MOVIN' ON UP TO THE EAST SIDE!

So finally FINALLY Dad (Rev. Daddy) is out of St. Francis ICU and temporarily (I emphasize the TEMPORARILY) rehabbing and living at the Primacy Assisted Care facility in East Memphis.  We all have mixed emotions about the move.  

So glad to see him liberated from the oxygen and I.V. and other ICU items.  So glad that there is at least some "forward" movement.  We were all very disappointed when his first swing at rehab (there at St. Francis) didn't work out too well.  So it's wonderful to see him so alert and to hope and believe that this move is in fact the answer to our prayers -- that there would be new and more hopeful chapters in this amazing story of Rev. Kenneth T. Whalum, Sr.

So the difficult part, certainly for his wife Rosie -- but for us too, is the very real aspect of seeing dad "in a home."  It's not anything that ANY of us planned or ever want to accept as a permanent state.  The unfortunate reality for Dad right now is that he is currently unable to swallow -- therefor unable to eat.  He is also facing challenges with mobility -- for now he is bed-ridden.  He can't speak either, so communicating his needs or even an emergency is not possible for now.

All that having been said, we have a certain confidence (isn't it great to have SOMETHING you know for sure!) which I will convey in the following scripture:

"And this is the confidence that we have in Him; That if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have ask of Him.

Thank you so much for your prayers -- keep praying, we are praying for you too,

Kirk Whalum

PEACE OUT!

One of the moments I will remember as the future unfolds with my dad is that on Tuesday, August 21st, as I was walking out of the room to leave (and after I had given him a "peace" sign),  Dad raised two fingers and gave me the peace sign!  He's been more alert, though obviously not thrilled to be bed-ridden, than we've seen him in weeks.  It's been up and down.  But this period of answered prayer -- prayers prayed by so many of you -- is high on my list of evidences for my dull spiritual eyes of the Lord's faithfulness.  "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not, they're new every morning.  Great is His faithfulness."

Last night they finally moved Dad from ICU into a private room!  Praise God.  Keep praying.

Kirk

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Good days/Bad Days Right?

Well, today was a GOOOOOOOD DAY!

I got off the plane, Ruby drove me straight to the hospital. Walked in the room, and who's sitting (of course with support ties) SITTING in the easy-chair... that's right!

Rev. Daddy! He was alert. He used his hands (mostly the right of course) and gestured! He even LAUGHED!!! Yep, I told him a vignette about his great grandson Kobe, and he all but BROKE into laughter!

It was such a blessing for Rosie, Ruby and me! I'm especially glad for Rosie. It's been so hard on her coming day after day seeing pretty much the same thing -- her husband in a stagnant state of helplessness. But I'm especially glad for my awesome dad.

He's had some rough times over these last few years. I'm so grateful for the prayers of you our family (both blood and otherwise) because these developments are absolutely your doing!

God bless you in every way today.

Sincerely,

Kirk Whalum

Today Sunday, August 12, 2007

Ruby and I went by to see Dad after church today. We found him to be in fairly good shape. He still has problems keeping the phlegm under control, and this seems to be a constant source of frustration for him -- understandably. A very kind nurse named Rhonda, confirms that they have begun treating his sinus/allergy condition so as to hopefully bring some relief from the coughing and labored breathing.

His feet are quite swolen, a normal development when one is bed-ridden. Of course this is complicated by the diabetes. He wears leg pads to prevent blood clots in his legs as well.

The nurse joked that he is strong enough to push her hand away when she tries to suction his throat! Of course this process of suctioning would make anyone angry! But it sure does help his breathing.

He all but PUT my hands on his legs to give him the massage relief that he responds to so often purring like a big-ol' cat! His eyes roll back in his head! Imagine being stuck in that bed for almost 2 months! I don't mind doing it either -- though my brother Kevin has the better hands and technique for the job!

Cheers!
Kirk
"Blessed is he who trusts in His mercy."

How incredible. What a blessing,

How incredible. What a blessing, a profound heart blessing for me to log on and see such a beautiful story of hope with my dad. I'm more a fan than ever of Stroke of Hope! I know that there are many folks, family members & friends of stroke-survivors, who could stand to be blessed in this way. May the floodgates open for people to enter and be encouraged.

Kirk
August 10, 2007 12:29 PM

We make visits, we make discoveries, promises..

We make visits, we make discoveries, promises.. but we as an individuals don't really know what the next moment is going to bring. And we do ourselves such a disservice by allowing ourselves to entertain a negative and defeatist attitude.

I wish I could have the power and input and even the respect to instill upon everyone the absolute importance of giving our conclusions, our present thoughts and beliefs... give them all to God and let him make the decisions for us.

If we could just sit still sometimes and submit ourselves to His direction, knowing full well that He is not going to mislead us. Then we would find that these problematic situations and arisings are not as incriminating as we assume.

God is first,
Sincerely,Hugh David Whalum (Kenneth's oldest and only surviving brother)
August 10, 2007 5:52 PM

Day By Day

It has been an honor and a privilege to have spent the last week with the family and friends of Rev. Whalum in Soulsville Memphis, TN. Upon my arrival, Friday, Aug. 3rd, I found "REV" (as they call him) considerably weaker and more frail than when I left almost a month ago, however he was in a rehab unit room about ready for discharge. By Sunday morning he had been returned to ICU as a result of tremendous breathing distress. As I return to NY today, Aug. 9th, I am happy to report that he is greatly improved, breathing on his own and holding strong enough to be stepped down to critical care. The past few months have been a roller coaster ride for his family and I pray that each of them will find peace in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and continue trusting in His strength, truth and grace. Stay tuned to this daily journal as family updates and other postings are blogged to keep us all abreast of the happenings in Rev. Whalum's journey.

- Hazella