dq. Update on Hunter: A Good Night’s Sleep, Strong Spirits, and the Power of Community

There are moments in recovery when progress is measured not in dramatic milestones, but in quiet victories. Last night brought one of those moments for Hunter.

After days of uncertainty and discomfort, Hunter finally got a good night’s sleep — waking only once. In the world of healing, that may sound small, but for anyone who has navigated pain and medical recovery, it means everything. Rest is more than comfort; it’s restoration. It’s the body’s way of gathering strength for what comes next.

This morning’s report is encouraging. His pain level is manageable, controlled carefully and monitored closely. There’s no pretending this journey has been easy, but there is relief in knowing that each step forward, no matter how incremental, is real.

The house has been full — and not just with well-wishers, but with something even more powerful: love.

Friends and family have stopped by steadily, bringing stories, laughter, and what can only be described as a feast of good Southern cooking. Casseroles, cornbread, slow-cooked favorites — the kind of meals that feel like comfort wrapped in flavor. In times like these, food becomes more than nourishment. It becomes tradition, connection, and a reminder that no one heals alone.

Hunter has been surrounded by that warmth. The kind you can’t prescribe. The kind that doesn’t come in a bottle or a chart.

One of today’s important steps was getting the dressing on his right hand changed. Anyone who has undergone surgery knows how nerve-wracking that first look can be. But the news is reassuring — it’s looking good. Healing is visible. Clean lines. Progress where it matters most.

It’s amazing how much hope can come from something as simple as a fresh bandage and a positive report.

Gratitude has been a constant theme throughout this process. And today, special thanks go out to Kevin Abbarno, retired Solpowerlines/Grid Equipment fleet administrator, for the thoughtful wooden sign he made and delivered. In the middle of medical appointments and recovery schedules, gestures like that stand out.

A wooden sign may seem modest to some, but to Hunter and those close to him, it represents steady hands, community roots, and people who show up when it counts. There’s something grounding about wood — something symbolic about its strength and durability. It feels fitting for a recovery journey that demands both.

As visitors came and went, many paused to read the sign, to offer quiet encouragement, and to share prayers. The phrase “y’all continue to send the prayers” has become more than a request — it’s a rallying call.

Because while today is steady, Monday is coming.

The next surgery is scheduled for Monday morning as an outpatient procedure. Knowing it won’t require an extended hospital stay is reassuring, but it doesn’t erase the nerves that naturally accompany another operation. Surgery, even routine, carries weight. It means preparation. It means trust. It means once again placing Hunter in the hands of skilled professionals and hoping for smooth outcomes.

But if the past few days have shown anything, it’s that Hunter is not walking into Monday alone.

He carries the rest from last night’s sleep.
He carries manageable pain instead of overwhelming discomfort.
He carries the visible signs of healing in his right hand.
He carries the prayers, the visits, the laughter echoing through the house.
He carries the scent of home-cooked meals and the steady presence of family.

Recovery is rarely a straight line. It bends. It pauses. It tests patience. There are moments of frustration and moments of grace. Today feels like one of grace.

There’s strength in community. Strength in routine. Strength in knowing that even when the road includes more procedures and more healing, there are people ready to stand close by.

As Monday approaches, the focus remains simple: steady progress, continued prayer, and gratitude for every small win.

For now, Hunter rests.

One good night’s sleep behind him.
One surgery ahead.
And a house full of love in between.

Please keep the prayers coming.