Lark Parker-Needs prayers!

[Welcome]

I know this isn't face book but I had to tell someone.
Stand by for big news (at least for me it is).
Today I will take another "swallow test" (I have failed twice before). If I pass I will get food instead of the tube feed.
The las time I ate was in June.>>>

Dale, so glad to see you're back on the Forum!!!

Hopefully, it won't be much longer before you'll be making good use of those 2 coffee mugs (your favorite type) I gave you at this year's South Bend Meet.

Jim B.

[AKAchamptrucking]

Dale it is nice to read your postings. Good luck on the swallow test! Hope you can enjoy a Dagwood style sandwich soon!!

[jclary]

Dale,
A prayer sent on your behalf. I know this is serious business, however, as I noted in the "CASO" card I sent to you awhile back...my "forum diagnosis" could be that your intake has blown a gasket, or needs to be re-torqued, etc., etc.

I am glad to see you posting again. Just hang in there. You will continue to be in my prayers.

[BobPalma]

Dale is not one to blow his own horn on the Forum, but he did send along good news, very good news, today...he passed his swallow test!

In his own words:

Hi All,

I just graduated from tube feeding to "honey liquid" (pureed) foods by mouth.

At last, my first real food since June!

The menu game is to try to find foods that still taste OK after pulverizing.

Last night I had meat loaf and mashed potatoes and it was great. That meal improved everything.

Yesterday I walked with the walker about 200 feet. A personal best.

There's conversation of moving me out of this hospital to a nursing home that has physical rehab facilities. My dialysis would possibly be at Lebanon.

The Vikings and Saints game is tonight. I'm looking forward to that one.

Dale

[If anyone is interested in Dale's whereabouts, get a map and look for Indianapolis in the center of Indiana. Follow I-65 NW out of Indianapolis and you'll see Lebanon (possible dialysis location), Frankfort (Dale's home) and Lafayette, where he is now, as you drive from Indianapolis NW on I-65 toward Chicago.]

Good news indeed, Dale; congrats and best wishes. BP

[Lark Parker]

It's time to bring this thread to a finish.
I really appreciate the support from the people in Studebaker land and probably even owe them my life because of their prayers.

I'm eating now and physical rehab is going well. My fleet of doctors are happy with the progress and I am looking at recovery well ahead of my previous estimate. I may well be taking dialysis treatments the rest of my life but that beats the alternative.

I expect several mail changes in the very near so any new mail should go to my home address @ 700 N Clay St, Frankfort, IN 46041 I'll try to keep my cell phone on and recharged too.

If I have a relapse and die I will reopen the thread.

[okc63avanti]

This is great news ..... Lark it is great to hear from you and we will continue to keep you in our prayers and expect to hear that you are continuing to progress !!!

[dean pearson]

The End.

Dean, Hi Dale !

[mbstude]

Good news indeed, Dale. Sounds like you're coming up on a full turn around. Great!

If I have a relapse and die I will reopen the thread.

Please, for the sake of all Studebaker owners everywhere, write more stories for Turning Wheels. You've certainly still got that "touch".

[Anne F. Goodman]

Fantastic News Dale. I am so glad to hear you are doing so well.
Keep up the good work. We look forward to your continued posts. Please keep us updated.
The Goodmans Fresno Ca

[JRoberts]

J'll repeat what Anne said, "Fantastic News." And I too am waiting for you to get back into writing your wonderful articles.

[TX Rebel]

Congratulations on your speedy progress, Dale. I have been watching & praying for your recovery & will continue to do so!
Don't get too fat now that you are eating again.

[Lenny R2]

Happy to hear you passed the swallow test.I hope you will be home soon

[Chicken Hawk]

Dale was moved up to Room 4110 and will begin serious therapy tomorrow. Ate real food again today and sounds very good. Attitude and sense of humor still intact. Things looking better. Keep the thoughts and prayers with him though.

Ted