Trips to the farm

A few weeks ago, my dad's shoulder started hurting for no apparent reason. Before long, he had lost almost all movement in his left arm. While this is obviously not good for anyone, it is really bad for someone who needs both arms to do his job. (its kinda impossible to put on a milker with only one arm)

Mom began to help with the milking before she went to school, then after school again for the evening milking. I spent 4 days there one week to help out.

They started making trips to different doctors to figure what was wrong. No one knew. Different X-rays were taken and an inconclusive MRI as well. The doctor at McFarland in Ames finally recommended surgery, even though he didn't know what would find.

Throughout this time, mom and dad started trying to find people to help with the milking. Allison and I went home on the weekends to help out, but they needed someone everyday to help while dad recovered from surgery.

Tuesday, April 15 was the day chosen for surgery. Best case scenario: only the removal of some bone spurs that may or may not actually be part of the problem. Worst case: Muscle tears in his shoulder resulting in being laid up for months not being able to move his arm.

Mom, an elder from their church back home, and I sat in the waiting room at Mary Greeley Hospital while dad was in surgery. After a couple hours, the doctor showed up and his first words were, "Well your prayers have been answered." He seemed somewhat surprised at the results and could still not really understand what actually had been happening to dad.

The doctor had removed the bone spurs but didn't find any rotator cuff problems or muscle tears. The removal of the spurs and the physical therapy should allow dad to recover the use of his arm.

Obviously we were very, very happy with the news. Dad was too. Cause now he can someday soon get back to milking them cows.

On another note, the trips back to the farm brought back old memories for me and some new experiences for Allison. She got to attend a farm auction, watch the manure spreader do its job (see the poopy fly - her words), watch as I unloaded a wagon load of corn into an auger and fill a bin, see our dog catch a rat by our silos, and move round bales. She also came to the conclusion that a tractor goes backwards as much as it goes forward.

We still can't get her to stick her finger in a milker though.