March 21, 2012 - This isn't laser tag

Well, today was a special day, and in more ways than one. It started off with George, Jason's oldest brother, turning 35 - wow, they sure are getting old, glad I'm not. Then on top of that, Jason got to the 32 level of the game he has been playing (I know, I need to remember to find out the name so I can let everyone know). The game has several more levels, but Jason can't tell me how many. He just enjoys the mental challenge of getting through the different levels.

We had breakfast and then got ready to head over to the hospital for the therapy sessions and then consultation with the doctor on the possible laser treatment. The OT session was pretty normal, and they worked with his right hand and arm, and it looks like there is strength returning, just like they want to happen. I was pleased to see how he was able to use "the grips" (spring loaded clamps) to move pegs from one area to another, and place them in specific orientation. He said his hand was very tired when he was done, and then he went to go throw around a medicine ball with the therapist. Once he was done with that we went off to the dermatologist.

We took a bit of a circuitous route to get to his office, and then still managed to get there on time. Apparently he is one of the few doctors looking at this as a type of treatment for wound healing, and has had some success in working with it. I asked if there were any papers or articles I could read to learn more, and he said there really isn't anything on the web, at least from what he knew, so he provided me with a couple of papers I will read tomorrow. Once I have done that I can better understand the workings behind this. He was very excited to be working with Jason, and took some pictures of the wounds and what he wanted to do. I also provided him with some other information, that the other doctors had a history of photos, and that was good. He was hoping that Jason would not mind if he was shown as a case study for other doctors, and Jason said he was okay with that.

The next step will happen on Monday, when the first treatment will happen. Jason will be going to the PICU (Pediatric ICU), and because of this, he will be getting a little better attention, or at least that's what they told us. I'm just excited that it is happening so soon. As things develop, and we learn more I will be putting the appropriate information here.

Once we were done with the appointments we had lunch, and then there was one other meeting Jason had to get to. There was a group of dignitaries coming in, and they had requested to meet with a select group of Marines, and Jason was one of those selected. Larry, the new Home Health Aid, and I sat out in the lobby area, since this was supposed to be just for the Marines this time, and then all the visitors ended up in the lobby. The Marines brought the visitors over to me, and spoke with me for a few moments, and I thanked them for taking the time to meet with Jason. Once the meeting was over Jason told me that the main guy spent some time with Jason and he was very pleased with that, and with what he told him, though I don't know what it was. Perhaps I'll learn later... ;-)

The rest of the day was relaxed and Jason got back in bed, as he wanted to "get off his feet." He started to play his game again, and then fell asleep, and I was able to participate in a conference call (first one in a long time), and start to begin rebuilding my career. After being off work for more than a year it might take some time to get that going again. Thank you, all for all the continued prayers and all the support you have been sending our way.