Dad has been in Legacy Rehab for almost three months. He has done everything he has been asked to do to get stronger and prepared to go back home. When the accident happened, we were told it would be 3 months before the neck was healed. The swallowing would come along, but would also need "time" to heal. He has exercises to strengthen his throat muscles and does them diligently - again everything he could possibly do.
I'm the kind of person that looks for a reason that things happen. Most times, you don't know why, but you have faith that every thing happens for a reason.
So my first reason that Dad possibly broke his neck was so that his prostrate could be fixed. He knew he had problems - had doctors tell him over the last 20+ years that he should have it fixed - but he just never did. Well because of a really bad attempt to place a catheder prior to surgery, he ended up getting his prostrate problem fixed. It was painful, scary and he was even in ICU for a couple of days...but the prostrate is fixed.
There were at least two times that I was with Dad when I thought he would not make it through the night. One was the Monday after the surgery when he was at Legacy. The cathedar was clogged - he had a fever and was in terrible pain. I felt Mom's presence. I knew she was there. I thought it was his time. The nurse on call asked if I could drive him to the hospital...it was crazy. I think I left around 2:00 a.m. sending a text to Dee saying that we needed to get the problem fixed. Dad made it through the night and the next day Dee spent the afternoon with Dad and the Urologist getting things working.
The second time was when Dad was back in IMC with the same "clogged" problem and another painful procedure was done to get things working. I stayed that night - after the procedure - again he was in terrible pain and was running a fever. The nurse on call put ice packs all around his body and we turned the air conditioner so that the room was very cold. He was in and out of conciousness. Again I felt Mom's presence and again he made it through the night.
The second reason I believe he is at Legacy is the example he is to everyone that is there. Dad has had an impact on the staff (nurses, cna's, therapists). He keeps the staff on their toes - every night reminding them that he goes off the "sauce" at 6:00 a.m. so he can get his medication at 8:00 a.m. They know where he likes his chair, walker and other medical equipment. He is the model patient and sometimes feel he gets neglected...quite the contrary I think it is very respected.
The third reason I believe he is at Legacy is the impact he has on the other residents. The Kinikini's across the hall told Dad that they could feel his spirit coming from the room and that they knew he would be healed. When they left the other day, they wanted his phone number and address and wanted to stay in touch.
He sits in the Lobby and says Hello to everyone. People have commented on what great family support he has. About a week ago, a new patient "Mark" (from Bozeman, Montana) sought Dad out because he too has a feeding tube. Well Mark and Dad visit on a daily basis. A week ago on Sunday, we were sitting in the Lobby after Church - Dad in his white shirt and me in my dress. Mark wondered why we were so dressed up and we told him we had been to church. He asked what kind of church service and if anyone could go. So we invited him to come with us the next week (which was yesterday). We were a little late getting going and we found Mark coming to find Dad. Meranda was with me and she went into full "missionary mode" - answering his questions and explaining what would happen during the sacrament meeting. The songs and talks were so appropriate - the speaker even talking about his in-laws that lived in a tiny town in the corner of Montana that had joined the church. After the meeting, Mark talked with Dad about God and the Church. Dad was eager to answer Marks questions. He asked what the difference was between Mormons and Catholics and Meranda basically gave him a lesson on the restoration of the gospel. It was awesome. First to see my Dad in a teaching mode, then seeing my daughter in a missionary mode and seeing that Mark was actually listening and asking questions. Meranda asked if he would like a Book of Mormon - and he said sure!
So you just never know why things happen. There is a reason for everything and I believe Heavenly Father is in control. I'm sure each of my siblings have had experiences during the last three months where they have seen the Lord's hand at work.
Dad has a lot of faith. He has been through so much in the last three months. He isn't perfect, but he tries his best. He knows that there is a reason he is still here and has said maybe it's for his family, maybe it's for his ward, maybe it's for his neighbors. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I have been able to be there and experience things that I wouldn't have otherwise.
