WOW!!!

That's all I can say. I know we should expect great things because God is in control. BUT, when great things happen, I still find myself shaking my head and being utterly speechless.

So, which one of you do I accuse for having your prayers mightily answered, and so quickly, too! I admit I was stressing just a little about getting this ramp made for Dad. I had lovingly volunteered my hubby to do the task, and he was more than willing, but just didn't know WHEN to do it before Friday. So mom and I called the pastor in Searsport (where they'll be staying) to ask about something different altogether, and he informed us that the ramp was almost complete...in just 24 HOURS!!!!

Okay, I can't talk anymore...I'm still shaking my head!

Thank you so much!

For the kids,
Suzanne

There's no place like home!

Which is precisely where Dad may be in just four days!! When I made the phone call to Dad today, he had some exciting news that he couldn't wait to share. His therapy sessions have been coming along quite well, and "they" feel that Dad may be ready to go home on Friday...just in time for Mom's birthday on Saturday.
Dad has been working diligently at whatever the therapists have given him so he could make his way home. So...in preparation, please pray for: 1. All details to work out for a ramp to be built at the trailor in Searsport (Dad can't go home if one isn't built), 2. for Mom as she does some quick packing, and for some help with moving, 3. for both as they learn to adjust to this new change. Also, continue to pray that the radiation treatments are being effective.

Thanks,
God is so good!

Making Progress

It was so nice to walk in to Dad's room at the hospital and see his smiling face. He was sitting up in his wheelchair wearing "real" clothes and was smiling and conversing with those around him. It was so nice to see! Dad is almost finished his first week of rehab which includes: speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. And already, he has graduated from speech therapy!! Yeah, Dad!! His other therapists are praising him for "being ahead of the curve" so to speak. Everyone is very pleased with his progress. Dad was disappointed to find out that they want him to stay in the hospital for 3-4 weeks of therapy. He is hoping, and asking everyone to pray with him, that he will continue to progress faster than they anticipate so that he can get home quicker. Radiation continues to be a daily event. Dad still does not like his trips down to "the dungeon" but he remains on schedule with these treatments. He has broken out in a rash which Dad blames on the radiation - the doctors are not sure what has caused this but it is uncomfortable for him. The church in Searsport has once again offered Mom and Dad the use of their trailer. So, Mom and Dad will be moving down there shortly. This will be a big help since everything is on one level and it won't take 14 steps to get there!

Moved To A New Room

Dad's room has just been changed; he is now in
Room 370.
His new number there is
(207) 973-5370.

August 7th Update

Dad is making small improvements and they have taken him off of a lot of medications. As a result he is more coherent and feels more pain, which adds to his anxiety.

Mom spoke with a doctor about the heart attack that dad had around the time of surgery and he stressed the severity of each heart attack due to the weakness of Dad's heart.

Dad is scheduled to remain in room 425 through this weekend and then he will be moved to acute care unit. We will post a room and phone number as soon as we have it.

Please pray that dad will have peace that only the Lord can give and the world can't take away. Pray for mom for strength and endurance for every moment.

Monday Evening Update

Just got off the phone with Mom...here is the latest as I know:

Dad was moved tonight to room 425 out of the Cardiac Care Unit. His direct phone number is (207) 973-5425. They determined that he did have a heart attack around the time of his surgery.

Saturday Update

Early this morning dad experienced some chest pain and he was running a fever, so they decided to keep him under closer observation by moving him to CCU. He is still experiencing a lot of pain and that makes it difficult to sleep. I will update the blog with a new room number once I have it. Thanks again for your continued prayers!

For the family,
Tim

Prayer and Praise

We are praising the Lord:

1. For a successful surgery
2. For no problems with the heart
3. That Dad was transferred to a private room

Please pray:

1. For Dad's healing - with no complications
2. For Dad's rehab - he will remain in the hospital for two more weeks, at least.
3. For adjusting to life with one leg.
4. For continued strength for Mom as she travels back and forth to the hospital.

Answered Prayer!!!

Just a brief update: Dad came through surgery with a strong heart and no infection at the site where they amputated. He is not back to his room yet but should be in 30 minutes or so. The surgeon was optimistic about Dad's recovery. I will post more when we learn more later.

God is faithful! Thanks for your prayers!! We appreciate all of you!!

For the family,
Tim

Surgery Update

Although surgery was scheduled for 3 pm today, Dad was not taken from his room until nearly 5:30 pm. They are saying that the surgery should last about an hour to an hour and a half. I will post more as soon as I know it.

Thanks for your prayers!

Tim for the family

We need prayer!

