There's good news out there

Although the last few weeks have been tough / rough, it feels as though we have had a few breakthroughs and when you add them up, they lead to solid progress.  Everyone is slowly adjusting to the new normal, with my sister and her husband settling into my parents' house with the dogs and my mom slowly recovering her rest.

The family dogs

Guess what?  This week we finally replaced the carpet in my parents' house!  It only took 30-something years (the carpet is older than that) and for my Dad to be hospitalized.  One of my parents' friends is a general contractor and owns a construction business.  He took it upon himself to pressure my mom to update some parts of the house before my dad gets home.  The house has barely been updated since they moved into it over 30 years ago, and it is time for some things to be brought up to the current decade.  Quite honestly, he had mentioned it to my dad years ago but my dad had just brushed him off.  My mom agonized about the carpet installation process for days before it happened (who is going to move everything! how long is it going to take!).  On the day of, she called me and said she changed her mind and wanted hardwoods instead.  I explained to her (again) that the reason we are going with carpet (instead of hardwood) is that carpet is much more "fall" friendly.  Since my dad will likely need assistance with walking when he comes home, I'd rather he have a slip-proof and soft surface to land on.

Speaking of my dad, he is a lot more awake and lucid these last few days than he has been the entire month prior.  He remembers who people are, what he did during the day, and the concept of passage of time.  The doctor is looking at options to transfer Dad to a transitional inpatient facility with a neuro rehabilitation program.  Since he is continuing to progress (slowly) with standing and walking, they would continue working on these things with him in an intense rehabilitation environment with the hope of pushing progress as far as they could within the next few months.  Quite honestly, this comes as a relief to the family, as we aren't able to physically manipulate my dad at the state he's currently in.  Dad also feels good about going to another rehab facility, as I think he can tell that his hard work is starting to pay off and he wants to continue along the trend of improving.

At every opportunity that we find to laugh, we do and laugh hard.  I hope you find some moments that are deserving of a hearty belly laugh.

Comments

  1. I'm so glad your dad is continuing to progress and that everyone is settling into the new "normal" (although I hate that phrase after 2020, haha). And that you're using the time wisely to get some necessary updates done before he comes home!

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    1. What is even "normal" these days, right? I keep reminding myself that even though individual moments or days may be difficult, they will pass and things will get better

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  2. Your families pups are super cute! Glad your dad continues to improve, even if its a bit slowly, he'll get there! I believe in it!

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    1. So many dogs :) Three is a lot but they all get along really well. Thank you for the words of encouragement - it's a struggle to keep up a positive attitude sometimes but you gotta try

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  3. So great to hear that your dad's condition is getting better. (((HUGS))) What a year this has been:( On the bright side, that's great that their house is getting the new carpet. As much as I love hardwood, I also think carpet is much better especially during the cold season.

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    1. Emmy, I'm with you re carpet when it gets cold as well. Thank you for continuing to think about my family - we need all those positive vibes

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  4. I am glad he is doing well!! and that you got carpet put down!! Ha I have three dogs. Nothing but a thing :)

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    1. How do you do it? It's a zoo when they're together!

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  6. I'm so glad your dad is doing better! I know this has been a tough time for your family. I hope you're able to have a few relaxing moments too. How's your foot/leg feeling?

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    1. Sarah, thanks for asking - it's healing. Somedays it bothers me more than others and I have some gnarly scar tissue. But I'm trying to run on it more and get back to normal!

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