Prayers for my 99 year old stepdad please

[Denise]

I got a call at 4 PM today from St. Joseph Residence. Henry fell and they had to call an ambulance and they took him to the hospital. He is getting x-rays etc. and I haven't gotten an update yet. Please keep him in your prayers.

[MarieT]

mercy
Lord mercifully hear our prayers for Henry please

[Denise]

Henry has a fractured spine around the L4 or L5. We are thanking God he didn't break his hips or anything else. My husband has gone to Dallas to be with him; they said they are keeping him overnight to come up with a game plan. I was just told that surgery will fix this right up. He is in pain but won't take pain killers. I know Henry and I know he is offering the pain up for Dale.

[MarieT]

bless him
saddened he is in pain
Lord mercifully hear our prayers for Dale and Henry

[Denise]

Stephen said Henry was very pitiful last night but seems better this morning. I was able to speak with him on the phone and he sounded pretty good. They have fitted him for a back brace and will take him for an MRI at some point this morning so they can come up with a game plan. Any surgery is out of the question due to his age of 99 yrs and 7 months. He also will not take pain meds as he wants to suffer like Jesus for the salvation of souls here and in Purgatory.

I didn't mention that when I got notified Henry was in emergency, he'd been there about 15 minutes and I quickly called the priest we all know and love. He answered right away and when I told him about Henry he said he was 3 minutes away and said he was on the way to see him. He stayed for about an hour, prayed many prayers and gave Henry the Anointing of the Sick.

After the visit the priest called me and we talked about the timing of my call and his location. Yep! And actually he was 2 minutes away. Amazing... and God is in control.✝

[MarieT]

thanks be to God!

how wonderful

[Denise]

We got great news. The MRI showed NO compression at all so the back brace will suffice. They are going to get him up to start walking. Please keep praying for this lovely man. My husband just arranged for him to receive Holy Communion tomorrow.

[MarieT]

thanks be to God - great news!
prayed for Henry and Dale this morning at Mass.
God's speed for their healings

[Denise]

Thanks, Marie!

They tried to get Henry up but he is so weak he couldn't even sit up. I think the therapist will be in Monday to start working with him. I certainly appreciate the prayers.

[MarieT]

gosh poor thing must be in great pain

continuing prayers - hope all will be ok
Lord mercifully hear us

[Denise]

Henry called us last night and sounded weak, but told us he was able to sit up and he even ate twice yesterday. They finally convinced him to take pain meds every 4 hours and I could tell he'd had something but was still lucid. He even laughed and joked around and was so happy to have received Holy Communion yesterday, Sunday.

The doctor explained to him that he would more than likely have pain the rest of his life and I can understand that. I broke my back when I was 22 and I still suffer from it. Of course you make friends with the pain and just offer it up. Henry doesn't need to be in traction like I was and it seems the back brace will do the job. I have no idea where this will go from here so please keep up the prayers that are much appreciated.

[MarieT]

continuing prayers....hope he will be ok

[Denise]

Henry sat up in a chair today for an hour and even ate a meal while doing so. It was a good day.

[MarieT]

thanks be to God
wonderful

[Denise]

Update on Henry.

He had a much better night last night. Slept very well ! They had to put oxygen on through the night because O2 levels were dropping down to 86 intermittently. Took him off 02 this morning. Ate fairly well for breakfast. Oatmeal, fruit, French toast. He shaved and brushed teeth himself this morning.

The fellow/intern came in a few minutes ago. After recent blood work results, Sodium levels are rising after med changes! At 123 now …the goal is keeping above 130. New crew of nurses/techs arrived. They are very nice and quite amazed at Henry's age and mental abilities!