Walking with No Assistance!

As Dan's physical therapy continues, he has been transitioning to using a cane. He rarely uses his walker anymore, only in situations such as around the pool where things can be a bit slippery.  While using his cane last week, he noticed that he had started to take a few steps without needing to set it down for support. He demonstrated this for his PT at his appointment later that week, to which his therapist (much to the surprise of Dan) decided he didn't need his cane for the rest of his therapy session.  So for the next hour, Dan proceeded to walk around Elk's Rehab on his own, unassisted! It was awesome!  While it is still a slow, sometimes a bit unsteady process, it is one that Dan reached quite faster than he expected. Since then, he has been practicing his walking in the back yard:

The video is from my cell phone, so I apologize for the poor quality!

He is making such great progress that at this weeks physical therapy session, his PT Ryan put him back on the treadmill.  The treadmill is your standard treadmill that has a harness set up with it.  The patient is strapped into the harness, so that as the speed is increased for either walking or running, the patient is supported should they trip or stumble.  It is a safe environment to really push the limits of their mobility.  While on the treadmill yesterday Dan got up to running speed!  This is a huge goal for Dan, to be running by the end of summer.  Unfortunately, I have no video of that, but it was incredible.  Very big moment-it suddenly became very possible for him to achieve that goal of running again.

Things have really been improving in all areas lately-eating is sloooowly getting better, he has put on a little weight, the side effects of his chemo have subsided a bit, his walking gets better everyday, AND his hair is finally growing back after the radiation!  Dan will go in again in June for scans to his brain, lungs, and abdomen. God willing, he will get another clean bill of health.

We are just so grateful for everything God continues to do for us and the ways that he continues to provide.  We are also very thankful for our wonderful friends and family!

Hope you all are having a wonderful spring and that warm weather is heading your way!!

Jen