Pages

▼

Thursday, February 15, 2007

My Dad

My Dad and I - Feb 14, 1984


My Dad and a Professor from Bible College officiated at our wedding. I love this photo. I thought I'd share it with an update on Dad.

Those of you who are "old readers" know that about 10 months ago my Dad (retired missionary) fell off of a semi-truck.

He shattered his leg and had to have surgery. The leg didn't heal and the screw went through the bone and into the joint. All the rods and hardware were taken out. The second surgery was done. Dad went through rehab again. This time the screw snapped in TWO and the leg didn't heal. A few months ago Dad had a third surgery (all hardware removed again and I think even a graft of some sort). He has taken rehab very slowly this time - at doctor's orders. He hasn't put more than 30lbs of weight on the leg in months.

A few weeks ago when things were x-rayed they showed bone growth in 75% of the leg. They gave dad a bone stimulator. Monday he went back in and the leg hadn't gotten better. It had degenerated. AND the screw had again gone through the bone and into the joint or socket.

The doctors are saying that the neck of his leg was simply too badly damaged for it to heal. This is rare...they can't quite figure it out. (Note to Jodi - remember Trevor is YOUNG - YOUNG folks recover quite well from these things!)

The best option now is a total hip replacement (with the only other option being amputation). Dad goes in for his 4th surgery next Thursday. They will replace the neck which isn't healing. All say the recovery on this is easier than what he's been through (3x now).

Please pray for my Dad. You know what it is like when a man can't work, can't move around, is in pain...and Dad's been going through this for 10 months.
at

10 comments:

  1. Anonymous2/15/2007 3:47 AM

    Whew, I am glad I read further to see that wasn't Mike. I was thinking that you look the same, but Mike sure has changed LOL. No wonder!

    I pray your Dad's next surgery is a success.

    ~Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  2. DeEtta @ Courageous Joy2/15/2007 4:00 AM

    ::snort:: This has made my day, I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Stephanie2/15/2007 4:39 AM

    Praying for your dad. I know that it's hard to stay positive when you have to face surgery AGAIN, but prayers that his outlook is able to stay upbeat and positive. Prayers for your mom too! This has got to be rough on her as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous2/15/2007 5:47 AM

    Sis: Love that foto. Always have! Dad is pretty much confined to bed and when he feels like a bunch of hurt he moves to the recliner. Taking big gun pain pills. Feels fine until he moves. The other doctor and Dad's doctor had to pick a date when they both could be there. Guess this other guy is special with hip replacements etc.

    I come home every noon for lunch and to check on things. Teachers are good about it if I get back a few minutes late. Also I canceled my last two clock assignments at B. Ball games so Dad is not alone at night.

    thanks for prayers

    l/p

    ReplyDelete
  5. Emily2/15/2007 6:23 AM

    Praying for your dad De'Etta. I can't imagine the pain he is going through. I will be praying that the Lord will not only take away his pain but also do a miracle in his body!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous2/15/2007 7:53 AM

    Praying

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cynthia2/15/2007 9:43 AM

    That's a sweet picture, DeEtta. Praying your dad's surgery goes well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jodi2/15/2007 3:31 PM

    That's a great photo, loved Kelly's comment! I sure hope the replacement is the thing to finally help your dad. I really do think of him often with Trevor having a similar injury.

    I don't think I ever blogged this but the way we finally found out just what Trevor had broken was from the hospital receptionist when they were admitting him. Everyone was saying we need to get the pediatric doctor over to talk to you and we're not sure what's wrong yet etc.. Then after a long day going to 4 places before he was diagnosed we were being admitted to the hospital and the receptionist said "How'd a 12 year old break his hip"! LOL It must have been on her computer as the reason for admit. I was so relived because I thought they weren't telling us because it was something awful like cancer. Note we had a dog die because of a sudden cancer in his leg so that might have been why it was on my mind! Anyway all that to say I do know that we will probably get the all clear as "healed" next week and it's different for your dad. Still thinking of him and you though.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous2/15/2007 4:49 PM

    What a beautiful photo! You must really treasure it. The joy on both of your faces is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Romany2/15/2007 10:25 PM

    Lovely picture.
    Praying for your Dad.

    Dorothy

    ReplyDelete

Your speech should always be gracious, {as though} seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
Colossians 4:6 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)