"Easy"
"Careful"
" FC, You lift and rotate, Mom,you move the recliner once we're clear, I'll support the leg. Dad, you have to push up with your good leg and we will try not to hurt you, but you can call us names or whatever you need to say if we do, ok?"
I am standing behind my father with my hands under his arms, waiting for the signal to lift. Mrs. FC, the nurse commander in this operation is giving instructions to us as we prepare to move him and his broken, polio battered leg from his recliner to a home hospital bed in the living room.
I can hear my wife instructing us and I'm paying attention, honest, I am . I'm doing my part too (the heavy lifting) in the operation, but I'm also a bit awestruck.
My grip on Dad has my arms under his shoulders and my hands are wrapped around his upper arms. He's tensing, lifting with his good leg and expecting, ... dreading more of the pain that has wracked his leg since he broke it in a fall Wednesday night.
It's the muscles my hands are wrapped around that leave me astounded even in the midst of this delicate moving operation.
This guy is 80 years old and the biceps that fill my hands as I lift him oh so gently, are solid and
powerful with not an ounce of flab.
My Dad is "ripped" as the kids would say. I shouldn't be surprised, you can see the corded veins and the toned flesh when he's in a short sleeve shirt, but I don't usually have my hands around his biceps as I do at this moment. My mind wanders to the teenage athletes I teach and I know that most of them couldn't match this guy's wiry muscle tone.
The operation goes smoothly thanks to Mrs. FC's knowledge and direction. In a few minutes, it's over, he's propped up in his adjustable bed and so much more comfortable than before.
I've been here overnight since rushing from work Thursday and now with Mrs. FC here to do the weekend shift and boss everybody around, it's safe for me to go home and take care of things there.
Come Monday or Tuesday, I'll head back over to help out as needed.
On the long drive home, my thoughts hover on Dad and his injury. Broken legs at his age are scary and too many older relatives and friends never recovered from breaks late in life. I push those thoughts aside and focus on the strength I felt when I had my arms around him.
After all, he beat a brush with his Kryptonite almost 70 years ago as a kid with polio and not many people can say that. His attitude is good too, even though he's facing months of immobility ... not that he's happy about the situation, but he's not despairing either.
And then there is that strength ...
... I think Superman is going to be okay.
28 comments:
Sorry to hear your dad broke his leg -- but he sounds like he's strong enough to make a full recovery. Besides, he has all that love around him, that's bound to speed his healing.
BIG HUGS to your daddy. His physical condition sounds good, and that goes a long way in the healing process. How lucky he is to have a wonderful family to cluck over him.
We will hold good thoughts for your dad and your whole family. Wonderful that he is so fit at 80....Hope it helps him heal and grow strong again.
Heard about the fall he has endured so much, yet I can never remember negative words come from his lips. He always has a smile and joy about him that I and many others would be blessed to have. I'm sure with his strenth and good spirits he will overcome this.
our best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery to fc senior. the apple, as we say in cliches, doesn't fall far from the tree, so we know what kinda guy he is. and thanks to you both for the datil peppers.
Best wishes to your dad for a good, speedy recovery. He does sound like a strong fighter, and that's what it takes to get up after a break. My mom is now walking, after she broke her ankle on October 3rd, at the age of 83. It's amazing what those fantastic old bodies can do. Family love is one of the best elixirs we have.
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. A broken bone is rough at his age but he sounds tough and once he's healed he'll be up and around again. It takes a lot more than a broken bone to keep Superman down.
We'll be sending lots of prayers and well wishes his way. And we'll say an extra one for your mom because men can be really difficult when they're laid up LOL
I hope ya'll have a Merry Christmas and be safe in your travels back and forth to your parent's house!
You're a good son and a good role model for your own son (not that I wish the same thing ever to happen to you). Your father is fortunate to have so many caring hands around to make the difference. And he's fortunate to be able to heal at home. My frail father is 250 miles away and I rely on siblings to do the work you and Mrs. FC do. I'd tell you I have found an even deeper respect and envy of you, but it would just go to your head.
FC-
Give our best to your folks and of course Mrs. FC
Lightnin
Attitude. Strength. Prayers. The love of a supportive family and friends.
Sorry to hear about your dad - we hope all goes well with his healing and your Christmas too.
Good muscle tone is a good sign.
Hate to hear about your father's injury; hope he recovers very soon.
Hi FC,
I am sorry to hear about your dad. It is good that he is so strong.
Patti
Your dad is blessed to have an extended family so willing to help.
Sending your dad some good healing thoughts. He's got three important things going for him: physical strength, attitude, and a wonderful family.
Sorry to hear that, my Mom also had childhood polio. Prayers for speedy healing :)
Best wishes to your Dad for a quick recovery!
scary, when superman isn't at top strength, isn't it? i'm sorry he got hurt, but it sounds like he's got the physical stamina and the mental attitude to make it back to 100% - and having a super family helps too. :-)
He will be in my prayers.
Merry christmas!
Oh, FC. I hate hearing that your dad broke his leg. But I am following your good example and focusing on the positive. He sounds like a wonderful guy (why does that NOT surprise me?). Thank God you and your family are there. I hope his pain is being controlled, but I'm sure with Mrs. FC on the job all is as it should be. Please know that I am thinking about your dad, your mom, and your whole family. xo
Ditto on what Lightnin said!
Praying for your dad and mom. Sometimes it is harder to be the caregiver than the patient. It's a good thing you and Mrs. FC are on duty.
Thank you all for the well wishes! Mrs. FC has kept me updated all day while I Christmas shopped among the throngs.
He is doing well, a little fever for a while, but his attitude is good and he is comfortable.
I speak for all my family when I say thank you for the kind words, prayers, and wishes for his speedy recovery.
You're good lot.
I feel very lucky to "know" you.
Thanks again.
Godspeed with the leg recovery. There's bears that need wrastling!
- Jonathan
Hi FC, I was sorry to hear about your Dad's leg. From the way you describe him, once he starts to feel better you're going to have a hard time keeping him down! Which is a good thing, he sounds like he has a great attitude, a fighter.
He was out wrestling aligators again, wasn't he?
Here's wishing him an extra cup of eggnog and a hearty dose of patience while he recuperates.
Be well.
This is beautiful.
Speedy healing to your dad. My mom broke three wrists in one year. Many of us bloggers are sweating over our parents these days, it seems.
The thought of you sending datils to Roger and Robin makes me smile.
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