Dear Friends,

I have just returned from a visit to Kansas to spend some time with my parents and to help my dad get settled into his new room…..in the nursing home.  Sigh…I did not want him to go to the nursing home but he requires more care than what mom and the home health nurses can give him.

A month ago he was hospitalized due to blood clots in his legs.  He was in the hospital for 6 days then transferred to rehab.  All this, nursing home, rehab, and independent living apartment where my mom lives are in the same large complex.  The rehab was in a separate building.

His time at rehab had come to an end and the physical and occupational therapists felt like Dad had plateaued and was not getting any stronger.  He just wasn’t able to return to the apartment with mom.

So we got him settled into the nursing home.  This is where I started my nursing career 30 years ago and worked for 5 years first as a nurse’s aide and then as an RN.  I consider it to be the best nursing home around but still, anyway you slice it, it is still a nursing home and it makes me sad to see my dad in there and not with mom.

On the plus side, Dad is in a private room at the end of a hall so it is a bit quieter down there.  Another plus is that the nursing home is connected to the apartments so Mom can go and visit him without having to go outside or drive.  Take note of Mom’s new toy!  I gave her a speed limit with that thing. 🙂

Another huge plus, although Dad is weak and requires much assistance, he still has his mind and he is not in pain.  I call him every day and when I ask him how he feels he usually says he feels “reasonable”.  Mom eats lunch with Dad in the nursing home every day so that is nice.  He could go and visit her in the apartment but thus far he has not wanted to go that far and I think perhaps it he doesn’t want the memories or the sight of what he is missing.

It is all very sad for me to watch but I know God is caring for them and His plan never fails.

Friends, I feel so blessed to be able to visit them and as I have said before I will be going down there every month while we have Dad with us.  When he passes I will move Mom up here with me in Michigan.  This has been planned for several years now.  I am also so thankful to be able to share with you and to know that you understand when there is no newsletter or any word from me that I am with my parents and that I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Thank you all for your continued prayers.  They mean the world to me and my parents.

Love and blessings to all of you,

Nancy