Friday, March 9, 2012

Update 03/09/2012

Hi Everyone,

I just want to write a quick note to let everyone know that this morning at 5:30 AM Dad comfortably and peacefully passed away.

The viewing is scheduled to take place on Sunday (03/11) from 6-8 PM at Magnolia Funeral Home. The address is:

811 South Magnolia Blvd.
Magnolia, TX 77355

The funeral service will take place on Monday (03/12) at 2 PM at the First Baptist Church of Magnolia. The address is:

18525 F.M. 1488
Magnolia, Texas 77354

If there are any changes, I will post them to the blog.

Thank you all for the prayers, words of encouragement and limitless offers of support through the past few challenging months. We are truly grateful to have such a great group of friends!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Update: 03/06/2012

Hi

Just wanted to give everyone a little update on Dad:

As you know, Dad made it back home a few weeks ago and was gradually getting stronger physically and emotionally day by day. He was walking on his own (with a little help from his walker, of course) and staying farely active around the house. However the past few days have been a little challenging. Even though Dad was able to overcome the low blood pressure, pnuemonia and being sedated for several weeks, he still has the cancer to fight. I'm sad to say that today his health took a turn for the worst. Mom has called Hospice and everything to do with that process will begin tomorrow. We will have a clearer understanding of the situation by tomorrow evening.

Please understand that we enjoy your visits...however...we would like to ask that no visitors come by the house for the time being. We will try to keep the blog updated as much as possible. If there comes a time where Dad is back to a position to see visitors, we will let everyone know via the blog. If you would like to find out info on ways to be of help to the family (besides your ever important and needed prayers) please contact Connie Anderson via phone at 936-597-8452 or via email at danderpad@consolidated.net.

Please pray that:
Dad's body will grow strong
His emotional stamina will strengthen
To give wisdom to the Hospice workers and physicians tomorrow

If you have any questions, you can post them on the blog or send me an email at toddfrazier09@gmail.com. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

Till next time...

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Update 02/07/2012: Home At Last, Home At Last!

Yes, that's right...after about 7 weeks, Dad has finally made it back home!!!

He went home today around 11. He has built up his strength enough so that he can move about with the help of a walker. According to the clinic's rehab staff, Dad did extremely well. They set a goal for him to walk 10 feet with the walker last week...he walked the hall (175 ft) several times!!

Thanks to everyone who have blessed Dad and the family with your prayers and visits to the clinic!!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Update 01/19/2012: Taking Larger Steps

Hi Everyone,

Yes yes, I know...I'm sorry for not posting anything sooner. Its been a hectic few days with work and all...ah, but you dont care about that...here is a little update on Dad:

- Rehab is kicking his tail...but in a good way! He is doing daily leg exercises on a stationary bike, he works on standing up on his own while playing dominoes on a tall table (weird, right?...but it seems to work) and working out his arms by using a tennis ball and various other clever contraptions.
- He has gained some good strength in his arms so that he is able to eat and drink on his own. Mom bought him a little stand so that he can prop his books up to read while in bed. He loves it!

We were able to celebrate Caleb's birthday tonight in the formal dining room at the rehab clinic. Natalie made Cream Tacos (it's kind of like chilli only 100x better!) and we had some cheesecake for desert. Dad was able to sit in his wheelchair with us at the table and partake in some of the food. It was a nice little break from the cafeteria food and it was nice to have just about all of the family together for a meal (miss you, Ems!!!).

Even with these improvements, we still don't have a firm check out date from the clinic. It is still day to day but each day is yet another step in the positive direction.

Again, the facility is very friendly to visitors so if you get a chance to stop by, please do so. Dad would love to see you.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

Till next time....

Happy Birthday, Caleb Keith!
Happy Birthday, Aunt Cindy!
Happy Birthday, Coach Decker!
Happy Birthday, Uncle Keith! Always loved and forever remembered!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Update 01/10/2012

Hi,

I just wanted to tell everyone that Dad has finally made his way out of the hospital and in to a rehab facility!!! As most of you know, this is a big big step considering where he was a few weeks ago. The rehab facility is called Park Manor and is located in Tomball.

