Day 147, Done with blood thinners :)

We have had a great last few weeks.  It's hard to believe we've almost been home for 6 weeks.  Time sure has gone by a lot faster at home than in the RV in Houston.  Hunter has been doing some working, resting, and gaining strength.  It just feels good to be back with our boys.  A part of me hopes to never forget how much that we missed them--especially in the midst of middle of the night breathing treatments, running one of the twins to the bathroom for the umptheenth time during dinner, or when I crawl into bed exhausted at the end of the day.  Being mom and wife to my family is the most important job I will ever have!  Time apart has definitely reminded us not to take time with our family for granted.

Hunter has gone back to work for a few hours each day.  His best sleep comes in the early morning, so he tries to sleep in a little.  His body still hasn't readjusted from two months of 2 A.M. blood draws in the hospital.  As his steroid dose continues to decrease, his nighttime sleep improves too.  He has been going out to Baird from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, then comes home to nap.  Everyone at the dealership watches him very carefully and tries to send him home when he looks worn out.  Hunter is happy to be back to using his brain, and sometimes it might be more quiet there than at home with three busy boys.  Other than his sleeping difficulties, one of his only other discomforts right now is leg cramps after a busy day.  Hunter maintains his good attitude and doesn't complain.  He is one strong man:)  

Speaking of the boys, I've been trying hard to keep them from feeling confined to home, even though we pretty much are.  We play outside a lot, go visit Hunter at work, take trips to my Grandparents house, and try and catch our parents when there aren't cousins around.  We are counting down the days until we can be around other kids!  Yesterday we did go to the 12:15 showing of the movie "Planes" and were five of about ten people in the theatre.  It was a cute movie and the boys all did really well.  We've also enjoyed some cooler temperatures and fall like weather this week.  Potty training has been going really well.  Accidents are now few and far between. 

     

Soft rainy day just called us to get out and play!

Hunter had a blood draw this week in Abilene.  It's been two weeks since his last checkup in Houston. His hemoglobin continues to climb.  For the first time since transplant, it was in the normal range at 14.3.  This was a big number for us and is a reminder of how far he's come!  God has answered our prayer in many ways, but it is always a relief that his hemoglobin stays steady as he is almost off his steroids.  For the next two weeks he will alternate days taking 10 mg of steroids with 5 mg.  Hunter also got the orders to stop taking his Coumadin.  His blood clots are probably not completely gone, but his body has rerouted the blood flow around them and walled off the clot.  You can see what look like a web of veins around where his clots are.  It's pretty cool.  Our bodies are truly amazing!

Haircuts for my handsome boys

Fall means asthma around here....he's doing much better now, but we had several long nights

Evening after dinner bike ride and hair:)

Singing "Raindrops keep fallin on my head"

Enjoying Planes together

Just looking at Hunter, it's no longer obvious what he's been through.  His hair is back, his weight is back, and he looks healthy.  We are so grateful!  Benton told us recently, "I'm so glad the summer is over."  We had talked for many months that our 100 tough days would be over when fall came.  Hunter's transplant has changed our lives in so many ways.  In the next few weeks we will be done with isolation and start to wean off his rejection medicine.  We ask for prayers for continued healing, freedom from infection, and wisdom for his doctors making decisions in his care.  Our church family still continues to encourage us even though we can't be there yet.  This morning we enjoyed homemade muffins from a sweet friend and we still continue to receive cards.  We are amazed at all that the LORD has done for us!