Daddy continues to improve each day. The Rehab therapists are working him very hard six days a week and right now it looks like he'll be going home on or before November 16. We are praying for before!!! We know God continues to be in control, and that Daddy's determination will make a huge difference in his recovery.
Melissa was able to fly in for a visit on Sunday, staying with Daddy overnight and seeing first hand the therapy he is receiving on Monday. I know he enjoyed having her there and I'm thinking Nelda did too, as she was able to go stay at Paula's overnight (and hopefully got some much deserved and needed rest).
Please continue to lift both Dad and Nelda up to the Lord in prayer, as he experiences the different stages of recuperation and as she is there for (and with) him every step of the way.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
October 9, 2009
Daddy continues to improve! He actually called my phone today and tho' our call was cut short due to cellular connectivity issues within the hospital - it was GREAT to hear him.
Please continue to lift both he and Nelda up in prayer. We are grateful for and covet those of you that are standing in the gap.
Please continue to lift both he and Nelda up in prayer. We are grateful for and covet those of you that are standing in the gap.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
October 6-8, 2009
What a difference real clothes and a change of environment can make!!!
The report from Harris Methodist Rehab is full speed ahead. Daddy is doing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy on a daily basis. He's working hard and is determined to be out of there in three weeks and not take advantage of the four weeks his insurance allows. According to Nelda, he is making great strides.
We are grateful for the skilled workers taking such good care of Daddy and to God for allowing us the opportunity to have more time with him here on earth. We know everyday is a gift and this has been a reminder for all of us...that there are no guarantees. Truth is...everyday is a gift for each of us!!!
The report from Harris Methodist Rehab is full speed ahead. Daddy is doing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy on a daily basis. He's working hard and is determined to be out of there in three weeks and not take advantage of the four weeks his insurance allows. According to Nelda, he is making great strides.
We are grateful for the skilled workers taking such good care of Daddy and to God for allowing us the opportunity to have more time with him here on earth. We know everyday is a gift and this has been a reminder for all of us...that there are no guarantees. Truth is...everyday is a gift for each of us!!!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Today was a GREAT day on this journey to recovery...and we are so grateful to God for the strength, courage and grace He has provided.
Brett spent the night with Daddy last night, which it sounds like they both enjoyed. This gave Nelda the opportunity to go over to Paula and Tom's to rest and refresh.
The reports from Nelda today were totally positive and Daddy is moving toward the goal ahead (total recovery) and is determined to get there.
Today, Daddy was:
For those who would like to drop Daddy and/or Nelda a note of encouragement, here is his current address (tho' he will be changing rooms as soon as a private room becomes available - which we will post):
God is so good!!!
Brett spent the night with Daddy last night, which it sounds like they both enjoyed. This gave Nelda the opportunity to go over to Paula and Tom's to rest and refresh.
The reports from Nelda today were totally positive and Daddy is moving toward the goal ahead (total recovery) and is determined to get there.
Today, Daddy was:
- re-evaluated to make sure he was ready for aggressive Rehab
- put through the "swallow test" again, and passed with a much better outcome
- moved from pureed to chopped food
- hungry and ate well at all three meals
- visited by both the physical and occupational therapists
- able to communicate much better verbally
- moved across the street to Rehab
- worn out after a very busy day
For those who would like to drop Daddy and/or Nelda a note of encouragement, here is his current address (tho' he will be changing rooms as soon as a private room becomes available - which we will post):
Byron B. Merritt
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth
Richardson Tower - 3rd floor
Room 318A
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104
God is so good!!!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
October 4, 2009
Called this morning to check on Daddy's night - Nelda said he had a pretty good night (not near as much coughing as he's been having...so he could rest better). AND I even got to talk to him. He said he was glad I was back home with Jeff and answered a few questions, but I could understand everything he said. I truly believe his speech will return...just have to work at it and his speech therapist is really precious and so good with him.
Tomorrow is a big day...hopefully he will have been eating and drinking enough so he can be transferred to the Rehab area of the hospital (over in the main building). Nelda said he ate well at all three meals today...that's a very good sign.
Brett flew back into DFW today for business over the next couple of days. He is giving Nelda a much needed night of relief by staying at the hospital with Daddy and she has gone over to Tom and Paula's to rest and refresh! I know Dad will enjoy having Brett with him...as they watch Sunday Night Football.
While I know this is difficult (at best) for Daddy, it is also so tiring and difficult on the main care giver. Please continue to keep Daddy in your prayers, but also remember Nelda as she is there for him...making sure he has the things he needs to regain his strength and work toward life as normal AND that she will remain in good health. I am so thankful she has Tom and Paula so close, so she doesn't have to drive all the way back to Cleburne to get some real rest.
Thanks for lifting Dad and Nelda up to the Lord in prayer...it is so important to every step of his recovery.
Tomorrow is a big day...hopefully he will have been eating and drinking enough so he can be transferred to the Rehab area of the hospital (over in the main building). Nelda said he ate well at all three meals today...that's a very good sign.
Brett flew back into DFW today for business over the next couple of days. He is giving Nelda a much needed night of relief by staying at the hospital with Daddy and she has gone over to Tom and Paula's to rest and refresh! I know Dad will enjoy having Brett with him...as they watch Sunday Night Football.
While I know this is difficult (at best) for Daddy, it is also so tiring and difficult on the main care giver. Please continue to keep Daddy in your prayers, but also remember Nelda as she is there for him...making sure he has the things he needs to regain his strength and work toward life as normal AND that she will remain in good health. I am so thankful she has Tom and Paula so close, so she doesn't have to drive all the way back to Cleburne to get some real rest.
