Quick Birthday Reminder... and Update

Hey folks!

I just wanted to remind everyone that Dad is turning 60 this Friday on February 4th. If you want to send a card to him, you can mail it to either:

PO Box 2364
Danville, VA 24541

or

Jerry Hawkins
c/o Blue Ridge Health Care Center
3830 Blue Ridge Road
Raleigh, NC 27612

Now for an update on Dad…

The insurance company is at it again. They gave us a scare this past week stating that they would start denying Dad's claim for Skilled Nursing after February 5th and he would have to go on Custodial Care. Essentially, they were giving up on him and not willing to pay anymore for his treatments. Well, after a long talk with both them and the care center in Raleigh, everyone appears to be on the same page about what Dad needs and deserves. They have given Dad 3 weeks to show some more improvements or they might reverse the decision and make it final. Unfortunately, that doesn't give us much time due to some other factors.

Folks... I don't know that I've ever encountered someone who can be so brave at times and so scared at others. I guess that's what happens to someone when they face their own mortality in the face like Dad did. Dad saw his 7 months ago in Topeka, KS when he stopped breathing. That fear of not breathing is always with him and he is finding it hard to let go. Pile on top of those feelings the fact that we are having some "issues" with the nursing staff that makes Dad question their intent on making him better and it becomes a hard predicament to manage. Fortunately, I think we can help Dad through this part of his treatments.

With your help, I think we can keep Dad encouraged and upbeat on facing his daily trials and tribulations with his treatments. Dad has to work harder and more diligently than he's ever worked before in order to get better. There will be plenty of times that Dad will be scared beyond anything that you or I can imagine. But he's got to face it head-on and do everything possible to overcome it.

All of you know Dad and know that he's capable of doing it. We've just got to remind him of how strong he once was and still is today. We can't let him give up! So when you send your well wishes and birthday cards this week and going forward, make sure to let him know how proud of him you are and how much faith you have in him to get through this ordeal. Any personal tales of triumph would be welcome, as it helps to remind Dad that we have all had our own cross to bear at times; and with the help of our friends, loved ones and a higher power, he can and will come through this crisis right now in his life.

OK... that's it for now. Take care of yourselves and I'll try to post some pictures of Dad on the next update.

Team Jerry all the way!!!