The 18 Month Mark

Truth be told, I haven't been counting and I only realized that it was 18 months ago today as a passing thought.  But, passing thought or not, quite a bit has changed and I haven't left an update in quite some time.  So here we go!

Josh and I went in to meet with the Ortho surgeon on his ankles just after the one year mark last fall - end of November - and as far as he is concerned, we don't need to bother going back unless there is an issue with the ankles.  Josh has a slight loss of sensation, a dullness might describe it, to the front of one of his lower legs, but nothing significant.  The range of motion isn't fully back - but he's able to keep flexibility going by being vigilant with his stretches throughout the week.

As for the spine.  We went in on 7 February (I know... and it's the third week in APRIL now! 50 lashes...) to meet with the Ortho-Spinal surgeon.  The report that we got was the same that we had been getting from the get-go: there is growth, but not as much as we would expect by this point in your recovery.  6 months prior to this appointment, Josh had an MRI and there HAS been growth since then, but it is still not a "robust" fusion.  Honestly, I don't remember if he had a doom and gloom outlook as to if it ever would be or not - I just frankly choose to believe that it will fuse in due time.  Josh is a bit shorter after all... it just takes him a little longer to grow! ;) 

The lack of a robust fuse means increased stress on the hardware.  The guidance was to just continue to "baby" his back and abide by his profile, following up with a check-up each year. 

But I will say this: I am continuously amazed, impressed, and just plain blown away by the drive and determination that Josh applies to his job and his fitness.  Looking at the months of physical therapy alone - I'm not sure I would have had the stick-to-it-ivness that he had when it came to working hard at getting back to prime functioning level!  He motivates me to be a better wife and mom every day!

So - no more running for him.  Instead, he's taken to swimming and road biking.  And as for the mountain biking... well, that's a story for another day!  We still work through issues as they pop up, but we've adapted as a family unit.  We're learning to do the day-to-day tasks (like shifting furniture, and carrying in crates of apples) that won't leave Josh in pain or overburden a 7 month pregnant momma!

But, the final command is coming to a close and we're gearing up to leave El Paso.  Another 6 weeks or so and we'll be able to close this chapter and step confidently into the next.  We've all gleaned many good lessons from the past (almost) 4 years here, and it's shaped and matured us into who we are today.  Personally, I've been more intentional about relationships and what I can learn from others - I can only hope it's not been merely a "take" but more of a give and take.  I've enjoyed discovering the beauty and the little hidden gems within El Paso and the culture.  I never would have freely chosen to move here, but am thankful for the opportunity!!!  When else would my herbs grow out back year round!?!!   (Might miss that the most!!!)

 

 

In preparation for leaving, we pulled the girls from preschool a few weeks early, so this was after their last day of preschool!  What sweet girls!!  Morgan is showing off her sticker and a picture she cut out from a magazine, and Addison has her writing from the day. 

So, where are we headed next?  To State College, PA (Where Josh grew up and his family still lives!) where Josh will go to Penn State for 2 years before going on to teach English at West Point for 3 more years!  (Can anyone else see God's perfect timing in all of this?  Seriously!)  We're looking forward to green grass and trees... oh yea... and being closer to family!!!!

So, if you're wondering what to pray over - that Josh's spine will continue to fuse and that it will be robust and strong.  Praise God for the miracles we've already witnessed and the lessons he's taught us!  A seamless change of command and no loss of inventory.  A smooth delivery (Due July 2nd) along with finding the perfect specialists for us all medically speaking (Endo, OB, Spinal, Cardio, PT, etc.), transition for the girls, and housing... all of those things that go along with a PCS, and that we'll have no trouble renting our house here in El Paso.

Gosh, does that sound like a lot? Because we're just riding a huge wave of tremendous peace right now.  It's fantastic!  God is good!  And as for today's "significance"?  It's just another day. The girls were watching a veggie tales episode last week: "The Ballad of Little Joe" and there's a point where Joseph is confronting his brothers about how they had sold him into slavery (etc. etc.)... Larry Boy plainly stated that "what you intended for harm, God used for good."  And all day today, they were singing a song from another episode "God is bigger than the Boogie Man..." in true preschool form, they sang it over and over again.  Remembering both of those gems, I'm reminded of just how blessed we are and hearing it come from the mouths of our babes makes it even more memorable and precious! 

 

Before commuting in for the State of the Union Address 12 February 2013

(see Facebook for more pictures)

 

 

Morgan, Addison, & Hannah - St. Patrick's Day 2013