The past few days have been busy, but very very progressive. 

This past weekend, my aunt earlene ( my moms twin ) and my cousins came to visit my dad. They were in town from Atlanta and made their way over. It's so easy to put a smile on his face. 

My mother in law and husbands grandmother also came to visit a few days before, but I don't always have my camera handy.

We also held the fundraiser (flyer posted in previous post) and received the most generous donations! We raised approx. $2000 in just one weekend between donations and sales. We are so thankful for the people we have been blessed to have in our lives! My sisters and mothers neighbor worked sooooooo hard getting the fundraiser yard sale together and it paid off, we're one step closer to getting the wheelchair and bed my father needs! We will of course be sending off "thank you's" soon!

This week started off pretty awesome. My dads physical therapist showed us how to get my father into a wheelchair! We were of course so excited about this as he hasn't been able to get into a wheel chair or even be mobile for 3 months! 

amazingly he does most of the work while she assists

 he was so happy to finally be out of the room

His therapist expressed to us that it's "ALL GOD'S WORK" that is helping my father do all of the things he is able to do. She said that even during conversations she has with other medical professionals that they are ALL amazed with how my father is progressing. 

The next day he had an appointment scheduled with his orthopedic oncologist who performed both of his hip surgeries to follow up. We have been going by the original hip restrictions given to us upon his release from the hospital a month and a half ago so we were anxious to find out how his surgeries were healing~

of course kailynn-james always has to get her playtime in

they played with her beanie babies and watched dora together before her left for his appt.

When transport u arrived, the owner of the company asked me how our fundraiser went. I of course filled him in on how we did and he graciously said "well, on behalf of my company, I would like to donate this money to helping get your father whatever he needs" and handed a check to me. Wow was the only word that popped into my mind. This company truly cares. Throughout the entire time my father has had to be transported by companies, ambulances, staffers, etc. he never felt as comfortable with them as he does with Transport U and that makes us happy. A very big thank you to them for their caring hands while they transport him and their caring hearts for their donation. 

getting him out the door to his appt. he's looking at kailynn-james. he said "she's always in that same place when I leave". She stands on the edge of the steps and quietly watches as they transport him.

 mommy waving as she's right behind them. everything in the bag that he may happen to need while they're out.

  she pointed at my parents truck and said "I want to leave" I said "not right now kailynn-james, mommy has to go back in and work" she says "but I want to go get him"... ran up to me, hugged my leg and cried. These 2 are new BFF's!

The bad thing about the day was the SUPER LONG TIME that they had to wait to be seen by the dr. His appointment was scheduled for noon and they weren't seen until 5:00pm. I was very upset as I called every 2 hours wondering if they'd been seen yet. I can't imagine how uncomfortable it may be to have to lay on a stretcher for 6.5 hours! Luckily my mom is always on top of things and took my dads medicine with them to ensure he got all of his meds on time. The amazing thing is that the Transport U guys waited without one complaint directed to my parents. They did relay to the hospital manager how inconsiderate it is to have a patient waiting uncomfortably on a stretcher for that long and expressed that it was unacceptable that my parents weren't able to eat due to the wait.

With all of that aside, when my father was finally seen, he was given some pretty good news. His surgeries are healing wonderfully AND his bones are regenerating growth! That's awesome! Although his restrictions won't be lifted for another month and a half, we are ecstatic to know that his bones are working hard to heal and fight!

Yesterday and today we decided it was time to use the instructions given by my fathers physical therapist and get him in the wheel chair ourselves! My mom and I had a little struggle at first due to her concerns with moving my father, but after further confirmation from his therapist that it was ok, my mom finally budged and agreed. It was pretty easy getting my father in his wheelchair as he does most of the work on his own! 

kailynn-james and little kardan getting in their playtime

 Daddy in his wheel chair, gazing out of the window at the lake, listening to the rain coupled with spa music and reading his bible. 

reading his bible

After we helped transfer him back from the chair to the bed he had more visitors. "Shawn PrayerCoach Cook" came over and lead a bible study with my dad, sister, mother and cousin Belinda. Although I was not home during the time, my cousin acted as photographer and took some shots for the blog.

