Friday night from Florida

Good evening,

I need to be careful what I put in these emails. Wednesday night i ended with "I'm just gonna hang on for the ride." and what a ride it has been.

Yesterday began with a call at 8am from rehab saying daddy was being uncooperative and belligerent. He was refusing to let them take his vital signs or give him any medication. Cindy and I threw on clothes and out the door we went. So many things happened thru the course of the day. We didn't give him a choice about the meds or vitals. We made it through the morning. He did get to start eating. After half a grilled cheese for lunch, he refused physical therapy but we left him up in the wheelchair for a couple of hours. When Barbara arrived, she had to work yesterday, she marched in and gave him a stern talking to. The sad part is, his mental status is altered. He listens and says he understands but it doesn't take long before he is back in la-la land. When Cindy and Julie arrived we all went to dinner leaving daddy alone for about 45 minutes. We did have a good talk as a family. There is still alot for us all to process, together and individually, about how to care for daddy.

Being alone for the time was very good for him. When we got back he was almost in a panic. He was alone in his room with the door shut and he got scared. He cried and begged us never to leave him alone again in that room. He actually sounded more lucid than he had in a long time. As the evening wore on his mind would come and go. I spent the night with him. He was calm and cooperative through the night, just didn't sleep much even with the Benadryl and Dilaudid. I think with all the sleeping he did in ICU that he is all slept out. Throughout the night he and I had a number of short but very good conversations. He apologized to me for the way he had acted and treated me, and said he didn't want me to be afraid of my daddy. I heard him pray last night like I have never heard him pray. All I could do was cry.

By the time Barbara arrive at 8 this morning, breakfast was there and I was beyond exhausted. 24 hours of dealing with daddy and no sleep had really taken it's toll on me. Cindy came and took me home as I was in no condition to drive. After a quick bite I was off for much needed sleep.

I have only had a brief chance to catch up with Cindy on the events of today. It appears as the day went on he got worse and worse. Much discussions are now being had as to why this is happening and what are we going to do about it.

Please pray for:

- Clarity of his mind. Difficult to watch him act like someone I have never met.

- Healing of his bottom. A little better today.

- PT and OT. He did go today and worked for about 40 minutes today but they don't do in on the weekends.

- Weight gain. He's started eating, just not much at one time.

- We have requested a meeting with the case worker and our entire family to discuss what is happening.

- Peace that surpassed all understanding and comfort for the family. We are all struggling with what to do.

- For my marriage. Wayne and I married to be together, not apart. Satan tried to stir things up but he did not win!

Still standing on the Solid Rock.