Well…these past couple of months have been pretty remarkable! Day by day progress is step by step, so not vast improvements in the short run, but cumulatively have been pretty amazing.

Nathan’s gall bladder removal surgery was successful and he is completely healed. His surgery was pretty much unheard of in northern Colorado, just with the damage done to his lungs, there haven’t been any cases of any type of successful surgery with a patient that has been on a ventilator, and had so much trauma. The surgeon was almost reluctant to perform it based on how damaged Nathan's lungs were, but after getting the go ahead by the pulmonologist, he felt much more comfortable.

As of April 7th, Nathan is completely done with going to physical therapy. They have done as much as they can and cut him loose to finish rehab on his own! This was a bit intimidating for him, but at the same time, exciting. Every day he says he is better and better.

We joined the local rec center so that we can continue with his cardio and strength training. His determination is so inspiring to me. When he was first discharged from the rehab hospital, we thought that he would be going to out patient rehab at least through June or July, so for him to be finished this early is a testament to his strong will to recover completely. 

Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation hosts a stick and puck every Wednesdays down in Littleton so we drive down most Wednesday’s so that he can get out on the ice for an hour or so. At first he didn’t want me to share this, but I think it’s time to let everyone know…I’m just so excited to see him back out on the ice. He is still weak, and needs breaks to let his lungs recover, but I think he is just so happy to be skating again. He is even talking about signing up for the summer ‘E’ league in Fort Collins. He normally plays in the ‘C’ league, but he has to basically start all over again.

We have season tickets to the Colorado Eagles hockey games, and have actually gone to quite a few games so far. This last weekend, our dear friends Dawn and Monty, who life in Cheyenne, WY, came to a game and when they come down we stay at the hotel across from the Budweiser Event Center. Nathan’s goal was to be able to walk across the parking lot from the hotel to the event center, and he did it!!!! We stayed on Friday night and it was also the first time we stayed away from home since before he got sick.

This morning he had a follow up appointment with his pulmonologist and it was an encouraging update. The doctor is happy with the improvement in his lung function and we are planning on doing a CT scan and a breathing test before Nathan’s next appointment in August.

Ever year, for the past 6 or 7 years, Nathan and Chris attend the Weekend Warrior hockey camp in Vail at the end of June, so that is Nathans next goal. It is a family event for us and it is always such a special weekend. This year, however, the Dawg Nation hockey foundation hosts a hockey tournament and they host a survivor game where survivors of traumatic illnesses or injuries participate, so on the Saturday that we are at hockey camp we will be traveling down to Denver so Nathan can participate with other survivors. 

I’m suffering from PTSD…so am trying to work through that. This year is already one of many miracles though and I am putting faith that God will continue working in our lives!!

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God

1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord

May you all have a blessed Easter.

Luke 23:46 Into your Hands I commit my spirit.