Until next time! ~Good Night~

Thank you ALL for your love, support and prayers! 

Today I woke up with every intention of working during the wee hours of the morning to meet my deadline so that I would have the rest of the day free. So much for that idea! Of course I will meet my deadline today, but not as I had originally planned.

For some reason every morning I wake up, all I can think of is what I'm going to do next to help my dad. I am POSITIVE that my sister Mecia has that same feeling because my phone rings every morning between 7am & 7:40am.

When he was in the hospital I found myself there almost everyday. Sometimes missing out on new job opportunities and even taking much longer than usual to turn around jobs I had worked on. I found myself fussing people out (in my mind) if they asked me for favors or even rushed me to do something because at that moment, nothing ANYONE ELSE WAS TALKING ABOUT OR ASKING FROM ME was important. (except of course my husband/mom/kids, but they too were unfortunately coming in second). I found myself dragging my macbook pro right along with me to the hospital each day along with my kids most of the time so that I could complete my work. We were there for hours and hours @ points and sometimes I was only able to be there for 2 hours, but I was there. I was beginning to use the visitor passes as sticky notes to jot down important dates and notes for future jobs.

some of the visitors passes accumulated

At one point I even turned down work, rightfully so. I found myself looking SIDEWAYS at people who (in my opinion) didn't show that they even cared that my father was in the hospital.... This was clearly something I needed to pray about. I shortly realized that if you have to "force" people to be there for someone so WONDERFUL that has only done Good for people, that they just weren't meant to be there. Please don't misunderstand, I am not saying I expected people to be there physically, I was just searching for something to show ME that they even cared. I then realized, this isn't about ME and got over any feelings of anger and abandonment immediately.

I remember him being in the hospital and his face would LIGHT UP when someone came to visit him. He's always been a "people person" :)

It's SOOOOO much better with my father here with us. I am overjoyed that my parents actually live with us! At this moment I should actually be doing work but again, I find myself feeling like a lot of my day should be dedicated to my dad. NOT out of obligation, but out of PURE LOVE for him.

Yesterday, he met with his spine surgeon. Transport U came to pick him up again. These guys are great, but no one really knows they exist. They are very reasonable in cost compared to the $800+ quotes we were getting before we found them. And we are beyond grateful that MD Veterans Affairs has offered to pay the bill each and every time he needs to be transported.

praying before they come to pick him up

 

saying see you later to kailynn-james

strapped and ready to go

 rushing to get her purse . there's no way they're leaving her behind! SHE is attached at his hip.

waving at us

i wanted to see what he sees laying in the bed all day. this is the view from his window. Thank God for shining the sun right into his room. 

Kailynn-James and I went outside to sprinkle the withered plants that I purchased for my father last month into the garden area. I noticed this one plant that was left abandoned by us and sat outside to wither that was still holding on... still fighting to bloom. SO PROFOUND. Reminded me of my father. Feeling like we've been left to figure it all out with GOD'S help, he is fighting to heal and bloom again. And he IS. I brought this plant back into the house and will continue to care for it. 

kailynn-james waited on the steps for a bit until she realized they wouldn't be right back.

The news from his spinal surgeon was GOOD+bad I guess. He said that his spine has healed well from the surgery but that there is a very large tumor breaking his L5.... He explained that there are no restrictions and that my dad should be able to sit up... He also said that he doesn't see a need for surgery at this time since my dad has recently gone through 3 surgeries and his body needs to heal. 

kailynn-james volunteered to find a movie for my dad to watch and brought charlie's angels to him from the entertainment cabinet. she also insisted on having lunch with him as well even though she had just had a lunch of her own.

As most of you may know, my sister Mecia and my parents neighbor Stephanie have pulled together a community yard sale for tomorrow. Initially the idea of having a sale and accepting donations made me feel "needy" or as if we were "begging" for help. Wondering will people think we "NEED" help???... and I QUICKLY got over this because truthfully, we need all the help we can get. Emotionally, Prayerfully, Financially, etc. It is unfortunate when someone sooooooooooo good is being denied the things that will help make their life better but cost soooo much. 

