Baby Steps

December 9th my dad was emitted to the ER due to some killer pains in his right foot. Later that night, doctors discovered it wasn't just an ordinary pain. A week later he was diagnosed with an infection that has a big name that I can't spell haha. Long story short, it was a deadly bacterial infection caused from a mixture of Diabetes & bad habits. December-March were pretty grueling months for my entire family. It seemed my dads health was an awful roller coaster. One day he would be fine and the next he would have a liver decease or his left leg would have a little infection, or his small intestine would fill with MERSA. (another deadly infection.) 7-9 surgeries later, surgeons were unable to control the infection and they ended up amputating his leg. (Below the knee.)

Looking back on those months, I am in total awe of my dads attitude. I mean he had some hard days of course, but he was optimistic and hopeful for 99% of the time. The support my sisters and his family and friends gave, and still continue to give to him is amazing. He is so blessed to have such forgiving, selfless and supportive daughters and son.

After the amputation Dad was basically living in a wheel chair and hating it. Haha although I found much humor in rolling him down little hills and letting go after a healthy push..he was very excited to get his prosthetic leg and graduate to walking with a walker. A WEEK had passed and he was walking without any assistance.

May 9th, I took him to his weekly check up at Hangers (the prosthetic place) where the entire office staff was in this little room in complete shock that Dad was already walking pretty smoothly holding on the railings, on his BRAND new leg. We were walking out of the office and he handed me his walker and said he wanted to try to walk without it. I told him NO WAY! it was way too soon and too risky. We were alone in the hall way and I couldn't catch him if he fell. Being the stubborn man he is, he REALLY told me to take the walker an walk along side of him.

I have never seen a happier man as he took those first steps, singing and laughing. It was one of those moments that I will never forget. I have never felt so much love and admiration for him before. He was changed. We got outside and he insisted on walking to me and back to the car. I videoed it and so glad I did. Haha it is so awesome. The video is on my Facebook page! We celebrated his victories that day by going to Baskin Robbins with sugar/fat free mocha shakes. He is so fun to hang out with and I am so grateful for these days that I get to spend time with him.

He has taught me to never give up and honestly, anything is possible.