I Hope You're Having A Great Night.
David just rolled into his bedroom to get a good nights rest. I asked him if he wanted me to say anything particular in the blog and he asked that you all think of John Hayes. John was David's team leader on his first tour and was just hit by an IED in Afghanistan. The initial report is that his injuries are very close to the injuries that David sustained. John is stable and the last word was that he was on his way to Germany. David is very anxious to fly to Washington and see his friend and give him some assurances, but is very much aware of the fact that he needs to wait until he is out of intensive care so he will remember the visit.
I am so blessed to be with David but it seems our whole family is being tested right now. As I am typing, Michael, David's older brother, is in surgery in Utah. He wasn't feeling well and went into an Instacare facility and was told to get straight to the hospital. Michael had to go the long way around to the hospital as there is a blizzard going on in Utah right now. He went into the hospital and told them he had to get his appendix looked at and now we found out that he has Diverticulitis and that he has a perforated bowel. So, he's under the knife right now.
In the last three weeks David's mother has been in the emergency room 3 times and has had her gall bladder removed. Other than that and other unmentionable family situations, all is calm and going well. You know, sometimes you can only laugh or cry with so much going on. Right now I'm smiling but 5 minutes ago that was far from the case.
Well, back to the situation at hand. David is doing well. He is really working on his strength. He now has the desire to do push-ups while holding his body parallel to the floor. He has done one push up that way. He has a set of these "Perfect Pushups" and he goes from a sitting position, lifts himself off the ground and rotates his torso so he is parallel to the floor - then he tries to do push ups. He did that about 20 times yesterday but was only able to do one of the push-ups. He was so dang sore today. He loves every second of it. I tried using the "Perfect Pushups" and did one push-up but my feet were on the floor. I tried a second one and face planted into the carpet. I'm feeling like a weakling in comparison to David.
Today was quite impressive. April, David's Physical Therapist, sat on a rolling stool and wrapped thick rubber straps around each of David's legs and then he towed her around the halls. He did it without using canes. I really think, as does April, that David is ready for the full legs with knees and I firmly believe he will be in them next week.
Today David took a couple wounded soldiers out to his Jeep and showed them how he transitions from his wheelchair into the car. One of the young men lost his left leg all the way into the hip socket so it was really painful for him to accomplish the transition. I know it is very difficult, but it is also a great blessing for David to see that he actually has it a little easier than some of the other wounded warriors. On Christmas day he spent his time visiting wounded soldiers and trying to lift their spirits.
All of the sudden I am at a complete loss of words, my mind is going all over the place and I guess that means I have written about as much as I need to for today.
If any of you have updates about John or would like to hear any updates from David, please don't hesitate to call.
Take Care,
Gordon
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010 @ 1210
Happy Holidays,
I'm sitting downstairs at my own home and, with almost 6 months away from home this year, home feels a little bit foreign. I should be in church right now but Lynnette is having another gall bladder attack and I don't feel comfortable to leave her alone. She'll have surgery tomorrow morning and that should take care of the problem - fingers crossed.
David wanted to stay in San Diego for the holiday season and have some "Me" time - I absolutely understand. These seven months have been all but alone time.
I wanted to take a moment and tell you a little about last Thursday. Occupational Therapy had a little Christmas celebration and it was quite touching to be there. Keep in mind that Occupational Therapy does not just deal with soldiers, they deal with dependents and retirees and help in any way they can to get individuals past injuries, or strokes, or rehab from surgery.
Well, there were individuals in the kitchen cooking tortillas, steak, cookies, etc. David was in charge of rolling some of the cookies out and they another soldier was in charge of timing the cookies and then the cookies would be taken to the nurse who had to have both of her legs and hands amputated and she would use her new hooks to carefully place large chocolate kisses on each cookie. It was all very tender to watch as carols were being sung.
As soon as it was over it was back to business and more therapy.
I won't see David for 10 days so I won't be able to write much in the way of giving you updates but I wanted to take a moment and let you know how blessed we feel. You all know that you only have to go next door or down the block to find a situation that is much worse than your own. David and I were talking this week and I felt it important to express to him that there was absolutely nothing that was in his long term plans that would need to be left out. If he wants to run, he will. If he wants to have children, he will. If he wants to travel to foreign countries and serve those people, he will. If he wants to mountain bike to the top of a mountain, he will. Things will definitely be more difficult - but they are all attainable. He has all of his faculties, he has his sense of humor, he, to me, is one incredible young man with all the potential he has ever had.
I don't feel I can possibly express to you just how blessed we feel. All will be OK!
Merry Christmas to all of you following this blog and thank you for your support and prayers.
This week will be spent getting a great fit on David's new sockets and then the first of the year will be knees and re-learning the proper way to walk. I think it's going to be a great 2011.
All My Love,
Gordon
I'm sitting downstairs at my own home and, with almost 6 months away from home this year, home feels a little bit foreign. I should be in church right now but Lynnette is having another gall bladder attack and I don't feel comfortable to leave her alone. She'll have surgery tomorrow morning and that should take care of the problem - fingers crossed.
David wanted to stay in San Diego for the holiday season and have some "Me" time - I absolutely understand. These seven months have been all but alone time.
I wanted to take a moment and tell you a little about last Thursday. Occupational Therapy had a little Christmas celebration and it was quite touching to be there. Keep in mind that Occupational Therapy does not just deal with soldiers, they deal with dependents and retirees and help in any way they can to get individuals past injuries, or strokes, or rehab from surgery.
Well, there were individuals in the kitchen cooking tortillas, steak, cookies, etc. David was in charge of rolling some of the cookies out and they another soldier was in charge of timing the cookies and then the cookies would be taken to the nurse who had to have both of her legs and hands amputated and she would use her new hooks to carefully place large chocolate kisses on each cookie. It was all very tender to watch as carols were being sung.
As soon as it was over it was back to business and more therapy.
I won't see David for 10 days so I won't be able to write much in the way of giving you updates but I wanted to take a moment and let you know how blessed we feel. You all know that you only have to go next door or down the block to find a situation that is much worse than your own. David and I were talking this week and I felt it important to express to him that there was absolutely nothing that was in his long term plans that would need to be left out. If he wants to run, he will. If he wants to have children, he will. If he wants to travel to foreign countries and serve those people, he will. If he wants to mountain bike to the top of a mountain, he will. Things will definitely be more difficult - but they are all attainable. He has all of his faculties, he has his sense of humor, he, to me, is one incredible young man with all the potential he has ever had.
I don't feel I can possibly express to you just how blessed we feel. All will be OK!
Merry Christmas to all of you following this blog and thank you for your support and prayers.
This week will be spent getting a great fit on David's new sockets and then the first of the year will be knees and re-learning the proper way to walk. I think it's going to be a great 2011.
All My Love,
Gordon
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday, 14 December 2010 @ 2115
Hi Everyone,
Well, where do I start. The weekend was very low key so there is not much to tell you about that. I thought Lynnette was going to be in surgery but that ended up waiting until next Monday so I a little extra to worry about. David had a very relaxed weekend, which was really needed. David brought his legs home for the weekend but the pain and torn skin on the back of his left leg stopped him from doing any walking.
I can't really make a great amount of comments about Monday because I left the apartment at about 7:30 and didn't see David until about 3:30. I took his new 63 Lincoln and sat while the hand controls were installed. I actually like driving with those controls but don't tell the police or I would be grounded for sure. While I was waiting for the work to be done, one of David's high school buddies, Ryan, called and said his parents were out here and wanted to see David. Everything worked out so we met them at a restaurant at Mission Beach and had a great conversation and a great meal. The bad part about it was that Mike, Ryan's dad, lives about 50 feet from my back door and he and I have never sat down and talked before. It had to take this situation to get us at the same table and I absolutely loved talking with he and his wife, Maryann. Maybe it's time to slow life down a little and get to know my neighbors a bit better.
It's fun right now because David and his friend Adam are in the living room playing X-box Black Ops with 3D glasses on. It looks like watching my grand kids at a 3D movie. It sounds like young kids playing the game - Hey Man, why'd ya do that! That was lame! Oh the reality of it all. I'm really enjoying it all.
Today was quite a busy day. David went to OT and they really worked his arm. This time they wore a belt and wrapped it around David's arm so they could pull the elbow slightly out of it's socket and then tried to extend it as much as possible. Every time they would do it David's legs would shoot in the air from pain and she would apologize for hurting him and then they would go again, and again, and again. The frustrating part about it is the fact that David has only gained about 4 degrees of extension in his elbow in two months of doing this kind of stuff every day. He really feels like it's time to talk with the Orthopedic Surgery team to see if they can do some surgical alterations to his elbow so he can extend it. I'll let you know how that goes.
Tomorrow we're told we have to be at OT at precisely 9:17 because we're going to be making a special treat in their kitchen. We have to help do the cooking. Occupational therapy is all about helping these men get back into the complete routine of their lives. On Friday they were trying to help another soldier learn how to make his bed while dealing with his new limitations and they turned to David because he has similar injuries and said, "David, how do you make your bed?" David said, "Dad, will you please make my bed!" Obviously David was the wrong one to ask about that.
After OT, David went on an outing to try hand cycling. David really doesn't like team events and he definitely does not like someone riding next to him cheering him on, so he just got on the bike and took off. I know there are liability issues with these field trips but it gets a little frustrating when an adult is telling another adult, one who has been in charge of men and millions of dollars of equipment, to slow down and watch for traffic and be careful of the bump in the road. They were worried that David's first time would be hard because he would be lagging behind but he finished the 15 miles ahead of everyone and was ready to return before the others even got off their bikes. He is really a great amount of fun.
He was pretty tuckered out after all that. It's really quite something to be sitting here with a big smile on my face because of some of the funny things he does and then be tearing up one sentence later because of a little tender thought comes to mind. I'm heading home for Christmas and will miss him greatly. If some of you here in California are doing anything with him over the Holidays, please take good care of him for me.
It was very interesting today in PT. A young man was walking on his new legs and wanted to take them home - his therapist told him absolutely not. The soldier was a bit offended because he really wants to walk. She carefully explained to him and demonstrated to him that, as he was walking, he was lifting his hip and shoulder to bring his foot through. She told him that it was critical that he did not learn bad habits when he was re-learning to walk. She told him that it takes a very short time for his body to adapt to a new way of walking and that she want to coach him through every step for this very critical time in his recovery. In like manner, David was told that they don't want to give him his full legs with knees because of the holiday season. It is so critical that he gets daily help when learning the proper way to approach each step. With the holiday season, he would miss too many therapy sessions and it is just not worth the damage that could result. So, tomorrow he may get his full height, or close to it, with knees, but the knees will be locked so he will have very tall and expensive stubbies. David is not discouraged, he is trusting their every move and is very willing to work through every obstacle they put in his path. I'm very proud of the way he handles these little disappointments. I've learned a great deal.
See You Soon,
Gordon
Well, where do I start. The weekend was very low key so there is not much to tell you about that. I thought Lynnette was going to be in surgery but that ended up waiting until next Monday so I a little extra to worry about. David had a very relaxed weekend, which was really needed. David brought his legs home for the weekend but the pain and torn skin on the back of his left leg stopped him from doing any walking.
I can't really make a great amount of comments about Monday because I left the apartment at about 7:30 and didn't see David until about 3:30. I took his new 63 Lincoln and sat while the hand controls were installed. I actually like driving with those controls but don't tell the police or I would be grounded for sure. While I was waiting for the work to be done, one of David's high school buddies, Ryan, called and said his parents were out here and wanted to see David. Everything worked out so we met them at a restaurant at Mission Beach and had a great conversation and a great meal. The bad part about it was that Mike, Ryan's dad, lives about 50 feet from my back door and he and I have never sat down and talked before. It had to take this situation to get us at the same table and I absolutely loved talking with he and his wife, Maryann. Maybe it's time to slow life down a little and get to know my neighbors a bit better.