At this sale, they will be selling very quality items in hopes of raising funds to purchase a new medical bed for my father and a Barton Medical Convertible chair that is VERY MUCH NEEDED. Due to my fathers frail bones, he is unable to get into a chair on his own. The Barton Medical Chair has made it possible for patients similar to my father to be able to be transferred safely onto the stretcher which converts to a chair! check it out > http://www.bartonmedical.com/ . His physical therapist has stated that she would put in a referral for kaiser to approve to pay for this chair, but with the way kaiser has been denying A LOT of the recent needs for my father we are not sure they will approve. This experience has made the words "good quality of life" sound like curse words to me... Their idea of a good quality of life is to lay in a bed, unable to move, pain free... This may make since for an 80/90 year old person that has lived their life to the fullest, but CERTAINLY not for a man who is FIGHTING to heal, NOT giving up, who wants so badly to sit up in a chair and watch cartoons with his grandchildren... To sit up and be strolled up the sidewalk with his walk and EVENTUALLY WALK while holding hands with his wife of 38 years... THAT'S a good quality of life.... 

Please take a look @ the flyer and come show your support if you are available!

Monetary donations may also be sent to forwewalkbyfaithnotsight@yahoo.com via paypal. 

Lastly, little Kardan had a dream recently that my father was walking. Actually a lot of us have. He drew a picture of my dad standing and gave it to him. 

Ok, it's time to get to work. I have a deadline to meet. 

YARD SALE FOR A CAUSE

A few of Mecia's Diary Entires

These are only some of my entries starting from when we first found out Daddy Had Prostate Cancer. Not all...I may share more later. Don't forget about the Yard Sale this weekend. September 25, 2010.

January 28th- The day we all found out that Daddy had Prostate Cancer:
Message I got From Tawny before she told me and the message I sent trying to find Andrew so he could hold me while I rode the train home crying.



Email from Tawny to me...the day we found out
From: J Vision
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 3:57 PM
To: Muckelvene, Jamecia
PLEASE CALL ME!


My Email to Andrew's Co-worker after Tawny told me.

PLEASE HAVE ANDREW CALL ME>>>EMERGENCY!@!!!


When I found out… immediately fell to the floor in my office crying. Searching for Andrew’s phone number, although it was already in my head, I couldn’t get a grip on what was happening. One of my co-workers heard me crying and asked me what she could do and I asked her to find Andrew and she did, I don’t know how, because she didn’t know him nor does he work in my building, but somehow, she found him. The first train I would ride alone…I was crying and one of the folks on the train, a nice lady prayed with me…she said everything will be just fine and that her father too had cancer. She was so nice, then I rode the train with Andrew and just cried while he held me. He too said everything will be just fine.
The same day, I sent this message to the Fun Bunch (also known as my sisters who I love dearly, they have always been here for me and my family to keep us smiling and laughing even in times of trouble. I love each and every-one of them dearly)to include my BFF who is always here for and with us KATONA! Love her sooooooo much!

I would like to ask all of you to pray for my father. As of today, he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I want to pray this away. The doctor which reviewed his cat scan said it has spread. The devil is a liar. Please keep my family in your prayers and pray for my father James Irving Muckelvene. The devil is a liar and with ALL of you prayer, we can prove it...GOD has the last say...so please pray that my father is healed from this cancer and will see all of his grandchildren graduated from high school and be healthy. I won't be responding.. but THANK YOU in advance.

PRAISE GOD FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!!! THANK YOU GOD FOR MY FRIENDS.


