May 29, 2014

For those keeping track... This is the 999th post in the continuing saga of SSgt Jason Ross' recovery.  I think he is the one remaining combat wounded Marine here in Balboa, though I don't know that to be a fact. Most of the others who are here, are a result of being in some sort of accident, ranging from training to motorcycle or automobile accident. There are also some who are being treated for cancer and are very sick and need hospital care and treatment. Also, the number of people who are now a part of the Wounded Warrior Battalion has gone down drastically, to the point where there are only about 72 members now at Balboa.

One of the things that Jason was able to do, after he finished his regular appointment with PT was to go and visit with Dr. Shue, and Van from Mobility Solutions. They are working to come up with a better seat configuration for Jason, so that he can be a little more comfortable. We looked at some alternate materials and ways of layering them, and that was all good, along with a few suggested steps for how to continue with this. Now all of this is good and it was kind of fun trying to "build" a new seat for Jason; however, the big surprise was when we opened his existing seat. Inside that seat were two packets, know as gel packs. These are used because they help to mold to the shape you want/need. Well, both of them had ruptured and Jason (nor the doctor or Van) knew that it had happened, until today. It was actually a bit messy, but it was cleaned up and a new seat cushion was created. We will continue to move forward with this effort until a new and final seat is created.

Tomorrow is formation for Jason, and I believe that is the only thing he has to do, though there may be some training that keeps him busy for another hour or so. Afterward we'll be coming back to the house and taking care of some other issues. One of those issues is working with The Wounded Warrior Family Support, Foundation. They would like to help Jason with the purchase of a new vehicle, specifically a van, to help with family travel (which would include Linda and I). There is to be a teleconference meeting to discuss this, and to help get the project moving forward. Linda and I went out to Ford of Escondido, as they are the local dealership that is working with them. We had a great visit with Peter and George (The GM and the Commercial Fleet Guy). We have a better idea of what kind of vehicle we will be working towards, and we are now a little more prepared for the phone conference call tomorrow. Things continue to get exciting around here, and I don't see it slowing any time soon.

Linda and I went shopping at Costco, after we came back from Escondido. We were looking for things that we needed for this Saturday's get together, as well as a few other things that we need around the house. At the end we didn't even have the cart half full and we were over $200. Everything I read says that inflation is under control, yet it seems we keep spending more and more and getting less and less. I wonder what it is going to be like once I really retire...

Not much else is going on right now, and that is probably a good thing, since I am kind of tired. My dad used to say, "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get." I really am beginning to understand that, and now it doesn't seem quite as funny.