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.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Well it's hard to believe that Christmas is around the corner. . . guess because I am not quite ready for it to be here yet! Mom & Dad are doing fantastic. . . they are enjoying the season, although I know he was disappointed he didn't get to go to church last Sunday due to the icy conditions. We are hoping this weekend they can get out and also go to one of our shows - A Christmas Experience. It's a live musical and theatrical production with over 150 cast & crew. . . it is so amazing and this year he is especially looking forward to it because not only is most of my family involved in some way, but his great niece Katy Mong is portraying Mary and his grandson Matt is portraying Santa Claus - it's gonna be so cool. So I will try to snap some pics for the blog.

Thanks for checking in - nothing really new to report - but no news is good news in these days and times right?

Our love to all for a BLESSED Christmas. . .remember the reason for season is Jesus!

Great Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Dad is doing wonderful and the whole family was able to get together at my sister Pam's house for dinner. Sunday was an amazing day for mom & dad as they watched their grandson Matt Bartgis speak the message at our church The Living Room - it was so moving, dad cried thru most of the service! Matt will be heading to Australia in January to attend Hillsong Bible College for 2 years for his pastoral and creative arts degree study. We were all blessed to share that moment with him Sunday and I know dad would do anything he could to try to fly to see Matt graduate in 2 years. . . maybe his miracle will come by then and we will see that all happen. Until then, we thank God everyday for dad's health and the miracle of dad's "mind" that he restored and we just enjoy everyday as it comes. Dad sends his love to all and of course says to tell you to stop in and see him - it would be the best Christmas gift he could receive!

Healthy & Happy at the Kisner House

Thank you God for our healthy parents! Mom & Dad have been darn near perfect with their health this fall. . . not even a sniffle! I know God is blessing us with this extra protection for them and I also believe in the healthy products that they have both been taking now for a year. . . they really are strengthening their immune system and keeping them germ free!

Dad and mom are still doing life with a smile & we treasure every day with them. It's so hard to believe that it's been over 2 years since dad walked or drove a car or just did life on his own. . . but we have all been so blessed by the journey we've been on and even in spite of the losses and changes we have had to face, we still have so much to be thankful for. . . so I thank all of you for your unending prayers for mom & dad.

We look forward to the holidays ahead and are so appreciative of every second we have with our parents. Thanks to the friends and family who still stop in for a visit - oh how mom & dad enjoy those. . . especially now with the colder weather putting an end to the evening front porch times.

We will never never never stop having faith for a miracle for Dad - so don't you either! Remember, faith isn't something we can see, it isn't something we can explain. . . it just is - because HE is. Come on - so many people give up way too soon - thinking their miracle is not gonna happen and you know what - I think they just give up way too soon. Not this family - we believe in the power of God and we know his miracles are for today as they were for yesterday. Father, I thank you that you are a God of miracles and that our FAITH in you can produce them. I am SHOUTING OUT with a voice of TRIUMPH - I believe you can heal my daddy Shug - and I can't wait to see the glory you will receive as hundreds if not thousands will bear witness and proclaim that YOU are who YOU say YOU are and YOU can do what YOU say YOU can do!