It's fun right now because David and his friend Adam are in the living room playing X-box Black Ops with 3D glasses on. It looks like watching my grand kids at a 3D movie. It sounds like young kids playing the game - Hey Man, why'd ya do that! That was lame! Oh the reality of it all. I'm really enjoying it all.
Today was quite a busy day. David went to OT and they really worked his arm. This time they wore a belt and wrapped it around David's arm so they could pull the elbow slightly out of it's socket and then tried to extend it as much as possible. Every time they would do it David's legs would shoot in the air from pain and she would apologize for hurting him and then they would go again, and again, and again. The frustrating part about it is the fact that David has only gained about 4 degrees of extension in his elbow in two months of doing this kind of stuff every day. He really feels like it's time to talk with the Orthopedic Surgery team to see if they can do some surgical alterations to his elbow so he can extend it. I'll let you know how that goes.
Tomorrow we're told we have to be at OT at precisely 9:17 because we're going to be making a special treat in their kitchen. We have to help do the cooking. Occupational therapy is all about helping these men get back into the complete routine of their lives. On Friday they were trying to help another soldier learn how to make his bed while dealing with his new limitations and they turned to David because he has similar injuries and said, "David, how do you make your bed?" David said, "Dad, will you please make my bed!" Obviously David was the wrong one to ask about that.
After OT, David went on an outing to try hand cycling. David really doesn't like team events and he definitely does not like someone riding next to him cheering him on, so he just got on the bike and took off. I know there are liability issues with these field trips but it gets a little frustrating when an adult is telling another adult, one who has been in charge of men and millions of dollars of equipment, to slow down and watch for traffic and be careful of the bump in the road. They were worried that David's first time would be hard because he would be lagging behind but he finished the 15 miles ahead of everyone and was ready to return before the others even got off their bikes. He is really a great amount of fun.
He was pretty tuckered out after all that. It's really quite something to be sitting here with a big smile on my face because of some of the funny things he does and then be tearing up one sentence later because of a little tender thought comes to mind. I'm heading home for Christmas and will miss him greatly. If some of you here in California are doing anything with him over the Holidays, please take good care of him for me.
It was very interesting today in PT. A young man was walking on his new legs and wanted to take them home - his therapist told him absolutely not. The soldier was a bit offended because he really wants to walk. She carefully explained to him and demonstrated to him that, as he was walking, he was lifting his hip and shoulder to bring his foot through. She told him that it was critical that he did not learn bad habits when he was re-learning to walk. She told him that it takes a very short time for his body to adapt to a new way of walking and that she want to coach him through every step for this very critical time in his recovery. In like manner, David was told that they don't want to give him his full legs with knees because of the holiday season. It is so critical that he gets daily help when learning the proper way to approach each step. With the holiday season, he would miss too many therapy sessions and it is just not worth the damage that could result. So, tomorrow he may get his full height, or close to it, with knees, but the knees will be locked so he will have very tall and expensive stubbies. David is not discouraged, he is trusting their every move and is very willing to work through every obstacle they put in his path. I'm very proud of the way he handles these little disappointments. I've learned a great deal.
See You Soon,
Gordon
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010 @ 2126
Good Evening, I may make some mistakes, again, tonight because I lost one of my contact lenses today. You'd think it would be just as easy to type without your sight but these computers aren't as easy to keep your hands in the correct place, so when I make a mistake I have to put my nose next to the screen to see what it was and then plant my nose on the keyboard to find my position again. Just be forgiving.
It's been a very eventful few days. Yesterday was the day that we thought David would be fitted for his new legs and we thought he would be standing but not quite. We did have a two hour appointment with Pete in Prosthetics and David got completely remeasured and recast for his new legs which should be on his body by Wednesday. It is very very very exciting. He received his new liners that are worn inside the socket of the leg. The left liner was made with an attachment on the end that will take a special pin that inserts and locks into a hole in the socket and gives his left leg a much better fit so he doesn't walk out of the leg and face plant on the sidewalk. Pete is great, he talks to you in terms that are really understanding - I didn't know how great he was until he had a colleague drop by from back east and he was talking in all these technical terms that had my head spinning. A very nice guy but totally different in his approach to the soldiers.
When we went to PT David was only able to do two laps because his leg was so sore. The surgery he had on Monday really made the back of his left leg very tender and the skin has torn several times. His stamina is really good right now and it is very frustrating that the pain of one small spot stops him from walking. Several of the sites that were lasered last Monday are now flaking off and the skin seems much more movable in many areas. David, like everything else, is a very special case here - his H O is completely out of control and everywhere so it's very hard to be consistent with his daily routines. You just have absolutely no idea what's going to hurt or not hurt the next time he puts on his legs.
He is loving driving and I've determined he is really a lead hand. Get it?
Last night he took off, by himself, in the Jeep and went to dinner with Zack. I felt like a dad with a young man out on a date or something - I just kept wondering if he was OK. When he left we went to the Jeep together and I was just the spotter. He opened the back door and window, climbed into the back of the jeep and slid to one side so he could lift the chair into the back. He did it with ease and then closed the window and door and climbed through the Jeep to the front and drove away. It is very cool that he is feeling this kind of freedom.
Today we did some creative work and then went to Lowe's to get the materials needed to design a handle that he could use ot open the back door from inside. It was a bit trick because there is nothing we could find that was already designed. But, now he has a mountain climbing carabiner that acts as a handle and he can open the back gate from inside. It's amazing what incredible minds us Lyon men have - stop laughing.
Today Lynnette called me in severe pain and she is now just headed home from the Emergency Room. Tomorrow at 9am she will return to the hospital and get a test done and, more than likely, head to surgery to have her gall bladder removed. I think she is all morphined up right now so she isn't feeling much pain but, hopefully, this will take care of what she has been going through for the past year or so. I thought it might be stress - I wonder why I thought that. Thank you Shirley, Brian, Wally, and Rachelle for taking care of my incredible wife.
I love you all,
Gordon
It's been a very eventful few days. Yesterday was the day that we thought David would be fitted for his new legs and we thought he would be standing but not quite. We did have a two hour appointment with Pete in Prosthetics and David got completely remeasured and recast for his new legs which should be on his body by Wednesday. It is very very very exciting. He received his new liners that are worn inside the socket of the leg. The left liner was made with an attachment on the end that will take a special pin that inserts and locks into a hole in the socket and gives his left leg a much better fit so he doesn't walk out of the leg and face plant on the sidewalk. Pete is great, he talks to you in terms that are really understanding - I didn't know how great he was until he had a colleague drop by from back east and he was talking in all these technical terms that had my head spinning. A very nice guy but totally different in his approach to the soldiers.
When we went to PT David was only able to do two laps because his leg was so sore. The surgery he had on Monday really made the back of his left leg very tender and the skin has torn several times. His stamina is really good right now and it is very frustrating that the pain of one small spot stops him from walking. Several of the sites that were lasered last Monday are now flaking off and the skin seems much more movable in many areas. David, like everything else, is a very special case here - his H O is completely out of control and everywhere so it's very hard to be consistent with his daily routines. You just have absolutely no idea what's going to hurt or not hurt the next time he puts on his legs.
He is loving driving and I've determined he is really a lead hand. Get it?
Last night he took off, by himself, in the Jeep and went to dinner with Zack. I felt like a dad with a young man out on a date or something - I just kept wondering if he was OK. When he left we went to the Jeep together and I was just the spotter. He opened the back door and window, climbed into the back of the jeep and slid to one side so he could lift the chair into the back. He did it with ease and then closed the window and door and climbed through the Jeep to the front and drove away. It is very cool that he is feeling this kind of freedom.
Today we did some creative work and then went to Lowe's to get the materials needed to design a handle that he could use ot open the back door from inside. It was a bit trick because there is nothing we could find that was already designed. But, now he has a mountain climbing carabiner that acts as a handle and he can open the back gate from inside. It's amazing what incredible minds us Lyon men have - stop laughing.
Today Lynnette called me in severe pain and she is now just headed home from the Emergency Room. Tomorrow at 9am she will return to the hospital and get a test done and, more than likely, head to surgery to have her gall bladder removed. I think she is all morphined up right now so she isn't feeling much pain but, hopefully, this will take care of what she has been going through for the past year or so. I thought it might be stress - I wonder why I thought that. Thank you Shirley, Brian, Wally, and Rachelle for taking care of my incredible wife.
I love you all,
Gordon
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Wednesday, 8 December 2010 @ 2212
I've kept you in the dark for too long and I'm sorry. This has been a very busy couple weeks.
I had the opportunity to go home for Thanksgiving and be with my beautiful wife, my wonderful mother, and my incredible children. David took the opportunity to go be with great friends for some Turkey as well. He had the great opportunity of having Zack and Dave stay with him and I think it couldn't have been any better for him.
Lynnette and I flew back together. We flew into Sacramento so we could make arrangements to bring Ethen down to see his Daddy for a few days. It is such a beautiful site to have them sitting next to each other watching TV or playing the Scooby Doo Match Game or Coloring, or just watching each other play computer games. Heather, Ethen's mother, was wonderful in making this all happen. We went to the beach, to eat sushi, to a couple museums, to the hospital, and we even drove to LA to pick up David's new 1963 Lincoln Continental. David's Aunt Monika even came out and spent a couple days with us. His cousin Jonah also came and we had a great time together. There are just so many people that have make all of our lives better. Thank You All!!!
David had some surgery on his wound sites. I think we're up to about 29 surgical visits - one of these days I'll actually read what I've written and see if I can come up with an accurate number. This last surgery was broken into 2 sessions because the Dermatology department had some important visitors and David agreed to be the center of attraction in showing the visitors the latest laser techniques. The surgery on his wounds was suppose to take about an hour and it took about 3 hours. They use laser technology to shoot strategically placed holes throughout his wound sites to encourage the skin to produce a thicker and more pliable skin layer. These wound sites have a tendency to stick to the muscle and it is very important for the skin to remain pliable and movable like our normal skin is. This procedure is also suppose to give the skin a notification to get rid of particles that don't belong there - that's the easiest way of putting it. David thinks it's working because the first site that was lasered is now producing bumps that he thinks are pieces of the bomb or pieces of dirt that were forced into the skin when the blast hit. I wish he would have kept all the pieces he has pulled out, we could have melted them all down and molded them into some kind of a pendent that he could wear. One of his friends got shot through the chest from a very close distance and lived to wear the bullet around his neck as a keepsake.
Yesterday there was a young man that approached David because of his EOD Tech T-Shirt. The two didn't know each other, but, as you know, EOD Tech's have a kinship that binds them together whether they know each other or not. This young man was in a wheelchair with a cast on his right leg. We asked what happened and he told us he had stepped on a bomb. David said, "Lucky for you that these guys aren't too smart and don't always mix their chemicals properly!" I guess he had stepped on a bomb similar to the one that hit David but the blast was very minor, in comparison, and just severely broke his leg. I sure wish David would have had that same blessing but I guess that wasn't to be.
Yesterday David was walking with Ethen, Me, Monika, Jonah, his Physical Therapist, and a busy hallway full of people when he fell. It happened so fast that none of us could do anything. David said his pride was the worst thing hurt. His left leg just came loose and he went straight down. I try so hard to be positive and upbeat and smiling, but sometimes I just have to lower my head until I've regained my composure. He got right back up and continued his walk. His walks these past two days have only been 1 lap because the skin is very tender from the laser surgery.
