Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Lord Unto Knees

(See what I did there? Don’t worry, I think I’m out of knee/hymn puns. Probably.)

Well, the patient is currently gently snoring away in the parlor-turned-recovery-room that Maddie Rose and Charlotte set up for him downstairs. I just peeked through the crack in the big wooden pocket doors, and I would have opened it wider to get a better look, but those dang doors creak like you wouldn’t believe. He was definitely breathing though, so we’ve got that going for us. The girls brought down one of the antique twin beds from our guest room, and set it up against one of the sofas, and placed our leopard pattern ottoman close by to hold all of his meds, water bottles, Cokes and coffee- yeah, they may have sawed off the ends of his leg bones, but that’s not gonna stop the boy from DRINKING COFFEE, for crying out loud.

Russ did really well yesterday, which is why they let him go home from the hospital. He doesn’t start outpatient physical therapy (heretofore referred to as PT, because it’s shorter and I’m lazy) until tomorrow. My sweet Brad Pitt-lookalike nephew Josh, who is also a physical therapist (heretofore referred to as PT-ist, because See Above), has already called the place Russ will be going to in Shelbyville for his therapy and given them the heads-up to welcome him with a ticker tape parade and delicious snacks and possibly a confetti cannon. Also, he pre-screened the staff and tracked down a couple of Gaither fans, so basically Russ is all set.

Update: He’s up! He went to bed really early, around 9:00 pm, and just told me that he didn’t even wake up to take any pain meds all night– which sounds impressive to me, but upon reflection (and the look on his face right now) may not have been such a good idea… However, he just took them with his COFFEE, so relief is on the way. Say what you will about our many-surgeried Russ (gall bladder, rotator cuff, benign adrenal tumor, *blah di blah blah I may have forgotten a few*), the boy is a dang quick healer. He’s sitting up in a chair now watching the pope address congress and it appears all is well in his world.

I’ll leave you with this photo and this thought: I don’t know how or why that whole ‘long, baggy shorts for guys’ thing came into fashion, but can we all just agree that they are not a good look for most guys, (up to and including Justin Bieber) but most especially for men who are, shall we say, a certain age with tiny bird-like legs who just had knee replacement surgery?

Because seriously, Russ kinda looks like somebody let all of the air out of an NBA player and gave him a walker.

Behold:

1RTwalker

(I rest my case.)

22 Responses

  1. auburn60

    Yeah, it’s probably OK to dispense with any fashion statements for a while, under the circumstances. Although what do I know? I suggested Russ change out of his “Medals” shirt one time and got the only side-eye I’ve ever seen sweet Russ Taff give ANYBODY…so,ya’know…don’t listen to me.

    Seriously, so glad he seems to have turned the corner and you both can get some rest. If I lived just a leeeetle bit close I’d show up with poppy seed chicken, the scriptural casserole for the infirm.

  2. auburn60

    Or is it the “sick and afflicted”? I don’t know…one of those categories. “Shut-ins”?

  3. LindaB

    Never mind his pants, what’s up with those yellow “shoes/slippers” things? Did he raid Mario Vitalli’s closet? And how did he get off wearing just ONE compression stocking? Those things are miserable!

    I know he’s relieved to have this ordeal over with! And your little family is relieved too! From now on, it will get better and better. Just think about all the knees that were bent in prayer for him this week! All that love and concern HAS to make him feel good! (Not as good as Oxycontin, but still good!) I mean, Alyson was even going to make a casserole for you guys! You are very blest, and loved by so many!

    Oh, and I’m glad you’re blogging again!

  4. Bev Blakeslee

    Please, please, please tell Russ to watch out for constipation when using the pain killers. I had the same surgery two years ago and didn’t know how important it was to be “regular”. I ended up with sepsis and almost died. What started out as a simple knee replacement, turned out to be 3 months in the hospital and TWO emergency surgeries on my intestines. My doctor later told me that I had “one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel” when I came to him. Thank God I’m okay now but it was touch and go for a while! My poor family went through a lot, but I had NO idea what was going on at the time. Prayers from so many people in my church, in my town, in my life is what brought me through. Prayer definitely changes things, so I will pray for a speedy recovery for Russ. After all is said and done, I’m glad I had the knee replaced; but I’m hesitant about getting the other one done! Tell Russ to keep on singing and spreading the Word! Hugs and blessings to all of you from CT.

  5. bettyrwoodward

    So glad he’s doing so well and that you are back blogging! Seriously give him our love and let him know we are still praying.

