So today was a pretty amazing day for my dad! He passed the swallowing test! He will eat a banana tomorrow and some apple sauce along with some other things! He is really starting to mumble a lot. His speech is going to be here in no time! My moms birthday is December 6th and she told dad today the only thing she wanted for her birthday was him to say "Love you". He smiled , hes going to make that happen for her! He walked on the treadmill today with his belt and help of the PT's. This whole situation really makes me appreciate everything I use everyday and take for granted. Hes the strongest person I know! I'm so proud of him! He makes changes everyday. We love you so much dad! Hang in there! :)

Good afternoon! Yesterday dad mumbled and laughed our loud! That's the first we have heard either! He also has great movement in his right leg! He's really enjoyed his visitors over the last few days , thanks guys! He is shaving by himself and now learning to change the channels on the tv remote. He wrote his name with his left hand with examples. I hope he will be talking sooner now that we have heard a mumble , thats a big improvement to us. I'm pretty sure he's getting sick of watching tv & only enjoys the basketball games now! He's so motivated he always suggests working out even on his days off! He's going to make sure he does everything he can to make this a short process! We love you dad!

Good afternoon everyone! I'm watching pearl harbor with dad and just hanging out! He doesn't have any therapy today but he wants to cycle so his OT may be able to get him in the gym! Yesterday we went outside I pushed him in his chair for about 10 minutes until we got cold and we came back inside! He loves being able to take a shower now. His PT has been very well , he walks a little stronger everyday with the help of his walker an his physical therapist. Soon enough he will be running around her! I'm so anxious for him to speak, sometimes it's a little frustrating! Sorry I missed a day on the blog sometimes I get a little busy! I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! We did! :) Again thank you for all the prayers! Dad is smiling more everyday and laughing occasionally ... He's so amazing!

Hey everyone! Im visiting my dad right now but he's currently doing his daily rehab routine! He has friends visiting him today that he grew up with! He was able to take a shower yesterday in his wheel chair and also eat some ice chips. Hes so alert and communicating well with his nodding and can point to things he needs. He spent the day with mom yesterday while our family took different trips to come wish him a happy thanksgiving! My mom said he had great improvement this morning with strength in his right hand and arm. He seems to have a pretty positive attitude still. My dad is so amazing he's a different person already! His humor really shines through during all of this as well. He enjoyed visiting with my aunt and uncle yesterday. He shaves well and also brushes his teeth like a champ. His speech therapist said he replied to her and actually said "thank you" but we have not yet heard anything ourselves. It won't be long though he's so strong! I hope everyone had a really great holiday!

Happy thanksgiving everyone! Sorry I didn't blog yesterday I was so busy with my aunt & uncle and my cousins I didn't have time! One of my dads best friend's , Mark Evans visited him yesterday! My mom said it was the most heartfilled moment! Dad loves his friends more than nothing! Dad also used his walker yesterday with the help of his great PTs! Today we are going to Frazier to hangout with dad & spend thanksgiving with of course the family! Thank you everyone for the prayers & comments again!

Dads room number is 709 & it's Frazier rehab building in Louisville ky

Well lately i feel like everyday is the best day! Today my bestfriend who is also our neighbor that helped call the ambulance for my dad went to the hospital with me! My dad looks so good it's unreal! He's off his oxygen and so alert! He even danced in his bed when a Christmas jingle from th tv was playing! He hugged me so tight I didn't want to leave! He directed me very well with what tv show he wanted to watch and he also helped tell the nurse he wanted a bath by pointing to his soap! Ive never met a stronger person! He inspires me in so many different ways that I can't even explain! Dad hugged Alex and listen to her plans about school. Alex and I also told dad we were planning on doing some extreme workouts over Christmas break & he laughed at us! Knowing we always say this and rarely follow through. Everyday keeps my faith alive because seeing him one step closer just proves God is good!

My dad is in amazing spirits today! His attitude is great! Maybe the best he has been so far! Today Dad did his routine with PT he actually took many steps with the help of his amazing physical therapist's. Tonight dad actually shaved his face all by himself with his new cool electric razor, mom called me so impressed! Maggie and I talked to him on the phone while he held the phone to his ear. His speech therapist are working with him everyday and were hoping for some speech soon, although we don't have any yet! Thank you everyone who is bringing Maggie and I meals at the house! Lately I feel like all we do is eat! Everyone helping us and praying for us, you all are a blessing! My dad with my mothers influence has been watching Christmas movies to get in the spirit! My dads oxygen level has been 98 to 100 everyday that he has been up and doing his therapy! When Maggie and I were at Frazier he actually sat in his wheel chair and watched a movie with us! I'm very happy he isn't laying in bed. Keep praying and cheering him on! He's amazing! I love you dad!

Watching dad in PT he's standing with some help! Dad has stood on two feet for 7 minutes now! Dad brushed his teeth this morning with his left hand, still have to work on spitting but on Monday they will work on swallowing again. I can see such an improvement from last week until now! We're a week in and I can only imagine what dad will be doing in a month! Great job!

