More News... Improvements and Encouraging Words

Thank you all again for everything. Our family is so blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing support group. I can't say it enough - the phone calls, the visits, the many many prayers, the hugs... they all mean more than words can begin to describe.

As an update from the last blog posting, I went to visit Dad today around dinner time. The nurse was in there with him reading numbers off the machines. I said "Hey Dad" as soon as I walked in and held his hand. His eyebrows came together and he squinched his eyes and opened them. He could most definitely hear me! He recognized my voice, as was obvious by the beeping blood pressure machine alerting everyone that it was high.

He squirmed a bit and didn't look at all comfortable, and I tried to reassure him. It was obvious from his facial expressions --- a look you might make if you just dropped a 20 pound weight on your big toe --- could show that he was in a lot of pain. Of course, I don't like to see this and the blood pressure and heartrate went up significantly. The nurse shooed me out and said I was upsetting him... but I think it was the need for more pain meds that was really upsetting him. Punching the machine to dispense more medicine eventually calmed him down into sleep.

Uncle Bill and Mary and Shane came to visit that evening when Mom came back from my house after I sent her there to shower and freshen up a little bit. They went and visited him and talked to him, telling him all about everyones well wishes and about the blog. The nurse there tonight was sweet as could be. I went up there to tell him goodnight just shortly ago before coming back to my house. I walked in and the nurse was in the hallway with his chart. I didn't figure he would wake up since Mom said he didn't - so it sure surprised me when he woke up again when I started talking to him. I am afraid to talk too much to him since I know it wakes him up so I didn't say alot --- just tried to reassure him that he was alright and that he needed to go to sleep good tonight. He wasn't near as frantic tonight as earlier - I think they increased the pain meds and decreased the sedation medication - he looked so much more relaxed. He didn't squirm--- his eyes were just wide open staring straight. Still don't think he really sees me but he definitely knew we were there. When he went back to sleep I assured him as mom did that the nurse would take good care of him and that I was taking mom with me to get a good nights sleep. We will be back bright and early!

He has a big day tomorrow the nurse told me after I walked out. She told me they are going to do a CT scan of his pelvis and decide what to do to prep him for that surgery. This is good if he is well enough to operate on! However, she did tell me his hemoglobin levels fell this afternoon a bit and they were gonna give him 2 pints of blood. I was a little upset, but she assured me that this was nothing to be alarmed about, that it was just precautionary. He is possibly bleeding from his pelvis internally, which they said isn't unusual. This is something they will be aware of from the scan and also when they do surgery.

Mom is at home with me for the night --- getting some rest so she can be 100% tomorrow for Dad. Scott is coming tomorrow and so are Dedo and Paw Paw (Sharon and Wayman). They are gonna stay tomorrow so Mom can go to Crosby to get some more clothes, pay some bills, and just tie up some more loose ends over on that side of town.

Everyone has sure pulled together to make it possible for her to stay here. Donna and Mark and other neighbors are taking good care of the MANY Bradley pets - Kallee, Gidget, Joules, Dottie, Kisses, Marley, Max, Elsa, Lady, and all the fish. The neighbor kids have been coming over and playing with the pups to keep them company and make sure they aren't lonely.
Tracy called today to tell Mom that her girlfriends in her sorority have banded together to buy her a month long parking pass so she can come and go in that expensive garage as she needs to and even money to pay for gas for the car.

I am just utterly stunned and thankful for the blessings being poured over this family. It is truly remarkable. Thank you isn't enough ---but thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. We love you all so so much.

If you have a Verizon phone let us know ---- we are making a list of what people we can call unlimited on the daytime minutes and which people we can't talk to as long as we would like :) If we have to cut you short during the day, forgive us! We Love you and love to hear from you all. I am showing Mom right now how to use this so she will be posting online as well. We have all the cell phones on - we are using Dads too when our batteries run low and they are charging.

Goodnight and God Bless every single one of you. THANK YOU!!!