Several of you have asked for an update on my dad and I appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.  I’m happy to say that Dad is doing really well.  Of course, everything is relative and I’m not sure my dad would agree.  There are certainly good days and bad days.

To catch you up (in case you missed it).  Dad broke his leg on January 3 and had surgery to repair it on January 4.  After a week in the hospital, he went to Good Shepherd Rehab Center and stayed there for three weeks.  He was so confused and unhappy that we brought him home at the end of January.

Because he wasn’t able to put any weight on his broken leg, he needed 24 hour care.  He also had a hard time remembering that he wasn’t allowed to put any weight on it.  We used a bed alarm and a Sara Stedy to help him do what he needed to do.  My nephew, Devon, stayed with Mom and Dad full-time for five weeks with the rest of the family filling to give Devon a break.  Finally, the doctor okayed taking off the brace and allowing Dad to start to put a little weight on the leg – but no walking!

Even this little step of getting the brace off was a big help.  Dad was mentally a lot clearer about what was going on and was able to move himself from chair to chair.  With physical therapy and some practice, he got good at getting out of bed and into his powered wheelchair.  After several nights of managing bathroom visits on his own, Mom and Dad decided they were ready to try being alone at night.

Since then, Dad has shown steady progress.  A month after getting the brace off, he was allowed to start walking.  Physical Therapy has helped and he gets stronger every day.  He has also had regular cognitive and speech therapy, which has helped the brain fog clear up.  Every visit we see more of the person Dad has always been.  He uses his powered wheelchair to go over to the Manor house for lunch every day and he is helping more with chores around the house.

Last week he walked into church using his walker for the first time since he broke the leg.  We also took him to eat out at The Barn in Smithville.  Tom and I are encouraging him to get out when we can push him in the wheelchair just for a change of scenery.  Staying at home all the time is boring!

When Dad first broke his leg, the surgeon said he doubted Dad would ever walk again.  The surgeon did not know my dad, or how determined he is when he sets his mind to something.  Dad is not ready to give up on living a full life.

There are some things that are different.  Dad was recently diagnosed with glaucoma and his vision isn’t very good.  He has always loved reading so this is frustrating to him.  And his memory will never be what it once was.  But most of us have that problem as we get older.

I am thankful that he is doing so well and also very thankful for all your prayers and support.  Every day I am able to enjoy my Mom and Dad is a blessing.  Our days together are a special gift from God and it is good to have my dad back.