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Today and yesterday have been exciting for our family in healing from Alexandra's injury. Yesterday she had her post-op appointment that kept us at the office for three hours. Our sweet daughter was such a trooper while we were in the hospital on Memorial Day awaiting surgery that came at 2:30am on Tuesday morning. She had a strength about her that was so much deeper than anything you'd find here on earth. During this appointment, however, she had too much time to ponder on the more miserable parts of that hospital stay, primarily the pain of having her bandages removed again and again throughout the day. When the surgeons assistant began removing the splint that covered her hand for the last week fear began to set in and by the time the surgeon came in to remove the covering on the stitched side she was not well. I felt terrible that I was not more prepared for this as she had been so strong before. I was so thankful to the surgeon, giving her enough time to emotionally recover before proceeding. He then required her to look at her injury, telling her that she must face what is in front of her. He pushed her to curl her fingers, something she thought she couldn't do because of the pain she initially felt. I was so excited when she got her hand in a cupping shape, I could have leapt for joy! She later commented on the joy she felt when Dr. Levaro showed her that she could do more than she thought.

If yesterday was wonderful, today was amazing. (Dr. Levaro's favorite word he uses to describe the integrity of Alex's bones, arteries, ligaments etc.. and their rapid healing) Alexandra was pushed to bend her fingers at the joints and close her grip. Once she realized that she could press through the pain and actually accomplish the task set before her she would jump ahead of the therapists guidance and do it over and over. I loved watching her stare at her hand with such determination, biting on her tongue, as she pushed her fingers even farther, and then get giddy as her hand, fingers shaking, were curling more than ever. She is so excited to be made whole and is has no plans to take it slowly. Yesterday, as we waited for the surgeon I asked Alexandra what she saw as the best case scenario "That my hand will be totally healed when he takes this splint off. I know that is not realistic, but I really don't want to have a cast put back on." Well, the wound is still there but she has no cast and she is thrilled to begin the healing.

As I was telling Ken about her therapy I realized that we take so many things for granted. Even the slight movements of our hands are such great accomplishments. I am so thrilled to be able to walk up stairs to tuck my children in at night, or stand in the kitchen stirring up dinner, even to read to my children, and laugh when I am happy. So many little blessings that we think we are owed, become great treasures when we are without. Oh how thankful I am for this great miracle being played out before us. Thank you for all of your prayers, I know they are heard, and we certainly feel it in our home.