January 30- We have a family Prayer call every Friday which still happens, this is when we started praying for Daddy. Feel free to call in…the number and pin are the same. This is the message I sent to my family. Starts at 8:30PM Call in number 1-218-936-4141 Pin 932906

Hello All-

Last Thursday, my father was told by one of his doctors that he has prostate cancer and it has possibly spread to his vertebrate. Next week, he will have further testing, by doctors which specialize in reviewing and diagnosing patients. Last friday, my family and I prayed via conference call with other family members. WE ALL KNOW WHO has the LAST WORD, so again, I am asking us all to come together and pray via conference call. Please review the text below for the time and date. You all are the participants and I am the organizer; therefore your access code is 932906. I hope to hear you chime in to pray for my father. I will ask for some volunteer to pray , but if you just want to listen and pray with us there is POWER in that to, so please do join. If you have a pastor or someone you know that you would like to chime in, please forward this to them.

There will be 150 lines, so if you can gather some folks together instead of using an additional line, that would be helpful. So there isn't a lot of noise, or folks talking over one another I would ask that once you state your name and who is with you, that you place your call on mute until I state your name. If you chime in while someone is talking, please just wait until the person on the phone stops talking, I will be sure to ask if someone else has chimed in so you can identify yourself.

Please contact anyone that will be interested in praying. If they can not log into this prayer session, please have them email me and I would love to set up another conference call prayer session.

thank you,
Mecia


March 1st~ My First time on the Prayer Call, Me sharing the prayer line with others. Shawn still has his prayer call every morning from 8:20-8:30 same call in information. Do CALL SO AWESOME!

From: Muckelvene, Jamecia
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 8:57
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: DAILY Prayer Conference Call
DAILY Prayer Conference Call, EVERY morning 8:20am-8:30am with Min Shawn Matthew Cook. I listened for the first time today, My words exactly: HALLELUJAH!!! IT WAS AWESOME!
Conference Call number 1-866-846-3997, passcode 7875456
GOD BLESS, Mecia


July 28th –
Message from Dad to my phone

Message from dad:



Hi all,
I had an appt today and it ran late. I was out of there with very satisfying results. My oncologist says the radiation did very well and nothing was there. I do however have trouble walking she does not understand why but she referred me to a spinal surgeon and she knows he can help m with that. After saying my prayer i felt the news would be good and it was. Good night all.

July 29th 2010-
His calcium levels are high which is the cause of fractured bones (arms and legs). His doctor got some results today and said he needs to be admitted so they can get them down. I drove them to the hospital and I'm still here. My mom really needs us here for her. Daddy stated in his prayer before we left that we bind worry...so...

This is our prayer for my dad today which we said OUTLOUD; please pray this prayer with us.

We speak to the outcome of what we want for James Muckelvene not anything else! And so we say even right now that those calcium levels will decrease right now in James' body in the name of Jesus! We call a halt to the production of anything above normal levels in His body. We speak now to every tissue and cell in His body. We call his bones strong and firm in Jesus' Name! We call forth a hearty appetite and full function of his metabolism in the name of Jesus'! We believe and speak restoration and full function of his spine and back. We curse at the root every symptom left by cancer! We call Him Cancer FREE in Jesus Name. Devil you are bound! Calcium you are bound! Loss of appetite you are bound! Weak bones you are bound! We halt hinder and break your attack right now in the name Of Jesus! We Loose restoration! We loose strength! We loose energy, faith, confidence expectation and full and complete restoration! Oh and it is so right now! Oh yes we see it God we praise you for the testimony of healing we praise you for the testimony of restoration! We praise you for James Muckelvene. We see James Muckelvene walking running jumping. We see him cutting the grass! Taking walks in the park! Testifying and praising you! We believe that we have already received it! We hold on to this alone! We grip it with our hearts souls and minds and we celebrate it as done I Jesus' Name!
We worship you for your Word being true in James' life God. We worship you for making yourself known through Him! Our faith our trust our expectation are of you Thank you God for His wholeness, his peace, his comfort, his rest, James is resting in your promise. We bind worry, fear, guilt and confusion. We declare that James will live and NOT die in Jesus Name! We decree Psalm 91 over his life even right now! Psalm 27 over his life right now! Psalm 23 and Psalm 103 over James Life right now and it is so it is so IT IS SO! In Jesus Name it is so, it is so, it is so!!! AMEN


July 30~

I wish I could have stayed at the hospital last night. We try to get mommy to come home and just rest, but she’s determined to stay in the hospital with my dad. I'm headed back to the hospital after dropping James off to day care this am Yesterday, I had to pick up MRI results from last week and make sure it got to the hospital. So this morning the doctor will probably explain 1. Why it was important to admit him to the hospital and. 2. What the plan is to get him better. It’s so much but GOD loves us and will carry us through. Headed to the hospital soon to see what else I need to do.

