Day 39 - Post #16 - Devin's First Day Outside and first trip back to the Hospital

On Tuesday, with the help of friends, we were able to get Devin into a reclining wheelchair and take him outside! Just in time too because it started raining Wednesday and hasn't stopped yet ;-)

It took 5 people to safely move Devin from his bed to the wheelchair and about 25 minutes from the time we started until he was actually outside. His stomach still gets queasy very easily, and he went pale with just the movement from the bed to the wheelchair even though the move was very smooth. We waited several minutes before going down the ramp, then waited another several minutes - and so on... But it was worth the effort! Devin really enjoyed being in the sun if only for a relatively short time, and as an additional bonus he got to watch his Mom and Dad to some yard work and not have to help (although I think for the first time ever, he might not have minded helping...)



Today Devin had his first return trip to Harborview Medical Center. He had the neck of his left femur x-rayed to see how it was healing, and the doctors said it looked great. He could start rehab if it weren't for his other injuries. He also had his right arm x-rayed. The doctor said that they were going to have to re-break it because the positioning of the two ends of the break did not heal in proper alignment, but after more consultation with other doctors they decided not to do anything yet and see how it feels after a while and see if he is able to regain full range of motion in his wrist, so I guess time will tell... They removed his fiberglass cast and replaced it with a removable cast and gave him some hand and wrist PT exercises for his right hand/wrist/arm...

PT in some fashion takes up much of his waking hours every day. He can do very little on his own at this point, so his family helps him as much as possible. We all want to help give him the best chances of a full recovery as is possible.

Through all of the pain, suffering and bed ridden boredom, Devin has really demonstrated all of the characteristics of a true hero. I read a quote of Hellen Keller once that read "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." I don't know if this experience is in some ways helping to shape his character or merely making it more clear for others to see or perhaps a little of both but I can say that he has been an inspiration to all who have had the privilege to spend time with him over this past month.

Thanks to all of you who have prayed for Devin's recovery.