Tricia continues to get stronger, although she is still having trouble putting on any weight. She is getting her rehab in at a local gym. We are returning to Duke about twice a month for checkups and other appts. Tricia's latest bronch showed that her new lungs are continuing to improve.
Gwyneth is LOVING Kindergarten! She has been talking about it for what seems like forever, and she was so excited the first day. She recognized a few friends the first day and has made several new friends. We're very encouraged to see how much she is learning and growing already!
It's hard to imagine that we've been gone for ten months. Our last memories of being home were from this time of year last year, so everything seems like it just happened yesterday even though it has been an entire year...it's a very odd feeling. So many things have changed while we've been away, including several new neighbors (with kids!) who we are getting to know. We have been able to enjoy a few days at the beach and are catching up with friends. Life is slowly returning to normal.
We have so many people to thank for the past year of our lives, including those of you who continue to read and pray and encourage. This has been, by far, the most difficult part of our journey to date. I'll write more about this later, but while we prayed and hoped, neither Tricia nor I realistically believed that she would survive this past winter and spring. So many obstacles were place in her way, and yet, God continued to bless us far beyond what we could ever deserve. We continue to hold the Duke staff in the highest esteem and are so thankful for their amazing knowledge and care and for the way God used them to bring Tricia back to life.
To Tricia's two donor families, wherever you are, whether you ever read this or not, thank you.
Nate