 I hope this posting finds everyone doing well! As I promised, I am gathering my Facebook posts, and putting them all together into a timeline of readable events that flow well here on my blog in an effort to help tell Dad's story as he ventures through this health crisis. I've entitled this post "...the Hardest Part," and that's because it is... Dad has come so far since the events of October 14, 2016, and for that journey, I give God all of the glory. Today, he sits in a rehabilitation facility in Forsyth, Georgia trying to regain some bearing on his life. The work on his heart has been accomplished. Miracles have poured from the coffers of Heaven in a manner that simply amazes me. God has been good. Dad is alive, and he's out of the hospital, but the hardest part of this 'walk through adversity' has begun, and it's started in earnest. Leaving the superb hands-on care of Piedmont Hospital was hard. The nurses were informed, attentive, and the care was without equal. However, we have now left the 'promised land.' I'm happy with the facility that he is in; I doubt that we could do better anywhere else, but let's be sure to understand that cardiac rehabilitation is given in nursing homes. Nursing home care is something entirely different than the care offered in the CCU at Piedmont Hospital, and at times, it feels like you're on your own. The therapists are wonderful, but many of the day to day staff of this facility lack the compassion level of his previous caregivers. That can be hard to watch, and it's often beyond my ability to not speak up when I see something improper. It's a much more lackadaisical approach to patient care, and it is what it is. He's still in a good place...it's just different. Dad is now experiencing the weight of what rehabilitation entails. His physical therapists are great, and he's improving, but he's improving very slowly. What we had hoped would be a short stay will probably, after further assessment, be along the path of 5-6 more weeks. For that, I'm both sad and happy. As much as I want him to return home, I also want his return to be one made in strength and a great degree of independence. My mother is not capable of doing the work of his therapists, so he needs as much rehabilitation as he can get to build up his strength. When he leaves this facility, he will also have in-home therapy for a time to continue his recovery. Dad is happy, but I'm fairly certain that he is lonely at times. I have returned to working Sunday through Thursday, and I can only be here on the weekends until he returns home. Mom spends every day with him, but she leaves around 5:00 PM in order to arrive home before night falls. So, he's there alone for a while each day, and I know he doesn't enjoy that. He's still experiencing trouble talking and swallowing, so he continues to be on a thickening diet of 'jello-like' liquids. He is eating a little better, but there's no steak and potatoes offered at his bedside. The foods are bland, and I'm sure he's a little tired of that as well. He's lost a lot of weight. He was trying to lose a little weight before all of this transpired, so...check that off of the 'to-do' list for the immediate future! Heart failure has proven to be a very effective weight loss plan, but I wouldn't recommend it to you. Just "cut back." His mobility is increasing, but it's increasing very slowly. He's always been so active, and I'm quite sure that he's ready to get back to that type of life...but right now, the strength in his legs, arms, and back is just not available to do so. It will return, but it will take time. Don't let this post depress you...he's doing very well, but these are the hard things of recovery, things that must be endured to pass through the gauntlet of the weak and into the arena of the strong. My father is a strong man, he's just lost his grip on that reality for a moment...it will return. He's been cut on, stuck, pocked, and prodded enough over the past three weeks to squeeze the fight out of anyone. His tenacity is returning; I can see it peeking through, but it will just take more time. So, please continue to take a moment each day and lift my dad (and mom and me) up in your prayers. We're all tired and physically and emotionally drained, but the days ahead are promising, and God is still faithful! Matthew 11:28-29 continually enters my thoughts over the past 22-23 days. It simply says this... "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV) God is there; He's always there. In the middle of everything, God has been present, enabling miracles, providing strength, and calming His child. My friend, Janet Paschal, recorded a great song many years ago called, "Jesus Will Still Be There." Point of Grace picked it up later, but Janet sang it originally, and it is her voice that I hear singing these lyrics... Things change, plans fail, You look for love on a grander scale Storms rise, hopes fade, and you place your bets on another day When the going gets tough, when the ride's too rough When you're just not sure enough Jesus will still be there. His love will never change, sure as the steady rain Jesus will still be there. When