Just wanted you all to know that a little light has finally appeared at the end of the tunnel of my husband's post-surgery ordeal. After more than five weeks in the hospital (including a helicopter airlift, kidney failure, dialysis, emergency surgery, nerve damage in his legs, and blood clots in both his legs and lungs), he has finally been cleared to come home this Saturday. Whew!

His kidneys are fine now and the blood clot/internal bleeding situation is under control. The only remaining problem is significant nerve damage (to his left leg in particular) caused by pressure from fluid buildup and hematoma in his abdomen. He is able to walk with a walker and AFO (ankle foot orthotic), and will hopefully graduate to crutches soon. Many months of rehab and pt lie ahead--since nerves recover very very slowly...about one inch per month--but the doctors are confident he will have a near full recovery. The nerves are intact; it will just take time and patience.

Our life over the past 5+ weeks has been an unpredictable roller coaster of progress and setbacks, but we have received a lot of love and support (including you ladies here on YLF)...which really helped. At times, I felt like the strongest woman in the world while at other times I felt like the most vulnerable. I have been tested, that's for sure, but the worst is behind us now. Life won't be "normal" for us for a while yet, but better days are definitely ahead.

I've checked in on YLF from time to time during the past few weeks, and hope to be somewhat active soon. Mostly, I'm just glad DH is alive and well. He's had excellent care, and we are so grateful for that.

Missing you all! Hope to post again as soon as I have him settled here at home and we resume some sort of routine.