June 26, 2012

Today was an exceptional day for Jason, where he is showing that he is becoming more in tune with his healing and his body. He is learning so much better how to deal with the different levels of pain, and he is getting better ar dealing with that pain and discomfort. Like many of the guys who go into the hospital for long term recovery, usually from some type of sever injury, he doesn't want to be on any kind of pain med, any more than he has to be. Because of the level and seriousness of his injuries he was placed on some pretty significant amounts of pain medications, and over these past several months (almost a year now), he has been cutting back on the amount of medication he is taking. Recently he stepped down to a lower dosage and he is feeling the affects, yet he is once again, learning how to deal with it. It really makes me feel proud of him, to see the determination in his face, with regard to taking control of everything. He is fully aware that he is going to need help with many things in his life, but for those that he can do on his own, such as controlling some of the meds, he is determined to be in charge.I'm not sure if that made much sense, but it is how I'm feeling right now, along with being tired.

We had dinner tonight with Bob Hammer, author and retired FBI agent. He is such a great guy to be around, because he is a Christian and a great story teller, and on top of that, he bought dinner! He wanted to go have sushi and he knows that Jason and I enjoy sushi, so it was an easy fit. Jason has gained so much dexterity in his right hand, it is like nothing happened to it, though there is still strengthening that has to be done. Tomorrow he will be going to OT at 08:00 in the morning and working on some of that strengthening. Afterward we will head over to the hyperbaric chamber, and hope it goes better than today. We were over at the UCSD Hospital by about 09:45, and that was plenty of time to get set up so we were feeling pretty good. The problem is that the chamber holds six people, and they generally don't do a dive unless all are there. Well today most of them were late so Jason just sat around for nearly an hour before the dive started. The good part is that he is getting to meet some other interesting people, and from a social standpoint it is probably good for him. I know it is kind of fun watching him interact with the different patients.

Okay, I said I would be putting the link in the blog, for those that would like to help me raise the needed funds for the bike ride - http://www.active.com/donate/eodride2012/GRoss94 
I didn't get a chance to ride today, but I do hope to get one in tomorrow - maybe another 30 miles or more. I do need to strengthen the legs and condition them, but I think the bigger issue is simply getting my bottom used to the saddle, since I'm going to be sitting on it for several hours each of those two days. Thank you, to everyone for all your spiritual and emotional support and thank you for all your prayers, and now I thank you for any of the donations you are able to help with.