Last doctor appointment for a while

We saw Dr. Higgins on Tuesday.  They did new x-ray's.  He has broken one screw in each ankle.  This was to be expected so it isn't a big deal.  He has some new bone growth.  There is a part of the front of his ankle that doesn't look healed up all the way, and there has been a shift, or some movement in his plate.  Dr. doesn't know why.  So Randy is to keep his hardware in for one more year at minimum.  Or forever if it doesn't bother him.  There is a very small chance that he will get more feeling back into his feet.  But not very likely.
The doctor told Randy he doesn't have any more restrictions.  To go ahead and do whatever he feels that he can do.  Randy was super excited about this.  But he had already gone on a rappel with his buddies the week before.  It did him in for sure.  He was in bed the rest of the next day, and that next week he was quite tired (and we thought a bit grouchy, but he didn't think so.)

7 months out now

Can you believe it has been 7 months ago that he fell?  I can't either.  He is working full time doing all that he used to do.  He walks a bit like an old man.  He is tired after work, which is so unlike the Randy we all know.  But considering he could be dead or paralyzed, he is doing great!   The doctor said he needs to take one long screw out of each ankle before they break.  He said that typically that is around the one year marker.  Randy will see his surgeon again this month and we will know more then.  I did ask if it could be done in December instead of January due to insurance and he said if Randy's body is healing well that could be a possibility.
We are going on our first camp out this weekend since the accident.  We are all looking forward to it.  I will let you know how it goes.

picture from the benefit dinner

Randy is doing well.

Randy is walking unassisted now.  It is tender for him.  He does have to lay down and ice up his ankles after.  But he is doing remarkably well.  When his work calls he can even work.  They ended up NOT having him answer phones.  He is doing real plumbing work.  With the help of an apprentice.  It really is amazing.  He is talking about taking out the ramp in a few weeks.  I am not in any hurry.  Stairs are very difficult for him.  Isn't it just a miracle that he is walking ahead of schedule?

counting blessings

I am still working on getting my thank you's done.  It is a big task.  And a great way to count my blessings.
  Back in January when Randy got hurt we paid our own bills.  The next month the church was kind enough to help with one mortgage and a few food orders.  Since then we have had some wonderful generosity of family, friends, and neighbors.
Thank you is not a big enough word to express our gratitude.  We are doing well.  Being thrifty as always, but doing well.  Randy is able to work here and there when they have work for him.  (He isn't able physically to do everything).  I got my promotion so I make enough, when no one cancels, to pay the mortgage (and just the mortgage.)  We still have some savings.  And we have money from our wonderful support system that should carry us through until our lives return to normal!  There are still medical bills being made , our food storage is next to gone, but that is what it was for, right?  Life is good, God is great, our friends are wonderful!  We love you all so much.  We feel very fortunate to have so many blessings in our lives.
THANK YOU!  You are one of the blessings in our lives.

I found one

As Randy has been healing so quickly I have had to find a car to replace his that I sold.   He has to get to work and so do I.  His parents have been wonderful to drive him to his doctor appointments when I couldn't due to work.  I really thought it would be at least 6 months or more before he could drive, let alone work, so I thought I had plenty of time.  I had his permission to sell the old one because it was hard for him to get in and out of it before the accident.  And now he knew he would really have troubles.
I looked daily for a good month on ksl and all over the valley.  I even went to bountiful.  But I found one close to home.  I was able to talk them down $ 1,000.  I was so surprised that they took my offer I asked if I could come back the next day to sign the papers.  I used our tax return plus the money from the sale of Randy's car.   It's an '04 nissan and it is getting better gas miles than the van.  Sweet!  Randy is now the proud driver of the van, as it is much easier for him to get in and out of.   I get to drive a car for the first time in over a decade.  I have to admit, it sure is fun.  Most of my driving it's just me and one or two kids in the van.  I felt like I was driving a house on wheels.  Not anymore.  Of course we need the van when we are all together or for scouts, and other events, so we will keep it.
Randy is able to work here and there for half days.  He has to come home and ice his ankles for hours after to get the swelling down.  He sure is amazing.  I am feeling much lighter now.  Things are still not quite back to normal.  But they are sure close!  Thank you all for your love and support.  We really appreciate all you have done for our family.  It has meant the world to us.  I didn't realize how depressed I was until now that I am not depressed.  Things were difficult before but they are so much better now.  Thanks for hanging in there with me.

we are so blessed

Randy worked a full day on Monday.  Came home iced his feet, had dinner, then watched Karly's dance performance.  His legs were swollen (not just his ankles and feet) but he didn't complain.

 Today he had his dr. appointment with Higgins.  You should have seen the doctor's face when he asked Randy to walk down the hall.  Dr. H was so proud!  It was like watching a parent see his child's first steps.
When he saw Randy in the office he peeked around the door to see if he had brought a walker or a cane. LOL  Randy is healing so well.  He is my amazing healer.  The doctor said he may have a surgery on his ankles in a year.  I joked that it had to be by December for deductible purposes.  The doctor also said that the long metal screws will break as he gets more mobility.
It is so wonderful to have Randy with us, and doing so well.  It really is a miracle.