Six month update...

It has been a little over a week and we are pleased that all sutures and staples are out. The doctors decided to do it in steps. Sutures were first and staples came out today. Sherrie was very blessed to have a very talented plastic surgeon that did a very nice job. It is now time for family beautician Jess to determine whether we go short or style a new look.

Since the surgery, Sherrie has been busy with therapy sessions. She has done pretty well in all her sessions. It is rather common for her to take a pen in her hand and write a note. She writes very small and it's not as nice as it was, but it is noticeable. The other day she was asked if she wanted to write a note to Ron and she wrote "I Love You". Needless to say, my heart melted. I miss my daily conversations with my sweetheart and pray for her ability to have a conversation with me soon. In the meantime, I will be very grateful for a small note, out stretched arms for a hug and a kiss and a faint but understood "I love you".

Over the last two weeks she developed a cough due to extra drainage getting in her wind pipe and over the past week she has had trouble absorbing her food and water leaving her dehydrated and very tired. She pushes through her PT sessions where we have her up and on her feet walking, but the other sessions have been a struggle for her to stay awake. This has attracted the attention of her doctors so we are now in a process of elimination to see what may be making her bowels so unstable. We have had a series of X-rays, DVT (deep vein thrombosis...looking for blood clots) reviews, blood tests, cultures and all have come back negative. The next step is to have a gastroenterologist look at her to see whats going on inside her bowels. She otherwise is healthy with no fevers. I am so grateful for this.

All of this has been very concerning and so we do what we know we should and rely on prayer and the tender mercies of God. I have to admit it is very challenging seeing her have another hurdle to jump. She has had so many. Just as I begin to get discouraged, I am reminded that we have been here before and in each case, prayers have been offered, blessings have been given and my sweetheart receives strength to overcome. We have no doubt she is watched over by her loving Heavenly Father.

We are now at the six month mark and we have seen so much. We pray the next days, weeks and months see Sherrie making great progress. I don't know the timing, but we will continue in faith and hope that all will be well.