The address is:
Park Manor of Tomball
250 School Street
Tomball, TX 77375

The website is:
www.parkmanor-tomball.com

I believe the visiting hours are from 9AM - 9PM. They like visitors stopping by to help encourage Dad because rehab is going to be a challenge due to what his body has been through. With that said, this is just a friendly reminder to please keep in mind that he is still recovering from the sickness and is building up his strength. If you catch him after he just finished some exercises, he might be out (asleep)for a little while. But please feel free to stop by if you get the chance. You all know Dad...if he is awake, he needs someone to talk too. :)

As always, thank you for the prayers! And thanks to those who have had the time to visit him and us at the hospital. Not only did it help us, I believe it had some impact on others in the hospital. I don't think we will ever know the full extent of this impact but rest assured, they realize that something is different with Dad. He is a man who is truly loved by his family and his many, many friends. A few people told us that they were just amazed at the number of people who came to see him while in the CCU and when he was moved to the other rooms. Perhaps this recognition of something different will spark a curiosity to discover what causes such a difference.

Throughout this whole process, we have been constantly focusing on Dad's small steps of improvement. In this very negative situation, we relied on his small positives to stay encouraged and to stay the course. But I have come to realize that other small positives could have taken place apart from Dad's health yet still connected to his situation. Perhaps the faith of a nurse or even another patient was strengthened by simply witnessing the visits and prayers of those who came to the hospital. Perhaps someone is one step closer to wanting to discover and know the Giver of such Joy and Peace. Be encouraged! In this, you all have played a part!!

I can never say it enough...we are truly blessed to have such an awesome group of people we can call friends!

Till next time....

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Update 01/08/2012:

Hi Everyone,

I apologize for not posting anything in a couple of days. Here is the update:

- the infection is clear! No more antibiotics!
- the speech therapist has given Dad the ok to eat regular food and drink regular liquids. No more mushy chicken!
- Doctors should release him sometime early next week.

The next step is to move Dad to a rehabilitation clinic where he will stay so he can build his strength to where he can walk around on his own. Hopefully the rehap process will take no more than a couple of days but we will not know for sure. It will be a day to day process. There are a couple in the Tomball area that we are considering and should have one selected early next week.

Please continue to pray for Dad's healing; more specifically to build strength in his arms and legs.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. I promise not to take 5 days to post the next update :)

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Update 01/03/2012: Still Making Small Steps

Hi,

Just wanted to let everyone know that Dad was moved out of the ICU yesterday! He is now in a regular room. Moving on up!

- His voice is getting stronger...which means his throat muscles are getting stronger...which means he is getting closer to being able to drink and eat on his own. The speech therapist will see him again tomorrow to determine if he is ready to drink liquids in larger quantities. For the past two days he has only been able to drink very small sips of water and chew on ice chips.
- According to the infectious diseases doctor, he will only need 3 more days of antibiotics. This is awesome news! The white cell count has dropped to 17 and all other lab numbers are looking good. The kidneys have improved as well. If all goes well over the next few days and his strength improves to where he can get out of bed and move about on his own then we should be able to get him home soon after the antibiotic treatment ends.
- His strength is gradually coming back. The physical therapists came by today and got Dad to sit up in a chair for about 30 minutes. They also showed us some exercises that we can help him do throughout the day, like short leg lifts and arm lifts. He gets a little tired about half way through each exercise and gets a little irritated when we urge him on to finish. In doing so, we ever so gently remind him of the countless times when he would...ever so gently "urge" us on while we ran "10 in a minute" sprints and horses during basketball practice. Yes...all of you who have suffered under Coach Frazier's wrath in the past...we are now returning the favor. :)

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Till next time...Hebrews 11:1