Update

Dad is back at the care home from the hospital today.  He was taken to emerg on Friday the 27th and they admitted him that day.  He had clots in both lungs and one of his legs.  Haven't talked to him since he got home but did on Thursday last week and he sounded way.  He was in quite a bit of pain with his leg and it was so swollen and sore he couldn't put any weight on it.  In an effort to get dad up and moving his room mate Milton bought him three chocolate bars, gave dad one and put the other two in his closet and told him if he wanted them he had to get up and get them.

Care home update - he's been second on the waiting list for the home that is only 15 minutes from Cochrane for about 6 months now.

Happy New Year!

Oh my goodness I haven't posted since June!

We went for a visit in November and saw the care home.  It's really nice and we played a few games of pool with dad and he gave us a tour.  Girls were upset and everyone was crying except for my husband when we drove off.  It's quite far though and it will be nice when he can get into the one closer to Cochrane.  I think he's 2nd on the wait list.  

Dad has been doing good physically and there really isn't anything new to update.  I will be going to visit end of March for a week.  

Back Home

Dad was discharged Tuesday and is back at the care home.  Have talked to him a few times this week and he sounds good. 

Update

Dad was admitted to the hospital yesterday and has double pneumonia.  I talked to him this morning and he didn't sound well, very groggy.  He's on IV antibiotics and was hoping to be out on Monday. 

Update

Just a quick update.   July 21st the care had him taken to the hospital.  He was admitted and has pneumonia again... they put him on IV antibiotics and he was back at the care home the next day.   July 29th... back to the hospital and admitted again.  Has fluid in both his lungs and is back on IV antibiotics - not sure how long he will be there for.

Update on the update - dad was discharged on Tuesday and is back at the care home.

Settled In

It's 3 weeks tomorrow since dad moved into the care home.  He's sent lots of pictures and it looks like a really nice place.  We've talked a few times and have been texting.  He said the food is okay and it sounds like some meals are better than others, but that's also what my kids would say about the meals here at home :-)

My daughter and I headed to Calgary for a track meet on June 18/19 and dad came to watch her long jump and hurdles.  We hadn't seen him since Christmas and he seemed okay but because we only see him every 4-6 months there's always a noticeable difference.  It was the first time he was able to see her compete and she got gold in long jump!  I am so happy that he could watch her.  I always send pictures of her and a few videos but it's so different to see her compete "live".   The majority of our family lives in Alberta and the only person that has seen her compete is my mom when she came to visit here in May.  Well, 19 of our family members came to watch her compete Saturday morning.  It was amazing and a bit overwhelming.  She had the biggest cheering section by far and it meant so much to her (and me) that everyone came out.

I want to share a God moment with you.  When dad was in the hospital he had a number of roommates through the year.  One of them was an older lady named Joanne who he said was like his mom and he treated her like he would his mom and took care of her - helped her with her meals, cut up her food and such.  The Monday dad moved in he went to the dining room for supper and there she was.  He went up to her, kneeled down, took of his had and said, "Joanne, do you remember me?".  She smiled, started to cry and said his name.  I don't post a lot on Facebook but that morning I had asked for prayers for a smooth transition and that dad would settle in okay.  I truly believe we need to keep our eyes open for the God moments in life and often times what seems like luck or a happy coincidence is really God at work in our lives.

What to pray for... continued peace for dad in the care home and also for my mom as she has been dealing with a lot of paper work and the behind the scenes stuff to get dad transitioned.

What I'm grateful for... prayers and support from everyone.  Thank you so much!

Moving Day!

A spot has opened up in one of the care homes on dad's list.  Unfortunately it's not at the one he had down as his first choice.  Mom texted me Monday telling me that a spot had opened up but they were going to let dad make the decision about whether or not he wanted to go there.  You get three choices and are allowed to say no to the first opening but then you have to take the second one when it becomes available so he decided to take this spot because he can still stay on the waiting list for his first choice.  He has been wanting to get out of the hospital but now that getting out is reality I think there's a bit of apprehension as the hospital is familiar, he knows people and they know him.  He was also concerned about his medications not getting messed up.  Dad has always been able to talk to anyone and I'm hoping that everything goes smoothly for him.  So... the furniture gets moved in on Saturday and dad moves in on Monday!  Our experience with hospital administration and policies in the past was they moved at a snail's pace but apparently not this time around!

What to pray for:  That the move goes smoothly for all involved and dad has a easy transition and doesn't feel too anxious.

What I'm grateful for:  That he is getting out of the hospital after a year!  :-)