I just got off the phone with Dad and he sounded great - still winded, but great! He said it's been almost 48 hours since he's had to use the oxygen cannula - he didn't even take it with him to his pulmonary rehab appt. yesterday! This is such a huge step for him physically and mentally and I am so, so proud of him. Last week he gained four pounds (okay, he had shoes on so we'll call it three) and he's been walking every day on the treadmill that Bryan set up for him in their front room. Everything is still a bit of a struggle for him and leaves him feeling completely wiped out - things like putting on his shoes, reading a book, talking for more than a few minutes, but from what we hear from the doctors and other patients it's perfectly normal - frustrating, but normal. As he reminded me today, it's a slow process that's literally going to take about a year before he feels 100% normal again.
As difficult as this whole process has been, it never escapes us how much better off he is now than he was three months ago. Little things like enjoying family Sunday dinners together at home and sleeping in his own bed have become big, wonderful things. Today he has hope, and a bright future ahead of him and was finally able to kiss that oxygen cannula goodbye - hopefully forever!
