My Daddy

The last few months have been consumed with my dad. He has been in and out of hospitals for surgeries and is now in a skilled nursing facility. When he went in for the surgery in early December we really thought he would have the same result as he had had last spring when he had the same operation (to remove scar tissue on his spine). Well, we were wrong. He lost mobility in his hands and arms and even his legs weren't working right. Since he seemed to decline, they went in for a second procedure to help stabilize his spine (but would give him less mobility in the future in his neck).

We had a rough Christmas as his recovery was slow and his spirits were down. He was in a rehab facility for 10 days, but just couldn't do what they wanted him to do. He was moved to the facility he is currently in and he has been slowly getting better- we are talking baby steps! I am clinging to the hope that the steps are moving forward and not backward and that he is happy to be alive (wasn't always the case).

The facility I chose is in Costa Mesa so he can be visited by his friends from the senior center and friends from church. I really appreciate their faithfulness in keeping him company. I can only get over there once or twice a week, but they are seeing him daily and that is so good for his spirits. Due to the lack of strength in his hands, he wasn't even able to talk on his phone (a huge life line for him and his friends). For the past few weeks he has been feeding himself and can now use his iPhone and keep up with everyone. He finally feels human again.

He is still cared for by amazing nurses and assistants who bath him, change diapers, change his clothes and get him in his wheelchair for lunch. He can't move the chair himself, but does enjoy eating in the dining room with other patients and being more social. He was able to get some glasses so he can see what is in front of him.

This week he even made it out of the place and got to visit his friends at the Costa Mesa Senior Center- boy were they glad to see him (and vice versa). Before this whole surgery/recovery ordeal, my dad went to the senior center every day- it was like a job to him. He loves the people there and it gave him purpose to help them and the administration get along and run a smooth place. They have been lost without my dad! His hope is to be able to go back once a week to visit, have lunch and to help out where he can. I had to remind him that his main priority is to recover and be able to walk again. His leg muscles are almost gone, but we are working to get him more therapy so he can get out of the wheelchair and back on his feet- we can dream, can't we?