August 26~ I went to the Hospital (Washington Hospital Center) to visit daddy today arriving about 3:40pm. Mommy was surprised to see me there so early. The first thing she said was…Daddy’s Chemo went well. She was all smiles. He had it at about 3am and he said it wasn't as bad as he thought. He looked good and was talking. When I arrived he was looking in the bible for motivational scriptures. Mommy said they will be moving him to another place.
Tawny had told me earlier, and neither of us agree with the move, but we know that GOD is moving so, we will go with HIS flow. Tawny also told me she keeps crying uncontrollably and she’s not sure why, I told her because Daddy is healed so that’s why she keeps crying. Those are tears of joy. Her and I feeling like so many people doubt the power of Christ. Some telling us their stories of losing their father’s or saying just be prepared. Be prepared for what?? The fact that HE IS HEALED … I am already claiming that Victory, GOD’s word say’s BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. However, I know that they Doubt that daddy will be healed.
I had a good talk with one of my GOOD Friends and today he as well and he reminded me that GODs will shall be done. GOD is GOOD and I agree HIS will shall be done. When reading GODs word and writing my prayer today the LORD speaks of Healing sickness and disease and HIS will be done on earth as it is in Heaven and there is no sickness or disease in heaven. So this moment too shall pass, the moment of healing and Daddy is Healed.

August 31

Today is Mommy's Birthday and yesterday, daddy came home. Him and mommy will be staying at Tawnys house. When I arrived, there was a red car in the driveway and I initially thought it was Aunt Earline. However, the person in the car was Gin -of- eve. That's not how you spell it, but it makes it so much easier to say. We spoke and I introduced myself telling her my name and she asked if James is the patient, I said yes and went on to telling her our names. Janique, Jamecia, and Jatawny. The three Ja-s. When we walked in the house Mommy was on the stairs. I gave her a warm hello hug and kiss on the cheek. The nurse said to her. You have a degree in three girls and mommy just laughed. Daddy’s new room is Tawny's husbands office on the first floor. She decorated it really nice. Flowers, pictures, scriptures, Daddy small flat-screen television and other things he may need. The Hosp. loaned us a bed, wheelchair and an oxygen machine. When I walked in I was surprised, but happy to see Shawn was there talking with daddy. It looked like they were having a GOOD talk. I could tell. But when I looked at daddy. It brought tears to my eyes because for one, he was finally home and two because NOW we can take care of him. Keep reading him THE WORD, GOOD FOOD and LOTS OF LOVE with no interruptions. This way, We can get him back to where we want him…back to walking, laughing and me getting on his nerves again. I just can't believe it was only back in January when we found out and all this happened. Like mommy said "how did we get here?". Its all so surreal. This is my DAD, the man that has always taken care of us. No matter what!!! He loves my mom and they have been married for over 38 year. 11 additional days today. UGGHHHHH! But I have to keep reminding myself walk by faith, not by sight.

So when I arrive Shawn is there and later he sings with Daddy, then he anoints his room. Shawn is such an awesome man of GOD, and AWESOME husband to his wife, dad, son, brother and friend. He really is. While Shawn was there the nurse came in and spoke to daddy.


September 8 2010-

Came to Tawnys house and Belinda, Shawn, mommy and Daddy are here for Praise and Worship. OH WOW was it AWESOME!!! We PRAISED AND WORSHIP CHRIST!!! GOD IS SO GOOD! Here are some of the Notes.

