OT - Update on my dad Options

[seanery]

Most of you know that my dad, who is only 59, is really sick. Things have been really rough for him lately, he is getting much worse and warp speed. He is basically bedridden now. Last weekend we moved my mother and him into my sister's house. She just bought a 3 bedroom ranch (single floor) house that we hope will be better for him to move around in. His house has several flights of stairs and it is hard for him to walk let alone climb stairs. After moving him into her house he had a bad breathing attack on Monday and was admitted to the hospital. The doctor basically didn't think he was gonna make it, and asked my dad and mom if they wanted to use the respirator to keep him breathing if it came to that...it came VERY close to it. On Tuesday they put in a treach (sp?) tube to help his breathing. This was scheduled before Monday's episode, so it wasn't a surprise. He had progressed through the week and his pulse/ox was getting much better. Yesterday he walked 300 feet in 3 1/2 minutes. To be considered for a lung transplant you must be able to do 600 feet in 6 minutes. He couldn't get anywhere close to that pace for quite some time. Yesterday was a good day. Today, he had a scary episode and his pulse/ox dropped to the mid 50's, part of his lung colapsed, and the doctor was back to thinking things were going south. He pulled out of that a bit today and his pulse/ox is back in the 90s. The doctor encouraged him to try his hardest to improve his walking. They use the 600 feet in 6 minutes as a predictor to survive the lung transplant. The doc also said that they would have a lung for him in May if he kept improving. I believe this progress was made after Noon or so today. I believe that the time here is important, and here's why. I'm not a terribly religous man. I was brought up Catholic and I believe in God, but have my own questions about how everything works. For the last 4 days I have been working at a conference that was here in town for the Lutheran Education Association. There was a church service Thursday with Keynote speakers and banquets, etc...Thursday and Friday nights. Today was the wrap-up and a full church service. Before it started I spoke with the Reverand Victor Belton and told him my dad's story and asked if he and his congregation could pray for my dad. He did, along with 3500 other folks who were attending the service. I can't help but believe the power of prayer had something to do with the progress made after this morning's scary episode. I actually feel a glimmer of hope. For the past few weeks I felt the end was near - VERY NEAR for him. I'm still afraid to totally let myself have hope, but the glimmer is back.

I'd llike to ask, once again, for YOUR prayers. I love my dad. I don't tell him or the rest of my family and friends that I do nearly enough.

Thanks!