Unfortunately, I have succumbed to a nasty cold. I suppose it was inevitable with the stress and going in and out of the hospital for weeks. However, I was able to get some rest yesterday when more family was here. My sister even did some meal prep and she put a meal in the crock pot before she left today. It was such a delicious blessing.
I Found God today in prepared meals.
Today my brother flew in and my sisters, brother in law, and son all came over. We had a wonderful time together celebrating my sister’s birthday and the fact that my dad was home. It had been quite a while since all of us siblings had been together.
I Found God today enjoying family time.
My dad has been chomping at the bit to go downstairs since he got home. But, I haven’t felt confident enough to do them with him. Today the physical therapist came, despite the unexpected continuous snowy day. My dad told her that he really wanted to get down the stairs because that’s where all his “good stuff is” referring to his computer, TV, and comfy recliner. She tested his strength, watched him walk and stand and turn in a circle and stand still with his eyes closed. After that, she put the gait belt on him and coached both him and me as they made their way down the stairs and back up again. Then I walked up and down with him. He was very sturdy and just needed a couple reminders of which foot should go first and such. I was very impressed and he was very happy.
I Found God today as my dad accomplished another milestone.
Today was a new day with my dad tooling all around in his walker. We had a visit from the home health care nurse who was very nice and very knowledgeable. She was a good start to the progression of therapists that will be coming through. My brother’s dog seemed again to be overly concerned. My mom pointed out that she would watch intently and even whine some when the nurse was doing things to my dad like taking his blood pressure and such. She definitely knows that my dad is not completely well. This evening we enjoyed a home cooked comfort meal of chicken and dumplings together, enjoying the time, the food, and the company. It was a good day beginning home recovery.
I Found God today with a good start to my dad’s home recovery.
This morning my brother made his way up to the rehabilitation center and came home with a tired, happy father. It has been quite a long few weeks for him recovering from the stroke and there have been some very difficult situations. But he stuck through it always looking forward to this day. He is navigating around pretty well with his walker, though my brother and I are there at the ready. We got his new medications and went over his discharge information – my brother called it his “instruction manual”. My brother’s dog was particularly concerned and it was all we could do to keep her from smothering him with affection. He took several uninterrupted naps and went to bed early. So far, so good. Home health care will begin tomorrow. We are all just so happy that my dad is home and doing so well, especially since less than 4 weeks ago we couldn’t wake him up and were wondering how all this would turn out. We are so grateful for all the prayers by good friends. God has indeed blessed him – and us.
I Found God today having my dad back home and functioning pretty well.
Knowing that it was going to be very frigid weather here, my brother got some purple rubber booties to protect his dog’s paws. This morning he got her all layered up with a shirt, coat, and the new purple booties. Before they headed out, she walked all around lifting her feet way up off the ground. If she could have gotten all 4 paws in the air at the same time, she would have. It was hysterical to watch. Once she got outside, she was fine.
I Found God today having a good laugh first thing in the morning.
It is a snowy day here, so my mom, brother, and I spent some time with my dad this morning before the roads got too slippery. We’re not sure if we will be able to make it back tomorrow, and since my dad is due to come home on Wednesday, we got some last minute tips and advice from the doctor, therapists, and case manager. They have all been so great, encouraging, and positive. They have kept us informed every step of the way and always asking what they can do for us. Even though patients are in and out of there all the time, those who worked with my dad treated all of us very personally – not as just another problem coming through to be solved. It has been a long road, but the people in the rehab facility have done amazing work.
I Found God today in amazing rehab workers.
I recorded Mass again on EWTN this morning and brought my computer to the rehab so we could watch with my dad. When my mom and I arrived, he had just finished a therapy and the Eucharistic ministers were in his room. We were glad we made it in time to receive Communion. We then all went down to the end of the narrow hallway where there is a large floor to ceiling window with a beautiful view of the mountains. Dad said we could overlook God’s Creation. We set up the computer on the small table there with just enough room for the 3 of us to gather round, watch Mass, and pray. It was a peaceful, solitary sacred space among the bustling activity of a rehabilitation facility.
I Found God today in a created peaceful sacred space.
Today my brother spent the morning with my dad at the rehab. It being the weekend, my dad had only 1 therapy today that was made up of taking a shower. He was somewhat dismayed that he didn’t even get to go into the gym and told the therapist that he wanted to practice walking. That was such a wonderful thing to hear. The therapist obliged and came back in the afternoon to take my dad for a walk around the floor with his walker. It is so encouraging.
I Found God today encouraged by my dad’s enthusiasm.
My mom and I spent this morning with my dad continuing to be amazed at his progress. In physical therapy, instead of a walker, the therapist had my dad try walking with a cane. He tried several times, but couldn’t really get the rhythm of it. It seemed to trip him up more than assist. So, the therapist suggested he try walking without any device. After making sure the therapist would be holding onto him, my dad took off like he was on a mission. Evidently, he needed more of a challenge, so the therapist got out the ladder looking contraption and put it on the floor. My dad walked through it, stepping over each rung. We were all very impressed.
I Found God today in my dad’s continued progress.
Still Finding God 