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
Congratulations on being together in your own home! Your family has been such an example of the importance of organ donation. Keep up that good work of awareness! I marvel at Gweneth's growth and love seeing her sweetness and enthusiasm. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
ReplyDeletePraise the sweet name of Jesus. One day at a time.....
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see yu home!! Prayers for continued steps forward!
ReplyDeleteso happy you are home. We will continue to pray. God is good all the time. Becky
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! I can only imagine your joy at being 'home'!
ReplyDeleteMay all continue to go well for you ~~~
I AM THRILL!!! yes I don't know you personally but took her healing very personal. nothing but nothing could change how happy i was when she rec'd her new lungs.
ReplyDeletei watch all the time for you to post about Tricia...i was so worried.
praying and asking God for her recovery.
May God continue to bless you all abundantly & all of this continue to Glorify Him! You are such an inspiration to others. Congrats on this "new" stage in your lives!!
ReplyDeleteGod Is GOOD!!!
ReplyDeleteReading--- and PRAISING God!
ReplyDeleteAfter I posted that I realized it made it sound like I was a donor family. I am not. Cant take that credit. I am a reader however who is blessed by your story. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for all of you! I have only been following your story since Rick Warren tweeted your need for prayer (sometime before the last transplant). However, I am thrilled to see how God has answered prayer. It is so wonderful to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Lois M.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear you are home and that Tricia is improving every day. I too prayed for a miracle for your family, but truthfully, based on how she looked, felt perhaps God had another plan. So very thankful for her survival, and that The Rose has her Mommy to watch her grow up!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs...Nancy in CT
Blessings on you, Tricia, and your dear family. I, too, eagerly watched for an updated blog -- all the while praying for the Lord to work another miracle so you could return home as a family. So glad Gwyneth is enjoying school; she is so precious!! Praying for continued healing, good health, and renewed strength for Tricia.
ReplyDeleteAlways thinking of you all and sending good vibes. May this transition to being home go smoothly and easily for all of you.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa
Praise God!!! So happy for Tricia and your entire family!!!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Redwood City, CA
Tears of joy! God is certainly good!
ReplyDeleteRejoicing with y'all that you are home with your sweet kiddos! Praising the Lord for miracles that continue to happen everyday and prayers continue with y'all! As a reader who has followed y'all and prayed for y'all daily since I was introduced to your blog in early 2008 I tear up at the goodness of the Lord! Thank you so much for sharing and encouraging each of us who read and interact with y'all!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Rebecca :)
Praising God for His continued provision. Another new chapter in your testimony is unfolding!! Continued prayers afor all of you and both donor families!!
ReplyDeleteSuch great news! Rejoicing with you all!
ReplyDeleteThe word "AMAZING" is often overused, but I'm gonna overuse it right about..... NOW.... AMAZING, AMAZING news, AMAZING memories, AMAZING lungs, AMAZING family, AMAZING friends.... ok, I think I'm done. So happy for all of you!
ReplyDeletePraise God for all this wonderful news!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch glorious news. What a testimony. So glad sweet Gwyneth is enjoying kindergarten. Her little face always radiates joy. Prayers for a healthy, uneventful fall and winter for your family.
ReplyDeleteENJOY. There's no place like home.
ReplyDeleteWow, has it really been ten months!?
ReplyDeleteAmazing that you guys are home! What an absolute blessing and priviledge it has been to stand(/kneel) alongside you in this time of trial and miraculous provision.
Praying for all of you as you adjust, re-learn and breathe :)Praying for speedy, healthy, lasting weight gain.
For the praise and glory of His name.Thank you Jesus!
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
ReplyDeleteThe flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come...
Delighting and rejoicing in this season with you all!
Continuing in prayer!
Nana Judy
Amazing. Simply amazing.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. Simply amazing.
ReplyDeleteWElcome Home! I can not imagine being gone 10 months. God is good! Continuing to pray for your family from KY.Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news!! Praise the Lord!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Nate and your beautiful and amazing family!It is Lisa from sunny San diego here.Thanks so much for remembering your updates.God has used this journey with bringing Tricia back to life in a mighty way!I know it has encouraged me. I dont think I will ever forget how hard I prayed for someone I had never met!much love,Praise God for his abundant blessings. "We will remember, we will remeber, we will remember,the works of your hands..."Lisa
ReplyDeleteHello Nate and your beautiful and amazing family!It is Lisa from sunny San diego here.Thanks so much for remembering your updates.God has used this journey with bringing Tricia back to life in a mighty way!I know it has encouraged me. I dont think I will ever forget how hard I prayed for someone I had never met!much love,Praise God for his abundant blessings. "We will remember, we will remeber, we will remember,the works of your hands..."Lisa
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update!!! I've been wondering how everyone was doing:)
ReplyDeleteAmazing, I am so happy to see this post greeting me when I looked up your page. Home at last, thank you God home at last!
ReplyDeleteWhat great news! I, too, am so amazed at Trish's resiliency and the skill of the doctors and grace of God that she is still a wife and mom here on earth. Your journey has been so long and hard and is far from over, but I remember when I first found your blog and Trish was about to give birth. Look how far you've come!
ReplyDeleteLove to all.
ReplyDeleteContinue to be so incredibly inspired by you, your faith, and the amazing progress and miracles you've witnessed, experienced and shared with your readers throughout the years. Your faith, love, and belief in all that is good, as well as your continual ability and willingness to share your fears and struggles is such an enormous testament to your faith and a profound gift to others. Thank you - and enjoy every moment - you've inspired so many others to do so!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, simply beautiful! Rejoicing over all of you.
ReplyDeleteAll praise to God!
ReplyDeletePTL!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't help but admire your photography skills! Could you tell me what kind of camera do you use, and what photo editing software do you normally use?