What a Monday...

I'm hi-jacking my cousin Shauna's facebook note, because for those of you who have followed her story the past 6 months, you'll be SO SO glad to read this.

For those completely out of the loop, follow her story here (in order): Urgent prayer request; God bless our troops; Ties that bind,

Once your caught up, here's Shauna's post:

If I could fit everything I found out today into a short status update I would, but too much happened today and I want to share it with all of you that have been with us every step of the way. So, here is today's summary, as brief as I can be with a little daily routine thrown in.

Scarlett and I arrive at Walter Reed around 10am, pick up coffee, and head upstairs to see Anthony. Nothing out of the ordinary. We stroll in and Anthony has already had his dressing change and is in an exceptionally good mood. Something's definitely up... He then tells me to take a look and sure enough, there are NO DRESSINGS anywhere to be found. WOO HOO!! We are officially dressing free! The final skin graft is officially a take and he is cleared to sit up and work out from now on without restrictions. We still need to be cautious but we are good to go! No more prone cart and lying in bed all the time. This was enough excitement to get me jumping up and down, but there is more... 

We have about two hours in between dressing change and the beginning of therapy appointments. This is when we have lunch, feed and change Scarlett, get Anthony dressed, do all the hygiene stuff, all while visitors and doctors are stopping by. Today was Kevin Spacey, just an added bonus to all of our great news.

Now, we start our journey downstairs to the MATC for OT and PT. Today, I sent Anthony off to OT while Scarlett and I made a quick run to the grocery store (she was down to her last jar of baby food). When we met back up with Anthony at PT in the MATC, he had another surprise. While in OT, the docs came by and took out his PICC line. Which is a peripherally inserted central catheter. This is the lines that were used to take labs, administer meds, etc. Since, Anthony went all weekend without any additional pain meds and no more major surgeries coming up, the docs decided it was time. So, now he is dressing free and tube free all in one day! 

On top of all that, while we were out two very important appointments were made for Anthony, and he couldn't wait to tell us. First, tomorrow we head to the Wheelchair clinic to get fitted for his custom wheelchair. He will have a power and manual chair. The power will be available as long as he needs it, but he hopes to do more in the manual chair. We have been waiting on this appointment for awhile now. A custom wheelchair will make all the difference in the world, but Anthony had to be healed and cleared by the docs first before he could be fitted. That way we get the correct chair for him. So, this means he is there, he is healing wonderfully.

The next appointment brought me to tears (which have come uncontrollably all day). This Wednesday, April 6, 2011 Anthony is going to be casted for his first set of prosthetics!! PT and the prosthetic lab both agreed that he is ready. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. There are no words to express how excited we are! So after PT, we make a trip over to the Prosthetic Lab for a quick measurement and then, I hear the words that almost bring me to my knees... Mike, the Prosthetic Tech/Expert, says he will have Anthony standing on his left leg as early as this Friday, definitely by the following Monday! STANDING on his left leg!! Again, no words can express the overwhelming amount of joy I felt and the shocked expression on Anthony's face. One of Anthony's goals was to walk before Scarlett did and that is going to happen! Soon enough, they will be walking together. We never imagined that things would move so quickly, but we are definitely not complaining either. 

For anyone wondering why only one leg, let me explain. Anthony is an above the knee amputee on the left leg, and because there is a stump to attach the prosthetic to, it is easier to create. That is why it could be ready as early as Friday and Anthony will be testing it out with assistance so soon. Anthony's injury to his right side is a right hip disarticulation, meaning part of his pelvic bone and the entire right leg is gone. There is also deep tissue damage to his entire backside. Due to the extent of his injuries, the right side will need a custom made prosthetic and many adjustments. Being able to stand and move on one leg is huge, the rest will come in time.

Instead of heading back to the room, Anthony goes to the Barber Shop for a haircut and I start spreading the news. Our friends in Executive Services actually said I did a full on dance/cheer while telling the great news! Which continued as we made it back to the Ward and I continued to share the incredible news.

Just when I think the day couldn't possibly get any better, and I have no more tears of joy to cry, we get more news. Once we were situated in the room and Scarlett is down for her nap, our docs make their final check-in for the day. I'm thinking routine visit, no biggie. Our Doctor starts talking about letting the team know when Anthony feels like leaving the hospital, we think she is referring to our Passes and we ask when we can go Overnight again, and she says whenever we want to!! YAY!! Loved that news, but she says she was actually referring to going out-patient! I had to sit down for that one. She went on to tell us that when we are ready and whenever Anthony feels strong enough, there is nothing preventing us from going out-patient. After 6 months and so many days, we didn't think the day would ever come. However, we aren't going out-patient quite yet. Anthony wants to build up his strength, get further along in PT and using his prosthetics, and his biggest goal is to be able to help me. He doesn't want to go out until he can become more independent. He realizes and understands that I have a lot on my plate daily and we need time to adjust and can't jump into the out-patient role quite yet. My husband, like always, is thinking of others before himself. Amazing. Our goal is to be out of the hospital, at latest, by the end of the month. We will see how things go from day to day and then be able to determine a date following. 

We finished today with dinner and playtime with Miss Scarlett :) This is going to be an emotional week for us all, but so glad I get to share it with all of you. We are relieved that these days have finally arrived. I can't promise detailed notes, but get ready for tons of pictures and video!
Thank you all for your continuous love, support, and prayers.

So yeah, I'm not going to bother saying anything else, because her post pretty much says everything I could possibly want to say. Keep sending prayers her way please.

I'll leave you with some lovely family photos she, Anthony and Scarlett have taken:

Shauna and baby Scarlett outside the hospital. Overjoyed -- Anthony started getting to go outside!

Quality family snuggle time. So good.

She just looks too angelic, I know. SO cute.

Until next time.