Good bye/hello

It was very emotional leaving UVSH yesterday. There were a parade of well-wishers in and out of Dad's room all morning from the administrative staff to the housekeeping crew and everyone got a little teary. As many of the staff as were able came to the elevator with Dad to send him off. He gave his farewell to the troops (his heartfelt thanks) and they cheered as he headed off. (I was crying like a baby.) We are really going to miss the wonderful folks there. But we want to miss them. :)

So, I got to drive Dad back to Salt Lake and by lunchtime we were settled in his new room, the nurse had checked out all his owies and got him comfortable, and we waited for the barrage. He was able to have lunch in peace, but after that we met the occupational therapist, the doctor, the physical therapy team, the staff psychologist, and any number of nurses and aides. By the end of it all Dad was a little frustrated and overwhelmed (after all, how many times can you answer the same questions over and over?). But of course he was his cheerful self throughout.

So far today, Dad has been amazing. He even ate yogurt today (which he absolutely loathes) because it was part of his breakfast and he knows he needs to eat all he can to get stronger. (Apparently yesterday morning he got his arm caught in his feeding tube and it came out so far it wasn't worth putting back in, so he is FREE.) The schedule of therapy is truly rigorous. I don't think I'd be up to it. Dad isn't sure he is, what with the backside pain and all (which is better today), but of course he's toughing it out. Before lunch today he was at the end of about an hour of intensive occupational therapy and physical therapy. One of the PTs said, "Shall we try standing one more time?" (they had been having him practice standing up with a walker and he was having a tough time getting completely vertical) and Dad said, "Let's go for it!" He set his chin, clenched his teeth and made his body stand up straight and tall. That's my dad.

We're still in the process of evaluating where he is and what needs to happen to help him get better (the visual issues, strength in his left arm, getting him moving, etc.). It's daunting and Dad does seem a little sad when we talk about all that he's got to work through. But as I said to one of the staff yesterday who asked what Dad's personality is normally like, his philosophy can be summed up in two of his favorite phrases: "You've gotta do what you've gotta do," and "Ten percent of something is better than a hundred percent of nothing." He is so strong.

Anyway, Dad has a great, committed team of folks who are working hard to help him. The physical therapist thinks that Dad should be able to walk and handle the stairs to get into the house by the time they're done with him. The doctor's assessment is that he'll be ready to head home in about 3-4 weeks. Please pray that our family will be able to do what we need to do to get ready to welcome him.