341 Looking Good!

We finally made it to the doctor for the DQ's six month post-op x-ray. The doc said her back looks great! We were pretty sure that is what we would hear, but it is fabulous to get confirmation of that.

What a blessing!

285 Six Months

The day she has been counting down to has finally arrived.

Today marks 6 months since the DQ's surgery.

She is now free to run and jump and return to normal activities.

I know that for that first month she thought she'd never feel well again.

Thankfully, as the great doctor promised, she is feeling nearly back to her old self. Her back does ache if she's up and walking a lot. He said that at the one year mark she will have made as much progress as she ever will. Meaning, if there is something that is kind of bothering her, it will forever if it hasn't cleared up by then.

What a miracle science is.

We are eternally grateful for the care she received, for our health insurance that covered the procedure, and most importantly, to our Father in Heaven for keeping her safe, comforting us all during the scary times, and helping her to heal so well!

139 Getting Back on the Bicycle

The DQ went for a bike ride today. She met up with a friend and they rode around the neighborhood.

No big deal right?

Well to her it was exciting because it's the most physical exercise she's gotten in a long time.

She was very excited.

The Dr. gave her the all clear to rider her bike when she saw him last week.

His two guidelines?

Don't fall off, and don't get hit by a car.

Good tips for any cyclist.

Bonus*

How could I not include this??

The Doc gave us printed copies of the before and after x-rays.

What a difference!!

(The DQ was wearing shorts with a zipper in the after photos. So crazy how x-rays work!)

132 Happy As ...Clams...?

Oh life with the LT. It is always interesting.

The DQ had a follow up appointment with her doctor today in Atlanta. After getting a great report from the doctor, in which he said he was very pleased with how things look now, we spent the rest of the afternoon stopped on driving through the streets of Atlanta and running errands. We stopped at a Mexican place, La Fonda, for dinner. The LT got a seafood paella (I suppose that's Spanish, not Mexican) and entertained the girls with a mussel puppet.

(I was more grossed out than entertained, but the girls loved it.)

110 Freshening Up

Since the DQ has been unable to shower, her hair was in a serious need of a wash. I had purchased some no-rinse shampoo in anticipation, but it really didn't do much to make her hair feel cleaner. I had the brilliant idea to take her to a salon to have it washed today.

The lady who did it was super nice and gentle, and it only cost 5 bucks!

It is amazing what clean hair can do for a girl's morale.

108 Visitors

The DQ had FOUR visitors come by today. Clearly she is missed at school as a parade of girls showed up soon after dismissal. The first one brought her principal's list certificate that was passed out last week, the second brought pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and the third brought a fourth! She was so happy to see them all. She smiled and laughed and chatted and was just so happy to see friends. I'm so happy that they all live so close because they plan on coming over a lot. That will surely make this recovery process move more quickly!

107 Sweet Friends

This arrived today for the DQ. It was from some dear friends whom we met through the Army. This certainly brightened the DQ up!

105 Strong

We made it home today! We didn't leave the hospital until about 12:30, but we were super excited to head out. The DQ did awesome on the ride home.

When we got home, she happily set up camp on the couch and just enjoyed being around people and not in a crowded room. She also got treated to some loot that had been waiting for her. Her teacher from last year had sent her some fun bacon and mustache related things that brought a smile to her face.

I also ordered 2 bracelets for her from Etsy, and one had arrived. I think she really likes it.

It says "You are stronger than you know."

She certainly is.

104 Still Here

We had hoped that we could go home today, but that is probably not happening. The DQ has been really nauseated, and the LT is worried about the 2 hour car ride home. One more night won't hurt her of course. She and I both have cabin fever, and I think she will feel much better to be home. Tomorrow should be the day then!

103 Out and About

Today has been much more active than yesterday. The nurses had the DQ up and walking, and also want her to sit in the wheelchair for 2 hours a day. She was antsy and wanting to get up and out, but the moving to the chair is tough. In the afternoon, she asked to go outside. We took her to the beautiful garden they have outside for some fresh air. She was tired and ready to go back in after only about 5 minutes, but I made her wait 5 more minutes.

Tonight they'll have her walk a little more, and then tomorrow, stairs!

She has been so tough throughout this whole process. 

Before another round of pain meds came, she was cranky and kind of yelling at me. Later, she apologized, but she totally has a pass.

102 Post-Op

Today we spent the morning in the waiting room of the Children's Hospital of Atlanta. Around 11:30, the wonderful doc came out to tell us that everything had gone as planned (for the most part) and that the DQ was headed to recovery. We are now in her room with her, and she has slept the day away (thankfully). She occasionally wakes with pain, so she pushes her morphine button and then drifts back to sleep. She has received great care here and although the surgery was a big hurdle, I think the hardest part is ahead of us.

We have definitely felt the thoughts and prayers offered on our behalf. We are so blessed!!

101 Atlanta Bound

Tomorrow is spinal fusion day. The DQ has to be at the hospital at 6am, so we are staying the night in Atlanta. On the way up, the DQ requested lunch at Zoe's Kitchen, and of course, how could we say no?

100 Moving Mountains

T minus 2 days and counting until we get this all straightened out.

(this is the DQ's back, her head is ducked down, the right side of her rib cage is twisted up)

96 Peace

We were in Atlanta again today, for the DQ's pre-op appointment at the hospital. Her spinal fusion is next Wednesday and today made it all that more real.

They drew blood, and talked to her about what to expect.

Afterward, we had lunch and tried to decided what to do. I decided I'd like to drive by the Atlanta Temple. The LT wasn't thrilled because he thought we were dressed too casually, but I really wanted to check it out. I was feeling really emotional about the surgery and so I stuck my ground on it.

I was overwhelmed by such a feeling of peace the moment we pulled into the parking lot.

Instantly, the scripture from John 14:27 came into my mind:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I knew I had made the right choice in coming to the temple, even if I couldn't go inside today.

I am so thankful for the love of my Heavely Father, and how much He wants us to be happy and feel His love.