Keep on rolling!

It's been another three weeks of progress for Hunter!  Everywhere I go this week I've gotten into trouble because I haven't posted "what Hunter is doing lately."  I continue to be amazed at the support and encouragement we receive.  It's rare that I go somewhere where I'm not stopped and told that they are praying for our family.  I love our community!  We've also been busy welcoming a new nephew....Hank Michael Easley is here, and he's cute as a button.  Erin and Michael are over the moon, as well as Nana and G-Daddy.  Thus far he's a happy and content little guy.  He's taking his sweet time learning how to eat, so prayers would be appreciated that E and Michael could take him home soon.  Also, Sadie has an appointment at Johns Hopkins coming up in two weeks.  Please pray for wisdom for the doctors to come up with a treatment that is more proactive than to just bubble wrap her, and for safe travels to Maryland for Chase and Macey.        

Meet Hank!

Last Monday morning we had an appointment in Houston checking in with the bone marrow transplant team.  Hunter's blood counts were all stable.  He's been off his anti-rejection medicine since February, and shows no signs of graft vs. host disease or autoimmune reactions (his body attacking itself).  As a precaution, he's still on a small dose of steroids to suppress his immune system.  His BMT team think he's ready to slowly decrease his steroids.  He's been on varying doses steroids for most of the last two years and four months since transplant, so his body will have to adjust to even small changes in dosage.  After he's off steroids and his blood counts stay stable, they will consider taking him off his remaining antibiotic and antifungal in a month.  Of course we wish we could just jump ahead and take him off all remaining meds and be done with transplant.  Patience is it!

We left Houston about 11 and headed to UT Southwestern in Dallas to see his neurologist at 2:45.  Dr. Phillips hadn't seen him since the inpatient rehab floor, and was very happy with this progress.  Based on Hunter's improved strength and function, she felt with continued therapy he would keep gaining.  Though it doesn't feel like it, she said Hunter was early in his recovery because it's been less than a year since the onset of his symptoms.  There's really not any treatment for AIDP, just time for nerves to regenerate and muscle to rebuild.  It was very reassuring to hear that Hunter would keep getting better.  She also agreed with the BMT team that we would not give Hunter any immunizations for the immediate future.  Though we'll never know the exact cause, Hunter got his first vaccines right before he crashed.  The boys and I will stay updated on our shots, and we will have to rely on herd immunity to protect him.  He got one DPT shot, so hopefully he has a little protection.  Both sets of doctors gave me the green light to travel to Rwanda next summer, so that was exciting news.  Overall it was a very tiring, but great day of appointments.  His therapy the next two days was mostly stretching as his body recovered from two days straight in the car.

Last Friday he was working on functional exercises, so I came to see what was new for the week.                   

Cane walking

Up and down 2 flights of stairs :) 

Feels good to be a passenger!

This crazy guy did some bike swapping for our anniversary.  He got us matching bikes to go "bikepacking."  I love that he has no intentions of staying in a wheelchair for long.  Hunter and I have always been pretty active, and I can't wait until he has the balance and coordination to go on rides together!  He told his therapist that he was getting the clip on shoes so his feet wouldn't fall off the pedals.  For some reason, she thought that was an absolutely terrible idea;)  Apparently, there's some long rides packing a tent in our future.  The last 12 years being married to this guy have certainly been an adventure.    

I look legit now!

First time he walked into church:)  Happy day!!!

His hips and back are out of line because he compensates for weak legs when he walks.  They are stretching his shorter leg here.

working like crazy on his "trigger finger" strength for bird season

VBS fun!

Benton lost his first two teeth....with a little help from laughing gas

life is better with your brother (and in a pool)

little boy heaven right here!

Every three years my mom's family has a reunion in Canada.  My grandma is one of 16 kids, so it's a big deal.  I've got so many good memories from trips growning up.  Hunter and I weren't at a place that we could attend this year, but we've loved seeing pictures and hearing stories from Mom, Dad, Michelle, and Zach.  We missed you Belshers!  While they were gone, we looked after Poppa's garden and peach trees.  This was just one of our loads.  

This was quite the leg burn riding home!

We also celebrated Hudson's 4th birthday at PrimeTime.  The twins have been wanting to go there for a while, and they were not disappointed.  We love you Hud!

These are definitely the dog days of summer.  We've been trying to play outside for a few minutes in the morning before the thermometer hits 100.  Most days we need baths before lunch!  

seriously mom

American Ninja warrior in training

It seems like the kids just got out for summer break, but somehow it's time for school supplies and meet the teacher nights.  The twins start on Monday, and Benton the Monday after.  Thankfully, Hunter improves and gets stronger daily.  Next week he will be on his own getting up and out the door, and although it seemed impossible at one point, he is ready for independence too.  We have much to be grateful for....good doctor visits and progress in therapy for Hunter, a new baby to love on, and opportunities to meet with some of the brightest minds in a cutting edge hospital for Sadie.  I'm also so blessed by our friends and family that help us navigate this journey!