Staff Sgt Jason Ross - Marine

Today was one of those days where things just didn't go quite like you would hope they would go. We had plans to follow the appointments and take care of a couple of other things - like go get some milk and bread, but the day had other ideas. It started with a formation for Jason that turned into an unannounced drug screening. It struck me a little odd that they would want to test even the guys like Jason, who are on heavy narcotics, but apparently what they screen for would still be found. It would be another of the illegal substances out there that the government/military want to keep away from the guys. The problem with the screening though was that it through our schedule way off. Jason was late for his first appointment, and fortunately there was no PT/OT scheduled for today. The rest of the day was simply going to the other appointments, trying to play catch up. That's the way it was until almost 14:00 (2pm) when we finally got back to the suite. You really can't be...

Good day today, but maybe that was because Jason really didn't have any scheduled appointments. We were able to get a few things accomplished that we've wanted to get done. We went up to 4E to pick up a couple of simply things needed (easier than trying to go through having them ordered - especially when only one or two things are needed). Then we went over to the inpatient PT room, and stopped by to see some of the folks that had worked with Jason in the past. It has been awhile since they had seen each other so it was kind of nice, almost a reunion of sorts. After that we headed on down so that Jason could get his hair cut. I guess since I got mine cut he wanted to get his cut too...;-) okay, maybe not, he just needed a hair cut. On our way over to building 62 we happened on Sherri Beck (President of Wounded EOD Warriors) and so we stopped and visited for a few minutes. She was actually on her way over to 62 as well, so eventually we all walked over to the building together...

Jason has finally gotten more into his normal schedule and appointment flow. We started with his PT and OT appointments and they went well, followed by wound care. Everything there was looking good and progressing nicely. Finally we went over to the general medicine area where they removed his pick-line. The funny thing is that we thought the pick-line was going to be the simplest step, and then found it was the one that took the longest. Jason was glad to get it over with, and now we can move forward. After his appointment we went and finally got the care signed over to me, so now its all legal and one less thing to worry about. I'm guessing the rest of the week is going to be smooth and we'll simply run through the appointments, and as I gets a chance I'll be speaking with the doctors about anything else we can expect. We had stroganoff and broccoli for dinner and it turned out pretty good, considering when I started I found out that we had no seasonings in the house....

Jason and I had a relaxing day at "home" today. We really didn't go anywhere until later this evening, when we went to go see the Hobbit. Jason slept a good portion of the day, and I'm guessing that was related to all the activity from this past week, and he simply needed a good rest. I spent the day taking care of little odds and ends around the place and kicking back and relaxing a bit, too. His wounds are looking like they are trying to heal up a bit more, and that's a good thing. Doing the dressing changes has really gotten down to a pretty quick activity now, and only takes a few minutes to get everything done. Tomorrow he has a couple of appointments, and I have one more errand to take care of, with regard to the van (need to get my name and signature on the contract). The RideAway people have been very good about giving me the extra time needed. Other than those couple of things, we'll just be staying home. Tomorrow I'll be making stroganoff, over...

Jason and I had a nice day today, though it was still pretty busy. We went shopping to replace a bunch of the stuff that seemed to have disappeared, and we're still in need of a vacuum cleaner, but otherwise we're doing okay. I was hoping that the building would have vacuums for the rooms, but apparently they don't. We don't want to get a big one, just something that will get us through the next several (few?) weeks, then we can donate it to someone else who needs one. I did four loads of wash, and helped Jason make his bed. It was kind of fun, in helping him rather than doing it myself. Just as we got to the last corner (he was putting it on) he looked at me and said, "we put it on inside out." I looked at it for a minute and said, "Oh well..." and we went on our happy little way. The rest of the time was spent just cleaning around the apartment. The only thing left is the floor, so I hope we can get that done tomorrow. We might head out to the ...

Okay, I didn't notice yesterday, but it was my 550th post on the blog... wow, I had no idea that I would be putting out so much information about Jason's recovery. Today is another day where he made some progress, and we hit a milestone, along this journey. We also got some new snow, and it turned into quite a cold day. I've asked Linda to send me my boots (along with a few other items), since I didn't come with anything more than tennis shoes. They're okay when the weather is warmer, but right now they just barely provide much protection. My guess is the boots should get here in about a week or so. Our first appointment today was with the group that talks about driving. Where Jason will be allowed to drive his own vehicle, and be able to get around. Now it is still a little premature to be considering just what it is that Jason is going to be wanting in a vehicle, but it sure was exciting to think about him with that much independence again. There was another Mar...

Jason had a great workout at the MATC today, with his new PT Mike working him pretty hard. I think it did a great deal to helping Jason feel better, since it did cause him to work up a good sweat. On the other hand it caused me a little concern since we had a good snow last night and I didn't want him to go out in the cold being all sweaty. After the PT workout he had a couple other appointments, in the hospital, so we didn't have to go back outside and he was pretty dry when he was done, so it all worked out. Yes, I did say it snowed last night. It really wasn't much snow, only about an inch or so, on the ground, and it did look pretty when I first looked outside. It probably could have been fun to go play in, if it hadn't been so darn cold. It was down around 18 degrees F, with a slight breeze, so that made it that much colder. The girls are headed back to California, tomorrow morning, with Bridgette, and Jason is going to be missing them very much. I've done ...

