Day 53:  Fifty-three days at home!

Happy Easter Friends,

I pray this Easter Sunday finds you safely at home with your families and reflecting on the reason we celebrate this day....Jesus is Risen!  

I'm posting today, April 12th, as it marks the 53rd day that Olin has been home from the hospital.  If you read Olin's post from February 19th, our last post to his Caring Bridge when he announced that he was headed home, you may have noticed that it was also Day 53...53 days of being an inpatient at WakeMed.  Today, the significance of "53 days" is not lost on us this Easter Sunday, we not only celebrate our Risen Savior but also, Olin's recovery at home.  

Many of you have reached out to us with texts, cards, meals and visits since we have been home.  We have loved reconnecting with everyone.  Because there are many of you that we don't get to see regularly and have inquired as to Olin's progress, I thought posting to Olin's Caring Bridge would be the quickest and most effective way to provide an update.

Here is the latest:
Olin is doing very well.  Not surprising, he has attacked his recovery with determination and has been laser-focused with regard to his nutrition, exercise, therapies and rest.  He completed his Home Health Care therapy (PT/OT) with flying colors several weeks ago.  His cardiologist has released Olin and given Olin the thumbs up to drive.  Olin is back to work. Yay!  He is walking approximately one mile every day and has put on almost 10 pounds of the 25 he lost while in the hospital.  His hemoglobin is still lower than it should be (but is trending up).  The doctors say it will take some time for Olin's blood volume to get back to its normal level.  Olin is playing his bass guitar every day (which is its own special therapy)!  He is also back to being the awesome dad to Harris and Emily that they love and rely on each and every day.  I am so happy and thrilled with Olin's progress.  We are blessed beyond measure to have him back home leading our family!

I am including two pictures so you can see just how great Olin is doing.  The first was taken today (Day 53) Easter Sunday with Harris and Emily.  The second was taken a couple of weeks ago on one of our walks around the pond in our neighborhood.

Thank you dear friends and family for your prayers, love and support.  We are so grateful and thankful for all the many ways you ministered to our family throughout this difficult season in our lives.  Also, the stellar medical professionals, staff, techs, and therapists at WakeMed were everything that we could have hoped for and more.  We give God all the glory in Olin's incredible journey back to health and recovery!

We love you!