Mom wants to start off by thanking everyone for cards, prayers and visits during the past two months (today is the two-month anniversary of Dad’s heart attack.) Things are still progressing well. Dad got his final sutures out last week and his incision looks great! When you’re stitched up by a cosmetic surgeon, the scars are minimal.

Dad’s taking it easy and following the doctor’s orders to a “T”. He’s not driving yet, but is taking small walks during the day. The heat gets to him easily so the A/C is on at the Taylor house during these dog days of summer. He continues to work with the physical therapist and they’re getting a different style of brace for his drop foot.

Mom and Dad would like to congratulate Jessica Ryan, their niece, as she weds Barrett McVary today. Our thoughts are with you both as you venture into your new life together. <3

Dad is doing better all the time.  To me it is still little steps.  With Dad being at home his mind has recovered greatly.  He doesn’t remember much of his ordeal, he remembers from the time he got into Select Specialty Hospital.  He doesn’t remember much from St. Vincent, that’s not a bad thing we told him. 

His physical recovery is doing well.  He has a drop foot for his left foot, which means he can’t lift his toes up when his foot is flat on the floor.    The physical therapist said this could be from when they took the veins from his leg, a nerve ending could of been cut.  He was fitted for a brace and Mom and Dad went in and got it yesterday.  Dad has gone for walks and goes out often to the site of the new equipment barn.  Mom and Dad have to be careful with his activity because he is still on a blood thinner.

Sleep is still hard to come by as most nights Dad doesn’t sleep well.  Hopefully the little naps during the day help.  Food doesn’t taste very appealling at this time, so he doesn’t seem to eat much.

Dad and Mom are enjoying their company.  Thanks to everyone that has come and visited.

My family and I (DuAnn) are leaving on vacation tonight for a week in the Canadian wilderness, 4-wheeling and fishing.  I have mixed emotions about leaving, but am very thankful that Dad is doing so good.  Jocelyn and I have to leave everything in the boys’ confident hands.  I am very thankful for my wonderful siblings and their families, what a great crew we have.

Just a little note.  As long as we mentioned the July birthdays, I thought it would be great to mention the other three grandkids.  Happy Birthday to David on September 7th.  David is Russell’s youngest and I can’t believe he is 11.  He works harder on the farm than some adults I know.  Kyle is 8 on the 8th of September and Doug’s only boy.  He reminds me a lot of Doug, a little mischievous and fun loving.  Niki, my youngest, turned 13 on April 2, 2009.  She has missed visiting with Nana and Papa when she rides her bike to their house, although she still liked hanging out there watching tv, eating freezer pops and weeding the garden.  Dad and Mom are very loved by all their grandkids!

Jocelyn writes:

Happy Birthday to ALL my nieces and nephews… I love you more than you know. When did you get taller than me?!

How nice it was to get a phone call today to say Dad was on his way home… I am beyond thrilled. I did talk to him tonight and he’s as delighted as we are. I, being the worried kid that I am, reminded him that he could NOT overdo it. He quickly agreed. Thank you, God, for prayers answered.

DuAnn and I talked tonight and discussed keeping the blog going. What a wonderful way to keep in touch with those we’ve been distanced from. We will continue to keep you posted as to Mom and Dad’s progress and let you know what’s going on in our world. If there’s anything I’ve learned over the past month it’s that there is one true priority in my life… and that’s my family. I’ve grown a deeper relationship with my mom, entered into a closer bond with my dad, and fully understood what my brothers and sisters mean to me, and how much I trust them and their judgement. I’m one lucky girl.

Again, we wish you all the love, peace, happiness, and blessings that God can bestow. Thank you for being part of our lives.

Happy 70th Birthday, Dad! <3

Well, I’m in Williamsport again and missed the big party… but was conference-called in for the singing of “Happy Birthday.”  What an honor!

I’m not really sure what the doctor said today but given the loud party noises I heard over the phone, all is well.

DuAnn:: Have anything to add? We can do this in tandem.

Today we got rid of the one thing left that Dad was attached to… the heart monitor. The doctors are pleased with his progress, have regulated his dosage of meds and took that damn thing off! I asked Dr. Zeto today what the timeline could be for Dad coming home. He said that the open wounds from his drains needed to heal a little more, and he needed to get stronger and increase his endurance a bit before they would let him come home. I still don’t think I’m off base in saying I think he’ll be home sometime next week. He’s better and better every day and is so very anxious to get back to somewhere familiar. Dad is fully aware that he MUST follow doctor’s orders and heal the right way. No four-wheeler for a few months, Daddy-o!