Guess What, nope - nope - not even close. Ok, HE IS DRIVING! He hasn't even hit anything. He did take one wrong turn on the freeway and I was able to talk smack with him for a few miles because of all the smack he has given me when I've taken wrong turns. He's loving this driving stuff. It's one step closer. I LOVE IT!
I think I'm going to get some sleep. David has been having some very bad experiences with the Ambien that he has been taking to help him sleep. He literally feels like he has legs again and it is a very unstable feeling - and very disturbing. Tonight we're trying an over-the-counter medicine that, we hope, will give him some relaxing sleep instead of these awfully unfair feelings of having his legs. It would be one thing if they were actually there but reality has the upper hand in this situation.
Have a wonderful night.
Gordon
I had the opportunity to go home for Thanksgiving and be with my beautiful wife, my wonderful mother, and my incredible children. David took the opportunity to go be with great friends for some Turkey as well. He had the great opportunity of having Zack and Dave stay with him and I think it couldn't have been any better for him.
Lynnette and I flew back together. We flew into Sacramento so we could make arrangements to bring Ethen down to see his Daddy for a few days. It is such a beautiful site to have them sitting next to each other watching TV or playing the Scooby Doo Match Game or Coloring, or just watching each other play computer games. Heather, Ethen's mother, was wonderful in making this all happen. We went to the beach, to eat sushi, to a couple museums, to the hospital, and we even drove to LA to pick up David's new 1963 Lincoln Continental. David's Aunt Monika even came out and spent a couple days with us. His cousin Jonah also came and we had a great time together. There are just so many people that have make all of our lives better. Thank You All!!!
David had some surgery on his wound sites. I think we're up to about 29 surgical visits - one of these days I'll actually read what I've written and see if I can come up with an accurate number. This last surgery was broken into 2 sessions because the Dermatology department had some important visitors and David agreed to be the center of attraction in showing the visitors the latest laser techniques. The surgery on his wounds was suppose to take about an hour and it took about 3 hours. They use laser technology to shoot strategically placed holes throughout his wound sites to encourage the skin to produce a thicker and more pliable skin layer. These wound sites have a tendency to stick to the muscle and it is very important for the skin to remain pliable and movable like our normal skin is. This procedure is also suppose to give the skin a notification to get rid of particles that don't belong there - that's the easiest way of putting it. David thinks it's working because the first site that was lasered is now producing bumps that he thinks are pieces of the bomb or pieces of dirt that were forced into the skin when the blast hit. I wish he would have kept all the pieces he has pulled out, we could have melted them all down and molded them into some kind of a pendent that he could wear. One of his friends got shot through the chest from a very close distance and lived to wear the bullet around his neck as a keepsake.
Yesterday there was a young man that approached David because of his EOD Tech T-Shirt. The two didn't know each other, but, as you know, EOD Tech's have a kinship that binds them together whether they know each other or not. This young man was in a wheelchair with a cast on his right leg. We asked what happened and he told us he had stepped on a bomb. David said, "Lucky for you that these guys aren't too smart and don't always mix their chemicals properly!" I guess he had stepped on a bomb similar to the one that hit David but the blast was very minor, in comparison, and just severely broke his leg. I sure wish David would have had that same blessing but I guess that wasn't to be.
Yesterday David was walking with Ethen, Me, Monika, Jonah, his Physical Therapist, and a busy hallway full of people when he fell. It happened so fast that none of us could do anything. David said his pride was the worst thing hurt. His left leg just came loose and he went straight down. I try so hard to be positive and upbeat and smiling, but sometimes I just have to lower my head until I've regained my composure. He got right back up and continued his walk. His walks these past two days have only been 1 lap because the skin is very tender from the laser surgery.
Guess What, nope - nope - not even close. Ok, HE IS DRIVING! He hasn't even hit anything. He did take one wrong turn on the freeway and I was able to talk smack with him for a few miles because of all the smack he has given me when I've taken wrong turns. He's loving this driving stuff. It's one step closer. I LOVE IT!
I think I'm going to get some sleep. David has been having some very bad experiences with the Ambien that he has been taking to help him sleep. He literally feels like he has legs again and it is a very unstable feeling - and very disturbing. Tonight we're trying an over-the-counter medicine that, we hope, will give him some relaxing sleep instead of these awfully unfair feelings of having his legs. It would be one thing if they were actually there but reality has the upper hand in this situation.
Have a wonderful night.
Gordon
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 2152
Good Evening,
Many mixed feelings today. Right now my contact lenses are messed up because of some recent emotions that came to the surface.
David really had a great day but it all seemed to come crashing in on him tonight and I'll explain in a minute.
It was a normal day of OT and PT. PT was extra fun today because three of the guys decided to put on their legs and race through the halls. Oh, my the way, the guy he was playing X-box with was Brian, not Michael. David really enjoyed passing a guy in the hall who had left the PT room about a quarter of a lap before him.
We ended up in Prosthetics where Pete began the measurement process to order a new let of liners. David's legs are changing in volume the more he exercises and it's time to change his liners and he'll probably be recast within the next two weeks.
Over the past few months, David has been having a terrible time being able to go to sleep. He has tried meditation, medicines, familiar setups that helped him sleep in the field while on deployments, and now he finally found a medication that does not keep him loopy in the morning but really gets him tired at night. That's when it all came crashing in - I was sitting there watching David in his wheelchair and could tell something was going on in his head. He said, Dad, this medication really causes some weird sensations. He didn't say those exact words but I can't remember exactly what words he used. He said he could actually feel his legs, not the tingly sensation he usually has, he could feel the mass, he could feel his knees, as he concentrated he could feel his calves tighten, he could feel his feet.
He said he didn't want to open his eyes because the feelings might go away. I saw that the feelings were opening another look at this harsh reality. I suggested that he should open his eyes so that it didn't feel quite so disturbing. He said that he felt like if he pushed down a little further his feet would hit the floor and he could stand up. He could feel the hair on his legs. It was far to real to enjoy the sensation. Out of respect for my son David and his privacy, I will end these comments.
I'm really having a hard time not being with my beautiful wife and the rest of my family, but I am also having a very hard time thinking that I'm going home for Thanksgiving and won't be here to help with any need he expresses. I am very grateful for Zack and Dave coming to be with and assist him - they'll be involved with killing the enemy on X-box and all will be fine.
All My Love
Gordon
P.S. Tomorrow is David's Birthday
Many mixed feelings today. Right now my contact lenses are messed up because of some recent emotions that came to the surface.
David really had a great day but it all seemed to come crashing in on him tonight and I'll explain in a minute.
It was a normal day of OT and PT. PT was extra fun today because three of the guys decided to put on their legs and race through the halls. Oh, my the way, the guy he was playing X-box with was Brian, not Michael. David really enjoyed passing a guy in the hall who had left the PT room about a quarter of a lap before him.
We ended up in Prosthetics where Pete began the measurement process to order a new let of liners. David's legs are changing in volume the more he exercises and it's time to change his liners and he'll probably be recast within the next two weeks.
Over the past few months, David has been having a terrible time being able to go to sleep. He has tried meditation, medicines, familiar setups that helped him sleep in the field while on deployments, and now he finally found a medication that does not keep him loopy in the morning but really gets him tired at night. That's when it all came crashing in - I was sitting there watching David in his wheelchair and could tell something was going on in his head. He said, Dad, this medication really causes some weird sensations. He didn't say those exact words but I can't remember exactly what words he used. He said he could actually feel his legs, not the tingly sensation he usually has, he could feel the mass, he could feel his knees, as he concentrated he could feel his calves tighten, he could feel his feet.
He said he didn't want to open his eyes because the feelings might go away. I saw that the feelings were opening another look at this harsh reality. I suggested that he should open his eyes so that it didn't feel quite so disturbing. He said that he felt like if he pushed down a little further his feet would hit the floor and he could stand up. He could feel the hair on his legs. It was far to real to enjoy the sensation. Out of respect for my son David and his privacy, I will end these comments.
I'm really having a hard time not being with my beautiful wife and the rest of my family, but I am also having a very hard time thinking that I'm going home for Thanksgiving and won't be here to help with any need he expresses. I am very grateful for Zack and Dave coming to be with and assist him - they'll be involved with killing the enemy on X-box and all will be fine.
All My Love
Gordon
P.S. Tomorrow is David's Birthday
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, 22 November 2010 at 1647
Hello Again,
I wanted to tell you something that happened while David and I were sitting waiting for one of his prescriptions to be filled at the pharmacy. We were just sitting there talking and a woman walked up to David and handed him a note "I just wanted to say thank you for being such a hero for my kids to look up to. God Bless You!" within 5 minutes, a gentleman walked up to David and thanked him for his service and told him that he gave much more than just service. The man was a veteran himself and we both thanked him for his service.
I hardly saw David all day, it was my assignment to take the Jeep and get the new rack put on. It was going to take a few hours so I went over to the mall and watch Harry Potter. David just does not like the Harry Potter stuff so I took the opportunity to see the movie.
Hopefully tomorrow he will get the hand controls for the Jeep - nope, that hope just got dashed by a phone call.
David did another 450 yards today but it was quite a bit harder because he forgot to bring his headphones and didn't have the rhythm. He did about 1/4 of a lap (twice) without the use of his canes.
He's now sitting here with another great friend, Mike, playing the new Brotherhood game on the X-box. They will be lost in the game for awhile.
I'll talk to you again tomorrow - I hope.
Take Care,
Gordon
I wanted to tell you something that happened while David and I were sitting waiting for one of his prescriptions to be filled at the pharmacy. We were just sitting there talking and a woman walked up to David and handed him a note "I just wanted to say thank you for being such a hero for my kids to look up to. God Bless You!" within 5 minutes, a gentleman walked up to David and thanked him for his service and told him that he gave much more than just service. The man was a veteran himself and we both thanked him for his service.
I hardly saw David all day, it was my assignment to take the Jeep and get the new rack put on. It was going to take a few hours so I went over to the mall and watch Harry Potter. David just does not like the Harry Potter stuff so I took the opportunity to see the movie.
Hopefully tomorrow he will get the hand controls for the Jeep - nope, that hope just got dashed by a phone call.
David did another 450 yards today but it was quite a bit harder because he forgot to bring his headphones and didn't have the rhythm. He did about 1/4 of a lap (twice) without the use of his canes.
He's now sitting here with another great friend, Mike, playing the new Brotherhood game on the X-box. They will be lost in the game for awhile.
I'll talk to you again tomorrow - I hope.
Take Care,
Gordon
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thursday, November 18 thru Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 1850
We're both alive. Since I hadn't written for a few days you probably thought we both had drowned in the wild Sand Diego surf. We survived and had a great time. David took his own kayak and I went with the instructor and we got safely through the surf and paddled up and down the coast for approximately 2 miles. I was really nice but we all drank some sea water on the way back in. A big wave tipped us all out. The nice thing is that they had a wheelchair that has balloon tires and I walked it right into the water and scooped David up and all is well. We did forget the earplugs for David's damaged ears but everything worked out just fine.
On Friday, they moved David up another 2 inches - his height right now hits me right about chin high and he's getting taller than many of the therapists he works with. When walking with the taller shorties, it is much more difficult. He's not got a favorite song that he walks to - if puts him in a great rhythm and he walked another 450 NON-STOP YARDS today. He is absolutely wet when he is done. He lays down directly after walking and I tie a strap around his legs to pull them together as much as possible. Laying in bed for over two months in a spread eagle position while his pelvis healed has taken it's tole on his flexibility. While his legs are strapped together he does sit ups and just continues to work hard until he is close to being sick. He obviously wants his full legs very bad.
Right now the 10th of December will be the end of 4 weeks so I think I'm looking forward to that day almost as much as David is. In case you don't remember what 4 weeks represents, that's when he gets knees and he will be standing close to full height. Very very very exciting.
