Thank you all for your comments and thoughts. My dad is now allowed to eat things such as noodles, bananas, rice, and stuff like that... Hes doing much better... his back is still really bad and has been that way for almost a year... we may be able to make it to Michigan this summer. He said he may take some kind of injections that sooth the pain , we go on the trip, and when we get back he goes into surgery.. im not sure yet but ill keep you all updated.. Simba has helped our family through this... like my dad said... Simba brings so much joy into our family.