10 Month Later

It’s been awhile since I posted an update.  As I read through all the older posts here, I realize that there was a lot of repeating similar reports about Eliza’s healing.  She made progress all along, but it was slow.  Painfully slow at times. The ongoing surgical pain and swelling made us worry.  We wondered after so many months of chronic pain, followed by so many months of healing from surgery, would she really be better in the end?  Though she isn’t 100% yet, I’m amazed how far Eliza has come, and what she is capable of doing now.  In June, she went on a mission trip to Kentucky, working with the Appalachia Service Project.  All of us, including Eliza, were nervous about how it would go for her.  As you can see by the picture above, she was able to do a hike in the mountains with her group on their adventure day at the start of the trip.

From all reports, she was able to keep up with her team and do important work to help a family in need.  What a great confidence builder and a great life experience.

For the first time in more than 2 years, Eliza can participate in things like hikes and walking to the beach at sunset, as well as getting around every day without the need of crutches or a scooter.  This is a huge step and one that we can’t take for granted.  In a couple of weeks we’ll head back to Minnesota for a visit with the surgeon.  For now, she is enjoying summer and getting ready to be a high school student in the fall!