This weekend has been very quite because it has been raining most of the time. Today, Sunday, David had the opportunity to spend about 7 hours with his friends at a barbecue. It was really nice for him to get away with his friends without prudy Dad hanging around.
Tomorrow is exciting, David will be getting a rack put on his jeep. Then Tuesday is really exciting because we should have the hand controls installed so David can take over the driving. I'm really liking his jeep but I would much rather him be the driver - these are all really important steps toward independence.
Thanksgiving is Thursday and my family has a tradition of going around the table and saying what we are thankful for. I'm thinking that this year I had better write it down because the second I think about all I am thankful for I get huge tears in my eyes and a big lump in my throat. For such a terrible situation, there is soooo much to be grateful for.
See you soon,
Gordon
On Friday, they moved David up another 2 inches - his height right now hits me right about chin high and he's getting taller than many of the therapists he works with. When walking with the taller shorties, it is much more difficult. He's not got a favorite song that he walks to - if puts him in a great rhythm and he walked another 450 NON-STOP YARDS today. He is absolutely wet when he is done. He lays down directly after walking and I tie a strap around his legs to pull them together as much as possible. Laying in bed for over two months in a spread eagle position while his pelvis healed has taken it's tole on his flexibility. While his legs are strapped together he does sit ups and just continues to work hard until he is close to being sick. He obviously wants his full legs very bad.
Right now the 10th of December will be the end of 4 weeks so I think I'm looking forward to that day almost as much as David is. In case you don't remember what 4 weeks represents, that's when he gets knees and he will be standing close to full height. Very very very exciting.
This weekend has been very quite because it has been raining most of the time. Today, Sunday, David had the opportunity to spend about 7 hours with his friends at a barbecue. It was really nice for him to get away with his friends without prudy Dad hanging around.
Tomorrow is exciting, David will be getting a rack put on his jeep. Then Tuesday is really exciting because we should have the hand controls installed so David can take over the driving. I'm really liking his jeep but I would much rather him be the driver - these are all really important steps toward independence.
Thanksgiving is Thursday and my family has a tradition of going around the table and saying what we are thankful for. I'm thinking that this year I had better write it down because the second I think about all I am thankful for I get huge tears in my eyes and a big lump in my throat. For such a terrible situation, there is soooo much to be grateful for.
See you soon,
Gordon
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 2221
He Da Man!
David had a fantastic day today. He didn't have any early morning appointments so he slept in a bit and he headed to the hospital about 1230. It was necessary for me to do a bit of running around taking care of errands for him and he went ahead and started his PT without me. I was a bit jealous that I wasn't there.
Yesterday I tried to do some of his exercises with David. He was using a 12 pound medicine ball so I grabbed one and laid down next to him and was trying to mimic his motions. It was not that easy. He told me the area on my sides that this particular exercise was suppose to help and I told him I couldn't really feel anything there so he told me "don't use your legs", oh my gosh, I took them out of the equation and I could feel everything. It's hard to play like you don't have legs when you do. I'm sure it's even worse to play like you have legs when you don't.
I'm going to be learning a bit more about mirror therapy so I can try to help David. David has told me that your nerves seem to remember their last impulse before they no longer existed. David's feet always feel like his heels are being pushed really hard and that his toes are forward, curled under and being crushed. In mirror therapy, Lynn (his therapist) tries to put her leg in a position that makes it look like it is an extension of his leg through the mirror - she then asks him to direct her in putting her foot in the exact position he feels. Once that is achieved, she begins to slowly move her toes and straighten her foot and relax her heal - David can feel her every movement. It is very important that we learn the technique so he can get some relief. He has been told that if he can consistently do the mirror therapy for a few weeks, the pain may completely go away.
Yesterday we also went to Dermatology. There is a laser specialist that met with us and now David is scheduled for surgery on the 6th of December. They will be working on both legs, on his right hand and arm, and on his stomach scars. This laser surgery should relieve some tight area where the scar sights have attached themselves to the muscles instead of being more like natural skin and can be moved around. The offered to permanently take the hair off of his legs but Pete, his Prosthestist (sp) is not sold on the idea because the hair enables the leg to dissipate heat and the sweat is a good thing for the pours. Now I don't want you ladies out there to think it's time to grow out your hairy legs just so you can dissipate heat and sweat better - us men like your legs just they way they are. This upcoming surgery should only be about an hour long and will not interrupt his PT or OT efforts.
I never finished telling you why David is DA MAN - it's because today he did 3 (three) (THREE) yes THREE complete laps around the halls WITHOUT STOPPING. That's approximately 450 yards without stopping. Yesterday David figured out that he could walk a little better and longer if he had music that he walks to. It helps him gain a rhythm - proving that us white guys really do have rhythm. There was only one bad part to finding out about the music - he used his top of the line cell phone to play the music and he really didn't have a way to carry it so he put it inside his shirt and his sweat destroyed the phone. We spent an hour or two last night at Sprint checking to see what happened - just shows you how manly us Lyon guys are - even our sweat is powerful.
I got some discs made of the pictures I've taken so I can get some of them on this blog and as I went through them to make sure they were acceptable photos, the tears just started to flow because there is a very distinct memory and emotion with each photograph. We, all of us who love David, are very blessed to have him and his strength in our lives. It's like saying that no matter how things get - it'll be OK through some great effort.
Tomorrow morning we're going Kayaking for David's Occupational Therapy - if I drown, I'll meet you in heaven - at least I hope I'll be able to come up there and visit all of you.
All My Love
Gordon
P.S. Rachelle, if I'm home for the family Christmas Party - I will be Santa.
P.S. JJ, you are a great inspiration to all of us too - you're doing incredible. David and I talk about you and your accomplishments often. He's very proud of his little brother.
P.S. I miss you all very very much and I love you!!!!
David had a fantastic day today. He didn't have any early morning appointments so he slept in a bit and he headed to the hospital about 1230. It was necessary for me to do a bit of running around taking care of errands for him and he went ahead and started his PT without me. I was a bit jealous that I wasn't there.
Yesterday I tried to do some of his exercises with David. He was using a 12 pound medicine ball so I grabbed one and laid down next to him and was trying to mimic his motions. It was not that easy. He told me the area on my sides that this particular exercise was suppose to help and I told him I couldn't really feel anything there so he told me "don't use your legs", oh my gosh, I took them out of the equation and I could feel everything. It's hard to play like you don't have legs when you do. I'm sure it's even worse to play like you have legs when you don't.
I'm going to be learning a bit more about mirror therapy so I can try to help David. David has told me that your nerves seem to remember their last impulse before they no longer existed. David's feet always feel like his heels are being pushed really hard and that his toes are forward, curled under and being crushed. In mirror therapy, Lynn (his therapist) tries to put her leg in a position that makes it look like it is an extension of his leg through the mirror - she then asks him to direct her in putting her foot in the exact position he feels. Once that is achieved, she begins to slowly move her toes and straighten her foot and relax her heal - David can feel her every movement. It is very important that we learn the technique so he can get some relief. He has been told that if he can consistently do the mirror therapy for a few weeks, the pain may completely go away.
Yesterday we also went to Dermatology. There is a laser specialist that met with us and now David is scheduled for surgery on the 6th of December. They will be working on both legs, on his right hand and arm, and on his stomach scars. This laser surgery should relieve some tight area where the scar sights have attached themselves to the muscles instead of being more like natural skin and can be moved around. The offered to permanently take the hair off of his legs but Pete, his Prosthestist (sp) is not sold on the idea because the hair enables the leg to dissipate heat and the sweat is a good thing for the pours. Now I don't want you ladies out there to think it's time to grow out your hairy legs just so you can dissipate heat and sweat better - us men like your legs just they way they are. This upcoming surgery should only be about an hour long and will not interrupt his PT or OT efforts.
I never finished telling you why David is DA MAN - it's because today he did 3 (three) (THREE) yes THREE complete laps around the halls WITHOUT STOPPING. That's approximately 450 yards without stopping. Yesterday David figured out that he could walk a little better and longer if he had music that he walks to. It helps him gain a rhythm - proving that us white guys really do have rhythm. There was only one bad part to finding out about the music - he used his top of the line cell phone to play the music and he really didn't have a way to carry it so he put it inside his shirt and his sweat destroyed the phone. We spent an hour or two last night at Sprint checking to see what happened - just shows you how manly us Lyon guys are - even our sweat is powerful.
I got some discs made of the pictures I've taken so I can get some of them on this blog and as I went through them to make sure they were acceptable photos, the tears just started to flow because there is a very distinct memory and emotion with each photograph. We, all of us who love David, are very blessed to have him and his strength in our lives. It's like saying that no matter how things get - it'll be OK through some great effort.
Tomorrow morning we're going Kayaking for David's Occupational Therapy - if I drown, I'll meet you in heaven - at least I hope I'll be able to come up there and visit all of you.
All My Love
Gordon
P.S. Rachelle, if I'm home for the family Christmas Party - I will be Santa.
P.S. JJ, you are a great inspiration to all of us too - you're doing incredible. David and I talk about you and your accomplishments often. He's very proud of his little brother.
P.S. I miss you all very very much and I love you!!!!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 1936
Hope You've All Had A Great Weekend,
I'll try to bring you up to date since Wednesday. This has really been a calm week. Thursday was a holiday for David as well as much of the U.S. for Veteran's Day. David did, however, do almost 9 hours or occupational therapy on his hand - yep, he bought the new X-box 360 Call To Duty and spent the entire day doing Black Ops and shooting Zombies. You'd think that, after being at war much like is depicted in these games, these guys would shy away from the "heat of the battle" but that is not the case at all. When they get together they talk war stories and compare scars. David now gives high fours since he is missing his pinky finger. He really brings a great deal of humor to this ordeal.
Friday was another day of the same OT and PT. David did walk another 150 yards or so. It is really a painful thing because, either the casting or the liner or the sock or the belt pinches or slips or rubs - there is just absolutely no ideal fit as of yet but we're both very optimistic that the time will come when everything just feels right. When we were in PT, Dr. Peo came in an put some acupuncture pins in David's right ear to see if it would help with the phantom pains - so far it hasn't really helped. While we are watching TV, which consists of Mythbusters, Overhaulin, Orange County Chopper, and Office, out of the blue will come the phantom pains. His latest pains just shoot down his legs and his feet feel like their being crushed. I know that when I have put in a hard day of exercise (preferably Golf or Hunting) I often get leg cramps that take me close to tears - my wife could testify of how hard they hit. David gets hit with that almost every day. We're trying to figure out how he is sitting or what he has or hasn't done to trigger the pain.
On Friday he tried a little more mirror therapy but it didn't work very well. I can't imagine it would work at all because this therapist is about 5 foot tall, has olive skin, and has dark red painted toe nails on a size 4 foot - David needs to be looking at a hairy, boot beaten size 11 in order to think it is his own. Plain and simple - sometimes nothing helps, he just has to wait for the wave of pain to pass by.
We spent a few hours with Stanley, the assist dog that David is looking for. He is really fun and he really seems to like David. From everything I have seen, it would be a great match.
The Lobster trapping we were planning did not happen but we'll give you a report when it does happen next time.
Dr. Peo told David that he could start walking with knees in 4 weeks - that is extremely exciting news. Try walking without knees or ankles and you'll soon realize why this is such great news.
Today we went to the Tattoo Expo - I was so tempted to get a tattoo (NOT).
Other than that, there isn't a great deal to tell you. David's friend, Dan came over on Saturday and I can't possibly tell you what an incredible boost that gives David. It's nice to hear the laughs, the concern for other soldiers and their families, the war stories - and boy do they have the war stories.