I don't have much to update everyone on, but dad is doing awesome & has had a good morning watching more westerns with mom! At 11 he's going to start his daily routine, they will put him in a wheel chair to shower and he will learn to brush his teeth and then start some other things! Mom is coming home for a little bit this afternoon to spend some time with me and Maggie and most importantly her favorite child , the dog! Lol thank you everyone for your prayers once again! My aunt Paula and uncle Bill are coming Tuesday night to spend thanksgiving with us & cook us the best meal and also do some black Friday shopping! We are so thankful for them! I'll let everyone know how rehab went this evening! Go Dad!!

Dad is settled into his new room at Frazier, mom is really pleased and happy with everyone there! They just finished watching a western , now it's time to get some sleep! We have to pack up some gym shorts and t shirts tmrw because dad will be going hard! He's going to amaze all of you! Just wait until hes kicking everyone's butt in the next mini marathon! Having faith :)

New Start!!!

Today is the day to a new start! Dad is leaving Norton and headed to Frazier to start rehab tomorrow morning , we aren't sure what time he's leaving but hopefully this afternoon! He's excited to work out! We've shared the comments from the blog that everyone is posting and he smiles I know everyone is making all the difference for him! Ill be sure to update the address and room number tonight! Mom is shaving dad & he's getting all cleaned up and ready to go!

Dad may be in rehab sooner than even Monday! I'll post the address and room number for everyone as soon as I have it! Mom texted me while Maggie and I were watching a movie & told me dad moved his right foot! Amazing once again :)

Love

My dads journey is all about Love, as any other family sometimes we forget how much we love and appreciate each other. Its important to tell the people you care about everyday how much you do love them and how important they are to your life. This is one of my favorite bible verses & quotes!

I love you so much Dad! You're so amazing!

“Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end.”

Good news! Dad got his peg placement (feeding tube) and surgery went just fine! The plan is to be at rehab at Frazier in downtown louisville on Monday! Dad will work from 9-5 everyday on rehab, knowing him he will love it! He goes to the gym daily anyways :)

Mom wants me to thank everyone who is praying , sending flowers , sending us food at home, and helping us out in any way. You all have no idea how it feels to have such good support and friends. Dads coworkers are amazing, I love hearing such great things about my dad.

The whole family is excited about music therapy. He really enjoys listening to his ipod. Its amazing what simple things make him smile. Mom continues to joke around with dad and keep the best positive attitude. Plans for this weekend.... We all have a date to watch the UK game! GO CATS!!

Good afternoon! Today is an awesome day! Dad was moved to a new room down the hall last night , it a sunny day , he's really going to enjoy looking out the window! Right now dad is in surgery to get his new feeding tube! This will really help speed up the process to rehab. I've told dad everyone is cheering him on and he smiles , but sometimes he shakes his head no as if "tell everyone not to worry its not a big deal" lol. My mom was talking to the people from Frazier and they were telling us that there is a big chance he could come home FEBUARY 1st!!! With outpatient rehab or someone coming to our home! That's the best news I've heard today! Hopefully that will be the case! Thank you for everyone's prayers! This is a hard time but it has brought my family so close and were all just thankful he's with us today! My mom is getting more sleep now. God is amazing! When he gets back from surgery I'll tell him "Hey bird clembo is really tracking you and has a lot of plans for you during rehab" . He will love that! I'll let everyone know how he is after surgery!

Thumb war!

Dad & mom played thumb war tonight on dads left side! He kicked her butt! You go dad!!! He still has his competitive side!

Hey! My dad took his swallow test... Although he did not pass he's not giving up! His current feeding tube will be replaced with another feeding tube directly to his stomach this will make him stronger! The stronger he gets te faster his rehab starts! Still no speech but he's smiling and communicating in other ways! Dad is so strong I can't stress how hard he's trying! We're going to have bad days and good days, but everyday is a good day when I get to see him! Dad loves mom more than ever she's a trooper, ive been begging her to sleep lol. Right now he doesn't need any visitors it's almost to stressful to him to be surrounded by a lot of people! We want to keep him as less stressed as possible! Rehab is when he will need cheerleaders! My mother has selected Frazier rehab due to the speech program , this will be the better choice for my dad! Hopefully he will be there in a week! Other than the swallow test, he has rested most of the day! We love all of your comments! Keep posting

Good morning! I'm sitting with my dad & he's holding my hand tight! Getting a lot of rest! He swallowed for my mom earlier this morning. I know he's going to pass his test with flying colors! We're listening to some oldies music and just hanging out! He gets more responsive everyday... He is nodding yes & no when we ask questions. Dad likes looking out the window. I told him a story about Maggie and our dog when I got here he smiled big. I'll update y'all with the swallow test soon! We love everyone & all the comments :)

Brookes First Post

Hi everyone! I know I may not have all of the proper doctor terms but I will try to blog everyday and keep everyone updated with the road to recovery of my dad! Today was a good day for my dad. The MRI (if im correct) showed that my dads heart is in amazing shape and nothing wrong with him there. The stroke effected my dad on the left side of his brain which has effected the right side of his body! He still is not speaking nor moving much of his right side, but he can lift his right leg for 5 seconds! (hes so strong) Today he raised his head in bed and wanted a kiss from my mom! So sweet! Tomorrow he has his "swallow" test , if he can swallow on his own he can be taken off the feeding tube which will be a huge step! Send lots of prayers! Ill update everyone tomorrow evening!

Just getting started

Hi Everyone!  I'm creating this site so that we can all share updates on our good friend, John.  We are wishing him a speedy recovery!