Mr. Bond is Home

I'm writing this update as we watch a season two episode of 24 - our new found addiction. Nina Meyers is the mystery who keeps coming back. Jack Bauer is a hero who survives it all.

Much more important, however, is an update on my dad:

Last Thursday dad was moved from the ICU to the Critical Care unit where the doctors kept a close monitor on his heart rate. One thing we did learn from this is that my dad's heart is in excellent condition resting near 50 beats per minute. He's not a marathon runner, though the doctors asked several times how he was in such great condition. I attribute it to his daily runs on the treadmill and nightly bowls of Schwan's ice cream.

He was discharged from the hospital on Saturday night and is still in recovery mode at home, but he is making progress (and is enjoying not eating hospital mystery food)! The doctors continue to monitor his blood level which requires three visits a week to the cumidin clinic. His head still aches, but the pain is in control. A funny side note is that dad gained twenty pounds during his one week stay in the hospital. One of his many IVs consisted of sodium chloride to retain water in his body and keep pressure off of his brain. While at home he continues to take three salt tablets three times a day for the next two weeks, so it will be a couple weeks before he loses the water weight. It's quite funny - his concern now is not that he still has a blood clot in his brain, rather, it is how soon he will lose this weight. The blood clot should dissolve within six months to a year. It takes time to break down, but he will return to full strength soon.

I'm grateful that dad came home before I left for New York. I didn't want to have the image of my dad with oxygen tubes, IVs and heart monitors left in my memory until I see him again. Thanks to so many friends and family members for your love, support and prayers. We are seeing so many blessings from the Lord pour into our family.