no one else is true, He'll still be loving you When it looks like you've lost it all, and you haven't got a prayer Jesus will still be there Time flies, hearts turn, a little bit wiser from lessons learned But sometimes, weakness wins, and you lose your foothold once again When the going gets tough, when the ride's too rough When you're just not sure enough Jesus will still be there. His love will never change, sure as the steady rain Jesus will still be there. When no one else is true, He'll still be loving you When it looks like you've lost it all, and you haven't got a prayer Jesus will still be there When it all just becomes to much, and the ride is too rough...Jesus will still be there. He never left in the first place. I'm thankful for a living father, a wonderful mother, and a Savior who holds my feeble, uncertain, and often untrusting hand when the ride gets too rough. Below are my posts from the last couple of days... November 2nd, 4:15 PM Update on Dad… I don't have a lot of information to share with you today, but it's all good! In my last post, he had not had a great day. He was very tired and weak. Yesterday and today have been much better. I actually just got off of the phone with my father. He is still having a lot of trouble talking, but they are working with him on that situation, and I hope that begins to get better soon. It actually has gotten a little better over the past week, so we're praying it continues to improve. They have him up and moving around more lately, but they are having to start his mobility rehab very slowly. When you see me post that he is weak, please know that he is very weak and tires out quickly. He's been sitting up more lately, and I can see and hear small improvements daily. My mom said that, over the past two days, he seems to be much more alert than he has been since this all began on October 14th. I made a deal with my father today. That deal is this: when he can walk outside, I will bring Max (his dog) to see him. He seemed to like the thought of that, and dad may be doing push ups and jogging in the hallway of the rehab facility this afternoon. God has done such tremendous things during the course of this situation, and I'm thankful. Tomorrow, I get to see my father again for the first time since Saturday. I've missed him, and I'm anxious to see him again. It feels like the anticipation of going home for Christmas, and I'm glad that being in my families presence holds that type of excitement for me. If your parents are still alive, take a moment to realize that everything can change with just a phone call. When that phone call arrives, and rest assured that it will, our list of priorities change, and they change immediately. Take notice of the moments of grace that God gives us with those we love. Time passes quickly, parents age, and health fades...but the goodness of God is from everlasting to everlasting. I thank God for my parents, and for the grace they bring into my life daily. Again, God is good; He's very good. November 4th, 12:38 PM I made it safely to Georgia to see my father this evening...it's been 6 days...too long! The good news is that he's looking good! He was tired when I arrived, because it was late....but we talked for over two hours. It's great to sit down and actually have a conversation with him again. I'm still in awe of his progress since this all started on October 14th. I'll update more tomorrow when I've spent more time with him. Please continue to keep him in your prayers! November 4th, 4:23 PM Lookin' good! It's been a great day so far...a little speech/swallow therapy, a little physical therapy, a freshly shaved face, visits from a few friends...today's been busy! I'm proud of my father and his progress! He's drank more today, and he's swallowing a little better. His appetite is still a little sketchy, but that will return in time. His heart is beating strong. His blood pressure is good, and God is still working miracles in the life of this wonderful man. I'm so very blessed with both of these wonderful people!  November 4th, 6:30 PM My mother just posted this on Facebook, and it's so, so true...  This poster, and it's message, evoked a response from me....
Evidence of real love is something much greater than the simplicity of spoken words. Real love is the personal investment of our time, actively stepping away from our pride and choosing to live a life of forgiveness, and it's choosing to be available in times of sickness and in times of health. It's the outward reflection of affection, and the private act of holding up those we love to God in prayer. Real love is lived out...not just spoken. We only have a set number of days to reflect that love to those our hearts adore. Don't waste the moments.
1 Comment
Jenny and Bill and the rest of the family!
11/5/2016 03:46:40 pm
Just praying for all of you, where exactly is Bob? We are going to try to come down one day? We love ya'll. Leave a Reply. |
AuthorKeith Beatty is a Worship, Missions and Media Pastor living in North Alabama. He's excited and very humbled to be a follower of Jesus Christ! Archives
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