Stand Up and Be Counted

There really isn't too much to say.....  because the pictures speak volumes.  Here, see for yourself:

He's shorter than Krystina (who's tiny herself!), but not for long!

The prosthetic was ready, Derek got onto the tilt table, and.....  (drum roll, please) .....  HE STOOD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX+ MONTHS!!!  Yes, he was straped onto the tilt table, but that is to help with his balance.

We had a real cheering section present for him.  Team Allen came, all four of them.  Thank you, Jessica and Chaz and your two little cuties!  The three facility pups came - Laura Lee, Bobbie and Sgt Archie!  With them were Marshall, Amy and Lisa.  Amy and Lisa are Archie and Bobbie's Moms, and Marshall is Archie's daily handler.  Also present were a slew of doctors - Dr. Kim, Dr. Sam and Dr. Himmler.  Derek's PT, Kerry, and the prosthetist were also there. 

Derek said it felt weird to have the blood rush to his injured hand and arm for the first time, and the prosthetic hurt his stump a little.  He will get used to it.  He doesn't even like anyone to touch it!  When he gets out of line, Krystina and I will rub his stump.  It drives him crazy. 

HIs comment today...  "I have a leg!"  It was precious.

The wounds on Derek's hip are healing, and his strength is getting better. 

I am so very glad Dr. Kim is back, because she gets us.  Derek may be a hip disartic and an AKA; however, he cannot be compared to other hip disartics+AKAs and his timeline is very different.  One actually walked yesterday on his one prosthetic by holding on to the bars.  He was injured in December.  He is so much further in his recovery than Derek.  He didn't have the extensive arm injury, internal injuries or infections.  He is stronger.  He can already transfer himself everywhere by himself.  You cannot compare any two guys.  They are all different.  They all have a different combination of injuries, and they all heal at different rates.  I've said it before - this is like ordering the whopper.  One might get pickles and ketchup only, and one will get the works.  They all get the whopper, but each one gets it his own way.

Derek also had a visit tonight from the medic from his unit who was injured a couple of weeks before him.  He heads back up to Ft. Drum tomorrow, so he came by.  He has visited Derek many times.  Good luck!

A video of Derek standing is on his youtube account:  youtube.com/acauseworthfighting4

Good things are happening.  It's been a long road, and there is still a long road ahead, but we will get there.  We will keep climbing this moutain until we reach the top.  And then we will look back and proclaim, "What a journey!"  So, climb to glory, baby!  To the top!  I'll meet you there.