Back home and a blog for Ben

Hi guys, thank you so much for your prayers, emails, and calls about my dad. Thankfully we were able to bring him home tonight. After a lot of blood work, x-ray, and CT scan, they determined a couple of things. One is that he has a lot of arthritis setting in his back, which comes with his age. The other is his brain. Basically his brain is shrinking and his alzheimers has progressed significantly. There really is nothing they can do for him. He will continue on his meds and they will just have to watch him and see how fast it keeps progressing. They advised me that he needs to be in an assisted living home though. I was able to speak with a social worker about contacting someone to help with getting him in somewhere. We will see how that goes. His doctor said he had stroke like symptoms and although this time it wasn't a stroke, next time we may not be so lucky. Well, you know what I have to say about that. Thank you Lord for watching over us today. This was not the day that I had planned but Praise God we were able to bring him back home. I know that it will be better and safer for him to be in an assisted living home and I am going to work on getting that started but it doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt. I am literally watching my dad slip into someone that I don't even recognize. It just makes my heart hurt. HOWEVER, I am so very thankful to God that we were able to have this time with him. What a blessing! Pray that we will find an affordable yet wonderful place for him so he can be comfortable and still enjoy life. I am really praying hard for something close to us or to church so we can continue to bring him to church with us. I did explain to my dad about going into assisted living and he seemed to be somewhat accepting of it, although it was a very difficult conversation to have because I did not want him to think we did not want him, you know? Anyways, I pray he will understand. Well, what a day! We are both exhausted but Praise God we are all back under one roof! What a blessing!!!! God Bless you guys!

And now for a bit of lighter, and better news. For about 4 or 5 months, Stacy and I have gotten to know one of my Old Man Mafia brothers a bit better. I met Scratchski, originally, through a PM with him just being touched by Megan's story and the desire he had to want to help out. But alas, he lives across pond and didn't know what he could do. So, he started a donation thread, and we received some much needed funds at the perfect time. Well, some time has passed and Ben got married to a wonderful woman and they sent us something special from China. We received it in the mail on Friday and she was able to wear it to church on Sunday. I'm not the most cultural person in the world, but I think it's a kimono (sp). A big thanks goes out to Ben and his wife, and their families as they have become good friends of ours. Although you are miles away, you are close to our hearts. May God bless your marriage and family and thank you from all of us here. A big "W00t!!" goes out to Old Man Mafia (you folks are WAY too good! :)), 2old2play (for making it possible for things like this, not just gaming) and to everyone out there who has touched our lives and become part of our extended family. Love you all.

Sorry, the picture is a bit blurry.




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JR