It has been six days since I returned from New Zealand. Based on the prognosis it was doubtful that I
would make it home to see my father alive. But he's been fighting hard to live.
The last couple days have been a series of two-steps forward, two-steps
back, one half-step forward… we are holding on to hope for a quality
recovery. Finally, the pneumonia
is beginning to subside and we will try again today to wean him off the
ventilator. We’ve tried a couple
times but he fell short of it being sustainable for him to breathe on his own.
My mother is doing well and is surrounded by my three
sisters Tammy, Lea Ann and Tracy; her sons-in-law Jamie and David; 12
grandkids; three great-grandchildren; around 150 friends and extended family
who have come by; plus Vicki and me.
He has had many times of clarity and full consciousness. Those who’ve come to visit him, pray with him, talk with him, and even sing to him have inspired and encouraged him. Several times when someone has said, “I will pray for you,“ he has mouthed, past the tubes, a very discernable, “pray now.”
He wants to get out of bed. He wants to know what’s happening to him and is often frustrated. Several doctors have told us that he does not have the body of a normal eighty year old but a much younger body. This has contributed greatly to his survival.
The day’s fly by in the hospital and it has been hard to accomplish anything other than managing what’s happening here. We’ve been amazed and blessed with the messages, emails, texts, stories and calls from people whom my father has pastored, loved, prayed for and ministered to. They are beautiful testimonies about a life well lived for Jesus. Thank you all for praying and caring.
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