Dad's update

Thank you!
The responses I’ve been getting from you all are so encouraging and helpful. I get to start my day with a new wave of responses, as word gets out and others continue to hear the news. I never would have thought to ask for prayers for myself, yet so many of you offered them. That’s such a great thing to know and remember in the difficult times. As some of you know, I have a HORRIBLE phobia of hospitals. When my dad had a heart attack in 1997, it took me a week to work up the nerve to see him. I stayed strong through the visit, left, got in my car, turned a corner and had to pull over. There I was in a gang infested neighborhood of Inglewood, crying like a little girl in my car. It was a funny scene! This time, I haven’t even considered my phobia. As a matter of fact, it never came up until this morning when my coworker Kamran mentioned my sister told him some stories. I forgot to be fearful. So if there’s any sign of your prayers for me and the family is working, let it be our strength. Please keep praying, and we’ll keep being strong.
As for dad, as it is now, he has movement in his arms and legs, but his hands and feet are very weak. The paralysis in his left face is not so bad in the lower lip, a bit more in the upper lip. But it’s not easy to chew. He has had some discomfort in his extremities for a few months, and they never figured out what that was. He was actually scheduled to go into inpatient observation a day after the stroke happened. As the stroke is stabilized, he’ll continue rehab to regain his motor skills. Then we still need to address the other issue. The stroke is caused by a blockage in the brain vessel, and might or might not break apart or move on its own, that really is up to God’s will. We pray that the source of his ailments will rear its dirty little head so the doctors can actually treat him. Until then he’s under heavy sedation. He’s not strong enough to field many phone calls, but those who visit him are comforted to see his progress, and not to mention see that his spirits are high.
Last night as Bobby was surfing TV channels for him, he came across Karate Kid II. Dad said to leave it there and maybe he can learn a few karate kicks while he’s there, and kicks his way out of the hospital. That’s my dad! I’ll save the “flirting with the ER nurse” story for another day.
At the suggestion of a friend (thanks Max!), I took him my iPod and played for him JB Eckl and Eric Dozier’s Long Healing Prayer from their CD Badasht. He loved it. His heart rate IMMEDIATELY dropped from 88 to 78 at the sound of the music. (If u know Eric or JB forward my thanks!) Another friend suggested just rubbing his neck and arms. Again, a huge hit – he loved it.
Some of you I am family with, some are friends, some are work contacts (sorry to have become personal); some I see often, some never; but all of you share a special bond with me. Some of you I sent the prayer request because I’ve had to pray for you in your faily’s time of need, and I didn’t hesitate, some of you I had think twice (but I’m glad I did because you all responded positively and quickly). Some of you are in Israel at the Baha’i Holy Shrines praying, some have friends or family there. A dear friend offered to forward the request to his brother a Rabbi, claiming that he’s got a clearer line of connection. The truth is (like it or not, know it or not) you’ve all got a special bond with your creator, and with each other and me and my father. I love you all. Thanks for the prayers.