Already Beating the Odds

I just had a visit with my dad in the hospital....and each visit I always have to remember what my dad has overcomed since being admitted to the hospital.  First off, he was admitted due to secondary infection recovering from his first hospitalization (when he got his new ipod/pacemaker installed). We do not really know where the infection is coming from....but all the swelling in his forearms have gone down, and he has normal coloring in his skin which is a relief to see.  Today, he has stabilized enough that he was moved out of the ICU...he is now in a regular room where he is no longer on monitors for his vitals.  The docs felt his blood pressure and oxygen saturation were stable enough where they can check on him intermittently...not constantly.   Plus... he is showing no significant signs of infection (recurring fevers)  However, he is on the next battle which can be tough physically and mentally. The next battle for him is to recover from his first hospital stint last August....as well as the past 3 weeks with his current hospitalization.  As a physical therapist, I know the effects of hospitalization can cause on the musculoskeletal system.  When one is bedridden, within the first 48 hours....muscles atrophy quickly.  The ratio to getting those muscles back takes a lot longer....so normally the average recovery for a person will take 3 days of recovery for 1 hospital stay.  HOWEVER...this is not the case for my father.  He has other vital organs that are not fully functioning...but with the help of other treatments...he can make a slow recovery.  Make it a 5 to 1 ratio for my dad to recover.  My dad's first hospital stay was approx 20 days.  This hospital stay is about 22 days and counting.  My dad is still very weak, but he is showing signs of that fighting spirit.  He was able to conjure up enough strength to say "Hi" for me when I visited him yesterday.  Today I reminded him...not just as his daughter...but as a therapist that his Muscles are like his Team of players....like the NBA Championship Lakers.  His left arm muscles are Kobe Bryant, his right arm muscles are Derek Fisher...his left leg is Pau Gasol...and his right leg is Andrew Bynum.  His brain and his will power is Coach Phil Jackson.  Like Coach Jackson...he encourages his players to master the FUNDAMENTALS.  My dad's fundamentals are to slowly strengthen his muscles (players) by simply isometrically contracting them in bed, moving his ankles up/down and his arms.  These are the basics that my dad has to start this journey.  If he conquers and masters these fundamentals...he will be on the road to a "championship body" Lol.  He did grin a little when I explained this analogy to him.
Overall....His labs still show that he has some fight in him, and I always felt that according to Heavenly father's will and if his physical body allows.....we will continue to fight alongside with him. He has other issues that do affect his recovery...but his spirit is strong.    We know it's not in our hands, it's not in the doctors or nurses hands...it's in God's hands. So far...we are taking it day by day.

Dad- I just want to say how grateful I am for you and your perserverance.  You are beating the odds everyday you are here. Although you are still weak to articulate, we feel your love in just your presence. We love you.  Keep fighting if your body allows...and never run faster than you have strength. Remember that you are loved....always no matter what.