Tuesday Evening

This morning was a great morning! Very busy and very meaningful.

Erik and I got to eat breakfast with our Uncle Danny (Dad’s brother) about 7am (central time). He has meant so much to Dad and Erik and me during this time. It was great grabbing a quick bite with him and our long-time family friend, Sheila Taylor. We ate grits and eggs in the Seminary cafeteria. Lots of Trustees on campus right now for Trustee mtgs, and all who knew us hugged our necks and let us know they are praying. Meant a lot.

We stopped and got Dad a tall decaf pike’s place. He appreciated that. Sheila packed him some grits and eggs, too, which he also appreciated.

We got there, and the physical therapists were already in Dad’s room. Dad really likes the therapist. John is his name, and he is super! Very patient and very encouraging and very direct with Dad. Means a lot.

The goal this morning was to get Dad into what they call a “Trauma Chair.” Well, there was one other goal. I won’t spend too much time on it, but Dad had not yet had a “BM” since the accident (at least that he recalled). So, before the goal of getting him on the trauma chair, the goal was to get him comfortably on a “potty chair” to express himself. Maybe this is too much info, so forgive me for sharing it if it grosses you out. I am only sharing this part of the day, because I have to confess I take for granted getting to get up and WALK to a potty. He couldn’t. Can’t put weight on his legs yet. And it had been a bit of a stress. But the therapist got him situated in the bed. Then, we slid him over onto the potty chair. SUCCESS!!!

Ok – on to the bigger goal of getting in the “Trauma Chair.” It’s this really cool chair that lays flat and allows you to slide patients who can’t stand or transfer weight onto it. Then, you sit them up. The back comes up and the legs slide down. Dad is in it in the picture at the top of the post. He sat in it for two hours. It tuckered him out. The therapist and Erik and I slid him back into the bed after that time, and he pretty quickly fell asleep for a nap.

We were thankful for the successful “Trauma Chair” experience. It is a big deal, because this had to happen for Dad to be wheeled down in the “Trauma Chair” to see mom. Otherwise, we couldn’t get him down there.

Well, we got the word today that tomorrow morning, assuming he has another successful transfer to the “Trauma Chair,” Dad will get to see Mom!!!

Please pray for this time. I know it will be great for Dad. He has been longing for it since he was “with-it” enough to realize all that is going on. I know it will be very meaningful. Their 49th anniversary is Thursday. He misses her. He told Erik and me, “I just want to see her. And I want to see her smile again one day.” I know it will be tough, too. The randomness of this kind of accident is hard to swallow. Why didn’t that guy swerve away from them. There was no other traffic. There is no explanation. It is what it is.

And it will be great for Pop to see Mom. I am so thankful Erik was able to stay until Thursday this week. He was going to go home for a few days Monday to work in the clinic. But he stayed. And this is the reason why – to see Dad see Mom.

Pray for us also with regard to logistics. Erik and Danny and I, along with the help of some close family friends, are working out logistics with health insurance and benefits and where we hope they will be transfered to so that they can be together some for rehab. They never show this part of it on ER. It’s reality.

Another piece of news that is not final but hopeful is about where Mom and Dad may end up next for care. There is a facility that they both may end up in together. Dad can’t do rehab yet, except for passive and resistance stuff. And Mom can’t either. So, there is a facility that would work for both of them until either are ready for rehab. Please pray for that to work out. It would be special to see them there together.

Erik and I are still a bit in that stage of “is this really happening.” We have been eating togetehr pretty late after we leave the hospital and having a debrief time. Some of it simply being still and silent. Some of it sharing thoughts and frustrations and joys. My brother and I have been best friends always. This time has been bitter-sweet. We wish it weren’t happening, but it is sweet to be together. I love him deeply.

And we just want to see Mom’s brown eyes again and hear her sweet voice and listen to her be her encouraging, no-nonsense self.

There are some tests today they are doing on Mom that will help determine what’s next for her. An MRI on her neck and head. Her neck still has not been cleared. And another CT on her brain. We’ll see how it goes and let you know.

Thanks again for your prayers. We love you and appreciate you. Hoping tomorrow will be another great and meaningful day.