So, Friday I went to visit my dad at the hospital and when I got there the nurses looked at me a little weird and said “He’s been moved, didn’t they tell you?” Uh, no. We knew he was going to be moved but thought it was a still a couple days off. The nursing staff was really helpful with finding where he was and getting me directions then I drove over.

The place isn’t too difficult to find, but once I walked in I wasn’t pleasantly surprised. It was definitely NOT what I was expecting to see. I guess in my head when I heard “rehabilitation center” I didn’t realize it would be a nursing home with very sick elderly people there. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve volunteered in home for the severely mentally handicapped and have helped with people after strokes who have medical problems and seriously considered going into nursing a few times. But, I wasn’t expecting to see MY DAD in a place like that right now and I think that’s what threw me for the biggest loop.

When I got there he was crying and looked so sad. He spent most of the time I was there crying which made me feel horrible. Getting him up is a pain because the staff doesn’t want to help and you have to be firm with them that his therapist said he has to get up and they have to assist him. It seems I’m the only one in the family capable of “taking on the nurses” and getting it done.

The facility also doesn’t have phones in the rooms and the television belongs to the man who is supposed to be in the bed next to him but was transferred temporarily to the hospital. So, last night I picked up and old cell phone from one of my brothers employees and visited Verizon to get the phone hooked up. We brought it to my dad today and he was happy. Now he can call us or my brother whenever he wants. (LOL, in fact, he just called to ask us to bring him batteries for the guys remote so he can use it :). )

Today he seemed a lot happier. He was so happy to see us and we went on a walk. He did so great getting out of bed (with my help) and into the wheelchair. Our walk was really nice. Luckily we got a phone call just when I was getting tired and needed to take a break. I never realized how hard it is to push a wheelchair along a sidewalk that slopes. He wasn’t happy when we left but he didn’t beg us to stay or cry — so that was a good thing. Not that we wanted to leave but there also aren’t any chairs in the room and it’s hard to sit on the bed with him too long.

So, last night the man across the hall from him died. Keep him in your prayers…it’s not a fun place to be and this is not something he wants to be dealing with right now. It’s different when you’re a chaplain in a hospital and a patient dies and when you’re a patient and someone across the hall dies.

Till later…

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