Do you like the picture of Dad and his lobster? I would have to call that a hug from heaven. He had just joked a couple hours before that he forgot to order lobster for his supper. Then Mom and I went to the cafeteria to get a snack and there they were staring back at us! We asked how often they have lobster and we were told that this was the first time in several years that they have served lobster. Coincidence...I'd like to think not!
Anyways...tomorrow, August 1, at 3:00, Dad will be going to surgery to have his left leg amputated. This is high risk for him, but the alternatives are worse. They will be doing a "block" from the waist down and minimal anesthesia to sedate him. This should be less stressing for his heart.
Kelly, Janna, and I will be with Mom for the whole day. Pray that we'll be able to take some of the burden from her. Pray for God's peace for our whole family, especially Dad.
Pray for strength for the days ahead, and grace for the present moment.

For the family,
Suzanne

More info on Dad:

1. Dad made it through camp. Although, as the week went along, he grew noticeably weaker. This could be because... a.)he is still losing blood, b.)he is not able to sleep at night, or c.)he is losing his appetite. But, Dad wanted me to pass along the fact that five young people made decisions for the Lord this week. And, in Dad's words, "that's what it's all about."

2. Dad finally got an appointment with the oncologist. Actually, he got two appointments. One with the oncologist and one with the radiologist. One appointment is for August 1 and the second for August 14 (Mom couldn't remember which one was which.)

3. Dad FINALLY got approved for MaineCare so this will help with medical expenses. Also, it will help in the purchase of some durable equipment, and possibly some in-home care.

Please, continue to keep Dad in your prayers. Also, remember Mom as Dad is needing more and more care/help. Without going into great detail, this is becoming more of a burden each day and Mom really DOES need some help.

All for now, Kelly

PS Just so you know, Dad is getting around with a walker now and we are beginning to think that a wheelchair might be better for being in public.

Like old times!

Dad had an appointment with the cancer specialist yesterday, July 14. The only thing decided then was that the specialist would confer with the surgeon and decide on a course of action. So Mom and Dad still don't know anything definite. Keep praying! Maybe the cancer won't be there by the time they take another look at it!
Also, Dad is doing what he loves best this week. He is speaking at River of Life Bible Camp in Howland. Which brings up a few things that you can be praying about...1) That decisions would be made for the Lord. These children could be saved from much heartache if they decide to give their lives to God now. 2) Safety as Dad walks across the uneven ground. There are many humps, stumps, and roots to trip over. 3) That Mom and Dad would find some rest and rejuvenation. Life has been quite a merry-go-round in the recent months. It's good to get off every once in a while and take a deep breath. 4) For Dad's spirit. That he will continue to persevere and have a desire to keep being used of God.

God desires to use each of us until our final breath...IF we will only let Him!

Not sure how to pray!

Hi, friends! We are continuing to ask for your prayers but are unsure what to have you pray for! First things first...how 'bout I update you.
Late Friday night, June 6, Dad was taken by ambulance back to the hospital. He had been experiencing some chest pain most of the night and finally woke Mom up to help decide what he should do. When the medics arrived, they said they couldn't take Dad to St. Joseph's (where he had been before). They always take heart patients to EMMC. Hmmm...interesting! Upon arrival at EMMC, the doctors said Dad was not having a heart attack but they still wanted to admit him. Over the next couple days,they decided to do an MRI and colonoscopy. Dad had other issues that they also wanted to address. The MRI, which caused some apprehension due to claustrophobic tendencies, showed that at some point in the past Dad had had some "starbursts". No, not the delicious, fruity candy! This term referred to several small strokes.
Preparation for the colonscopy made Dad quite miserable and weaker than he already was. Thankfully, it was only one day. Results from this procedure showed three things. First, a lesion which had been bleeding since before any of this stuff happened and had been making Dad anemic. They cauterized this. Second, there were several polyps. And third, a tumor which is quite large and they believe to be malignant.
SO...tomorrow, June 17, in celebration of his granddaughter, Millayna's, first birthday, Dad will be having a biopsy on the tumor!! If it proves to be cancerous, they will attack it with radiation. If it is NOT cancerous, they feel that they should operate to remove it. However, surgery is not a good thing for Dad right now. His heart is so weak, and the procedure would be moderate to high risk. So, in this situation, we almost want the tumor to be cancerous. Weird, huh? It's kind of hard to get your brain wrapped around that thought.
Now you know why it's difficult to know how to pray. God is the Great Physician and knows what is best for all of us. He wants us to be full of peace and hope in every situation. And we can be when we allow the Holy Spirit to have full control of our hearts and minds.

Suzanne, for the kids

The Results are in...

The doctor did find a placque build up in the left carotid artery and in the left leg just below the knee. What are they going to do about it? Nothing at this time. The doctor said that the build up is not bad enough yet to take the risk of doing a catheterization. Basically, at this time, the risks outweigh the benefits. But, Dad is to keep a watch on his foot and, if sores develop, he is to call the doctor right away. Although tired, Mom and Dad both seemed to be handling this news well, at this time.

