Day 53...the end in sight.

I hope you all are doing well!  My dad is doing great, and his progress over the past couple of weeks is simply amazing.  He was in bad shape when this all began, but the grace of God has been noticeably extended to him over the past two months.  Dad has always led a life that I feel reflects that of a man of Godly character and integrity.  I know he’s not perfect, but I could only hope that my life reflects the virtues that his life so prominently display.  I believe that God rewards those who do His will, follow His commands, and live appropriately.  This is one reason that I believe God has allowed all of this to transpire, because God was not done with this wonderful man yet.  He has more to accomplish...

He’s survived complete heart failure that “just happened” to occurred immediately following his entrance into the ambulance sitting in his driveway.  That is not chance, my friends; that is the power of God’s impeccable timing.  God knew what was about to happen, and He had provision available at the exact point of my father’s need.  Incredible...

Now, 53 days later, he’s been released from the care of his cardiac surgeon with a report that his heart is great.  No follow-ups, no concerns…just released with a new found health that only God can provide.  
Currently, we’re waiting on his swallow-study result which he will have tested this coming Thursday and Friday.  If they’re good, he should be coming home soon, and we’re hoping that’s before Christmas!  Please continue to keep him and our family in your prayers! 

Below are the updates that I posted on Facebook recently…  

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November 24th, 2:11 PM

Dad outside for the second time in over 40 days. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from a very thankful son of a recovering father! God is good!

 
​November 26th, 1:53 PM

Watching UGA trying to beat Tech with my dad! Blessed! (UGA lost, by the way...)

​November 29th, 1:00 PM
Update on my Dad…

Let me take a break from my schedule today and give you guys a little update on my father. It's been a while since I've posted anything about his progress, so here's some information…

He continues to improve, but the improvement has been slow, but it seems to be picking up a little momentum now. Over the past couple of days, he has been walking more...not because of therapy, but because he makes the choice to do so. He is still on thickened liquids, but he has a test for his swallowing coming up very soon. His voice is 100% most of the time, and he's sounding great! I can remember that over the first few days of this journey my overwhelming desire was to just talk to him...to just hear him speak. Today, he calls me on the phone to make sure that I'm doing ok...God is good!
This Thursday, he has his first follow-up appointment in Atlanta with his surgeon. We're certainly hoping that this goes well and that they find his heart functioning the way it should. I'm sure that they will discuss the possibility of stinting the other three blockages in his heart. That's coming, and it needs to be done, but that procedure will be much less traumatic to his body. It won't be coming soon, but I'm hoping that it will be done as soon as possible.

Dad had a great Thanksgiving. He was upbeat and happy, and we enjoyed our time together as a family for another Thanksgiving that was hand delivered by the magnificent grace of a faithful and loving God. The simple things are what hold the greatest importance. Following the circumstances of the past 47 days, Dad's presence among us was profound, because, medically speaking, he really should not have been there. My friends, if you have living parents, don't miss the relevance held by the days that they are alive and well. Those days won't always be here; they will pass, and your life will change. So, this was best Thanksgiving holiday of my life, and I will always remember it as a Thanksgiving full of the celebration of miracles.
We're now hoping that Dad will be home by Christmas. Honestly, I'm not expecting that to be the case, but I certainly hope that it is. If not, we'll have Christmas when he returns home...and not a moment sooner. Let's be sure to understand that, for me, the gift of his restored life has already brought Christmas into our lives this year. The celebration, the food, the gifts...that can wait until he's physically present with us. We may wrap him and place him under the tree. I'll need to remember to buy more wrapping paper...and some stronger tape…

Please continue to pray for his strength and his swallowing. That's the two biggest obstacles that he must overcome. When he gets over those hurdles, he can come home. My mother and his little dog, Max, will certainly be happy to see him there. He left home by ambulance around 1:00 PM on October 14th, 47 days ago...it's been a long time. We miss him.
Again, thank you for your prayers and communication during this time. So many of you have extended tremendous amounts of love to my family, and to me personally, and it has made this much easier. I'm blessed with so many great friends, and I'm humbled by the compassion that so many of you have shown. Thank you again, and I'll post about his progress again soon!

​December 1st, 3:21 PM

Update on Dad…

Let me take just a second and breathe, as I continue to stand amazed at what God has done, and continues to do, in my father's life. It's simply incredible!

He had his very first follow-up appointment with his cardiac-thoracic surgeon in Atlanta today. It was his first, and it will be his last; they released him! Who saw that coming? Dr. Dean basically told him that, not only was his heart functioning perfectly, moreover, he wasn't concerned at all with the three remaining blockages in the heart, because his heart is getting all of the blood that it needs. So, there will be no coming surgeries to stint the remaining blockages. They were impressed with his progress, specifically at 81 years of age, shocked to hear his voice as strong as it is...and they said that there was nothing else that needed to be done on their end. We're all thrilled beyond measure!

He has a swallow study that will take place soon in Macon, GA, and we're praying for a great result. He is more energetic now than he's been since this all started...or, possibly, for the past decade, and he's getting stronger as his will to walk and move increases with his strength. Dad is doing really well, and we're finally seeing the possibility of the end of his stay in rehab and a return home.

This is day 49, and God, as always, has been amazing! Thank you for your continued prayers!