Today we were watching Mythbusters and they used 5000 pounds of explosives - I acted so impressed by the impact and David said, "Amateurs!" and showed me a clip where they use 20,000 pounds of old bombs in one blast. Ohhhhhh the joy of blowing something up!!!!!!
I sincerely thank all of you who have done so much for David through your friendships - you're a great part of the strength he has shown and continues to show. Thank YOU!
See you on the next post.
Gordon
I'll try to bring you up to date since Wednesday. This has really been a calm week. Thursday was a holiday for David as well as much of the U.S. for Veteran's Day. David did, however, do almost 9 hours or occupational therapy on his hand - yep, he bought the new X-box 360 Call To Duty and spent the entire day doing Black Ops and shooting Zombies. You'd think that, after being at war much like is depicted in these games, these guys would shy away from the "heat of the battle" but that is not the case at all. When they get together they talk war stories and compare scars. David now gives high fours since he is missing his pinky finger. He really brings a great deal of humor to this ordeal.
Friday was another day of the same OT and PT. David did walk another 150 yards or so. It is really a painful thing because, either the casting or the liner or the sock or the belt pinches or slips or rubs - there is just absolutely no ideal fit as of yet but we're both very optimistic that the time will come when everything just feels right. When we were in PT, Dr. Peo came in an put some acupuncture pins in David's right ear to see if it would help with the phantom pains - so far it hasn't really helped. While we are watching TV, which consists of Mythbusters, Overhaulin, Orange County Chopper, and Office, out of the blue will come the phantom pains. His latest pains just shoot down his legs and his feet feel like their being crushed. I know that when I have put in a hard day of exercise (preferably Golf or Hunting) I often get leg cramps that take me close to tears - my wife could testify of how hard they hit. David gets hit with that almost every day. We're trying to figure out how he is sitting or what he has or hasn't done to trigger the pain.
On Friday he tried a little more mirror therapy but it didn't work very well. I can't imagine it would work at all because this therapist is about 5 foot tall, has olive skin, and has dark red painted toe nails on a size 4 foot - David needs to be looking at a hairy, boot beaten size 11 in order to think it is his own. Plain and simple - sometimes nothing helps, he just has to wait for the wave of pain to pass by.
We spent a few hours with Stanley, the assist dog that David is looking for. He is really fun and he really seems to like David. From everything I have seen, it would be a great match.
The Lobster trapping we were planning did not happen but we'll give you a report when it does happen next time.
Dr. Peo told David that he could start walking with knees in 4 weeks - that is extremely exciting news. Try walking without knees or ankles and you'll soon realize why this is such great news.
Today we went to the Tattoo Expo - I was so tempted to get a tattoo (NOT).
Other than that, there isn't a great deal to tell you. David's friend, Dan came over on Saturday and I can't possibly tell you what an incredible boost that gives David. It's nice to hear the laughs, the concern for other soldiers and their families, the war stories - and boy do they have the war stories.
Today we were watching Mythbusters and they used 5000 pounds of explosives - I acted so impressed by the impact and David said, "Amateurs!" and showed me a clip where they use 20,000 pounds of old bombs in one blast. Ohhhhhh the joy of blowing something up!!!!!!
I sincerely thank all of you who have done so much for David through your friendships - you're a great part of the strength he has shown and continues to show. Thank YOU!
See you on the next post.
Gordon
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday, 10 November 2010 at 2112
Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps
Yesterday was a short day, David was quite sick and so we just came home and let him rest.
Today was another day - places to go, people to see, and things to do. It was a day of much of the same appointments - OT, PT, Prosthetics, oh and we met with the VA today to get things set up to do the vehicle modifications so David can drive his own Jeep.
The one thing that I thought you would really be interested in today was when we went to Prosthetics to get David some smaller shrinkers. David hasn't worn them for over a month because the skin just keeps breaking down. While we were sitting there talking to Pete, David mentioned that he wasn't going to walk today because he just wasn't feeling very good. Pete immediately stopped the conversation and told David that he never wanted to hear that again. He said that, today, tomorrow, 20 years from now and 40 years from now David had to get up and put his legs on and walk. He said that he didn't care how bad he felt, those legs have to be a routine that is never broken unless you are sick enough to be in the hospital. He said he wanted David to walk every day for the rest of his life and work out at least an hour per day.
I personally thought that was the greatest part of this day and so did David. We all need to do that, we need to build routines to maintain our own health, spiritually, mentally, and physically. Pete has run the Iron Man 11 times, which consists of a 2 1/2 mile swim, a 26.2 mile run, and a 110 mile bicycle ride) I may not have those numbers a bit off but, needless to say, Pete knows how to succeed and I believe every word out of his mouth today.
Immediately after that speech from Pete, David went over and got in his legs and did a lap around the place. He had to stop a couple times so he didn't throw up, but he took everything that Pete had to say to heart and I don't think he'll take another break.
There are many changes to come, including the way David keeps his legs on - the current method seems very loose and he feels like he is going to step out of the left leg most of the time. We're told that it will all change many times and to not get discouraged - it's all building strength for the "Big Time!"
Have a great night and have a great Veteran's Day tomorrow.
Good Night
Gordon
Yesterday was a short day, David was quite sick and so we just came home and let him rest.
Today was another day - places to go, people to see, and things to do. It was a day of much of the same appointments - OT, PT, Prosthetics, oh and we met with the VA today to get things set up to do the vehicle modifications so David can drive his own Jeep.
The one thing that I thought you would really be interested in today was when we went to Prosthetics to get David some smaller shrinkers. David hasn't worn them for over a month because the skin just keeps breaking down. While we were sitting there talking to Pete, David mentioned that he wasn't going to walk today because he just wasn't feeling very good. Pete immediately stopped the conversation and told David that he never wanted to hear that again. He said that, today, tomorrow, 20 years from now and 40 years from now David had to get up and put his legs on and walk. He said that he didn't care how bad he felt, those legs have to be a routine that is never broken unless you are sick enough to be in the hospital. He said he wanted David to walk every day for the rest of his life and work out at least an hour per day.
I personally thought that was the greatest part of this day and so did David. We all need to do that, we need to build routines to maintain our own health, spiritually, mentally, and physically. Pete has run the Iron Man 11 times, which consists of a 2 1/2 mile swim, a 26.2 mile run, and a 110 mile bicycle ride) I may not have those numbers a bit off but, needless to say, Pete knows how to succeed and I believe every word out of his mouth today.
Immediately after that speech from Pete, David went over and got in his legs and did a lap around the place. He had to stop a couple times so he didn't throw up, but he took everything that Pete had to say to heart and I don't think he'll take another break.
There are many changes to come, including the way David keeps his legs on - the current method seems very loose and he feels like he is going to step out of the left leg most of the time. We're told that it will all change many times and to not get discouraged - it's all building strength for the "Big Time!"
Have a great night and have a great Veteran's Day tomorrow.
Good Night
Gordon
Monday, November 8, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010 at 2213
A very busy and great day.
David had appointments at 10:30 and 2:30 today - OT and PT respectively. Prior to his first appointment he found out that his group would be arriving at approximately noon from Afghanistan. David desperately wanted to be standing to greet them and so we left early for the hospital in hopes that Pete could put his legs together fast enough. As soon as we got there we got hit with a curve - Pete told us that David's PT Therapist and his Primary Care Doctor would have to sign off on allowing David to stand at full height so soon.
David immediately took off to see April, his PT Therapist and I took off to meet with Dr. Pyo. Together we good all the approvals needed and the C-legs were immediately plugged in to charge a little before we had to leave. These people are so good to work with, they at the top of their respective professions and they are as personable as you can possibly imagine. Pete immediately put David's legs together but didn't have everything necessary to make David the full 6'4" man, but he did get him to about 6'1" which was close enough. The two legs together, including the sockets and the waist harness that he wears right now weigh 20.5 lbs.
I've discovered that, when you don't have the strength of your legs and the feel of your ankles and feet, all of the strength you need to stand comes from your lower back, your rear, and what's left of your thighs. David doesn't have a great deal of his left thigh so most of the stability comes from his rear and his lower back and it is amazing how much strength that takes.
Pete didn't have the time to hook the computer up and program the resistance in the legs. We got David in the legs and, yep, I choked up. He was taller than me and I loved every second of it.
He was standing on the ramp of the parallel bars which brought him up about 3 extra inches, so he was right where he belonged - 6'4" compared to me at 6' standing on the floor. I got a few photos and I still can't get the pictures from my camera to this computer so they'll have to come in a few days.
We immediately went out to the Jeep and got David in - that was a bit more of a trial but we succeeded. We got to Camp Pendleton as soon as we could because David did not want to miss this opportunity. I'll have to repent later for breaking a few minor speeding rules. I didn't run any stop signs though. That's a family joke. When David's younger sister, who shall remain anonymous, was learning to drive, David talked her in to believing that the Stop Signs with a white stripe around them were "Optional!" The first time she was pulled over for running a white striped stop sign, the policeman really got a good laugh out of David's training. I don't think he had the heart to give her the ticket.
We got to Pendleton in plenty of time because the bus bringing the guys from March AFB broke down on the freeway. When the bus arrived, a few of us helped David to his feet so he could greet his friends. What a beautiful sight - it was really much better than I could have imagined it. During the process I stood close to him so he could put some weight on me and I could feel his muscles trembling. My muscles almost got to the trembling stage because he is no small man, as a matter of fact, he is dang heavy.
It seemed like everyone had to get to David, they all embraced him as their friend and brother. I stood there as a very proud father. David was very glad to see all of them. I wish I could remember all of their names. Many of them just went by and initial. V, Z, D. It was just plain great. I met Adam, the soldier that was hurt during the same blast that hit David, and he had a few scars from the blast but never left the country.
If you remember from the early days of this blog, Adam Perkins was killed a few hours prior to David being hit. David didn't know for several weeks until I told him once I felt he was strong enough to deal with it. Adam Perkins should have been walking off that bus today. David pointed out his parents and I had the privilege of talking with them for awhile. They are wonderful people. We talked a bit about the soldiers who came to our doors to deliver the news and I couldn't hold my emotions. I don't know if it was the emotion of what I felt when the Marines came to my door or the emotion I thought Adam's mother must have felt when they came to her door. For whatever reason, I just put my head down and couldn't say anything for a few seconds as Adam's father put his arm around me. I feel like I have another family. The Perkins were incredible as well as Adam's wife Ignacia and their son they call Moose. They didn't have a son getting off that bus but they were there to show their support and I really admire their strength.
You know, I've learned some great things through all this. I feel like I'm learning how our Savior must feel about all of us. He looks past the tattoos, the cigarettes, the swearing, the crudeness, our judgemental behavior, etc., etc., etc., he looks past all of our imperfections and just sees the greatness and potential in each of us. If you were standing where I was today, I feel like you would know exactly what I am talking about, they are wonderful people doing wonderful things. I loved every minute of the day.
David tried to get a little closer to where the men were coming out of the bus ( I hope his therapist don't read this blog because David wasn't suppose to walk, just stand). David expressed that the steps with the full legs was actually easier than walking with the stubbies. That would have been fine if the left leg wouldn't have come off. Not really OFF, it just that David could feel himself lifting out of it each time he took another step. Needless to say, walking was not a good option - not yet anyway. I think he really liked looking up and the ones he use to look up at and down to the ones he has always been taller than.
I thought it would have made a great picture with me walking back to David's apartment. Here is David tooling along in his wheelchair with me walking behind with two legs with feet, socks, and shoes draped over my shoulder. I know some of you read this blog and think how devastating this must be, but please know that, as this whole store continues to unfold, it is very easy to smile and look forward to a very bring tomorrow.
