August 20, 2011 - Nice Day to get out

I got over to see Jason a little later today, but it was still before 8:00am. He was working on his breakfast so we just talked a little, about how he was feeling and was there anything special he wanted to do today. I asked him if he'd like to get outside today, and maybe ride around a little bit. He said sure, since the day was a pretty nice one, we wanted to get going and enjoy some of the weather. We set 10:00am as the time to get out and then a let him finish his breakfast. After breakfast he said he wanted to shave, and try to get himself to a little more presentable level of appearance.

While he was shaving (it is an electric razor) we found out that the Major General for the 1st Marines, from San Diego, was here and the Sergent Major was also with him. Jason said it was a good thing he was shaving, and was actually able to finish before they came in to the room. If nothing else, it made Jason feel a bit more comfortable. The two of them came in and talked with Jason and I for a few minutes and I got a few pictures of them and had them sign the Red Guest Book. They talked about San Diego, and this is good as Jason wants to get out there as soon as we can get there. When they left the room it was getting real close to 10:00am so we started to get ready to go outside.

Jason was in his chair and headed out to the elevator, and he wanted to open the doors and push the buttons this time. He said he is going to have to be able to do these things anyway, so it was probably a good idea for him to get some practice. We headed down stairs and then out of the hospital, and over to the McDonald's behind Mercy Hall. We weren't hungry, we just decided that we needed a target to go for, and it would be good practice going up and down the ramps. I had to help Jason in a couple of spots, but for the most part he got over to McDonald's on his own. Afterward we went next door to the NEX (the little convenience store) and he went inside to just look around. We actually purchased a couple of drinks and went back over to McDonald's to sit and rest... and drink the drinks.

It was now a little after 11:00am so he wanted to give Mom a call and wake her up. I think it was fun for Jason and a nice surprise for Mom. They talked for about 20 minutes and then Jason needed to get back to the hospital. We got back to his room and back in his bed, and Jason didn't have any problems or pain issues the entire time we were out. This is the first time we have been able to be out that long and not have any challenges to deal with, other than the ramps. Next week, sometime the PT folks are talking about taking Jason out to lunch, so this was good practice. I have already told them that they need to target 2 hours or less, and they should be okay. I'm going to be going too, just to make sure Jason is okay (and the free lunch isn't bad either).

The rest of the day was spent visiting with anybody who dropped by and watching a movie. I was also a little involved with doing some more packing of this room, so that we'll be ready next week to move, but most of that will be done tomorrow and Monday, while he is down at the PACU.

Thank you, all for all your support and prayers, and for staying with us for this long journey. I don't know how we would have made it without you all.