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My Precious Dad is a Real Trooper!!

Lately it's been really hard for my poor father. He's had problems with his lungs, heart failure, arrythmia and LOW heart rate. So low, he just had a pacemaker put in. Dad is a true survivor! He does it all with style and class, too..smiling and joking, being an excellent patient and doing whatever is needed. I truly admire him for his strength and tenacity during this extremely tough time.

My dad is a self-made man, coming from growing up on a farm originally. He was a very talented photographer in the US Navy and paid for college with his earnings. He went on to become an amazing architect. All my young life I was amazed at all the interesting projects he did, from Naval prisons and parts of the Cleveland Art Museum, zoos, universities, NASA, Tower City and much more. He did it all humbly and fiercely hardworking. At home, he was/is a loving father, and always loves his animals.

Now, in retirement, dad takes care of a family of cats he and mom rescued from the streets awhile back. He and mom love each and every one of them like the furry kids that they are. Those cats won the "feline jackpot" coming into this family!

As time has gone on, dad's chronic arrythmia got worse and worse, and this year he was rushed to the hospital multiple times, and ends up staying there a week at a time. First at Cleveland Clinic and now at University Hospital. He's gotten to know the staff at University and they remember him when he returns. He's a special man with a huge heart (that just needs some repair right now). I pray that the new pacemaker will help the other health issues to become less bothersome so my precious dad can enjoy his retirement peacefully without incident, with mom and I, and of course, the cats for a very, very longgggg time.

Whatever it takes to make him better, will be done. His team of doctors, physical therapists and nurses are impressive and efficient. It's quite amazing to watch the professionals take turns helping him. They work hard, very hard, and yet take time to explain what is going on and what to expect. His physical rehab team even visited him as he rested in Intensive Care two days ago! I can't say enough good about University Hospital, they are so wonderful.

So now, mom and I wait to bring him home from the hospital. He will be so happy to be able to have his kitties curl up on and around him back at home, and there will be a visiting nurse to make sure his health stays on track.
Being a worrier by nature, I worry a whole lot, but am comforted to know that my dear dad is feeling a bit better now with a regular heartbeat (thanks to the pacemaker). The nurse says it will make treating the other health issues easier. Good!

Here's to my dad, my hero. He is so very loved. I feel helpless about not being able to help him in feeling better but do my best to encourage him and think positively, as mom is doing. Together, we're a team. And we're getting through this, one step at a time!














google-site-verification: google7067dc8e96d74570.htmlThe Fine Artwork of Carolyn McFann

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Keeping Busy

It's been pretty quiet lately, which is fine with me. Dad's health has improved with medicine and a new health regimen. I've been busy working on some drawings and on my sites. When my eyes get tired (which happens more often the older I get), I go do some gardening instead of looking at the computer screen. I had to go to the Opthomologist two weeks ago (for the first time in my life) and the doctor told me my eyes are healthy, but due to my age, I need glasses for doing work on the computer. Those reading glasses you get at the store just aren't good enough. He gave me a prescription and I'll get them soon.
I found out recently that someone I know (a few years older than I am) has a serious illness. Getting older is tough, seeing things like this happen. I pray he is cured of the disease! I used to take health for granted but not anymore. In the last few years, seeing people I know, especially my dear father, struggle with various medical problems has made me more alert to taking better care of myself. I suffered with bad teeth and now am healing since they were replaced. It will take a long time to get the infection that was there to go away, the dentist said it's due to my age, it takes longer. Ugh. So, I bought a good,strong blender and have been making smoothies, slushies and such with fruit nearly every day. Before I didn't eat much of anything fresh all that often. Not anymore. Mom got a blender and is now doing the same. I pray that my family stays as healthy as possible despite so much illness in the world.
Also within the last month, I found out that my parents' neighbors (whose three girls I have so much fun with, aged 8, 10 and 12)have to move! The house they are renting has been sold and they now need to find a house that will allow 11 children..wow. They will surely find something, how I hope it is close by to us, because my mom and I have grown so close to the kids. She likes the little boys (they give me a headache, very rowdy little kids but are cute). I enjoy taking the girls out to do things. If they move far away, it will be a blow on us. I told the oldest girl to keep in touch with me, she has my number, either way, she will. I still want to take her horseback riding some more. Fingers crossed.
So, I keep myself busy, feeling a bit stressed but the answer is to keep my head down and keep working. Drawing is therapeutic to me, along with the cats who are always at my side as I work. Next month I plan on getting more flowers for my garden and will spend more time doing that, too. I do some now, and it does look pretty good but there is a lot of room for more plants. I want to make it an Eden, just a lush, floral place. One step at a time. With a back that has been bad for awhile (but is doing somewhat better recently) I don't push it. Slow and steady is the way to go.

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