We're coming home!!!!!!

Halleluia is not a big enough word to express our praise and just plain giddy-ness today!

Gift #1- Dan needs to be able to climb stairs both at home and at church and we weren't sure he'd be able to do this for quite some time. Well, Dan had outpatient PT today, and was able to climb 26 stairs, up and down, unassisted, and wasn't even out of breath! Richard, Dan's therapist, was shocked and could not explain how he was able to do that, as he didn't have this much strength two days ago in PT. We saw several other PTs and OTs who worked with Dan while he was still hospitalized, and they all shared kind words and compliments to Dan on how great he looks now. But the most humbling and blessed of comments shared today was from a lady in the rehab office, we don't know her but she's watched Dan while he's done rehab since November, and she said Dan has given her hope for her own life.

Gift #2- Next, Dan had outpatient OT, this was his third appointment with Michelle who was assessing Dan's ability to start driving again, testing for strength, reflexes, and eye-hand coordination. And he passed! Dan will start driving around the neighborhood at first until he feels confident to try freeways.

Gift #3- Later, Dan saw Dr. Byrne, one of the liver doctors. He also had labs first thing this morning, and results were excellent, the only lab a little off was kidney function, that creatinine number was 1.8 which is great for Dan but normal is lower, the dr. said Dan may never get to that number but he wasn't overly concerned either. It was profound to me that we saw Dr. Byrne today. He was the first doctor Dan saw when he was being assessed for the Mayo transplant program last year, he has seen Dan's health go from bad to worse, and now today told us how fabulous Dan is doing and how good he looks - kind of completes the journey for us to have come full circle with Dr. Byrne. Dan has a few more appointments left like cardiologist, pacemaker check, and 2 more PTs, the last on Dec. 31. So....drum roll please....Dr. Byrne released Dan to return home to Hawaii the first of January!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gift #4- This afternoon, I received a love gift that will cover my airfare for last week's trip to Hawaii.

To be sure, tears flowed freely as we received each of these gifts today. Do we feel blessed? You bet. We are living Ephesians 3:20-21 (HCSB): "Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think—according to the power that works in you—to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever." Amen and Amen!

Can't stop smiling,

Debbie and Dan

(PS: In case you're wondering, yes we already have our flight reservations, we'll be flying home Tuesday, Jan. 6th.)