DRUMROLL, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

there were many moments, days, and weeks over the last few months that i feared i would never be able to write this particular blog update. so often i bit my nails and wept tears of sadness every time i logged on to share with you how dad was. as i sit here tonight, tears are streaming down my face...but for the first time, i'm crying tears of pure joy and thankfulness:

dad is no longer in need of dialysis. that kidney has finally decided to wake up.

we knew dad had a meeting with his kidney specialist, doctor patel, today at 10 a.m. to find out the status of his kidney function. to be honest, i had prepared myself for the worst. i was settled in the fact that dad might have to continue dialysis for years - 3 times a week - chained to tubes, a sterile chair, with an implanted catheter in his chest. so i was on pins and needles when the phone rang around 11. it was mom. i put her on speaker while reed and i sat in the nervous silence, waiting for the word.

"i have to be honest with you and tell you that i've been fibbing to you kids. dad hasn't been to dialysis for two weeks now. dr. patel wanted to see how his body (kidney) would react without the treatments." i gasped out of shock (and worry)! "in the hospital dad's one kidney was working at 0%-5%. we found out today that his kidney is functioning at 30%-35%." i screamed, "thank you, LORD!" and the tears began flowing down. we've all been a mess all day. shock, excitement, thankfulness, joy, relief...our load has been lightened.

another good thing is that they have cut 2 of dad's 3 blood pressure medicines in half as they try to wean him off of them. his blood pressure had gotten pretty low over the last couple of weeks, but it's been due to an overabundance of the medications. they also have tremendous side effects, so hopefully once the dosages are reduced, he'll feel much better.

he began therapy for his throat and tongue a month or so ago because he was having trouble from the ventilator that had been in for two weeks. he completed that with flying colors a couple of weeks ago.

he's been gaining weight on all things healthy: burgers, fries, and more of that good ol' texas cuisine that comes with a side of butter and fat. ha. and folks, the sweats and loose fitting clothing that had become the daily wardrobe are finally being replaced with those ever-so-good-lookin' wranglers, polos, and boots. praise the Lord for small miracles.

and i guess the truest example of his health is that he has, once again, begun aggravating the "you know what" out of our sweet little mom. wonders never cease. let's just all take a moment and thank the Lord we aren't on the other side of his teasing just yet because he's been storing up for months now! ha! we joke (now) that if dad had needed some attention, all he had to do was ask...he really didn't need to go to these lengths! ha!

obviously he's not out running marathons just yet, so it might be awhile before you see or hear from the old groundhog, but get ready because he's on his way up!

he is healing. his body is being touched by the hand of God in ways that we only could hope and pray. the Lord has heard our prayers, yet once again. and He's seen favor on dad's life.

we've always been amazed at the love that abounds in our family. we feel like a diamond in the rough. there have been so many trials, so many twists and turns, so many laughs...but our family has never been more thankful or stronger than we are today.

let the thanks begin.

God is faithful.