This past Monday night as I was driving my big truck back from an 8 day trip, my phone rang at 11:00 PM. It was my brother, and he had some bad news. My 78 year old father had just suffered a serious debilitating stroke which has left his right side paralyzed (he's right handed). He can still understand much of what you say, and has some speaking ability, but he seems to get frustrated that he cannot communicate the way he previously could. The prognosis doesn't look very good for a full or partial recovery, or his condition could worsen over the next few weeks. We just don't know yet. Prayers would be most appreciated, my fathers name is Dennis. It is very disheartening to see this once strong, independant, and strong willed, oldtime hot rodder reduced to complete reliance on others for the most basic care. My father and I seldom agreed on most things, he's an old Ford guy, for starters, and in fact, we really hadn't had much of a relationship for over 10 years. This is not the way I wished to reconnect with my dad this year. :ball: I've heard it said that guys shouldn't cry, if that's true, I haven't been much of a guy lately. Please send a prayer for my dad, I really want him back to where he was.
Tom,the way I look at it is real men don"t cry. Man,your dad is in bad shape,and if anyone has a problem with you shedding tears,they are a piece of garbage. Crying is quite healthy for you,that is why God gave us that ability. Go to your dad,and if you need to,shed them tears with your head on his chest.Love your dad and just forget everything else.
Tom, I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I know that if things have been rough in the past, it can be difficult to re-connect with your dad on such an urgent and unexpected occasion. My relationship with my dad is less than stellar, so I think I know where you are coming from. Also, I agree with Kase... real men cry. You're a bigger man for acknowledging a hurt and dealing with it through tears, than over someone who buries it and pushes it away. I'll be praying for your dad, Dennis... Ford guy, or not. God Bless you, your brother, and your family, Tom.
Tom You and your family are in our prayers here. I can totally relate to where you're coming from. My Dad had been in the hospital for almost a month until Thursday and we had to put him in nursing home. Hang in there Brother!!! Don't forget to take care of yourself too.
Tom, you and your family have prayers coming from Loyd and I. Please take care of yourselves, too. And just love your dad.... Shari
Thank you all!!! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, they are most appreciated. My dad is fairly stable now, but tires easily and still gets frustrated that he can't say very much. Yet he does surprise occasionally with a coherent phrase or two, then lapses back into slowly spoken words. He mutters a fair bit, which the doctors told us to expect. He hasn't had solid food for several days, due to difficulty swallowing. The dieticians are still experimenting with liquid type food formulas so that it doesn't come back into his lungs. If anyone has prior experience in caring for stroke patients, please feel free to PM or email me, I welcome any advice. I'll add an email link to my sig. Please put something like "advice for stroke patients" in the header so I won't delete it. Thank you again, you all are the greatest.
Tom I will pray for you, your Dad and family. I had a similar situation with my Mom, not much communication until she got sick with cancer, then tried to make up for lost time. That could never be done, but we did get back on a good understanding and worked out the previous problems. Don't let anybody tell you real men don't cry, it does happen . Love can make it happen. I have been in combat and even the toughest soldiers do cry. so do not let a tear worry you. Good luck to your Dad and you. Mike
Sorry mate I know what youre going through, its tough and even though it feels like you cant, you have to stay strong for the family, it'll make eveyone else that much better. Cheers and heres to your dads good health
Prayers from me too Tom. I dunno much about Strokes, but unfortunatley I know about having a Dad that doesn't see eye-to-eye with me.(and thats being nice). I'm not sure what its gonna be like when his time grows near, but seeking the Lord and requesting prayer from the Body of beleivers in Christ is the thing to do for sure. I pray things get better for youns both!
May God Bless Dennis and you... May God bless Dennis and you and may his will be done in your fathers and your life. Go see him and tell him you love him. You know ... that's what "God-Jesus" did for us two thousand years ago! Eric