Medical Memories

It's been a long seven months. When Chris came home from the hospital last July, it was such a big adjustment that our updates never quite made it past a second thought. Also, Chris and I just needed time to ourselves to process a lot of our journey thus far. I had a lot to figure out taking care of him with wounds, dressings, etc. It was a big shock for me, to say the least.

Since being home, we have made new memories. This year has been sorrowfully sweet, and we both have been pushed to new limits over & over again. We have laughed, we have cried, and we have grown so much in our situation. 

"Bloom where you are planted, right?

Our goal was to keep living. We pushed each other to enjoy life, regardless of the side-steps of this season that we have woken up in. This was our second year of marriage, and we lived it to the best that we could.  From July 2014 to now, here are a few of our medical memories. 

First night home was rough, but we were so happy to have him back.

Chris was instantly inspired to walk. He wanted it to get easier. Crawl, walk, run.

Home Depot has volunteered time and resources to make a sort of "oasis" for Chris to relax in. Once the weather became cooler, he was able to take deep breaths on his swing and watch the dogs play. 

Chris' best friend Mike and his father Larry spent time and money to surprise him with a few modifications on his pride & joy, the 87' Chevy.

On Labor Day, we made our first "social" trip to my parents house. It was a big deal for us! Woundcare kept us stuck at home up until this point. We figured out what worked for us, and made it happen. Living life!

A BIG goal for Chris was to come down off pain medicine so he could drive his truck again. It was a beautiful Fall day! (I was scared to death letting my precious patient drive. ;)

The Urologist told us the ureter wouldn't heal, and it did! We found out in November, and a drain was removed. It was a happy, happy day.

The Thursday before Chris was shot, he wanted to take me to the gun range. We never made it. This was a special date for us in December, and I couldn't stop laughing at how funny he looks shooting his AR with his TPN hooked up.

As a soldier, this was a BIG moment for Chris. His Brigidier General made a house visit in December to check up on his soldier. Chris got "coined", and was BEAMING all night. Proud Army wife. :)

No explanation necessary! ;)

Tshirts that a friend of ours made for us. Chris' strength has always be modeled after Christ. Our bodies are vessels that carry Him inside of us. Christ is strong FOR us. :)

I made a "road map" for Chris. It inspired us both to keep LIVING. We were able to check off most of these goals, and we have GOOD memories (among the bad) to reflect on from this year.

Last office appointment with Dr. Renz, Chris' trauma surgeon, before his 26th OR visit scheduled in February 2015. It's a BIG surgery, with many doctors involved. It will last anywhere from 6-12 hours, and Chris will remain hospitalized for another month.

All of my life in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship