keep his blood flowing!

Guess that's about it for now. . . we are doing great overall and dad has seemed to overcome the "melancholy" of his grandson Matt leaving for Australia a few weeks ago. He does talk about Australia a lot - asks what time it is over there every day and if we've heard from him. So I know it's on his mind, but he isn't so weepy about it now. . .just anxious for every detail of Matt's journey at Hillsong Bible College.

We love you all! Take care!

Doctors Appointment Today

In this picture today - Dad was celebrating my daughter Lexy's birthday back in November. We took the party to him - he always loves celebrating with his grandchildren. He was singing happy birthday to her here.

We are headed to the doctors today for a checkup with Dad. We are going to request a special mattress for dad's bed - a rotating air mattress to help avoid future bed sores. He was beginning to develop one, but we acted quickly to nurse it back to health and he seems to be doing better with it. When he has a sore spot like that it makes it very uncomfortable for him to go to church or sit up in his recliner for very long periods of time. . . so we are hoping this mattress will help and we also may look into a new wheelchair for dad that is more comfortable. . .we'll see how it goes today. Praying for a good report on all dads blood work and vitals. I will let you know how it goes. He is still struggling a bit with his grandson Matt's departure Tuesday to Australia for Bible College, but he is getting stronger! He loves visits from his family and friends to help take his mind of things like that which sadden him. Just imagine being confined to your bed or a chair inside a house everyday of the week but Sunday. . . now imagine my dad and his personality in that situation. . . so you can imagine how much seeing people means to him. He loves people and life. . . so bring some his way if you get a chance. Mom is doing very well, feeling her old self again. Thanks for checking in!

Celebrating the big 74!

Today was dad's birthday (if I get this post up before the clock strikes 12!) We all enjoyed dad with our families throughout the day. When our family went in to take his favorite Angel Food Cake and ice cream, my nephew Matt was there too (Pam's son). See Picture. . . Matt is leaving for Hillsong Bible College this Tuesday - on the other side of the world in Australia! He will be in school for 2 years, hopefully we can see him on break next Christmas. . . but daddy was pretty "melancholy" today knowing the departure is just around the corner. We all laughed and had fun playing "Apples to Apples". . . dad was my partner and we did pretty good. Happy Birthday dad!

Very Good Doctors Visit for Mom

Took my mom to see Dr. Reisenweber as a followup to the scare on Sunday at the ER. He thoroughly examined her and feels very strongly it is Costochondritis (which is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.) He is not ordering any further testing at this time. The flare ups can be treated with simple over the counter pain medication - and she also needs to "lighten" her load. . . so that means we need to carry more of the "weight" when caring for dad as far as moving or rolling him. Mom tends to take over and "do it all" when we are there helping - so we are just gonna crack down on her and let her do the "nursing" things while we do all the lifting.

We are overjoyed with this diagnosis because the ER doc had suggested a bone scan to rule out "the worst case" scenario and today we are praising God because her family doctor was able to confidently diagnose her symptoms and I know she is greatly relieved.

Dad was happy to hear the news too - so all is good at the Kisner house today. Thanks for your continued love and prayers!

Little Scare with mom this morning

Well I thought I should get on here and let you all know that we had a wonderful Christmas. . . despite the icy Christmas morning - we postponed the dinner at my house with the Kisner clan til later in the day and it was great. Mom and dad both were able to come. They have both been weathering this cold stuff pretty well - no flu or colds. . . but this morning mom had a little scare. She & dad were eating breakfast and she got a little nauseous and weak - she didn't feel like she could get up off the couch so she had daddy call my brother at church for help. When Tommy got there he said she didn't feel right and was having some pain in her chest on her left side so with her recent heart surgery, we felt it was best to call 911. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance and later release after tests were all clear for her heart. They still want to have her doctor do a "bone-scan" later this week though. He didn't find anything broken, which is what I was thinking - a broken or fracture rib - the way she acted when he put pressure on her left rib cage below her breast. So we pray that the next test is negative as well. Keep them in your prayers. She is home now with daddy but a little weak and tired. Dad of course was weeping all morning - she is his world and he gets so worried about her! Love to all - please stop in when you can and say hello. I promise in 2010 to keep the blog updated more often - as it seems lately I have seen many people around town who confirm that they do in fact still check in to see the progress of the family. Happy New Year everyone. . . I will keep you posted on mom's testing later this week.