Love You All,
Gordon
P.S. David had many special friends that just returned and I hope you know who you are. I don't put your names in here because I don't want you singled out, but please know how much he loves each of you. This was a very good day for him and it's your fault.
David had appointments at 10:30 and 2:30 today - OT and PT respectively. Prior to his first appointment he found out that his group would be arriving at approximately noon from Afghanistan. David desperately wanted to be standing to greet them and so we left early for the hospital in hopes that Pete could put his legs together fast enough. As soon as we got there we got hit with a curve - Pete told us that David's PT Therapist and his Primary Care Doctor would have to sign off on allowing David to stand at full height so soon.
David immediately took off to see April, his PT Therapist and I took off to meet with Dr. Pyo. Together we good all the approvals needed and the C-legs were immediately plugged in to charge a little before we had to leave. These people are so good to work with, they at the top of their respective professions and they are as personable as you can possibly imagine. Pete immediately put David's legs together but didn't have everything necessary to make David the full 6'4" man, but he did get him to about 6'1" which was close enough. The two legs together, including the sockets and the waist harness that he wears right now weigh 20.5 lbs.
I've discovered that, when you don't have the strength of your legs and the feel of your ankles and feet, all of the strength you need to stand comes from your lower back, your rear, and what's left of your thighs. David doesn't have a great deal of his left thigh so most of the stability comes from his rear and his lower back and it is amazing how much strength that takes.
Pete didn't have the time to hook the computer up and program the resistance in the legs. We got David in the legs and, yep, I choked up. He was taller than me and I loved every second of it.
He was standing on the ramp of the parallel bars which brought him up about 3 extra inches, so he was right where he belonged - 6'4" compared to me at 6' standing on the floor. I got a few photos and I still can't get the pictures from my camera to this computer so they'll have to come in a few days.
We immediately went out to the Jeep and got David in - that was a bit more of a trial but we succeeded. We got to Camp Pendleton as soon as we could because David did not want to miss this opportunity. I'll have to repent later for breaking a few minor speeding rules. I didn't run any stop signs though. That's a family joke. When David's younger sister, who shall remain anonymous, was learning to drive, David talked her in to believing that the Stop Signs with a white stripe around them were "Optional!" The first time she was pulled over for running a white striped stop sign, the policeman really got a good laugh out of David's training. I don't think he had the heart to give her the ticket.
We got to Pendleton in plenty of time because the bus bringing the guys from March AFB broke down on the freeway. When the bus arrived, a few of us helped David to his feet so he could greet his friends. What a beautiful sight - it was really much better than I could have imagined it. During the process I stood close to him so he could put some weight on me and I could feel his muscles trembling. My muscles almost got to the trembling stage because he is no small man, as a matter of fact, he is dang heavy.
It seemed like everyone had to get to David, they all embraced him as their friend and brother. I stood there as a very proud father. David was very glad to see all of them. I wish I could remember all of their names. Many of them just went by and initial. V, Z, D. It was just plain great. I met Adam, the soldier that was hurt during the same blast that hit David, and he had a few scars from the blast but never left the country.
If you remember from the early days of this blog, Adam Perkins was killed a few hours prior to David being hit. David didn't know for several weeks until I told him once I felt he was strong enough to deal with it. Adam Perkins should have been walking off that bus today. David pointed out his parents and I had the privilege of talking with them for awhile. They are wonderful people. We talked a bit about the soldiers who came to our doors to deliver the news and I couldn't hold my emotions. I don't know if it was the emotion of what I felt when the Marines came to my door or the emotion I thought Adam's mother must have felt when they came to her door. For whatever reason, I just put my head down and couldn't say anything for a few seconds as Adam's father put his arm around me. I feel like I have another family. The Perkins were incredible as well as Adam's wife Ignacia and their son they call Moose. They didn't have a son getting off that bus but they were there to show their support and I really admire their strength.
You know, I've learned some great things through all this. I feel like I'm learning how our Savior must feel about all of us. He looks past the tattoos, the cigarettes, the swearing, the crudeness, our judgemental behavior, etc., etc., etc., he looks past all of our imperfections and just sees the greatness and potential in each of us. If you were standing where I was today, I feel like you would know exactly what I am talking about, they are wonderful people doing wonderful things. I loved every minute of the day.
David tried to get a little closer to where the men were coming out of the bus ( I hope his therapist don't read this blog because David wasn't suppose to walk, just stand). David expressed that the steps with the full legs was actually easier than walking with the stubbies. That would have been fine if the left leg wouldn't have come off. Not really OFF, it just that David could feel himself lifting out of it each time he took another step. Needless to say, walking was not a good option - not yet anyway. I think he really liked looking up and the ones he use to look up at and down to the ones he has always been taller than.
I thought it would have made a great picture with me walking back to David's apartment. Here is David tooling along in his wheelchair with me walking behind with two legs with feet, socks, and shoes draped over my shoulder. I know some of you read this blog and think how devastating this must be, but please know that, as this whole store continues to unfold, it is very easy to smile and look forward to a very bring tomorrow.
Love You All,
Gordon
P.S. David had many special friends that just returned and I hope you know who you are. I don't put your names in here because I don't want you singled out, but please know how much he loves each of you. This was a very good day for him and it's your fault.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010 @ 1704
Hope You Had A Great Week...
Things are going just fine around here. On Thursday, when we arrived at OT (Occupational Therapy) they had David scheduled for a wood turning class. It's great! Five or Six Veterans bring their portable lathes and teach these wounded warriors, and other individuals that may have had a stroke to turn wood into a bowl or a top or a canter cork. I would have never thought it to be a "therapy" but it really is - with their concentration being so intense on that piece of wood, everything else seems to just go away, plus it really takes a great deal for them control some of these damaged limbs and control the intricate moves that must be made to accomplish an acceptable result. It was fun to watch and David really enjoyed it.
We had some time between appointments so David decided that we were going to go and visit some of the new inpatients. We talked to a Cpl Weiss who had been shot in the hand. It was a great visit and I was impressed by his upbeat attitude.
David, as a passing note, told me that he lost another friend in Afghanistan. We all want this to stop - I'm learning that a major reason this mess continues is because of the stupid individuals that continue to push the drug trade or take the drugs. Many of the people of Afghanistan have two choices, die or grow the drugs they are told to grow. I really don't know how to feel about the whole mess.
On Friday, there was a great amount of the military I remember - Hurry Up and Wait. Everything David tried to do seem to become harder and harder to get done because of one thing or another. When he was walking, every step sounded like he had a leaky valve or a flat tire. We ended up in prosthetics and they had to put some sealant around his relief valve and that ended the walking for the day. It was a bit discouraging to David because he just wants to keep going. He is worried that, if he doesn't push it to the limit each day, he'll pick up extra weight. With most of us, picking up 10 pounds is not a serious thing, with prosthetics, 10 pounds could mean a socket that doesn't fit - it's a very careful balance that much be achieved and maintained.
After he realized there would be no more walking for the day we went back to PT and he did a bunch of pilates until he was wet wit sweat. That rhymed!!!
David was extremely lifted by the presence of Jesse Cottle, a double amputee from about 14 or 15 months ago. He was there getting a new fitting on his prosthetics and, if you didn't notice the titanium and plastic on the end of his legs, you would think they were his natural legs. He looked great. He had been training for a marathon just before this adjustment had to be made and he is a double AK (above the knee) amputee just like David. David was totally encouraged and said, "if that is what I look like when this is all over, it will be great with me."
Tomorrow, the group of Marines that David was with when he deployed to Afghanistan will return. Pete, David's Prosthetist, is allowing him to put on his full legs - if you remember, that's approximately $225,000 worth of technology in Civilian dollars. David always gets upset at me when I take another photo of him but I've told him that I don't care whether he likes it or not, I'm taking a picture of him when he is 6'4" again. My emotions are really close to the surface with the thought of tomorrow. David and I were watching an extremely stupid movie, Hot Rod, and I even found spots in that movie to get a lump in my throat. I think David is really looking forward to that feeling.
Today as I was coming back from church I saw a beautiful 1969 fully restored Chevelle coming the opposite direction and I saw a gloved hand waving from the passenger side. I quickly realized it was David waving good-bye as he went out with his buddies. I am so glad he has such great friends. Tony and Brian and David just went cruisin'. He came back in great spirits. This is all going to be fine.
I wish I had a movie camera to get a recording of him standing - I'll do what I can and get it on the blog as soon as I can.
Have a great sleep - goodnight!
Gordon
Things are going just fine around here. On Thursday, when we arrived at OT (Occupational Therapy) they had David scheduled for a wood turning class. It's great! Five or Six Veterans bring their portable lathes and teach these wounded warriors, and other individuals that may have had a stroke to turn wood into a bowl or a top or a canter cork. I would have never thought it to be a "therapy" but it really is - with their concentration being so intense on that piece of wood, everything else seems to just go away, plus it really takes a great deal for them control some of these damaged limbs and control the intricate moves that must be made to accomplish an acceptable result. It was fun to watch and David really enjoyed it.
We had some time between appointments so David decided that we were going to go and visit some of the new inpatients. We talked to a Cpl Weiss who had been shot in the hand. It was a great visit and I was impressed by his upbeat attitude.
David, as a passing note, told me that he lost another friend in Afghanistan. We all want this to stop - I'm learning that a major reason this mess continues is because of the stupid individuals that continue to push the drug trade or take the drugs. Many of the people of Afghanistan have two choices, die or grow the drugs they are told to grow. I really don't know how to feel about the whole mess.
On Friday, there was a great amount of the military I remember - Hurry Up and Wait. Everything David tried to do seem to become harder and harder to get done because of one thing or another. When he was walking, every step sounded like he had a leaky valve or a flat tire. We ended up in prosthetics and they had to put some sealant around his relief valve and that ended the walking for the day. It was a bit discouraging to David because he just wants to keep going. He is worried that, if he doesn't push it to the limit each day, he'll pick up extra weight. With most of us, picking up 10 pounds is not a serious thing, with prosthetics, 10 pounds could mean a socket that doesn't fit - it's a very careful balance that much be achieved and maintained.
After he realized there would be no more walking for the day we went back to PT and he did a bunch of pilates until he was wet wit sweat. That rhymed!!!
David was extremely lifted by the presence of Jesse Cottle, a double amputee from about 14 or 15 months ago. He was there getting a new fitting on his prosthetics and, if you didn't notice the titanium and plastic on the end of his legs, you would think they were his natural legs. He looked great. He had been training for a marathon just before this adjustment had to be made and he is a double AK (above the knee) amputee just like David. David was totally encouraged and said, "if that is what I look like when this is all over, it will be great with me."
Tomorrow, the group of Marines that David was with when he deployed to Afghanistan will return. Pete, David's Prosthetist, is allowing him to put on his full legs - if you remember, that's approximately $225,000 worth of technology in Civilian dollars. David always gets upset at me when I take another photo of him but I've told him that I don't care whether he likes it or not, I'm taking a picture of him when he is 6'4" again. My emotions are really close to the surface with the thought of tomorrow. David and I were watching an extremely stupid movie, Hot Rod, and I even found spots in that movie to get a lump in my throat. I think David is really looking forward to that feeling.
Today as I was coming back from church I saw a beautiful 1969 fully restored Chevelle coming the opposite direction and I saw a gloved hand waving from the passenger side. I quickly realized it was David waving good-bye as he went out with his buddies. I am so glad he has such great friends. Tony and Brian and David just went cruisin'. He came back in great spirits. This is all going to be fine.
I wish I had a movie camera to get a recording of him standing - I'll do what I can and get it on the blog as soon as I can.
Have a great sleep - goodnight!
