Wednesday May 13

Dad has just been all around unhappy today. He wants to come home. I can't blame him. The nursing staff is new to him and they have to keep checking to see what he can have or what he can do and it is driving daddy crazy.

I haven't told dad -- and don't intend to -- that I found out Medicare will only pay up to June 4th for dad to stay where he is. Then either he comes home or to rehab in a nursing home type situation for 2 to 3 weeks. I don't think that going to another place is good for dad. Even if you call it rehab it is still in a nursing home type setting and I think dad would think of it as just that and give up all hope of coming home.

If dad comes home straight from where he is now there is a good chance he will need someone with him 24 hours a day for a few weeks. I am not exactly sure how I will manage that. Plus I will have to learn (even if he can take care of himself I guess I will be the one to still have to do the following) how to change the dressing on his wound, work with the colostomy bag, and clean and suction out his trachea. I think I can do those things. Will probably be grossed out with the colostomy and suctioning the trachea but together I think dad and I can do it.

I know I am asking for a miracle but I am going to ask God for it anyway. I want/need dad to be as healthy and as strong as he can possibly get in the next 3 weeks. That's it. We have 3 weeks for dad to somehow get strong enough to get on his feet (walking is good but from the bed to a wheelchair is ok), and able to feed himself. He won't be back to where he was before all this but as close to it as possible is what I am praying for. I love my dad but I honestly don't know how I can -- and how long I can -- do 24 hours a day care.

So keep those prayers going up for dad and me and if you don't mind ask God to give dad this miracle.

Kathy