Strength...

....durability; determination; resolve; power; intensity; force

It is hard to describe how incredibly strong my husband is. Thursday, at precisely 12:40PM, he came out of surgery. He had just had someone cut through skin, muscle, and bone to get to his heart. At which point they put him on machines to pump his blood and stopped his heart. No heart beat. He came out of that operating room with a tube breathing for him, a line coming out of his neck monitoring his heart, a line in his wrist monitoring his blood pressure, 2 chest tubes draining fluid, a catheter, a central line for blood draws and meds, and a variety of medicines and machines hooked up to him.

Fast forward to 2:30 PM Friday. A mere 26 hours later. A mess of lines are gone, he's eaten a turkey sandwich and he's getting up for a walk. He's telling everyone what a great vacation this is because (a) he isn't even thinking about work (b) he's waited on at all times and (c) he has pretty cushy accommodations. As of this morning, as I sit here watching him snooze comfortably in his chair, Mike has one chest tube, the central line and the oxygen. He's had multiple meals and he's already taken 2 walks today. He amazes me nonstop. The strength and determination he has at this point, is beyond what I could describe for you. EVERYone is impressed with him.

Mike still requires about 3 liters of oxygen to keep his sats above 90%, and he definitely needs it for walking. Apparently the walk he took at 4 am he did not have the tank with him and he struggled with his breathing. The way he's going, he'll be off that in no time. He has been instructed to take 4 walks around the hall every day. He pushes himself to go a little farther each time. It wouldn't surprise me even a little bit if he took 5 walks today.

Strength.........the quality or state of being strong; a strong attribute or inherent asset.