Good-bye to Gillette!

After 6.5 LONG weeks we are ready to say good-bye to Gillette!  It has gone quicker than I would have imagined and while it was stressful at times for Alex, I have also seen a lot of growth in her.  She loves saying hi to new people and is taking more and more steps towards independence.  While not a favorite activity by any means, she has been learning to dress herself in OT, and I love that she knows she CAN even if it is tough.  She has been working hard at therapy and though we have a long ways to go and lots more hard work to do until she is back to her pre-surgery level of activity, it will be exciting to see where she is at 6 months to a year from now.  We have met some neat people and heard some great stories:  some sad, some inspiring.  It has been an experience none of us will forget.

I have to take a moment to thank Jim, who survived the long stay sleeping in the hospital.  He probably left the place 2 or 3 times the whole time we were here and managed not to go crazy.  He balanced work plus the lionshare of Alex's care and emotional support.  He is awesome.  As is my dad.  The fact that he was nearly always helping Isaac nap or taking Alex on prone cart adventures gave Jim the time he needed to get his work done.  I don't think that would have been possible otherwise.

Thanks to everyone who sent cards and little gifts and everything for Alex!  We look forward to seeing our Portland friends soon!