Let’s just say I’m getting to know the drive well……

You may have heard that my dad has been ill lately. The week before Halloween he was doing poorly at home and my mom had the ambulance take him to the hospital in St. George. They admitted him to ICU for respiratory failure (and CHF and OHS – look them up). His CO2 levels were very high and they came close to intubating him, but fortunately did not have to. He spent about a week there and then was admitted to a long term acute care hospital (LTAC) in Provo. They provide specialty care for patients that have intense respiratory needs. He was in good care. Here’s a picture.

He had to have high flow oxygen, so thus the big mustache looking nasal cannula. He was in Provo for about 25 days. We were so lucky to have Mike and Traci so close. They have had a few visitors lately! They were also so good to visit dad regularly. It was such a blessing. Anyway, dad’s condition was pretty grim. He continued to need between 13-15 lpm of oxygen just to keep his sats >90% and 70’5 BIPAP at night—not good stuff. Even some of my sickest patients haven’t had to have that high of O2 flow. Well through lots of prayers and priesthood blessings, dad has made a miraculous turn around. Last week we discharged him from the LTAC and admitted him to a skilled nursing facility that specializes in patients that need respiratory care—this is in Roy (now Karen and Dean are getting all the visitors!). We couldn’t seem to get them closer to St. George just closer to Idaho Falls. Good for us, not so good for mom. Here’s a more recent pic.

You can tell he’s feeling better because he’s ornery. He’s working with physical and occupational therapy and his mobility has improved a bunch. He also is down to 4 liters of O2 and his own CPAP at night---WAY better. It’s likely he will go home on December 14th. He is certainly an example of divine intervention and God answering prayers. My goal is to get them back up north but mom and dad aren’t quite convinced that needs to happen yet. Keep the prayers flowing and thanks for all those that have been said in their behalf.