Kelly

Tests Today

Some folks were asking what time Dad's tests were. The first one is at 2 PM and the second at 3PM. Also, there was a change of plan regarding the catheterization. They are not going to do that due to the effects of the dye on Dad's kidneys and are instead doing two ultrasounds. One on his leg and the other of his carotid arteries. After the tests Dad will see the doctor.

Kelly

The Doctor said...

After having to wait for over an hour for the surgeon to get out of surgery, Mom and Dad were finally able to see him. Mom said that he asked Dad many questions, reviewed his file and lab work. The course of action that he wants to take is to first find out were and what the blockage is. He will do this by use of an ultrasound as well as a catheterization of the leg. He mentioned several other things that could be done then asked if Mom and Dad had insurance. Upon hearing that they didn't, he decided that those tests wouldn't change anything so they didn't all need to be done anyways (now we know why our insurance premiums keep going up!).

The doctor then told Mom and Dad to see his secretary for the appointment to have this testing done. When the secretary told mom that Dad couldn't be seen until the end of July she asked, "Don't you have anything sooner? I think the doctor wanted him seen right away." She referred back to her schedule and found a 15 minute slot later in June! Mom said, "I think the doctor needs more time than that." So the secretary phoned the doctor, reminding him how packed his schedule was and that he only had 15 minutes available. We don't know what the doctor said to her but, praise the Lord, she found a 3 hour slot for next Tuesday (June 3rd)!!!

Thanks alot "gang", as Dad would say! This happened as a direct result of your prayers!!!

When Mom and I were talking, she made the observation that Dad goes into these appointments thinking the worst. So, when the doctor doesn't tell him the "worst", he comes out feeling like it was a "good" appointment. Kind of made me chuckle. :) Pray that Dad will keep his mind "stayed on the Lord" during these days before this next procedure.

Kelly

Item of Praise!

Just wanted to let you know that Dad was finally able to get an appointment with the surgeon for today at 11:45 a.m. Please be praying that they will be able to do something to restore the circulation to Dad's foot and leg.

Will let you know as soon as I can what the doctor had to say.

Kelly

Of concern...

This was written last week and emailed to everyone. So, if you get the email updates this news is not new:

We really need you all to be in "much" prayer for Dad. Mom has been getting more and more concerned about the color of Dad's left foot (the one that is "dropped") so Monday she got the doctor to look at it. They were very concerned as well and sent Dad to a vascular lab. At the lab, they put blood pressure cuffs on from the top of Dad's leg down to his big toe. They discovered that there is absolutely no activitiy in the foot at all. (I'm sorry, I forgot to ask at what point they DID find the blood circulating.) They are trying to get an appointment with the surgeon for this next week (he is booked solid through the month of June) but with the holiday weekend Mom and Dad probably won't hear from them until Tuesday. Other requests:
Dad has applied for MaineCare - please pray that he would be accepted into this program as it will cover most of the cost of his health care.
Also, Dad has applied for disability. Again, pray that he would be approved. We are told that no one gets approved the first time but Mom and Dad don't need to go through the hassle of contesting/re-applying.
Pray for Dad's spirits - they are quite low right now as he fears that he will lose his foot.

Just an update...

Oops! We are falling behind again! I was hoping that Suzanne had added something but I guess that she has been as busy as I have been (imagine that!). :)



The kids and I (Kelly) were down and spent a couple of days with Mom and Dad since I was asked to speak at the church's Mother/Daughter Luncheon (May 3rd). We enjoyed our time there but, as always, it was too short. Suzanne and her two came and spent a night as well. Also, Mom and Dad enjoyed a short visit from Janna last week. They love having company so don't be afraid to drop in. I would advise that you call first to make sure that they are home.



Dad delivered the results of his bloodwork to Dr. Anderson but I have not yet heard what his opinion is. Dad has missed a couple of therapy sessions due to elevated blood-sugar counts. He was able to get part of a session in on Monday and I haven't heard how the rest of the week went.



Last week was a rough week as far as Dad's "drop foot" goes. Because his leg doesn't always cooperate, this throws him off and he falls. Last week he fell about 4 times. This is scary for those who are around when it happens and, I'm sure, hard for Dad. But, he does handle it well.



Mom is looking quite tired. The driving, the stress, keeping up with the meds, doctor appointments, etc. is very wearing. Continue to uphold her in your prayers too. Suzanne tries to get over once a week to help them out. This week she took Dad over to Winslow for his appointment with Dr. Anderson and gave Mom the afternoon off. Mom used her time to sort through some boxes and get rid of some more "stuff".



Hopefully, now that we are done homeschooling, I will be able to keep up with this better. Thank you for your patience. :)