Gordon
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 at 2159
These last 3 days have been a real emotional roller coaster. I wish it could all just level out for David but I guess we all seem to go through our ups and downs.
On Monday when we arrived at PT, remember this is after the Friday that I dumped David on the ground - he was still a bit sore. He put on his legs to give it a try and the pain was a bit more than he had anticipated. It took about 4 steps and was really feeling the HO as it gave him the sensation of bones grinding against each other. He stopped and got a bit angry, not at me, just at the fact that he might be slowed down again. He gritted his teeth and said, "Let's Go!" He was so mad that he just kept walking - 2 straight laps which would be approximately 230 yards.
It reminded me of some of our time at Walter Reed. While there we were around a great number of Marines that had a variety of serious injuries. As we watched them work out, we noticed that almost every one of them had stretch marks between their arm pits and their shoulder. It was from running with 80 to 120 pound packs - the shoulder straps would stretch their skin as they stretched their physical limits. David, no matter what the pain was, was not going to be stopped. David's walking, April is following him with a rolling stool, and I'm following her with the wheelchair in case he needs to stop. I can't remember the name of the dance, but I'm in the back humming "do da do da do do, do da do, do da do da do do, dooo dooo dooo!" We try to make all of it fun if we can. People all around the hall are calling out encouragement from their offices. It's really quite inspiring. All in all, Monday felt like a great day.
Tuesday was a bit different, David started in Occupational Therapy and they really worked on his hand and arm - one of the therapists doesn't allow herself to look at David's face when she is doing the therapy because, when she sees how much pain David is enduring, she wants to stop. The other therapist is really quite different, she watches David's legs because, when she gets to the really painful point, David's legs shoot off the table. I can assure you that David does not enjoy some of these little signals as much as the therapists do, but he still laughs and kids about it.
We went to PT early and I saw there was a Yoga class in process so I grabbed a mat and jumped into the Yoga exercises. My shoulders are still sore - she said I was a natural but I think she had to say that because her last name is LYON and she may want me to try it again. David was stretching his muscles on the table in front of me and I think he was enjoying watching his dad in some pain. The instructor kept saying "...breathe out and that's good..." I'm thinking, how can something so painful be "Good!"
When the Yoga class was completed, David put on his new legs that had been revised. They were pushing on areas that were extremely painful and I took the bad leg over to prosthetics to have them make some other adjustments. Once he was standing, David realized that his effort from the day before had put a stop to anymore walking today. It was a bit of a discouragement, but Thursday will be another day.
I said Thursday and you thought I must have made a mistake but you are mistaken. I said Thursday because Wednesday was the funeral for Joshua James "JJ" Cullins who gave his life in Afghanistan on October 19, 2010. He was on his way to pick up his replacements when he was hit. The funeral was in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. There had to be at least 2000 men and women in Uniform as JJ was on the LAPD and went back to Afghanistan in a Reserve role. The funeral was beautiful and I want to give you some of the information that really touched me. I think I was crying before we even got there - I really hurt when I think any of those I love are hurting.
For those of you that have never heard "The Marine Prayer", here it is:
Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. (All my life I have prayed that my children would recognize the will of our Heavenly Father and put His will first!) Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold. If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. Amen
It's amazing to me that so many young men join the military to get away from the strict influence of their parents and they walk into a fantastic organization, The United States Marine Corps, and are taught exactly what most parents have been trying to teach their children all their lives. It is a beautiful prayer and it was printed on the program for the funeral.
The Cathedral had a gentleman singing on several occasions and he had one of the most beautiful Tenor voices I have heard. His singing placed a beautiful peace on the situation. A couple quotes that really struck me and gave me pause, as I sat next to my son and Joe Fraley, were "An ordinary man doing extraordinary things!" and "All gave some, some gave all!" My son gave all he knew to give and it cost him some of himself, many of his friends were in the process of giving all they could give until the time came that there was no more they could give. It was an amazing time for me to reflect on the 2000 or so men and women in that Cathedral who do just that every day. They are beautiful, amazing, strong, courageous, and a tribute to humanity. The last thought that really struck me and continues to humble me is the same thing that was said of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, "No one has greater love than this, that one should lay down his life for his friends..." These young men and women are doing what our Savior has already done and has asked us to do. We are those friends, the Iraqi and Afghani people are those friends, and these soldiers, heroes, warriors are out there showing the greatest love that can be shown - they're offering the safety of their own life for their friends, their comrades, for people they have never meet and will, more than likely never meet, and for us. It is really quite a bit to comprehend and makes me think of my own pettiness from time to time.
It was an absolutely beautiful tribute to, whom I understand, was a great man.
I hope I didn't take this blog a little too far, but you have to admit, this whole situation has made us all reflect a little deeper than we may have before. Even more amazing is that these men and women don't look at their service in this way at all, it is just what has to be done - plain and simple. As I sit here just thinking about what I've written, I gain a new love and appreciation for my Wife and for each of my children and the challenges they all face. To Lynnette, Christina, Michael, Rachelle, David, Mary, JJ, and Stephen, I love you very very much and am very proud of every one of you.
Good Night
I love you too Mom and Grandma Tasto
On Monday when we arrived at PT, remember this is after the Friday that I dumped David on the ground - he was still a bit sore. He put on his legs to give it a try and the pain was a bit more than he had anticipated. It took about 4 steps and was really feeling the HO as it gave him the sensation of bones grinding against each other. He stopped and got a bit angry, not at me, just at the fact that he might be slowed down again. He gritted his teeth and said, "Let's Go!" He was so mad that he just kept walking - 2 straight laps which would be approximately 230 yards.
It reminded me of some of our time at Walter Reed. While there we were around a great number of Marines that had a variety of serious injuries. As we watched them work out, we noticed that almost every one of them had stretch marks between their arm pits and their shoulder. It was from running with 80 to 120 pound packs - the shoulder straps would stretch their skin as they stretched their physical limits. David, no matter what the pain was, was not going to be stopped. David's walking, April is following him with a rolling stool, and I'm following her with the wheelchair in case he needs to stop. I can't remember the name of the dance, but I'm in the back humming "do da do da do do, do da do, do da do da do do, dooo dooo dooo!" We try to make all of it fun if we can. People all around the hall are calling out encouragement from their offices. It's really quite inspiring. All in all, Monday felt like a great day.
Tuesday was a bit different, David started in Occupational Therapy and they really worked on his hand and arm - one of the therapists doesn't allow herself to look at David's face when she is doing the therapy because, when she sees how much pain David is enduring, she wants to stop. The other therapist is really quite different, she watches David's legs because, when she gets to the really painful point, David's legs shoot off the table. I can assure you that David does not enjoy some of these little signals as much as the therapists do, but he still laughs and kids about it.
We went to PT early and I saw there was a Yoga class in process so I grabbed a mat and jumped into the Yoga exercises. My shoulders are still sore - she said I was a natural but I think she had to say that because her last name is LYON and she may want me to try it again. David was stretching his muscles on the table in front of me and I think he was enjoying watching his dad in some pain. The instructor kept saying "...breathe out and that's good..." I'm thinking, how can something so painful be "Good!"
When the Yoga class was completed, David put on his new legs that had been revised. They were pushing on areas that were extremely painful and I took the bad leg over to prosthetics to have them make some other adjustments. Once he was standing, David realized that his effort from the day before had put a stop to anymore walking today. It was a bit of a discouragement, but Thursday will be another day.
I said Thursday and you thought I must have made a mistake but you are mistaken. I said Thursday because Wednesday was the funeral for Joshua James "JJ" Cullins who gave his life in Afghanistan on October 19, 2010. He was on his way to pick up his replacements when he was hit. The funeral was in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. There had to be at least 2000 men and women in Uniform as JJ was on the LAPD and went back to Afghanistan in a Reserve role. The funeral was beautiful and I want to give you some of the information that really touched me. I think I was crying before we even got there - I really hurt when I think any of those I love are hurting.
For those of you that have never heard "The Marine Prayer", here it is:
Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. (All my life I have prayed that my children would recognize the will of our Heavenly Father and put His will first!) Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold. If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. Amen
It's amazing to me that so many young men join the military to get away from the strict influence of their parents and they walk into a fantastic organization, The United States Marine Corps, and are taught exactly what most parents have been trying to teach their children all their lives. It is a beautiful prayer and it was printed on the program for the funeral.
The Cathedral had a gentleman singing on several occasions and he had one of the most beautiful Tenor voices I have heard. His singing placed a beautiful peace on the situation. A couple quotes that really struck me and gave me pause, as I sat next to my son and Joe Fraley, were "An ordinary man doing extraordinary things!" and "All gave some, some gave all!" My son gave all he knew to give and it cost him some of himself, many of his friends were in the process of giving all they could give until the time came that there was no more they could give. It was an amazing time for me to reflect on the 2000 or so men and women in that Cathedral who do just that every day. They are beautiful, amazing, strong, courageous, and a tribute to humanity. The last thought that really struck me and continues to humble me is the same thing that was said of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, "No one has greater love than this, that one should lay down his life for his friends..." These young men and women are doing what our Savior has already done and has asked us to do. We are those friends, the Iraqi and Afghani people are those friends, and these soldiers, heroes, warriors are out there showing the greatest love that can be shown - they're offering the safety of their own life for their friends, their comrades, for people they have never meet and will, more than likely never meet, and for us. It is really quite a bit to comprehend and makes me think of my own pettiness from time to time.
It was an absolutely beautiful tribute to, whom I understand, was a great man.
I hope I didn't take this blog a little too far, but you have to admit, this whole situation has made us all reflect a little deeper than we may have before. Even more amazing is that these men and women don't look at their service in this way at all, it is just what has to be done - plain and simple. As I sit here just thinking about what I've written, I gain a new love and appreciation for my Wife and for each of my children and the challenges they all face. To Lynnette, Christina, Michael, Rachelle, David, Mary, JJ, and Stephen, I love you very very much and am very proud of every one of you.
Good Night
I love you too Mom and Grandma Tasto
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Happy Almost Officially Halloween Saturday 30 October 2010 @2151
We have a great big bowl of treats and have had not one Trick or Treater, what a bummer, now we have to eat all of that candy. NOT, David won't let me. I get to eat a few pieces tonight and then we have to give it all away or throw it all away. Life is just not fair.
Well, let me get you caught up...
Thursday was a great day, David is very motivated. As soon as we went to the prosthetic lab and had everything evaluated for the updates to his stubbies, he started walking and took two complete laps around the entire hall - a total of close to 230 Yards. Each lap was done without stopping. His endurance has vastly improved over the past two weeks. It's great because his Prosthetist seems to feed on the enthusiasm of his patients and he is always trying to stay a few steps ahead. That means that on Monday, David will have new legs with a little better fit and will be 2" taller. That will mean much more strength needed to do the same walking. As has been said on so many occasions, it's all a process and David is progressing very good - especially through the pain.
We had a nice evening in Old Town and just enjoyed the success of the day.
Friday was a much different day. It all started out great, we decided to go to the beach and have a nice lunch before Lynnette and Christina had to catch their plane. We went to Mission Beach and it was a beautiful day. I was pushing the wheelchair and there was a path of sand that led to the sidewalk, I knew that the wheelchair would bod down a little bit and was pushing a little harder than normal - the thing I didn't know was that the sand was hiding a 2" lip on a cement ramp under the sand. The chair hit that lip and stopped and, unfortunately, David couldn't stop. He hit the ground hard - he tried to roll because he was scared of damaging his right arm any more. He was really hurt. Everything is OK, but he is really sore. With everything we try to do to make things better and easier and more comfortable for David, the last thing in the world that I wanted to do was cause him pain. Today he was talking with Michael, his brother, on the phone and told him that he was a bit sore today because his dad decided to dump him on the ground - he told him it was just one of those things that happen but he was really going to use the situation to get me to do all kinds of things for him. (He was laughing when he said it!)
