One Year Ago, . . .

. . . on May 3, 2011, Tim spent 10 1/2 hours in surgery to remove cancer from his left leg.  A section of his leg was removed and his ankle was attached to become a knee joint.  That was a very long day for the three of us!  I still remember everything so vividly-leaving the house when it was still dark out, saying "see-ya" to Tim in the hall that has become all too familiar for us, eating breakfast at the "Corner Cafe", going to the Salt Lake Temple, eating lunch at "Zupas", talking to Bronco Mendenhall on the phone, visiting with friends at the hospital, and waiting, a lot, til we could see Tim.  Poor guy was so swollen that I almost didn't recognize my little bug.  And then there was the rotated foot.  WOW!  My worst fear was right there in front of my face, propped up for everyone to see.  What had I done to my son?  I had given him a second chance at life, that's what I had done.  But it wouldn't be an easy second chance.  We still have our daily struggles, mainly Tim walking and getting use to a prosthesis.  But, we are doing it and getting back to a somewhat normal life.  Oh, there are still challenges for us to face, this I know, but I also know that we can and will get through them:)

Waiting to go into surgery

Tim's signed left leg.  The night before surgery, the six of us had a good-bye party for Tim's leg:)

Tim just before going into surgery.

 

Tim recovering in the PICU

I have pictures of the actual surgery, but I don't want to scare any of you away from the blog:)  If you are brave and want to see them, let me know.  But be warned, they are narly!!  So, what is Tim doing to celebrate this day-because his life was saved a year ago-?  He is at a "Marvel" movie marathon with a friend.  They are seeing Ironman, Ironman 2, Thor, and Captain America.  Then at midnight, they will see the new movie, Avengers!  Awesome way to celebrate, because Tim is a superhero!!