Dad - 76 days

Finally! Dad has left the building.
It has been a long journey for my Dad to recover from
a broken hip and the complications that ensued…bleeding ulcer.
So, 76 days after my Dad fell and broke his hip he gets to sleep in his own bed.
Now…the work begins to return to normal.
Normal for an 87 year old that is!

Dad - Tom’s Angel

This is my Dad’s OT (Occupational Therapist)
Sometimes the right people get put with the right people.
Beth was the perfect person for my Dad she did not let him
slide, gave it back to him as he gave it to her.
I could not have asked for a better person, a real angel for my Dad.

Thanks Beth!

Dad - Home Visit

We got to bring Dad home for the day on Sunday.
He had the time to look over his garden and see that
Some of his plants are producing, at least the cucumbers are.

Earlier in the week, Dad had a home assessment, it was to
assess if he and the home were ready for a return.
The assessment…he is just not ready to come home for good.
Dad still has some work to do to live on his own with Mom.
Perhaps when he comes home for good the tomatoes will be ripe…

Dad - Warriors

Dad is talking with fellow warrior and Vietnam Vet Bob; Bob has Parkinson’s which he contacted
from Agent Orange while in country from 1965-66. Bob is such a positive force; it was great having him in the room during PT. Bob is one of the great people in our country.
UPDATE:
Dad is really doing great, walking around the PT with a walker.
Still has pain, but he is moving.

Dad - Van Ride

Yesterday was the first day to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Dad had an appointment with the Doctor who did his hip operation.
They did a x-ray of his hip and he was proclaimed:
S|P (R) hip ORIF
xray shows good position of components
continue PT
The van ride in the ambulance was fun too.

Dad - PT

This morning Dad was working hard down in the PT
area of the Rehab facility. Just one person walking with him is
a major step forward. He just needs to stack good day on top
of good day.
All of the PT people are so good hearted and positive
to all of the patients, love watching talented people do their jobs!

Dad- Buddy

Well, they moved Dad to the Rehab facility on Friday night.
On Sunday Mom and I brought up Dads dog “Buddy”.
The very best Rehab therapy known to man is your pet.
Dad really seemed to turn a corner after Buddy visited him
all day.

Dad - rehab starts

Well, they have dad going down for rehab here in the hospital.
They tell him they are helping him walk, dad says, they are
just dragging him around.
There is talk of him being moved to a Rehab facility
Friday night…

Dad - tools of the trade

The hospital sure has lots of gizmos and things that beep.

Did I mention that they have lots of things that BEEP!

Dad - more tests

tests, tests, tests!
Here the “runners” are taking Dad back to his room from
an early morning ultra-sound.
Good news this afternoon, is nothing was found!
But, we are still in the hospital…

Dad - my walk

This hallway is as long as it looks!
Especially at 6:30 in the morning
A very interesting thing, the first day
This environment is so foreign and kind of scary,
Now it is normal, I even know the morning janitor’s name!
If I do not get here by 6:45am I would never see one of Dad’s doctors.
He’s getting stronger, that’s the good news.

Dad - hands

Dad has a broken hip and a bleeding ulcer,
but his biggest complaint is his sore hands
from all of the I.V.‘s and needles needing blood
for the many tests.

new assignment

Well, not a photo assignment.
I am back where I grew up Western Pennsylvania.
My 87 year old Dad fell and broke his hip.
The photo is what the entrance to the ER looks
like at 3:00 AM

“Doc” Patton

I’m working on a person project with USA Olympian Darvis “Doc Patton.
This Saturday I sent all day at a track meet. In between shooting my project
I had a ton of time before he ran again, so I shot some Polaroids with my Big Old Camera.
A track meet is a long time consuming event, but there is always something happening.
Click on “Doc” Patton to see more

End Result

Once your hired for an assignment, you produce and shoot the job.
For me at least, the end result is seen about 30% of the time.
I had a shoot this week in a facility that I’ve shot in this past summer,
what did I run into…only the end results of my hard work.
8 ft x 8 ft image plus some head shots.
No matter how long I’ve been in the business, it is still fun to see!