Keep On Keepin' On

My dad has really come a long way emotionally and physically in the last couple of days. Overnight on Sunday, my dad's heart went back into an irregular rhythm so they had to put him back on one of the IVs that they'd taken him off of. They also had to put him on anti-anxiety meds because he seemed to be getting himself all worked up which wasn't doing him any good. Between the anti-anxiety meds and making some good progress on Monday, he seems to now be on the right path to recovery. Monday he was able to make it up to 15 laps, and realized that his blood pressure was improving after his walks so he wasn't as scared to push himself in that way. That was a big emotional/mental breathrough for him, and today he made it up to 30 laps (his goal was 25) and was able to be taken off of the oxygen tube and discontinued breathing treatments! Tomorrow's goal is the 38 laps (2 miles) and if he's able to make it through the day without the major meds, then he should be heading home on Thursday!

Today a hospital rep came in to talk to my parents about what to do and expect when they get home. She went over when the follow up doctor's appointments and tests should happen, as well as things like him not being able to lift anything over 5 pounds or drive for the next month (since they had to crack his chest and it has to heal). He'll need to work on building up his leg muscles too because all of the bathrooms in my parents' house are on the 2nd floor and he should be able to get up the stairs, but isn't supposed to use the railing AT ALL to help himself get up there. Although my dad has come a LONG way already and going home will be a big step, there are still more challenges ahead for both my dad and mom, so keep the prayers and good thoughts coming!