Tuesday, June 28, 2011

A long overdue update...

Well, everyone....I have been majorly slacking off and I apologize! Hopefully you can all forgive me and appreciate the update none the less ;)

Well, here we are....almost 1 full month at home! What a month it has been. The first few weeks were pretty rough. We knew that it wouldn't be easy and that dad would need a lot of extra TLC, but I was hoping that he would progress a
bit quicker than he did. He had no appetite and little motivation, neither of which his fault, just an accumulation of all that his body had been thru.

His weeks were filled with home health visits once a week, home physical
therapy three times a week, occupational therapy twice a week and an average of 3 doctors appointment each week. He had an IV line and antibiotics for the first week or so and was on home oxygen. He also came home with a urinary catheter, which has been less that enjoyable for him, of course.

The IV line was discontinued after the antibiotics finished and as of today....the oxygen is gone!!!! He is still stuck with the catheter after a failed attempt to
discontinue that, but at his appointment tomorrow, we are hoping that he can say goodbye to that as well.

He came home from the hospital with a front wheeled walker and was hanging on to that for dear life. A definite requirement for any mobility for him!!! About two weeks ago, I (with the doctors approval) adjusted some of dad's medica
tion, and he has had an amazing transformation ever since!!!

Within 2 days he was eating considerable amounts and with nutrition came energy. Last week mom got him the Cadillac of walkers....a 4 wheel walker with brakes and a seat.....and watch out world....Dad is on the move!

He has felt better, had more energy and is trying to do much more than he has been. He has made it upstairs for showers a few times and going in and out of the house (we have a few stairs) is hardly a challenge anymore. Tomorrow he will begin cardiac rehab at a local hospital and the past few days he has even s
at out on the deck for a few hours. On Sunday, at his request, we even headed out to Richmond (about 2 hours away) to visit some of our family. We spent the entire day out there and although he was exhausted, he did very well. I must admit, the timing wasn't the greatest for me, as I have a ton to do in the next week before my next class starts, but I went along out of fear for how he would do! He did great, and my chores and tasks will always wait for me! We had a great visit with the family and I know that he enjoyed himself!

Dad's biggest struggle at the moment is his weight. He is down fro
m 192 to 158. Now that would be fine, if he hadn't lost all of his muscle. With eating and exercise, I am sure he will build those back in no time.

Mom and Dad's house is still sitting empty. Ryan and Mom take turns going over to mow the grass and we stop by often to check on it. Hopefully so
on we can get them all moved in and into their own space. When he is ready, I know it will be nice for him to have more space and freedom. Right now we pretty much have him confined downstairs, which I am sure gets old. Things will happen when they are supposed to, and none of us are in any big hurry!!!

Well....I suppose I will post a few pictures, at dad's reques
t! I will try to update more often....but don't expect miracles there.....the time flies by faster than I can even handle!!!


Skinny Dad from the side....a few days ago
Skinny Dad from the front....someone insisted on being in the picture...fyi she is 38 pounds for perspective on skinny dad....all those lines and dots you see on dad are incisions.

The back view....under the right shoulder blade is the incision from his lung surgery that scoops around to his side.

Dad and his new walker....where are his legs???? They are so skinny!

Wacky Delainey bugging an exhausted Papa....he is checking his oxygen level off the oxygen!


The last picture I have of Dad before all of this....the day before Easter....he didn't feel good here at all! Ended up in the hospital less than a week later!

Dad being wheeled out to his helicopter when he was transferred from my hospital to downtown Indy....his escorts include a PCA, MD, RN, RT, Paramedic and following behind, not in the picture, the AA. In other words.....a lot of people!

THEIR NEW HOUSE!!!!


Partial view of the driveway from the garage (looking at the street).


Looking at the garage/side of the house from the driveway.

The front of the house from about halfway up the driveway.

The other side of the house.....and a very tiny Delainey!

Dad's little barn....you know him....he will have it filled in no time! There is a covered space for boat storage behind it that Ryan feels will be perfect for the boat we don't have and can't afford :)

The covered front porch....it is so relaxing!

The view from the front porch....those two trees are about 2/3 of the way to the front of the property line and street.

The back of the house, behind the side load garage.


Delainey enjoying the front porch!


Delainey running in the front yard!



P.S. For those wanting the address....we will send out change of address cards for them when they are actually in!