Today marks 1 year since Dan was placed on a ventilator. A year since I requested an ECMO transfer, hoping and praying that he would be given one of the few open beds in the state. I was told it could take days, and there were no guarantees. So many people were waiting for so few beds.

There were truly a series of miracles that occurred that day and within a few hours, he was airlifted to CMC. This flight saved his life.

Facebook memories shared the video of Dan being airlifted today. As I watched this video again, I remember collapsing after I stopped filming and Jacob had to basically carry me to the car. (One of the many times he carried me through those months, literally and figuratively.) I remember feeling desperate to cling to the hope that this flight had given me. As we watched the crew roll him out on the stretcher and into the helicopter, I remember praying that he felt our love surrounding him.

It’s amazing the difference a year can make!

Dan is doing very well and has regained 75% of his lung function. He is now able to do mostly anything that he could do before his illness. In May, he switched to a remote position with Lowe’s. He loves his job and working from home has been great for his recovery.

Dan doesn’t remember much from the 3 months he was hospitalized, which is a blessing. I continue to work through the trauma of the experience. Random memories, sounds, or moments trigger the waves of emotion, and while there is no immediate crisis to attach those emotions to, they feel just as real as if I were there all over again. Healing is a process.

We are all thankful for the second chance that Dan was given, and for the additional time our family was blessed with. Milestones are even more significant, memories are even more special, and every moment is even more precious.