The Climb....

   Well, here we are....less than 24 hours after a surgery that took almost nine hours to repair the 12th thoracic vertabrea in Kirk's back.
   Dr. Gardner is either a magician, or just freaking amazing!  Everything went as well as could be expected during surgery and Dr. Gardner was very optimistic.  The majority of the Bertelsen family...more than 20 of them, sat together in the surgical waiting room anticipating a five hour surgery.  What relief we all felt as Dr. Gardner came out and sat down next to me with a very pleasant look on his face.  He made small talk for a bit but must have sensed our anxiety and finally gave us the glorious news.
   Kirk was measured on Saturday night by Ross from Northwest Prosthetic's for an"turtle shell" brace that he will wear for a while, helping everything stay straight and still so he can heal.  Wouldn't you know that when given a choice in the pattern he would like on it, he chose digital camo. I hope we don't lose him;)

   Ross came in this afternoon with the new brace and put it on Kirk. The therapy team was called in and they went to work getting Kirk to sit up.  It was very difficult for him and once he got to a sitting position he had to stay there for about 15 minutes just to let the lightheadedness go away.  Then Kirk said to the therapist, "Should we see if I can stand?" They helped him to a standing position.  Kirk thought he might pass out but he wanted to stand there, and he did for a few more minutes.  This may shock some of you, but Kirk said, "Should we see if I can walk?" I am not sure if the therapists have had such a willing and persistent patient but they were happy to oblige.  Kirk was able to walk about 10 steps outside of his room, with a therapist on each side, before he was completely worn out.

   In the last 48 hours the blessings have poured in. Kirk has had more than 100 visitors, phone calls, texts and messages on facebook.  The nurses have had to stop the visitors for a while so he can just have a rest.  I told Kirk I was worried that he wasn't getting enough rest and he insisted on seeing his Orem City Brothers because they make his day go so much better and faster.
   I don't know what I would do without our family, their strength and love have truly buoyed us up.  My girls have been so incredible, strong, and even graceful in their approach with everyone even though their emotions are running high.  They are so hopeful, as we are all, that their hero will heal.
   He will.  You know it and I know it.
   This is the beginning of our climb to the top of an amazing mountain.  We will do this together, united as family and friends and with the help of our Father in Heaven....all things are possible.