August 14, 2026

Yesterday Dad had a minimally invasive procedure. The doctor was able to place a stent in his duodenum, where there was a partial blockage. They believe this blockage is the reason Dad hasn’t been able to keep food down, but time will tell. The doctor was very pleased with how the procedure went, and we are thankful for that good news.

For the next few days, Dad is restricted to a full liquid diet. From here on out, he will need to eat small amounts throughout the day basically grazing instead of eating regular meals.

For everyone who knows how much my dad loves his Olive Garden salads… sadly, those days are over. With the stent, he can no longer eat lettuce or leafy greens. I’m pretty sure that might be one of the hardest parts for him! ❤️

Thank you to everyone who has made the trip up to visit Mom and Dad. Today is day 16 in the hospital, and Mom has only left once because she refuses to leave Dad’s side. I appreciate each of you who has visited, supported them, and brought a little bit of normalcy into their days.

A special thank you to Lilly for taking such great care of all the critters. As you begin this new chapter and head off to college, we wish you nothing but the very best. We all appreciate you more than you will ever know. ❤️

One of the hardest parts of all of this is having Mom and Dad so far away from home. But we know Dad is exactly where he needs to be, receiving the level of care that is best for him.

Now we pray that he can get his pain under control, tolerate food again, regain some strength, and finally get discharged. Until then, please continue to keep Dad, Mom, and our entire family in your prayers. 🙏

Thank you all for continuing to love and support our family through this.

Aspen