Acts 12: 5-15 and Daniel 9 and 10. The angels surround you in your prayers and hear you. GOD is present during praise. Angels respond to prayer. As they did for Daniel 6. Daniel in the lions den. GOD super naturally responds to prayer. Daniel prayed 3 times a day. David Psalms 68 verse 1 and 2. Psalms 114. Verse 5-7. Earthquakes equal GOD showing up. Psalms 18 verse 3-10 (start). The earth trembles and shakes when GOD is present. Revelation 5. Praising.

John 11:
The Just shall live by faith
Without faith, its impossible to believe in GOD.
Thanks is a form of praise.
Father I thank you that you always here me. Then he told lazeres to raise from the dead.

The wall of Jerricho. 7 days they walked around the building. Praise causes GOD to show up.
Luke 9
Every time you hear praise you see a miracle.
Praise proceeds the manifestation of God honoring his word. As you praise GOD , he shows up. Begin to worship GOD and give praise. Do not be moved by anything , but what you believe.

Hebrews Chapter 3
It seems like this has been going on for a long time. So I declare in my oath. You turn away from GOD in you unbelief. Unbelief is sin.

Today if you hear his voice do not rebel. Healing is the promise. Faith is acting like you believe it even when you don't see it. We who believe speak. We who have the spirit of faith we believe so therefore we speak.

Jesus marveled at faith and unbelief. He weeped when the people didn't believe.

Ye of little faith. As Jesus is so are we in this world. We have the ability to speak to the storm.

Raising Funds

YARD SALE

Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 14103 Gamma Ct, Bowie MD

7am until! 

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO A COMMUNITY PROSTATE CANCER PATIENT JAMES MUCKELVENE

WE WOULD LIKE TO GET HIM A Nice MEDICAL BED

Goal: $2,500 - $5,000

Read his story~ http://4wewalkbyfaith.blogspot.com/

Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (PCAW) 

COME support one of OUR BOWIE Residents Fighting CANCER

Please email forwewalkbyfaithnotsight@yahoo.com if you have items you would like to sale for donations or donate funds, grocery cards, etc. 

baby... no, WARRIOR steps

Today I am totally exhausted. I have been running around since 7am. 

6:00 am- kiss my husband goodbye & wish him luck as he leaves to play in a WPT circuit event in Atlantic City.

6:20 am- time to wake little Kardan up for school

7 am- mom and I make sure dad has his medicine

7:25am- get ready to walk out the door to drop little Kardan off to school while kailynn-james cries and holds on vigorously to my leg. I just didn't have the energy today to get her dressed to ride with me to drop her big brother off.

7:40 am- little Kardan begins to cry again as I drop him off. I think it may have a lot to do with the new changes in his life. My parents now stay with us, so he doesn't seem to want to "miss" anything. He says he's crying because he "loves us and doesn't want us to leave him"

8:00am- headed to Safeway to pick up over the counter medicine for my dad but the road is blocked off.

8:10am- go home instead to get Kailynn-James dressed so that she can ride with me back to the store.

8:20 am- I walk in my fathers room to find him on the telephone speaking on Shawn Cook's prayer line, overjoyed with tears flowing down his cocoa/caramel colored cheeks as he gives his testimony of being able to stand on monday.  

8:30am- pick up some groceries and medicine

9:30 am- drop off medicine and food & head back out to fax a permit application for a client. Also pick up some office supplies so that I can re-organize my office sometime soon!

10:30 am- Head over to target to pick up pajama pants for my dad. The pants that he has have gotten a little loose on him. Also pick up a few more items for my office.

11:00 am- Receive a call from my fathers physical therapist telling me she'd be over around 12 or 12:30 this afternoon. I tell her how my father has been looking forward to her visit. 

11:45am- I pull back up just in time for his therapy! 

Today was another amazing day of Therapy. HE TOOK FOUR S T E P S forward and FOUR STEPS back..... NOT BABY STEPS... WARRIOR STEPS (as elbie put it!) She (his therapist) brings a MILLION smiles to his face. Under normal circumstances I think my mom may have been a little jealous about how she makes his eyes light up, but SHE makes my moms eyes light up when she walks in as well. Today she told my dad how much God loves him. 

first she began with leg pumps and other exercises my father is familiar with.

and then she got right into getting him OUT of the bed.

