April 29, 2018

Wow! There have been more than 600 posts now to this blog, and I just noticed it today. One of these days I plan on going back over all these posts and seeing if I can actually put together a book of some sort, but that is way down the line from now. Anyway, on to today's entry...

I got up and going a little earlier today, than yesterday, and I stayed a little later than I did yesterday. I might do the same again tomorrow. Oh, wait, some of you are thinking, "Hey, they're supposed to be traveling tomorrow, and heading back down to California, ultimately San Diego." And, you'd be right in thinking that. We are SUPPOSED to be headed down, but due to a scheduling issue, it was decided that Jason and I will be here at least until Saturday. The problem arose from the fact that there were four patients scheduled to get on the plane and fly down. Three of them were not ready/able to do so, so Jason and I are stuck here for another few days. Neither of us are happy about it, and we're looking into other options that might allow us to still get down sooner.

The folks here are all eager to help us, and they are doing their best to provide the needed care, but the truth is that this hospital is not set up for amputee support, and Jason needs other care, than what they can provide. We have people on both coasts working to come up with a solution, as they don't like the idea of Jason being here any more than we do, or at least that's how they sounded when contacted today. On top of that, I am currently staying at an on-base hotel/Inn, and it is nice but it is too far from the hospital for my needs, and I am having to pay for it, out of pocket, and will be reimbursed later. I have been told that they are going to attempt to get me into the Fisher House tomorrow, so that will help. It is right across the street from the hospital, and it has all the facilities I need (assuming that it is like the Fisher Houses I've seen in the past).

One of the issues that Jason has been dealing with is that the room he is in (and the floor for that matter) does not have internet access, for the patients. We felt that since we were to be leaving on Wednesday it wasn't something we needed to fight about. Today we fought about it... Jason now has internet access in his room, and he is the only one on the floor to have it. Another challenge was being able to get up and out, so tomorrow we will be going for a stroll around the grounds, for at least a little bit, and then try to use their shower facilities (again, modified today for Jason).

Late yesterday, we got news that Army Sgt Derek McConnel passed away, and it was kind of a shocker for Jason, as we just spoke with him on Friday, in the hospital. He was up and around with his fiance' and neither of us suspected anything was wrong. He made a point of coming over to talk with Jason and to tell him that Jason was one of the first guys to come visit him, and that Jason was his inspiration for fighting so hard. He had been at Bethesda/Walter Reed for about 18 months. God has received another of his warriors.
So, tonight I ask that you all say an extra prayer for his family and loved ones, and thank you for continuing to support us along the journey... God Bless.