Checking in and Update

Good Morning Ladies, I am hoping the "two Rachels" will not mind my using their memes to "check in and update" with you dear folks.  Thanks Rachels, I should be back on a regular schedule next Friday, but who knows, life happens sometimes and all we can do is just "keep it between the ditches."  That's where I am right now. ~smile~

As a result of working out in his flower bed last Thursday morning with a tiller, weed eater and then using a blower, my Dad bruised his spinal cord.  It was not until after he had gone to bed that night that he realized he had been injured.  About an hour after he went to bed he was awaken with what he described as terrible pain surrounding the area of the back of the neck where it attaches to the spine.  The next day he began losing the use of his limbs and everything went "south" from there.

We carried him to the ER on Saturday evening and he was admitted to the hospital and then had a "bazillion" tests ran.  They called in a Neurologist and he is the one that finally put the pieces together to come up with the diagnosis of a bruised spinal cord.  He said the vibration of the yard tools that he used caused it.    He says he will recover, but can't say how long it will take.  Dad can hardly walk, even with a walker, and certainly can't walk unassisted.  He cannot use his hands very well either.  Some of the feeling has come back but not nearly all of it.  It is very scary and very discouraging to Daddy and to all of us.  


He was moved to the  rehab facility at our local hospital yesterday afternoon where he will hopefully make great strides in his recovery.  He is still is a great deal of pain and it's hard to think about rehab when you are still in a lot of pain.

I do covet your prayers for him and most specially that he will see some "glimmers of hope" in his rehab in the next few days.


Tommy and I did come on to Dodge City today and my baby brother is flying in to assist with his care on Sat.  My step Mom has been such a trooper throughout the entire ordeal but I know she is very tired.

Dad and Sybil - March 2011

It is just hard to believe that in one 24 hour period a perfectly healthy, active man can go to an almost helpless individual over something that is seemingly harmless.  But, the Dr. told Dad that while he was in excellent shape, he would have to start realizing that he was 81 years old and that there are likely some things that he might not need to do anymore.  


It's great therapy for us to be here in Dodge City with our Clancy man and his Dad and Mom.  It is a nice diversion and I'll have lots to share with you when we get home next Tuesday.  


Again, your prayers for my Dad's recovery would be much appreciated and I will keep you posted.  And, I'll get back to my regular blog posts soon. Also, prayers that I can relax and enjoy our time here without allowing the concern of my Dad's condition to "overtake" me. 


Love you my blogging buddies and my world's a better place since I've met up with each of you!