& sitting 

breathing in and out

time to stand UP

"hold your head up high" she tells him.

as usual, you can find kailynn-james RIGHT in his room watching it all.

look at that smile.

now it's time to walk. 

we are so proud.

she places her hand on his shoulder and tells him how proud she is. He says he's ready to do it again and she laughs. "oh no, not yet, I know my limits!" 

That's it for me for now, I have GOT to get some work done. 

"Tawny, COME LOOK, HURRY!!!"

Today has been a pretty amazing day!

Let me start with a few other updates that lead up to today first. The other day one of my father's nurses came to visit. While she was here, she volunteered to cut his hair and shave his beard for him. Due to the chemo, his hair is beginning to shed a bit so he wanted to get it cut to cut down on the shedding.

Mariama giving my father a hair cut & my mom collecting his hair. 

Mariama couldn't cut his hair as short as she wanted because we didn't know how to use the guards on my husbands clippers and he wasn't at home to assist us. 

A few days later, Melissa (a friend of ours & an EMT) volunteered to come over and help my mom with giving my father a shot in his stomach. I should also mention, it was Melissa's birthday, but that didn't stop her from coming over to assist. I've been giving him his neuprogen shots (in his leg) for his chemo, but a shot in the stomach was something that I knew I wouldn't be comfortable doing. I am not sure why, but the thought of poking/stabbing my father in the stomach with a needle just made me feel terrible. 

My mom tried nervously to administer the shot unsuccessfully. Melissa, feeling sorry for her volunteered to give the shot instead! Needless to say, my dad made a "that was easy" face and smirked at my mom.

Melissa helping my mom with the needle.

Today, no one came to my moms rescue and no matter how much she pleaded with me, the stomach shot was not something I was going to give in and administer. She wiped my dads stomach with the alcohol pad about 5 times until he said "Pearl, you've wiped me 5 times already!" He then said "just pluck the needle, push out the bubbles, push it into my stomach and push the medicine in!". She tried once and pulled back exclaiming "I can't Tawny, you have to do it!" I said "Mommy, you can't because you keep saying you can't!" she went in again nervously and tried to push it into his skin, her hand was shaking and my father and I began to laugh uncontrollably. "Give me the needle Pearl" he says. "Ok, no, I'm going to do it" she says and pushes it in! SUCCESS! 

After she was done, he laughs and says "I was going to holler really loud and scare her, but she would have been so mad!"

HILARIOUS! I sure wish he would have, that would have made my day.

My dad wanted his hair cut all off so my husband cut it for him this morning. 

Kardan cutting my dads hair

A few hours after my father's haircut, I receive a phone call from his physical therapist telling me she was on her way. I was super excited as we were having issues with Kaiser even approving a physical therapist... Imagine that... You give my father a hip replacement, spinal surgery and a pin in his other hip but give up on anyone coming over to show him how to function after the surgeries... But that's a whole different story. Thank GOD for GOD!

So his physical therapist comes over. I assumed they would be doing the regular routine they did previously. All of the sudden I hear "Tawny, COME LOOK, HURRY!!!" I walk into my fathers room.... and he is SITTING UP..... Please keep in mind that he has been laying down in the bed for @ least 2 months at this point. Immediately I am teary eyed.

daddy waving at me while sitting up.

My mom calls everyone down to see.

Kailynn-James & Little Kardan in their oversized t-shirts and Big Kardan & my nephew De'Andre smile in amazement.

But wait, it gets sooooo much better.....

daddy & his therapist

mommy, therapist & daddy STANDING  U P!!!

these are not tears of pain or sadness, these are tears of joy that regardless of feeling like dr's have given up on him, GOD has not and he is able to STAND...

daddy as a tear rolls down the side of his face.

I must say.... today was a great day.