The nurse, Kim,  just came running down the hall to get us... of course, I automatically braced myself for the worst, but she was quick to tell us that Dad was awake. Kim said she was standing over him and said "You have wonderful daughters," and he nodded his head. 

We ran to his bed... I don't think I've ever seen Nana move so fast. ;)

We got a load of responses from him. He gave Pop a wink for his birthday, and he knows we're there for him. He's resting again now, but that was more than we could have asked for after a day like yesterday.

Kim also told us that they're done cooling him down, and now they're warming him back up. They won't be closing him tomorrow like we thought, but they can leave him open for a long period of time without there being any issues.

He's dozing off again, but thank the Lord that we got that brief time to know he's hearing us.

All your prayers are working, keep it up!

Love you all!

What I'm carrying with me today...

Hey, all, it's Charissa. Hope you enjoyed that picture of me that Steph took... don't worry, I'll get my payback eventually.

I just got back from visiting Dad. He's moving around a lot today, coming out of what sedatives he's been under. Even though he's not really awake, I SWEAR he fidgeted a bit more when we mentioned him needing a haircut. 

I just want to personally thank everyone for the support... it's so incredibly helpful to know that everyone out there is praying as hard as we are. I don't think I've ever prayed so hard in my life, but it's such a relief to know you all are too. Seeing all that support makes it easier to face each hour ahead of us.

Keep praying, and go Steelers!

-Riss

Just got back from some visiting with dad and my favorite nurse Kim... he is much the same as last night, unstable heart but no arrhythmia yet (21 hours and counting). They are going to clean his chest again today and change his dressing, but they're not sure exactly when yet so I'll let everyone know when we find out.

We have lots of sitting and waiting ahead of us... Nana/Aunt Jo, Tami, Mom, and I are really enjoying reading your messages - keep 'em coming! (Tami was the biggest crier though - she got tears on my computer :P )


Everyone with a Happy Birthday to Pop/Uncle Eddie... 81 years young and still keeping up with Josie - God bless the man :)


Love you all



PS picture of Charissa in the Sedor waiting room - there's so many of us that we've taken over a whole room :)

Good morning everyone... just called in to the day nurse and things are much the same as they were when we left last night. No more arrhythmia since 4 yesterday afternoon, so we are thankful for that. She said he's moving around and opening his eyes, but not yet to command, so he's still coming out of it. I don't blame him - there's a lot of reason NOT to be awake right now. Heart is still fickle, so they are watching closely and anything can happen at the moment.

Tami got in safely and the assistant priest, Fr. Radu, at our Pittsburgh church, Holy Trinity, went to pick her up - talk about amazing clergy! We're expecting more family in tonight - that will help build up the physical support to supplement all the distant support you have been providing, which all helps us so much. I'll update again once we go in and see him this morning... much love to you all.

Another Waiting Room Bedtime...

Evening visiting hours were much more calm than earlier today. His heartbeat has been stable since about 4, so that is something encouraging. The major concern at the moment is the fragility of his heart and how irritable it has been lately - the nurses and doctors are worried that things could go downhill at any moment. They are working hard to stabilize it with meds and rest, so only time will tell. I keep telling everyone: it is all in God's hands now - whatever happens we can be secure in the faith that we will talk to him again soon, whether that "soon" is in a few days or many years.

We are so thankful for the host of clergy and friends who were here again tonight to pray with us - they said many healing prayers and a paraklesis, which meant so much to us all. The nurses are always astonished by how many times dad has been anointed and prayed with - I'm sure they could not even imagine how many people are praying individually!

I'll post again in the morning, or if/when we get more information from the night nurse. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers; they are what keep all of us - including dad - moving forward. Much love!

Had a rough couple hours, with some more irregular heartbeats that have the doctors concerned. We've got a bunch of clergy in with mom right now saying some prayers, and dad's been moving his arms and legs which the nurse says is good. We're waiting for the night nurse to get situated and give us the next update around 8. Aunt Tami is on her way, and we can't wait to see her later tonight. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!