Wednesday, August 11, Day 18

For most of us the days are all meshing together and we are having difficulty remembering what happened on what day. With each day this week, Dad has gotten more and more sharp on details and is remaining pretty positive. He wants to come home!

After yesterday's procedure (where they drained fluid off of his right pleural cavity around the right lung), Dad didn't seem to do as well as expected. Today's chest x-ray didn't show much improvement, so we are again cautious about getting our hopes up to leave soon. Today he had to have a unit of packed red cells because his hematocrit has been dropping. The doctors aren't saying why, so we are waiting, and praying that all will be well.

Dad continues to go to therapy and is very, very tired when they are finished with him by the late afternoon. His appetite is getting a little better, but he still isn't very interested in food. Dad did go for a good walk tonight - hopefully it will make him sleep well tonight.

Thank you so much for your cards, visits, and prayers. We know that our Heavenly Father is aware of Dad and his situation. He loves you all and misses you lots.

(Funny things happen at the hospital - sometime ask Mom what happened at the hospital in the ladies bathroom.)

Tuesday, August 10, Day 17

This has been a very, very long day. Yesterday evening Dad's breathing changed, becoming very short of breath and labored. Respiratory therapy was called and he received a breathing treatment. This helped a little bit. Today, however, things got a little worse and the doctors made a decision to have him sent to radiology for a tapping of his right lung. 800 cc. (almost a liter) was drained off. His breathing has been easier and he has rested well this afternoon. We continue to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His watchful care over our dad. He will be here for at least another two days, but hopefully we will get him home for his birthday on Saturday.

Thank you to all of you for your concern and your prayers. We know for sure that Dad has been watched over ever since this trial started.

Monday, August 9, Day 16

Dad wasn't discharged today, and maybe not tomorrow. We are all hoping for Wednesday, but we definitely don't want him coming home before the doctors say it is safe and he is ready.

Today has been a very busy day for Dad, but he feels it was a very long day (and it isn't over yet). He has had many visits from doctors and therapists to make a plan for his recovery.

He is very tired and feels like he doesn't get any sleep in the hospital. Hopefully he can relax and feel rested for the remainder of his days in the hospital.

Sunday, August 8, Day 15

Dad has been at McKay Dee for 15 days now - for most of us it seems like a month at least! Dad doesn't have much recollection of the first 7-9 days, which is probably a good thing. He is working hard in the day with different therapies but is still having difficulty getting his rest at night, so Dad is very, very tired. His attitude is positive and he is very determined to do all he can to come home. He tells us all after physical therapy, "They are trying to kill me." :) We see giant steps each day and are so thankful that he is doing so well. His appetite isn't what it should be, he says the food is too sweet or too salty (mainly due to some of the medications they had to give him while he was in ICU).

It is Sunday, and things are quieter here at the hospital - time for all of us to ponder how blessed we are. Our dad was truly watched over at the time of that horrible accident, and Heavenly Father has blessed him each day with tender mercies. As a family we pray that we will remember how precious life is and how many prayers our Father in Heaven has answered for us concerning our Dad's recovery.

Sitting in Dad's room we have been able to read yesterday's Church News. On the back cover, at the bottom there is a section called "A Thought From the Scriptures." We loved this and thought it would be appropriate to share. 

"When elders anoint a sick person and seal the anointing, they open the windows of heaven for the Lord to pour forth the blessing He wills for the person afflicted," said Elder Dallin H.Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve during the April 2010 general conference. "As children of God, knowing of His great love and His ultimate knowledge of what is best for our eternal welfare, we trust in Him...We do all that we can for the healing of a loved one, and then we trust in the Lord for the outcome."

We are so grateful for the many priesthood blessings that were given to our Dad by worthy priesthood holders. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt, our Heavenly Father poured out many, many blessings upon our Dad, and we continue to trust in the Lord for his complete recovery. Enjoy this special day. As Dad so often reminds us all, we are so blessed to live in such a wonderful area beneath these beautiful mountains, where we can listen to the birds each morning!

Saturday Evening

This was a good day for dad. He was in different therapies for a total of three hours today. We can all see so much improvement from this morning until this evening. Definitely a blessing to see him doing so well!! It was two weeks ago tonight that it all began. We are thankful that our Heavenly Father has blessed him with a quick recovery from such critical injuries. Everyone is amazed how minimal his pain is and how well he can ventilate his lungs. Our family knows these are answers to so many prayers from so many wonderful people. Dad has enjoyed reading the many cards from so many of you. He commented this evening, "It will be so good to get back to the ward." Again, thank you so much!

Saturday, August 7, Day 14

Dad is very grateful to be in his new room in the rehab unit at McKay Dee Hospital. He had a very
busy day yesterday with lots of things needing to be done before he was welcomed by the rehab staff. He is anxious to do all they want him to so he can return home soon (hopefully Monday, August 9th). Dad loves not being hooked up to all the monitors anymore! His lungs are still not where they need to be for him to get around well. He is reading all the cards from very special friends - thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and concern.

Today will be a busy day with lots of rehab, but we are so grateful Dad has come so far in a relatively short period of time. He sends his love to all of you and with tears in his eyes, he says how blessed we all are. Indeed, life is fragile and we must never take each other for granted!!

Friday, August 6, Day 13

Doug had a much needed night of quiet and rest. We are so thankful for the improvement we have seen since yesterday morning. The doctors have now decided that most of his confusion and disorientation was due to a urinary tract infection. He is being moved to the rehab center on the second floor at McKay Dee hospital. Good news! The best news is....tentatively he will be discharged to go home on Monday - you all should have seen his smile and then many tears of gratitude. We have our Doug back - it will still be a bit of a time getting his strength back. Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and your sweet, sweet concern for this special guy. Mom and Dad now smile and cry with tears of joy and thankfulness. This is quite a journey.