Today was a good day for Jason, in that a few things that needed to be done were done, and are now out of the way, and he was still able to make all his appointments. Well, actually that is kind of an interesting aspect of his appointment schedule. He is given a list of the appointments for the entire month, at the beginning of the month, and as new appointments come up, they are added to the list and a new print out is provided. Today, he was supposed to be "off" with no appointments, when in fact, the folks at Wound Care and the OT and PT folks were looking for him to come by. He got everything in, and we'll be doing a similar set of appointments tomorrow, plus a couple of others. The people I've met so far have all be very pleasant and positive, and the all support Jason 100%. At the Wound Care appointment I got the chance to speak with the nurses working on him and found out why they were doing certain things and the benefits of the dressings they are using now....

Linda went home today, after a brief visit here in Bethesda. I feel like my best friend has been abducted and taken away in a space ship. Well, I guess an airplane is close enough.... Jason and I will miss her very much, as well the girls, though both Stacy and Jackie were a little confused when I told them that I was going to be staying. Right now they are both pretty confused about what is going on, so I hope we can all work together to bring some stability to their lives - I know that is what Jason wants. Jason was up for a large portion of the day today, and I don't think that is a good thing right now. The problem is that there are many things he needs to get taken care of, and can not do it from his bed. I did my best to make sure he was relaxed and when I finally did get him to stay put in his bed he went to sleep. Actually, he took a shower and I dd a dressing change and then he laid back. It was about 17:30 (5:30pm) when he laid down and then shortly afterward went ...

Well, we made it to the inauguration and we stayed for the entire event (about 75 minutes), before Jason was feeling too uncomfortable to do much more. We sat in the area set up for those mostly in wheelchairs, and their helpers (in this case me). For most of them there was on one helper, and for Jason they allowed both Linda and I to be with him. Actually it was kind of funny in that where we were initially placed the view was hampered by the extra stands set up for media coverage. Just prior to the swearing in to begin they allowed us all to move more to the right and get a better point to see from. It was kind of cool being able to see the President and not have to do it via the large picture-tron screens. Jason was able to stay for the entire event, and we had an invitation to go to the Congressman's office afterward (Eric Swalwell), but it wasn't to be what happened. Jason wanted to get back to his room so he could lay down, and when I did the dressing changes I saw why....

Today was an active day for Jason, and we had a generally good time all day. Melissa and Kelly are also here for the inauguration, so we met up with them again, and had some fun doing some shopping. Jason decided that he wanted a jacket as well as a dress jacket, you never know when you're going to need to dress up a bit. It was good to see Jason wanting to get out and do something a little more social. Actually we (Linda and I) were a little concerned that we were going to have a problem with the camera and have to go purchase another batter, or a charger. Then I found a second battery that I had brought, and it was fully charged. I had forgotten that I had charged it up and put it in to the camera case. It kind of felt like I had won a treasure hunt game or something. I did have to change Jason's dressings today, and the wounds are looking better, from the first time. I guess that was part of the reason he was able to get up and go out with us. We had a nice relaxed time wi...

Jason had a good day today, and spent most of it just laying back in his bed. I helped him with his shower and then did a dressing change, and then he was back laying down. The reason we (he and I) wanted him to spend most of the time in bed was because of the stress he went through yesterday. The wounds are looking different from the last time I saw them, and I am going to have to watch them for the next few days, but he is telling me things are getting better. He basis it on the fact that he has gone from 3 to less than 2 full sized pads (a specialized hydroponic pads) that go on his wounds. By the end of this evening he was feeling much better and I think he will be taking tomorrow pretty easy too. Because of the inauguration Monday he would like to be in a good a shape as he can be. We had a couple of guests today, and it helped to boost Jason's spirits. Melisa Jarbo and her friend Kelly came back, and brought along their friend Steve. The three of them spent several hours ju...

Linda and I came out to spend some time with Jason and the family and then go to the Inauguration, and while here he informed us that he and Bridgette were getting a divorce. This, as you might expect, was a bit of a surprise to us, and we let him know that we were here to support him in any way we can. As a result I will be staying here as his new Non-Medical Attendant (NMA). It wasn't what was planned when we left Livermore, but it is something that Linda and I are committed to do, and he wants (needs?) us to be here. Linda will be returning home as planned. When we saw the girls, Stacy and Jackie, they came running up to us and they were all smiles and happy. It was really great to see them again. We did spend most of the day with Jason and he only had a couple of appointments early in the morning. He is still taking some antibiotics, and he takes care of this pretty much on his own. I will be doing my first dressing change from him tomorrow, and then we'll be moving forwa...

Sorry for the delay in getting this updated, I've been working a great deal lately (14hr days) and haven't had much of a chance to get to this. The job I'm doing now is driving, or chauffeuring. The work is okay, though it isn't what I want to be doing, and the income is only about half of what I was making. On the positive side, it has, along with the Ocwen mortgage restructure, has allowed us to save our home and at least continue with that part of our lives. (A little side bar here - Ocwen worked with us and finally we came up with a restructuring, or loan modification, that really made our lives so much better, so a big thank you to them for doing all this for us.). Okay, now on to Jason, as I know you didn't come to read about me... ;-) Jason is out of the hospital, for the most part, though he has been dealing with infection again. He did have to go back in for a couple of days to take care of the infection and to have a new pick-line put in, so now he is ab...