Passed

Physical therapy and occupational therapy are complete!  Aaron passed with flying colors.

It is amazing how weak a person gets after laying in bed for a week.  The therapists say that after three days of laying in bed, people start to lose muscle tone.  Aaron was on bed rest for almost a week and he had muscle problems to begin with, so you can imagine how weak he was to start with.  But personal determination and gentle nudges from caring family members helped Aaron on his road to recovery.  He has had a few hiccups on his road, but he has worked very hard. 

Aaron working with one of the therapists.

The day after Aaron had his surgery, a 15 year old girl had a very similar surgery (but not as invasive.)  She currently continues to be on the neuro floor with chest tubes and drains---the whole nine yards.  We do not know her whole story, but we are thankful that Aaron made such a speedy recovery.  The doctors are very impressed with the progress that he has made.  It helped that a few select friends and family members had the whole midwest praying for him.  I lost track of how many prayer chains he is on.  Through the power of prayer and the grace of God, Aaron is alive, well, and can walk.  His bowel and bladder issues are just a few bumps in his road.  Hopefully, with in the next few weeks he will regain more control over that. 

Our 2011 year has started off a little bumpy.  It could have been much worse, he has the scars to prove it.

A couple of Aaron's scars.  He is talking about getting a tattoo on his back...but we will see.

The highlight of my day was to have a student nurse take care of Aaron.  It brought back lots of memories from years ago when I was a nursing student.  I love to watch them fumble with cords and alcohol swabs like it is the end of the world.  OMG...how funny (I know that it sounds mean, but it was hilarious.)

Tomorrow we are homeward bound.  I cannot wait to see our children.  We have Skyped with them several times but it is just not the same.  To feel them in our arms and curl up with them to read and listen to piano, I can hardly contain myself.