LAST TRIP

September 2015

Dear Rennie,

We got your card yesterday and both appreciate it. The best part about going on an adventure is seeing how it unfolds in unexpected ways. You may be finding that although you may have expected to be turning to the outside world when you started your trip, instead you may be turning inward to your creativity, your studies and your reflection.

We are starting a trip to the mountains on Sunday afternoon. On Monday afternoon we should get to Aunt Joel's in Signal Mountain near Chattanooga. This is a trip Grampa really wants to do. I hope it is not too exhausting for him.

Although Grampa was born in the flatlands, he fell in love with the Appalachian Mountains when we first visited them in 1959. In 1963 we moved to North Carolina to be near the mountains. For about 40 years we lived near enough to the mountains to visit them in a few hours or less. Moving to Florida in 1999 means we only see mountains occasionally. We expect this may be the last time we see them.

It is always lovely to hear from you.

Love,
ellie

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Unfortunately we didn't make it to the mountains. Larry fell at the Visitors Center in south Georgia. He broke bones in his face and required surgery. Although he recovered he was weakened and unable to travel to the mountains before he died in December 2016. 

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We started our trip to Chattanooga on Sunday but didn't get very far. Dad fell on his face at the Georgia Visitors Center and went to the Emergency Room at Valdosta. There are fractures in bones around his eye socket. We got back to Ocala around 8 o'clock Sunday.

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We are at home trying to see the right doctor to evaluate treatment. Dad is strong and alert but looks a mess. We should learn today if surgery may be required. Although things move slowly, we get enormous help from numerous people. 

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Dad got to see the face surgeon today and he scheduled a repair job for Thursday. Dad has not been in pain but he is unable to chew. He was better today than yesterday as far as bleeding and swelling is concerned. I feel more relaxed now that there is a plan which should lead to recovery.
It doesn't take long to get tired of a liquid diet.

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Dad's surgery is scheduled to for 2:00 today. He is holding up well. We know that we are are supported by God's love and by that of friends and family. We put ourselves in the hands of doctors, nurses and medical folks knowing that they are working to make him well and whole again.  

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After several days in the hospital -

 

We are home as of 5PM. We will take it slow until Dad regains his strength and agility. His improvement between yesterday and today was remarkable. He will use the walker until he is steadier.
Hoping for a complete recovery.

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Dad made good progress today. He ate better. He had a shower with my assistance. His routine demands a lot of time but is simple - pills, drops, sprays, ointments. He is motivated to do as much as he can to regain his strength. The surgeons work is top-notch.
We are confident that each day will be better than the day before.