Phillip, Sending prayers for a speedy recovery for your dad, and praying for strength for your entire family as you deal with this valley.
First of all let me say how grateful I am for everyone's prayers, support and kind words. I've been avoiding posting a reply here because, well, I don't have any good news. The truth is that my dad has had a major stroke. His right side is basically paralyzed, his speech is barely more than grunts and syllables. His recognition seems to be ok. If we can manage to get some pudding or yogurt or applesauce into his mouth he has a hard time clearing it. They moved him Monday to NRH which is National Rehab Hospital, part of National Hospital Center in Bethesda, near Washington, DC. They have started rehab/therapy with a little response. This puts him closer to my wife and I but farther from the rest of our family. Please continue to pray for him, my mom and family. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!!
I had a customer who I considered a friend (now passed). He had a MAJOR stroke, completely incapacitated him for a year. When he got back to normal, I was close enough to him that I asked him what he was like mentally while he was unable to speak, walk, or function basically. He said it was very frustrating, because his mind was thinking properly, he just couldn't get his body and mouth to put forth the commands and responses he wanted it to do. So, I will say, talk to your Dad as you normally would, even though he may seem like he's not "getting it", I bet he probably is, and would like just to be spoken to like you usually would. Just something I learned from that man. I will continue to keep you, your family, and especially your Dad in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong.
When my mother had a stroke it took some time for her to get back to normal. I believe in God and I believe in the power of prayer. Lord I ask you bless this man. I thank you for the faith in him and his family. Lord what ever was ment to discourage I ask you use it to build and encourage in this time. May your love and presence be with them all now in the mighty name of Jesus Amen I am new here but I'm glad I see family. God bless you bro
I wanted to take time today for an update. We got a call Friday evening that my dad had become un-responsive, basically asleep but unable to wake up, or a coma but they never used that word. I left right away to head back to the hospital to meet my mom and niece there. My mom was a wreck. Niece said she had basically cried all the way to the hospital and that's an hour and a half drive! They had already done an MRI, a CT scan and an EEG. They didn't find any new bleeds or FARC's or anything pointing to another stroke. They said a seizure was more likely. Strokes are the number one cause of seizures in adults! When he became unresponsive they intubated him with a feeding tube and put him on a respirator because he was struggling as he was breathing. He would move a little, but never squeeze my hand while I was holding it, but I could feel him move. He never opened his eyes but he did scrunch up his eyebrows once in a while. After spending a couple hours there, my mom calmed down and began to speak more normally. I've always had that effect on her. I'm calm and level-headed, and that's what she needed. We both realized that my dad is probably not going to recover from this one. We know GOD can and will do anything He wants at any time, but He's not in the habit of rehabilitating old men. Sure it's possible, just not likely. We don't want to loose him, no one does. But the man we all love is not there in the same capacity. Realizing this, and realizing that for my dad there would be nothing worse than having tubes down his throat, and after a breathing test where they said he could breathe on his own, we had the tubes taken out. If he said it once, he said it a thousand times, " When it's my time to go, I don't want a bunch tubes and machines living for me. Just let me go!" We also signed a DNR. Every day since then there has been a steady parade of people driving the hour and a half to Washington Hospital Center to say their "goodbyes" to Rodney Thompson. He could survive in this condition for a long time. We are just praying for our Compassionate Heavenly Father to take care of him as He sees fit. That's really all any of us could ask for. Thanks again for all of your continued prayers and thoughts. It means more than you will ever know to have a second, unseen family praying on your behalf! THANK YOU!!!!
Philip I pray for your father all the time, I'm glad you can be the glue that hold your family together. Our Lord has all our stories written and day counted. Just know as soon as he leaves is as soon as he enter paradise forever, for earth is just a stepping stone to heaven where we will be in the presence with our Lord and family. In the bible Paul said something like heaven was wonderful and beautiful explaining it was not worth the words. For some one who had a father who left him at 14 his family to suffer, I can tell you that you where truly blessed to have your dad in your life for so long, form what I've read he is an exceptional man and had raised a great son.
Never met your Dad. That said , from reading your posts, I can tell he is a good man who, along with your Mom, raised a Son that anyone would be proud of.
Phillip, I understand what you are going through. My dad was in a similar condition about 2-1/2 years ago. At 81 years old he fell and broke his hip. Had surgery and all the usual stuff. Sent him home and he went into the same type of coma after a few days. Ultimately passed a few days after that. But he had been praying for God to take him home right before he had went home. So I feel like his prayers were answered. Sure I miss him, but I know he's not suffering any more. And he's in a better place. He had always said the same as your dad that he didn't want a bunch of tubes keeping him alive. His expression was "that's not living, it's existing". He had a DNR also. We honored his wishes. While it's not easy to let someone go, if that's what the Lord has planned, then that will be the best. I know you would like to see your dad raised up, and God can certainly do it. Prayers for your dad and your family through this time. I hope this will be an encouragement.
Final Update We decided that my dad would rather be home than in the hospital. He had a couple bad days in a row but we still moved him yesterday. After the hour and a half ambulance ride, Hospice came over to see him. They said that if he makes it through the first night, he most likely won't make it through the second. They were right! My dad went on to his Rest a little after 4:00 this morning. It's hard to believe that we have been on this journey since May 6th, that was when the stroke hit him. He suffered a lot in the last 5 weeks, but Hallelujah, his suffering is over! I just want to say again, how thankful and grateful we all are for all of your thoughts, prayers and well-wishes. My dad had a full and exciting life, one in which he loved much and was dearly loved in return. We will miss him. Harold Rodney Thompson November 05, 1940-June 14, 2018
It sounds like you are at peace with the loss of your Father but you have my condolences. God bless you and your family.
My condolences to you and your family. Rest assured he is home (heaven), happy, and no longer suffering. He is surely looking down on you and smiling.
Phillip, My condolences to you and your family. May you continue to receive comfort knowing he is no longer suffering and that you will be reunited with him in heaven some day. Here's a song that I sang at two funerals recently. Take a listen, I hope it will bring you some comfort.
Thanks to everyone for the condolences and continue prayers. They are greatly needed and much appreciated! 64 Skylark Mike, thanks for the Alan Jackson song! That’s one I’ve never heard and it’s a good one. I had actually bought my dad Alan Jackson’s Gospel album, I gave it to him without listening to it and he listened to it all the time. Thanks again!!
My sincere condolences to You and Yours, Phillip. Dad may not be walking this Earth, but all those whose lives he touched will carry his legacy forever.