Mom is doing better… she’s very tired and gets dizzy when she stands quickly, or when she turns her head too fast.  She has a follow up appointment with her family doctor next Wednesday to discuss her cholesterol (her bad cholesterol is good; and her good cholesterol is bad) and to talk about what happened and how to prevent it. The tests showed that she does have some cysts in her lung so we’re expecting a chest xray and/or MRI sometime soon. They didn’t seem to think it was anything that needed URGENT attention, but she needs to get it properly checked out. Please keep her in your thoughts. She’s been prescribed a couple baby aspirin every day and honestly, I think I’m going to start taking them too. Can’t hurt. She made pork steaks and potato salad for Dad today and took it in for lunch. I miss Mom’s cooking!

Sadly, I (Jocelyn) am returning to Williamsport tomorrow for round two of the out-of-town part of the new job. I know that everything happens for a reason and I am so grateful that I was home and off work to help my family through these past few days. I was able to be with Dad when DuAnn needed to be with Mom; while Russell got to do some much-needed work on the farm; while Ralph busted his tail at Acutec; and while Doug tried to nip his cold/flu bug in the bud. I’ve said this before but I want to say it again: each of us is so different but we complement each other so well… as only a family can.

Dad celebrates his 70th birthday tomorrow. I am heartbroken that I’ll miss the strawberries and shortcake, but have Russell’s word that he’ll call me to help sing “Happy Birthday.” I can’t wait!

On a side note, I would like to publicly thank Uncle Vergil for giving all us kids gas money. That was so very VERY thoughtful of you. We love you. <3

I will be home on August 8th and Russ and I have been talking about the party we’re going to have. We’ll be celebrating the 4th of July, Mom’s birthday, Father’s Day, Jessica’s birthday, Nate’s birthday, Ashley’s birthday, Kendra’s birthday, Rachel’s birthday, Dad’s birthday, and by that time Ralph & Angie’s and Larry’s birthdays too! Whew! What a crew.

Dad is allowed visitors and welcomes them! He’s at Select Specialty Hospital on 11th street between Myrtle and Sassafras, room 306. Visiting hours are noon to 8 pm.

Dad has started physical and occupational therapy and although it tires him out quickly, he’s doing really well. He’s got issues with his left foot (drop foot) but the therapist is confident that it will get better. He was visited today by Dr. Bergqvist, the surgeon that did his latest surgery. He removed the dressing from his 7-inch incision and took the drains out. The only thing still attached to Dad is the heart monitor. They are still tweaking his meds to get exactly the right result for him. There was mention of him being able to go home as early as next week. God willing and the creek don’t rise.

Mom’s sonogram on her carotid looked good… minimal blockage. We just need to keep an eye on it. She underwent a stress test today and everything came back looking good. She’ll be discharged today. Personally, I think the body is only able to take so much. She’s been so strong through this entire ordeal that something had to give.

We are thankful for every one of you reading this… you have helped us immensely. We can feel the love and prayers and they’ve made a world of difference. God bless you.

Mom was admitted to Saint Vincent today. She hasn’t felt well for a couple days and when her arm started hurting, and felt a tightness in her chest, she was smart enough to tell DuAnn that she needed to go to the emergency room. Come to find out that Mom is having heart trouble as well. Her heart rate was low and there seems to be some sort of murmur in her carotid artery. Thankfully she was aware of the warning signs and got help before she had a heart attack.

She will have a sonogram on her carotid and a stress test on her heart tomorrow. Once those results come back, we will know more about what we’re dealing with.

So yes… Mom AND Dad are now in the hospital. Dad at Select (room 306), Mom at Vincent (room 3209).

Everybody is asking how Mom is holding up.  She is a very strong lady, I always knew that but I didn’t know how strong.  She has been in with Dad every day, all day.  Somedays I think she should be home more just to relax, but she says she can do that in the hospital.  Maybe now that he is doing better she will try to chill out at home a little.  I really doubt it though.   

Happy Birthday to Ashley, Kendra and Rachel!!!  They are 13 today!!  WOW teenagers!  Of course they are Doug’s girls and I hope they love being 13.  Christmas in July, Mom isn’t kidding.

Dad is at Select Specialty Hospital, 252 West 11th St, Erie, PA.  He is in room 306 and visiting hours are 12 noon until 8 pm, visitors are welcome.  We have been waiting a long time to say that.  He does get confused and he will be having therapy so just keep this in mind if you decide to visit.

Happy Birthday to Nathan Robert Pavolko, who is 15 today!!!  He is my oldest and thinks at 15 he should be able to drive.  He has taken over lawn mowing for Nana and Papa.  Thank you and love you Nate!

He did get moved today to Select Specialty Hospital in Erie.  We are hoping and praying that this move will help with his confusion.  The problem is that they don’t have sitters, someone to sit with a patient.  That leaves it up to us to sit with him around the clock, again! 

I really don’t know what else to say.  This SUCKS!!!!!