Catching up to the present,
My Dad is now in the SNF, where they have begun to rehabilitate. I have been reminded, and have read myself that people with PD (Parkinson's Disease) take a little bit longer to rehab from something like this. His physical therapist has already stepped down, as his body is still in the coma. He/She will resume PT as soon as he begins to be more responsive in body. His eyes open wide now, and daily, for hours on end. He is taking everything in, listening, comprehending, and when it strikes the mood, trying to communicate. We have heard him say many things, names, responses, and of course "I luuuuuuuh", which is his response to my mother saying she loves him. His hand signals come without hesitation now...so fast that I need to come up with more material for him!! I can feel his strength when he squeezes my hand...I know he is fighting this...he just needs time.
He can wave to the nurses (what a charmer), and last night did something that would tear up the toughest sort. My mom went in to kiss him, as she routinely does, and I told her to put her cheek up there to see if he'd kiss back. Pops puckered up w/out hesitation. I am pretty sure it made her week, and I just giggled. She left, and I stayed with him for awhile just talking, listening to his breathing, playing with new hand gestures. Even the quietest of days can prove to be remarkable.
The doctors reminded my Mom that time is not on our side. If he doesn't start impressing them, we will be on our own both medically, and financially. What a system, our Healthcare. Sigh.
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6 comments:
Keep Strong!
all my best to you, your dad, and the rest of the family.
Hey Petro, It's your cousin Kelly...I've really been struggling to find the right words to say, I don't think there are even any words that can be said. Your dad is one of the few amazing men I have had the opportunity to meet in my life. If anyone can turn this situation around it's him, even in this horrible situation his amazing personality still shines through as well as his love for his family. I remember when I was little I used to sit on his lap and he would always sing "Hit the Road Jack" for me...I've got that song on my iPod and I've been listening to it for him. I'd really like to come up with my mom next time she visits and play that song for him...In the meantime please tell "Uncle Zohn" hi for me, give him a hug and tell him I love him. Tell your mom and brothers I love them too...hang in there...
Chris- What an amazing, wonderful, heartfelt site you have made honoring your Dad.. I also wish I could say something or do something that would make this situation better for all of you. Although there have been many years of distance for which I am truly sad about the one thing I have always remembered about your Dad is what a kind, genuine man he has always been. Whenever I have been around him I could feel the love that radiated from him as a person and to his family.. Please know that every one of you has been in my thoughts and prayers since the day of surgery. Know that I am here and if I can do anything to help I will.. Please don't hesitate to ask.... All my love, Dawn
John,
While I haven't seen you in 5 years, there isn't a holiday that goes by that I don't think of you. We spent so many holidays together ... remember Thanksgiving in Hawaii? Remember the humongous spider we found on the wall? LOL! And then there were the various household moves (where did you get that heavy desk?) ... and the day we put up the platform in the garage at your house in Auburn. Of course your favorite story is probably one of the first times you met me, when we spent the weekend at the beach. That was where the kids first encountered the terrible "Red Eye" ... when we had the bonfire on the beach. That was when Claudia introduced me to Harvey Wallbangers (and the last time I ever drank one!).
I remember how you and I would always find some way to hide out whenever one of the girls got in a "Norma mood". Then again, I remember when you and I would hide out at Norma's when she was in one of those moods. We won't talk about the time you dropped and broke her ceramic salt & pepper set.
I've missed you terribly these last 5 years. I'm sorry now that I never took the time to tell you how much I always admired you. You are without any doubt the nicest, kindest, selfless, giving, and even tempered person I've ever met. Life wasn't always fair to you, and it certainly isn't now. But one of your greatest attributes was always your ability to take what was dealt to you, and move on with a positive attitude. I know in my heart that you will do that again now.
You are in my prayers ... hang in there, know that you are loved by all of who have ever known you, pick yourself up, and get back in the game. The whole family needs you, and is counting on you.
I love you Zohn!
Chris,
It's your cousin Chris, colleen's son. This is a very admirable thing of you to do to make a website like this for John. I was absolutely shocked when I heard about what had happened with your father and my uncle. As long as I can remember John has always been one of the nicest and coolest uncles I have had. He has always been friendly and while I certainly never got the chance to know him as well as you must know him I can say from what I do know that he honestly seems like the most kind and caring person ever. I will pray for him to get better and I really hope that he pulls through this for all of us. From what you've written it sounds like he is fighting to pull through this so he can be with his family again. He is only 66 years old and I know he has plenty of good years left in him! All of you will be in my thoughts and in my prayers, especially uncle John!
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