Is this really just one day??

Luke's first day of therapies began on Monday. He had five appointments in all. They had him working on rolling side to side. He is feeling overall better now, without any pain. They are still controlling the incisional pain with Tylenol every 6 hours. From the Physical and Occupational Therapists, to the nurses, to the cleaning people to the food service staff, everyone at Gilette is so very nice, helpful and caring.

He also gets to go to a therapeutic recreation class every day for a half hour. Yesterday, they made a door sign on the computer for his room.

Luke had two different "Therapy Dogs" come visit him. You may or may not know it, but Luke LOVES dogs. He had heard there would be doggie volunteers coming to see him and he's had three come so far. He got to pet them, give them dog treats and enjoy the Golden Retriever lick his hand profusely. (The dog's owner pulled out a big bottle of hand sanitizer after!)

The Samoyed Dog named Sasha was like a gentle teddy bear with super clean, thick white, soft fur. Luke loved her.
Santa sent an elf with a little Christmas tree for Luke's room. Luke was amazed that Santa had remembered the tree he had asked for on Saturday. His grin from ear to ear was precious. Luke loves to use scissors, and he asked for them right away so he could cut off the tags of the three little stuffed animals on the tree.
Luke also had craft night (which they have almost everyday), and he made clay writing pens with his sister. After he had made two of them, he wanted to start on a third, but Mommy was ready to go back to the room. Luke gets a ride from Sydney down the hall back to his room on his prone cart. Luke has to spend an hour and a half every day lying on his belly to strengthen his back and hip flexors, working up to 3 hours a day by this weekend. Luke doesn't seem to mind it, there's always lots to do, and the time goes by quickly.
Luke even had time to serenade his nurse, Kim, on his guitar before bed Monday evening. As you can see, Luke's spirits are up, the acute time after the surgery is over, and rehab has begun....it only gets better from here on out!