Dad back in wheelchair

Due to yesterday's vomiting dad has been so weak that he has had to be wheelchaired around all day. Yes, it's a setback but we're still trusting the Lord to give him another strengthening touch.

Dad Mahin's busy day

Dad Mahin woke Tuesday, Dec. 22nd, feeling much improved. He tried walking without his wheelchair and the longer he walked the better he felt. He didn't need his wheelchair at all Tuesday. However, during the latter part of the afternoon he became nauseous and began vomiting around supper time. Around 7 or 8 in the evening mom measured his temp at 104. The town nurse showed up, and called dad’s dialysis doctor and he recommended an ER visit. So an ambulance was called, much to dad’s fussing and fuming, and they got him to the Clay Center ER around 9:30. They checked his dialysis ports for infections, did a chest x-ray, drew blood, etc. They found a possible indication for pneumonia in the left lung but ruled that out as any reason for concern or reason for his fever and immediate sickness.

They put him on antibiotics and sent him home feeling much improved. We got home around 11:30. So it was a busy day for dad but he is definitely doing better compared to last Friday.

Keep praying. It’s working.

Dad's slight improvement

Douglas and I went to Grandpa’s house this morning to visit and then help grandpa into the senior agency van with his wheelchair . (The grandkids sure like grandpa’s house being only 100 paces away.) We found him in good spirits and a little bit improved. He is now able to walk 2 to 4 steps from his chair to his wheelchair. I know that does not sound like a lot but it is at least a ‘step in the right direction’.

The 11 inch snowstorm of 2 weeks ago has melted down to about 3 inches. One of the ‘locals’ told us when we moved here in ’08 that only once a decade does Miltonvale get to enjoy a White Christmas. Last Christmas we had a measly inch of snow that melted the next day. (Why have a white Christmas when the kids can’t sled in it?) Now, the forecast for the rest of this week seems to assure that North Central Kansas will be having a REAL White Christmas this year. (Don’t you just love Global Warming?) The approaching storm is supposed to start with a coat of ice Tuesday evening that according to the forecasters could bring some power outages, but then through Wednesday and Thursday drop 5 to 10 inches of Christmas Cheer. (Now that’s ‘sledable’!!!!!) For sure we’ll have to put snow chains on dad’s wheelchair tires for a few days this week.

On a more serious note, a few readers have responded to the last several postings with offers to help mom and dad financially. From our hearts, thank you for your thoughtfulness. If you do not know their address and would like to contribute to them please email me at mahinalive@gmail.com and I’ll get their address to you.

More Later.
Thanks for stopping by.
MAHINALIVE

Dad Mahin Still not walking -- Day 2

Please pray for Dad Mahin so he could be able to walk again.

A Senior Agency, funded by the State of Kansas, has been providing Dad's transportation to Dialysis for several years. Due to budget cuts here in Kansas, the agency has informed all its riders, including Mom and Dad, that they will have to pay 30 cents a mile starting January 1, in order to utilize that agency's transportation services. Well, Salina is 50 miles away, so a round trip to there and back would cost $30.00 daily. Dialysis could also be done in Concordia, Kansas, but that still would be 50 miles daily; still too far and too expensive. After close figuring they decided they could drive it for cheaper with their own car, or my van, than the fare charged by the senior agency.

Now that Dad is not walking the use of my van or my folks car is virtually out of the equation for 'daily' dialysis transportation. So, please pray that God's perfect will will be done.

Dad Mahin took a fall December 18th.

Friday, December 18, 2009, my dad, Duane Mahin, fell due to icy conditions. The senior agency van that provides daily transportation to dialysis had lowered it's 'handicap ramp' but it did not reach all the way to the sidewalk like it often does. The little bit of hard packed snow that laid between the ramp to the sidewalk was too slick for dad; so he fell, but only to his knees. He was able to walk the rest of the day yesterday, but today he is not walking at all. When he ventures out of bed it is only with a wheel chair. Mom is keeping him in bed till he is stronger and not feeling so sore.

Naturally we are hoping this is only temporary so please keep him in your prayers.