July 14, 2011 - Getting out on the cart again
I went over to see Jason early this morning, I walked over to the hospital and saw that he had not gone down to the PACU yet, so we were given a chance to talk.
We mostly talked about the X.T.R.E.M.E. Team that came to visit with him yesterday and what it is they had to offer. They do what they can to provide a means for the wounded warriors to experience things they otherwise might not have been able to. For example, they made it possible for SSgt Ryan Majors, a triple amputee, to sky dive, in a special way, into the 1/2 marathon that was run last year. Now Jason made it quite clear that he had no desire to jump out of an air plane, especially if it was flying just fine. He did, however say that he would like to ride one of those hand cranked bicycles, and possibly participate in a race some day. Another thing that Jason said he would like to do, is be able to go swimming again, and maybe even do some diving (& snorkeling). He thought white water rafting would be fun to do again, as well. It was good to see him putting together some future dreams, and I believe he will follow through with them.
Once he was back from the PACU and we had just finished getting him settled back into the room the PT team showed up - okay, it was just MJ, but she got his attention and we soon had him on the prone-cart. Jason actually did most of the work getting on to the cart, and we just had to help a little. He set off to tour the 5th floor wing, where he currently resides. He even stopped to visit with another EOD tech, who had been injured earlier this month, and I think it was good for him to be able to talk with someone who spoke the same "language" as EOD techs do. Several of the folks were surprised at how far he was able to wheel the cart around, and it simply showed how well he was coming with his treatment. We got him back to his bed and settled down for a little bit when his doctor came in.
Dr. Malone came in to the room and said, "I have some good news for you." Then spoke to us about how Jason was doing and that he was healing up very well, and that there were still a couple of areas where the healing still needed to be helped along, but in general he was doing very well. The real good news from her though was that there wasn't going to be a PACU visit for next two days, and that Jason didn't have to go to the O.R. until next Tuesday. Jason was happy to hear that he was getting a couple of days off, from the routine he had been going through for the past couple of weeks. Dr. Malone left after discussing this with all of us, and it was a positive visit for Jason, and I guess it made him hungry.
He was in the mood for pizza tonight so I went and found some for all of us to eat for dinner. While we were eating, SSgt Tim Brown came in to visit. It was good to see Tim up and about, with his new wheel chair and his new prosthetic arm. He can now grab things with the "hand" and he was showing us some of the technology that is being developed, it is pretty amazing. Tim lost both legs, above the knee and an arm above the elbow. He also lost part of his other hand, so he is a quadruple amputee, and he has the best and most positive outlook of any of the guys on the floor, though Tim isn't on the floor anymore. He is now at Walter Reed and into the amputee rehab efforts, and doing remarkably well. Whenever he comes back to NNMC, he stops in to visit with Jason, and it always cheers Jason up. Again, I think it has to do with that EOD language they both talk (yes, Tim is EOD also). It was a good visit. So the day has been a very good day all around, and also a very tiring day. Jason went to sleep shortly after Tim and his mom left, and Linda and I left a short while after that. I'm sure he'll have pleasant dreams tonight.
Thank you, all for your continued prayers and all your support. The road so far has been challenging, and it is not over yet. However, it feels like we are coming to a place where Jason is starting to heal up and will soon be ready to move on.
We mostly talked about the X.T.R.E.M.E. Team that came to visit with him yesterday and what it is they had to offer. They do what they can to provide a means for the wounded warriors to experience things they otherwise might not have been able to. For example, they made it possible for SSgt Ryan Majors, a triple amputee, to sky dive, in a special way, into the 1/2 marathon that was run last year. Now Jason made it quite clear that he had no desire to jump out of an air plane, especially if it was flying just fine. He did, however say that he would like to ride one of those hand cranked bicycles, and possibly participate in a race some day. Another thing that Jason said he would like to do, is be able to go swimming again, and maybe even do some diving (& snorkeling). He thought white water rafting would be fun to do again, as well. It was good to see him putting together some future dreams, and I believe he will follow through with them.
Once he was back from the PACU and we had just finished getting him settled back into the room the PT team showed up - okay, it was just MJ, but she got his attention and we soon had him on the prone-cart. Jason actually did most of the work getting on to the cart, and we just had to help a little. He set off to tour the 5th floor wing, where he currently resides. He even stopped to visit with another EOD tech, who had been injured earlier this month, and I think it was good for him to be able to talk with someone who spoke the same "language" as EOD techs do. Several of the folks were surprised at how far he was able to wheel the cart around, and it simply showed how well he was coming with his treatment. We got him back to his bed and settled down for a little bit when his doctor came in.
Dr. Malone came in to the room and said, "I have some good news for you." Then spoke to us about how Jason was doing and that he was healing up very well, and that there were still a couple of areas where the healing still needed to be helped along, but in general he was doing very well. The real good news from her though was that there wasn't going to be a PACU visit for next two days, and that Jason didn't have to go to the O.R. until next Tuesday. Jason was happy to hear that he was getting a couple of days off, from the routine he had been going through for the past couple of weeks. Dr. Malone left after discussing this with all of us, and it was a positive visit for Jason, and I guess it made him hungry.
He was in the mood for pizza tonight so I went and found some for all of us to eat for dinner. While we were eating, SSgt Tim Brown came in to visit. It was good to see Tim up and about, with his new wheel chair and his new prosthetic arm. He can now grab things with the "hand" and he was showing us some of the technology that is being developed, it is pretty amazing. Tim lost both legs, above the knee and an arm above the elbow. He also lost part of his other hand, so he is a quadruple amputee, and he has the best and most positive outlook of any of the guys on the floor, though Tim isn't on the floor anymore. He is now at Walter Reed and into the amputee rehab efforts, and doing remarkably well. Whenever he comes back to NNMC, he stops in to visit with Jason, and it always cheers Jason up. Again, I think it has to do with that EOD language they both talk (yes, Tim is EOD also). It was a good visit. So the day has been a very good day all around, and also a very tiring day. Jason went to sleep shortly after Tim and his mom left, and Linda and I left a short while after that. I'm sure he'll have pleasant dreams tonight.
Thank you, all for your continued prayers and all your support. The road so far has been challenging, and it is not over yet. However, it feels like we are coming to a place where Jason is starting to heal up and will soon be ready to move on.
Thumbs up!
ReplyDeleteSomeday Jason's daughter's will read about their father's injury and his recovery and will be so proud of their Dad..and grateful that their grandfather wrote it all down for them. What a gift.
ReplyDeleteYou are in our prayers.
Dream now, Jason, and before you know it, you will be living those dreams. Glad to hear that you and the family is doing well, and that you have thought about being a Team X-T.R.E.M.E honoree. Having just woken up from a nap and being told we were going to throw you out of plane, probably wasn't expected. I would have to agree with you, but that just gives you an idea of the X-T.R.E.M.E possibilities that the team is proud to provide wounded warriors, such as yourself. If this is something that you want to commit to and be a part of, let us know. We are a little over two months away from the event and will need to get the ball rolling on coordinating this special event to ensure that you, and your family are properly and honorably represent by Team X-T.R.E.M.E. As always, I am here if you need anything. --Matt (910)548-4520.
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