Update on Mom & Dad

Good evening everyone - well what a Monday we have had. Mom started off on 5th floor and now has been moved to 6th (telemetry). Her heart doctor came to see her today, along with the hospitalist seeing her and they both agreed they wanted to put mom on a heart monitor to see how her heart is working and if it had anything to do with the episode she experienced prior to coming to the hospital last night (blackout, memory loss, dizziness). They re-xrayed her chest to check for pnuemonia on the opposite side of what was previously diagnosed - the both heard something on the right side, not left. They also did an MRI to take a closer look at her brain - mom is on seizure medicine due to previous episodes with them and the stroke she suffered in '99. We certainly know her heart has been under some serious stress lately, so we could understand why they want to check this all out. She is feeling a little better, but very tired and sore. She has talked on the phone to dad about 3 times today. That helps him - because he definitely is worried about her and misses her terribly. We have all being working extra hard as a family to take care of them both. All of my siblings and I took shifts at both facilities today - to make sure they both are getting the care they need and that neither of them worry too much about the other. We will do our best to keep up mom's pace with dad's needs at rehab daily, while we help her mend thru this hospital stay.

I can tell you that even in this most difficult time with our parents illnesses - our family is staying strong. We understand that bad things, bad health happens to good people, even God's people. In the midst of this storm - we choose to focus on the good - the blessing of it all. . . and that is simple - our dad is making baby steps every day and our mom- she's alive today. . . and who knows what might have happened if so many other variables had taken place. We are blessed. . . and we know that although we are hitting some bumps in the road - we know our parents are resilient and strong in their faith - and by no means have either of them given up - we are just in a season of mending and healing.

Today dad was blessed by a special visit with his doctor in the lobby of the rehab facility. They had a nice conversation, dad showed him how much he could move his left shoulder, hand and foot, but dad said - Dr. I need to get these legs working again. . . they used to be so strong. And my arm - it was really strong. The doctor told dad that he was doing excellent and making great strides and to give the therapy time. Dad was really encouraged by this conversation and he knows that even though he can't get up and run yet. . .he sure does want to try hard every day to learn how to! Robby and I spent the morning with dad and got to watch him trying to learn to walk again - he wanted you all to see him on his feet. . . check out the picture!