Superman

Hey Y'all!

So, I've been away from my little blog for a little more than two weeks. I'm glad to be back in action! Many things have happened since we last had a chat, so prepare yourself for the update.

August 10th
I got word from my cousin that my Grandpa was admitted to the local hospital. He was very sick, shaking and I was worried. When I hear things like this my heart drops and I just don't know what to do. I called my Mom and she promised to keep me in the loop...we learned that it was pancreatitis (Sophie Jean had it once too!) and he would be put on medicines to improve the situation. He will need to have his gall bladder removed once his current health improves.

August 11th
My Mama's Birthday!
My parents and brother headed to Kansas to visit Grandpa. They said he looked better and seemed to be on the road to recovery. Later that evening we learned that it was very possible that he suffered a stroke. It took about 3 minutes for the news to sink in, but once it did I knew that I wanted to go. I wanted to be there with him, but knew I needed to stay put until we really knew what was going on.

August 12th
With the confirmed stroke the best place for my Grandpa was going to be Wesley Hospital in Wichita, KS. They transported him midday with a large group of family following. I knew that all of those folks would be plenty of physical support and that the best thing I could do was pray, hard.

August 13th
Each day we learned a little more about his condition. We knew that the battle was going to be tough, but that he would win the war. They told us to prepare for him to be in a wheelchair for awhile, maybe forever. I just knew deep down that he wouldn't allow that to happen. He's too stubborn for that.

August 14th
At this point I knew that I wasn't going to be needed in Kansas, not that the help wouldn't have been welcomed. I am proud to say that I have the most amazing family. There has been someone by his side since all this started! Grandpa continued to improve and they told him he would be moving to a rehabilitation facility on Friday. He could plan on being there for 6 weeks.

August 15th
I finally got to talk to my Grandpa on the phone. His speech was a little slurry, but he sounded like he was in good spirits. They started him on medication to prevent another stroke and confirmed the plans to move him the following day. He also sat up in bed almost totally on his own! HUGE!

August 16th

Grandpa was moved to a rehabilitation facility, not too far from the hospital. He starts therapy, brushes his own teeth and stands up! This is when I knew he was going to exceed every expectation by leaps and bounds!

August 17th
I received a few updates that Grandpa was doing well. He was having some trouble sleeping, but seemed to be in good spirits and improving. I was cleaning the house when I got a text message that made my heart swell and tears stream straight down my face. HE WALKED!! They were small steps, but steps he took with is own strength! I think there was a collective Praise the Lord from Jersey to Florida, through Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Prayers answered.

August 18th - 20th

Grandpa continues to defy the odds, he improves faster than any of us could have imagined. A steady stream of friends and family make their way through his private room. He received support from so many, including a wonderful prayer blanket made by my cousin Kay and flowers from my family. He even made a thank you video for us! In the video we can all tell that his speech is much improved since the last time we talked.

August 21st
My birthday! Yes, I'm 32. Gosh - that's insane.
Birthday's are great aren't they?! People you haven't talked to in years post on your facebook wall. You get cards and text messages from your friends and family. Your Dad send you an email before dawn so he can be the first one to tell you once you wake up...and he barley beats out your Mama. Your husband makes a big deal about it for days on end with gifts and signs. All of the above are wonderful, priceless.

What I look forward to the most on my birthday is my Grandma singing happy birthday. I could be in the worst mood ever and the sound of her melodic voice will make me smile from ear to ear. I wasn't sure that she would call with everything going on, but she did and it was amazing.

Just an hour or so later my Aunt Kim called she wished me a happy birthday and then I heard my Grandpa's voice. 'Happy Birthday, Baby!" Oh my, was that a great sound...clear and with barley a hint of a slur. It was one of my favorite birthday presents!

August 22nd
So, here we are...12 days of emotion, fear, strength, and faith...

For those of you that don't know, my Grandpa isn't known by his given name of Charles. He's had a nickname since he was a child and a few years ago I realized that I had no idea why. When we asked him, he said that when he was very little his father and uncle would toss him around, play with him rough and it seemed that no matter what they did he wouldn't cry.

They started calling him Tuffy. He's earned his nickname over and over again throughout his life. I think that he, without question, has earned it again over the past 12 days.

Oh - and remember when they said he would be in the rehabilitation facility for 6 weeks? Well, how about September 10th - just a little more than THREE WEEKS! He'll be headed home and will only need a walker to get around.

This guy isn't just 'Tuff'...he's Superman.