Dad stood up today!

What a day!  With the help and encouragement of Angela, a mild-mannered occupational therapist, Dad put his boots back on and pulled himself up to version of standing on his own two feet!!!  And he not only used his feet to stand, but he also put those booted feet on the floor for balance  as he slid into and out of his wheelchair with minimal help!  He also had a good time "walking" his wheelchair around the room with his feet, realizing how quickly he could maneuver himself out into the hallway, or into the kitchen or the deck on a future adventure... tomorrow maybe?? 

 So many possibilities for independence have opened up for Dad this week.  And with his amazing rate of healing and these first successful attempts at ambulation, the stair chair installation and bathroom remodel have jumped into full swing!  All bets are off as to the date Dad might be able to come home.  God knows when his homecoming will happen and we think it will be sooner than later.  

Please continue to pray for Dad as he works to strengthen his muscles and increase his endurance so he can move to a walker.  Surprisingly, Dad felt no pain in his feet or his wrists during today's activities.  But that dog-gone hip was the pain culprit.  Not being able to rehab his hip until two months after surgery makes the therapy pretty painful.  Hang in there, Dad!

On a personal note, I am so thankful to have witnessed today's major milestones with my dad.  I drove over to his care house this morning only because he wasn't answering his cell phone and I wondered if he'd run away or something!  Alas, the volume had been muted, which one more lesson on cell phone operation corrected easily.  Soon after my arrival, Angela the therapist arrived  for her first visit and the happy miracles began to take place.  To see Dad's face as he moved on his own, and put weight on his feet for the first time in months is a site I will never forget.  And I think that he didn't mind me doing a "happy dance" in the corner and shedding a few tears of happiness in honor of his successes today.  It won't be long until he joins me in the "happy dance" using his own two feet!   Kelli