  6. JimW

    Nice “Man-pris”!!
    (on women they’re called “capris”)
    Praying for your speedy recovery Russ!

  7. Barbara M. Lloyd

    Oh my goodness, I am so glad we are now on the right side of this surgery. Bless his sweet heart, he looks better on a bad day than most men look on their best day. (I am certified to say that)

    Now is when we find out exactly why patience is described as a virtue. But many prayers are continuing and we know the power of prayer…and love.

  8. Barbara M. Lloyd

    For the first time since GaitherFest opened its doors in Myrtle Beach, I will not be able to attend this year…due to health problems. My children are calling my problem “Russ Taff Sympathy pains”….perhaps. I do know that the fact no Taffs will be there this year has made me content to stay home and mend.

    My prayers continue for each of my little Taff family….with extra healing ones for my Russ.

  9. delightedabroad

    How is the patient doing? Is he still patient?? All the best for the whole family!

  10. Barbara M. Lloyd

    Sweet Delightful, I can only tell you what I have heard: Russ performed in Myrtle Beach at GaitherFest and reports were he looked terrific and never sang better. I also was told that Nurse Tori was icing down his leg every time she had a chance to get him seated. He went from there to perform at the Dove ASwards. All that I’ve said so far are facts. My next statement is an assumption on my part: they both are back home in Bell Buckle and exhausted.

  11. Barbara M. Lloyd

    Hey sweetTori, could you possibly put up a picture of the top end of Russ for us to look at while we wait…..maybe even a little video of him singing? You do want to be a blessing, don’t you? Oh dear, I mean an extra blessing, sweetheart!

  12. delightedabroad

    Where are you guys? Did the ‘meeting place’ change??

  13. bettyrwoodward

    I’m still here waiting for Tori! Actually this last weekend my father-in-law decided he wanted to be more like Russ. He couldn’t manage the new knee but had a fall and so had to have a new hip! He is 93 and is doing amazingly well.

  14. delightedabroad

    I’m happy to see, I mean hear from you, bettyrwoodward! As I first began to read your comment I thought your father-in-law wanted to start a singíng career… And then an accident. I hope he will soon be well again!

  15. Barbara M. Lloyd

    Oh Betty, how wonderful your father-in-law is doing so well…but I am sorry about that fall. My understanding is that Russ has done so well with this first knee surgery that we can be assured he will still be doing that little Russ Taff jigg. What great news…because we all love to see him dancing in the spirit up on stage!

    Hey Delightful! As far as I know this is still our meeting place. I suspect our busy-as-a-bee and as precious as ever Tori is just taking time to get some kind of schedule together so she can work us in…that’s cause she loves us and appreciates our faithfulness right now. (You can pay me later, Tori)

    It was so nice hearing from you two girls. Come back soon…ya hear!

  16. delightedabroad

    Barbara, I’m reliefed that this is still the “place to be” :-)
    If you guys have some capacity left for prayer: next sunday it’s once again our turn for worship – and I’m almost freaking out, because our worship leader plans to have me sing kind of a solo part… I would appreciate your prayers very much!

  17. bettyrwoodward

    May I wish a Happy Christmas to the Taff family and all my friends on here. Hope you all know God’s blessing through this season.

  18. Barbara M. Lloyd

    Sweet Delighted, I’m sure your solo part was beautiful. Remember…all God wants is a joyful sound….and that’s you right there!

    Betty, my precious friend, don’t you think our love for Him and His love for us is what makes our friendships on here so extra special? Wishing you and everyone on this post a new year plum full of God’s sweetest blessings.

    We have one more Christmas present coming….a few words from Tori, our cute ‘lil ‘ole cheerleader.

  19. bettyrwoodward

    Happy birthday Mamma Lloyd. Hope you have an amazing day. God bless you greatly

  20. delightedabroad

    A blessed and happy new year to everyone!!
    And belated happy birthday to you, Mamma Lloyd!
    Barbara, you’re so optimistic, I love that. My singing can really be built up technically but people seemingly appeciated it – for it was from my heart.

  21. Barbara M. Lloyd

    Thank you, sweet Betty. It’s hard to believe that I am 85 now. Our Lord has been generous with me.

    Delighted, I’m sure you sounded lovely….but all our Lord requires is a joyful sound…so you come out a winner either way. Besides, a church always appreciates it’s choir members dear one.

  22. vtinker

    You’ve not written in quite a while. Are you over it? I hope not. Come back!

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