Good morning everyone!

First I'd like to thank everyone so much for all of your positive feedback and responses. We are so grateful that Dad is surrounded by so much love and support.  We apologize for not updating this earlier but it feels as if every day something changes! 

Dad was doing really well with his therapy and was released from the hospital. He has since been admitted to a rehabilitation facility to continue his PT. It's been a rather bumpy ride where Dad takes three steps forward and two steps back. However in the end we are happy that he is headed in the right direction. 

He will stay at the facility until July 17th. Our cousin, Jerry, will be arriving the day before.  Jerry will be bringing Dad back to the house on the 17th and helping him settle in. He will stay there until the 23rd.

The kids and I (Erika) will be coming back to Dayton from July 22nd through August 17th. The goal is to have some good family time with Grandpa, but also to help him adjust to whatever his new lifestyle will look like. From August 16th to August 23rd our cousin, Julie, will then be coming in to help Dad out.  We're not sure what that is going to look like after Julie leaves and so it's a kind of an open-ended question.  Meanwhile, Kristin is looking at flights to possibly return again.   We will see how he progresses before we line up any more visits.

In the meantime, Kristin and I are looking into Medicare and his long-term care insurance to find someone who will be better able to assist dad on a daily or weekly basis depending on what his needs are. We are working with Dad, his doctors, and the PT/OTs to ensure he's got the right plan moving forward.

As far as how he is feeling? Really really tired. I'd say that's 90% of how he feels most of the time. He also is frustrated, as anybody would be, going from being in such great physical shape to not having your body keep up with what you wanted to do! 

Dad has taken an amazing approach to all of this. He's reverting back to his track days. He said that his body is out of shape and he needs to train for a race and this is how he looks at all of it. I have to say it's quite inspiring to so many people. He's motivated to do the physical therapy, motivated to do the right thing, and yet still can still think logically about how he will be needing help. As he says "preparing for track meet!"

We are grateful he is able to keep such a strong mental approach to all of this. He's even able to crack some jokes and flirt with a couple nurses.   As mom would say, "just cope" - and coping is what he is doing. I wouldn't say he's thrilled  - as his whole world right now is being annoyed at the terrible food at the rehab, missing his Doubleday's pizza, the lack of TV channels, and the size of the teeny TV in his room. Which, could anybody blame him? 😁  

He understands the rehab is temporary hence the jokes, but needless to say he is very much looking forward to being back in his own home for some sense of normalcy. It's what keeps him going.

What can you do? 

Probably not in person visits at this time. I think he's too tired. Phone calls are even hard for him as I probably talk to him for 5-10 minutes a day before he runs out of energy.  He doesn't check his voicemail but you are welcome to try!  I think sending an email is great. He's working his way up to checking his email, so he will eventually get there. He's working on focusing on a screen and he's not 100% there yet without getting exhausted. But, I know he will be checking his emails soon.   Also, if you want to send him a card I think that would be very appreciated too? He doesn't need flowers or anything. He has his book, his laptop, and his tv until he gets home. 

You are welcome to send him a card to his facility if you think it will get there before the 17th.   Otherwise feel free to send him a card to his home address.   Our wonderful neighbor, Mike, is gracious enough to be looking over the house and collecting mail until Dad returns home. 

Until July 16th (leaves morning of July 17th)

Englewood Health and Rehab                                                                                                                                                                      C/O David Durham Room #122                                                                                                                                                                  425 Lauricella Court                                                                                                                                                                        Englewood, OH 45322                                                                                                                                                                                              Facility Ph:  937-836-5143                                                                                                                                                                                     Dad Cell Ph:  937-671-5020                                                                                                                                                                                 email:  bobcatdurham@gmail.com

Home address after July 16th                                                                                                                                                                  David Durham                                                                                                                                                                                                    1688 Ladera Trail   Dayton, OH 45459                                                                                                                                                             Home Phone:  937-434-0701   Cell Ph:  937-671-5020                                                                                                                       email:   bobcatdurham@gmail.com 

Thank you again all for your kind words and support each of you is so appreciated. We look forward to seeing the progress that Dad is making and it's hopeful that he will get stronger. 

Warmest regards and much love,

Erika and Kristin