Thanks for lifting Dad and Nelda up to the Lord in prayer...it is so important to every step of his recovery.
October 3rd
Well, today is probably the most difficult for me yet...I need to get back to Seattle, but I hate leaving Daddy. Not that I don't believe he is in the best of hands and will have the best of care, but he's my daddy and right now he seems so helpless.
Today was just a so-so kind of day (at least before I left) - he worked out with the physical therapist, but then was so worn out he could barely keep his eyes open. Michael and Kara had come into town to see "PaPa" and they didn't get to see the side we have seen off and on over the past few days. He really just wanted to sleep.
While I was stuck in the Albuquerque airport, I spoke with Nelda and she said he was having a better evening. Laughing and talking to Tom Pauley...so that makes me feel better.
Watching the man you've always looked up to, and have always considered to be your protector and strength, basically lying helpless in a hospital bed is extremely difficult. But I know God is still in the business of miracles and healing AND through the skilled help of the medical providers at Harris Hospital, Fort Worth I believe he will be back!
Today was just a so-so kind of day (at least before I left) - he worked out with the physical therapist, but then was so worn out he could barely keep his eyes open. Michael and Kara had come into town to see "PaPa" and they didn't get to see the side we have seen off and on over the past few days. He really just wanted to sleep.
While I was stuck in the Albuquerque airport, I spoke with Nelda and she said he was having a better evening. Laughing and talking to Tom Pauley...so that makes me feel better.
Watching the man you've always looked up to, and have always considered to be your protector and strength, basically lying helpless in a hospital bed is extremely difficult. But I know God is still in the business of miracles and healing AND through the skilled help of the medical providers at Harris Hospital, Fort Worth I believe he will be back!
Friday, October 2, 2009
October 1 & 2, 2009
What an emotional roller coaster this journey can be...yesterday was not a fun day and was such a downer I couldn't even make myself get online to write about it. But today is another day, a better day! A MUCH better day!!!!
Thursday started out with the heart doctor saying he wanted Daddy to go into aggressive rehab treatment (which they have in the main part of the hospital, just across from the Heart Center). Woo Hoo! We were so excited and knew that Daddy would be up for the challenge. But as the day progressed it was apparent depression was starting to sneak in (which is understandable and part of it - I would think).
Daddy ate a good breakfast - well good is relative when your meals are pureed - but he ate well and even started feeding himself with his left had. Lunch was not quite as appetizing, but he still ate the creamy chicken soup and applesauce pretty well. After lunch the PT from rehab came in and got him into the chair and he sat up for 3 and one half hours. This apparently wore him out, because for the rest of the day he was wiped out and wouldn't coorporate with anyone from that point on.
When the doctor from Rehab came over to evaluate Daddy it was around 5 pm and by the time he left we were convinced there would be no aggressive rehab in the near future. He felt if Daddy couldn't convince them otherwise he would have to be moved to a nursing home where he would get "soft and easy" rehab until he could gain the stamina necessary for aggressive rehab. (And that rarely happens, according to what they have all said.)
UGH!!! That was not what we wanted to hear.
Today...much better! Nelda had him up at 7 am and started working his right arm and leg! I would imagine the "talking to" she gave him during the wee hours of night motivated him to not be a slacker today! Probably reminded him of National Guard Boot Camp at Fort Hood!!! God bless her, she is not going to rest until he is back on his feet and for that we are grateful. (But we are concerned about her, too). The good news is when he is moved to Rehab she will be able to stay with Tom and Paula at night and get some much needed rest.
After being evaluated by the Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist, when the physician from Rehab came by he told Daddy that "his fan club" had been letting him know how well he had done today, so Monday he will be going across the street to Rehab!!! Woo Hoo!
Please continue to join us as we pray for healing and strength for Daddy and strength for Nelda as she is taking such good care of our Dad.
Thursday started out with the heart doctor saying he wanted Daddy to go into aggressive rehab treatment (which they have in the main part of the hospital, just across from the Heart Center). Woo Hoo! We were so excited and knew that Daddy would be up for the challenge. But as the day progressed it was apparent depression was starting to sneak in (which is understandable and part of it - I would think).
Daddy ate a good breakfast - well good is relative when your meals are pureed - but he ate well and even started feeding himself with his left had. Lunch was not quite as appetizing, but he still ate the creamy chicken soup and applesauce pretty well. After lunch the PT from rehab came in and got him into the chair and he sat up for 3 and one half hours. This apparently wore him out, because for the rest of the day he was wiped out and wouldn't coorporate with anyone from that point on.
When the doctor from Rehab came over to evaluate Daddy it was around 5 pm and by the time he left we were convinced there would be no aggressive rehab in the near future. He felt if Daddy couldn't convince them otherwise he would have to be moved to a nursing home where he would get "soft and easy" rehab until he could gain the stamina necessary for aggressive rehab. (And that rarely happens, according to what they have all said.)
UGH!!! That was not what we wanted to hear.
Today...much better! Nelda had him up at 7 am and started working his right arm and leg! I would imagine the "talking to" she gave him during the wee hours of night motivated him to not be a slacker today! Probably reminded him of National Guard Boot Camp at Fort Hood!!! God bless her, she is not going to rest until he is back on his feet and for that we are grateful. (But we are concerned about her, too). The good news is when he is moved to Rehab she will be able to stay with Tom and Paula at night and get some much needed rest.
After being evaluated by the Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist, when the physician from Rehab came by he told Daddy that "his fan club" had been letting him know how well he had done today, so Monday he will be going across the street to Rehab!!! Woo Hoo!
Please continue to join us as we pray for healing and strength for Daddy and strength for Nelda as she is taking such good care of our Dad.
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