Thought I would post something of a 'final' post. Darin has seen a huge improvement with his general exhaustion from continuous use of his CPap machine. He still gets worn out easily due to the long-term effects of the stroke, but feels so much better, in general. He had been having more issues with his heart, so had another echocardiogram and heart monitor put on.  They have determined that it is still the junctional heart rhythm and nothing else--his new heart valve is working as it should. His previous cardiologist left, but his new cardiologist told us the same thing--the risks of a pacemaker for D are too great with his history of the staph infection, and he wouldn't recommend it. He advised when D's heart is beating irregularly and wearing him down, to give in to it and rest as much as he needs to. Fortunately,  there are no risky side-effects to this causing any other damage to his heart. So, he is now down to seeing his cardiologist every 6 months,  as well as his neurologist every 6 months.
He still sees his massage therapist weekly and she has been able to get about an 80 degree bend in his leg--which is way more than the ortho at the Mayo Clinic ever thought he would get. She also helps with the pain he has in his hip and back from the way he walks due to the stroke and knee surgeries.
He is on a new med that keeps the depression and pain in check, all in one--the stroke altered his feelings/thought process and just the difficulty of all of this has taken a toll, and he has constant pain throughout his right side, even though he cannot feel that side of his body--and it seems to be working well.
His new cardiologist told us 'this' is his new normal and I never thought that would be music to my ears. He is stable and still working hard every day to keep getting better--without any setbacks. 
Being couped up in the house isn't a good thing for him, and since he is unsteady on his feet, ice and snow are dangerous for him. Not to mention, his right side is always cold and putting pants on is a difficult task for him--so he only wears shorts. So, since I work from home, we are renting a condo in Florida for January and February where he will have access to an indoor pool to get exercise and we can walk outside. We are then going from FL to AZ for the month of March. We have two sets of amazing friends that live in the same city there. We will be staying for 2 weeks with one set of friends, then 2 weeks with the other friends, then driving home. Emilee (our oldest) graduated from college in June and agreed to move back home, and take care of the house and dogs while we are gone for three months, since she is working close to home anyway. I call that a win-win haha.
I know I have said it before, but I cannot thank everyone enough for the prayers, words of encouragement, and support through all of this. We are truly blessed to have all of you pulling for us❤️