We mentioned the situation to his Physical Therapist (her husband is in a wheelchair) and she told us that she had accidentally tipped her husband out of his wheelchair 5 or 6 times - all it takes is a crack in the sidewalk - it gives us all a little more to think about.
We waited for a few minutes before we were able to get him back in the wheelchair. We sat there for about 45 minutes and I'm sure he was getting overwhelmed by all of our inquiries as to his pains. So we all just tried to enjoy the waves and I went and watched little crabs and their eating habits for about 20 minutes. I felt so awful even though it was an accident.
We went to lunch and met a girl at the table next to us that saved dogs and cats from being put down. She had a beautiful brindle Pit Bull. The dog was very friendly but was very scared of loud noises because she had been seriously abused. Heather, the dog saving lady, stood up and her chair slid a little and made a noise that scared the dog - the dog jumped and the chair made another noise, that noise scared the dog even more and it took off down the board walk. The poor dog was afraid of the noise made by the chair but the leash was tied to the chair and the dog was running from the chair that was being dragged behind. The only thing that stopped the dog was when the chair got wedged between two cars in the parking lot.
Needless to say, the day was extremely eventful. I've only cried about 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 times because of dumping him on the ground but, as you know David, all is well and, although he hurts today, he is in a great mood and kidding as usual.
When we got back to the apartment there was a box at the door. He had received a great gift from someone that, I'm not sure, may want their name left out of this particular entry. It was a great indoor remote control helicopter. David flew it for about an hour - I only had to crawl behind the couch 2 or 3 times but he is really enjoying it. Thank you - you incredible gift giver.
It's a little harder to type the blog lately because David is really missing his girlfriend and absolutely loves talking with her over the Internet or however they do it. The are both on camera and I really enjoy listening to a few of the things he says. He is really sweet and I am very proud that he treats her with such tenderness.
Well, I think that's about it for today. I'm going to have a couple token Halloween candies and then go to bed. Have a great night yourselves.
Gordon
Well, let me get you caught up...
Thursday was a great day, David is very motivated. As soon as we went to the prosthetic lab and had everything evaluated for the updates to his stubbies, he started walking and took two complete laps around the entire hall - a total of close to 230 Yards. Each lap was done without stopping. His endurance has vastly improved over the past two weeks. It's great because his Prosthetist seems to feed on the enthusiasm of his patients and he is always trying to stay a few steps ahead. That means that on Monday, David will have new legs with a little better fit and will be 2" taller. That will mean much more strength needed to do the same walking. As has been said on so many occasions, it's all a process and David is progressing very good - especially through the pain.
We had a nice evening in Old Town and just enjoyed the success of the day.
Friday was a much different day. It all started out great, we decided to go to the beach and have a nice lunch before Lynnette and Christina had to catch their plane. We went to Mission Beach and it was a beautiful day. I was pushing the wheelchair and there was a path of sand that led to the sidewalk, I knew that the wheelchair would bod down a little bit and was pushing a little harder than normal - the thing I didn't know was that the sand was hiding a 2" lip on a cement ramp under the sand. The chair hit that lip and stopped and, unfortunately, David couldn't stop. He hit the ground hard - he tried to roll because he was scared of damaging his right arm any more. He was really hurt. Everything is OK, but he is really sore. With everything we try to do to make things better and easier and more comfortable for David, the last thing in the world that I wanted to do was cause him pain. Today he was talking with Michael, his brother, on the phone and told him that he was a bit sore today because his dad decided to dump him on the ground - he told him it was just one of those things that happen but he was really going to use the situation to get me to do all kinds of things for him. (He was laughing when he said it!)
We mentioned the situation to his Physical Therapist (her husband is in a wheelchair) and she told us that she had accidentally tipped her husband out of his wheelchair 5 or 6 times - all it takes is a crack in the sidewalk - it gives us all a little more to think about.
We waited for a few minutes before we were able to get him back in the wheelchair. We sat there for about 45 minutes and I'm sure he was getting overwhelmed by all of our inquiries as to his pains. So we all just tried to enjoy the waves and I went and watched little crabs and their eating habits for about 20 minutes. I felt so awful even though it was an accident.
We went to lunch and met a girl at the table next to us that saved dogs and cats from being put down. She had a beautiful brindle Pit Bull. The dog was very friendly but was very scared of loud noises because she had been seriously abused. Heather, the dog saving lady, stood up and her chair slid a little and made a noise that scared the dog - the dog jumped and the chair made another noise, that noise scared the dog even more and it took off down the board walk. The poor dog was afraid of the noise made by the chair but the leash was tied to the chair and the dog was running from the chair that was being dragged behind. The only thing that stopped the dog was when the chair got wedged between two cars in the parking lot.
Needless to say, the day was extremely eventful. I've only cried about 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 times because of dumping him on the ground but, as you know David, all is well and, although he hurts today, he is in a great mood and kidding as usual.
When we got back to the apartment there was a box at the door. He had received a great gift from someone that, I'm not sure, may want their name left out of this particular entry. It was a great indoor remote control helicopter. David flew it for about an hour - I only had to crawl behind the couch 2 or 3 times but he is really enjoying it. Thank you - you incredible gift giver.
It's a little harder to type the blog lately because David is really missing his girlfriend and absolutely loves talking with her over the Internet or however they do it. The are both on camera and I really enjoy listening to a few of the things he says. He is really sweet and I am very proud that he treats her with such tenderness.
Well, I think that's about it for today. I'm going to have a couple token Halloween candies and then go to bed. Have a great night yourselves.
Gordon
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 27, 2010 @ 2035
Howdy,
I'm sitting here nibbling on Apple Vinegar Cucumbers and boy are they tart. I'm watching Lynnette play Sadoku and Christine (David's sister) play like she is sleeping between every text she receives - it's quite entertaining.
These last two day have been great. Yesterday we went in to the Prosthetics lab to pick up David's legs that had received some adjustments. The fit was much much better. The Prosthetist, Pete, is great to be around with amazing energy. He worked with David a bit to make sure he knew what changes he would make to his new leg that David should be on this coming Monday. It is still going to be a stubbie but it will be a bit higher and give David a little more challenge.
David already had the legs on so I asked if he wanted to just walk around the hall over to the Physical Therapy room which is approximately 50 yards away. He said yes so I had to go and alert his Therapist, April, and she brought a belt for David's waist so she could walk with him and stabilize him if he started to fall. As David was walking out the door, Pete quickly stepped into a side room and came out with two boxes and told David that he had his legs waiting for him. He said "I've got $100,000 worth of legs to put on you but you have to earn it!" Those of you who know David as I do will know that David took that very much to heart and walked part way around the hall carrying his canes. It is an incredible about of energy just to walk in these stubbies and he is doing great. He is dripping wet when it is over and he is noticeably getting stronger with every step he takes. It was really a beautiful thing to see. Once we got to the Physical Therapy room he decided he wanted to complete the circle and walk back to the Prosthetics Lab to show Pete that he better get his legs ready. Then he decided to take a walk back to the PT Room through a courtyard that has a bit of a terrain change and it took a great deal more strength to complete the walk. It was really a fantastic day so we went out for Sushi. Num-a-num!!! Not my hearts desire but everyone else love it.
David found out yesterday that his some levels in his blood that should be around the 500 mark were at about 120. Those levels greatly affect his ability to produce muscle, energy, and make him retain unwanted weight - so, it was a great thing to find out and now he is using a patch to get his levels back where they belong.
Today was great too, we went to OT and he had all of his scars massaged. I've found out that is very necessary as the scars tend to adhere themselves to the muscle underneath instead of floating with the skin. The massage therapy helps to break the scar away from the tissue and give his skin a much more natural flow. "Natural Flow" sounds so foo foo, but I'm not sure how else to put it. I'm sure there is a medical term but I'd spell it wrong anyway.
We, Charlie Tasto, and I had a pretty good surprise planned for Lynnette and Christina. Charlie is Lynnette's brother and he and Christina have always been very close. David knew the whole scheme so he wasn't surprised. I left to "bring a friend of David's to the hospital!" Tee Hee, it wasn't really a "friend" of David's, it was his Uncle Charlie whom he has liked since he was little and Charlie taught him how to build a wood model airplane. When Charlie walked in with me, Lynnette and Christina looked at Charlie like he was a very nice young man who had come to see David until they finally realized he was Charlie. There was some controlled screaming and some "OH MY GOSH's". It was great. We had some lunch and then went to OT.
In OT we all visited while David had the Therapist bend and straighten his arm and hands and legs until he called "UNCLE!" They push until David has had enough and then they add another 2 degrees and hold it for about 30 seconds. Afterwards David talked to them a bit more about a problem that is not even part of the program - teaching an amputee how to get back into a wheelchair that has tipped over and there is not one person there to help. They struggled with some different methods and then, with a great suggestion from Charlie, they figured out a way to take care of the problem. In the PT room they are also teaching these guys how to fall. You'll be sitting there, not really paying attention to the other patients and therapists in the room and all of the sudden, THUD, a soldier has hit the floor. I wondered if he got fresh with the therapist and she knocked him down, but it was just another phase of the therapy.
There is a one soldier here that received some injuries that have all be addressed and taken care of. He has been told that he can walk again but it is solely up to him and it appears he has given up. It is very upsetting and now David's phone number has been given to this young man in hopes that David can build his confidence back up - but he hasn't called. David plans on giving it a couple weeks and then we'll go hunt the guy down and get him going. As incredibly difficult as this is, David will never give up. It's a great lesson for every one of us, bad things happen - we just need to lift ourselves up and get back in the game until we're called back home.
Tomorrow David may drive a car - I'll let you know how that goes.
We have all learned so much this summer. It has been one of the hardest emotional things I have ever done but I have loved every moment that we take toward David's independence again. He will get there and it will be quite hard to step aside and let him take over, but that will be wonderful too.
I gained a greater appreciation of my extended family today. Charlie was a great lift to David and it was very inspiring to watch their interaction. Thank you Charlie, from the bottom of my heart.
All My Love,
Gordon
I'm sitting here nibbling on Apple Vinegar Cucumbers and boy are they tart. I'm watching Lynnette play Sadoku and Christine (David's sister) play like she is sleeping between every text she receives - it's quite entertaining.
These last two day have been great. Yesterday we went in to the Prosthetics lab to pick up David's legs that had received some adjustments. The fit was much much better. The Prosthetist, Pete, is great to be around with amazing energy. He worked with David a bit to make sure he knew what changes he would make to his new leg that David should be on this coming Monday. It is still going to be a stubbie but it will be a bit higher and give David a little more challenge.
David already had the legs on so I asked if he wanted to just walk around the hall over to the Physical Therapy room which is approximately 50 yards away. He said yes so I had to go and alert his Therapist, April, and she brought a belt for David's waist so she could walk with him and stabilize him if he started to fall. As David was walking out the door, Pete quickly stepped into a side room and came out with two boxes and told David that he had his legs waiting for him. He said "I've got $100,000 worth of legs to put on you but you have to earn it!" Those of you who know David as I do will know that David took that very much to heart and walked part way around the hall carrying his canes. It is an incredible about of energy just to walk in these stubbies and he is doing great. He is dripping wet when it is over and he is noticeably getting stronger with every step he takes. It was really a beautiful thing to see. Once we got to the Physical Therapy room he decided he wanted to complete the circle and walk back to the Prosthetics Lab to show Pete that he better get his legs ready. Then he decided to take a walk back to the PT Room through a courtyard that has a bit of a terrain change and it took a great deal more strength to complete the walk. It was really a fantastic day so we went out for Sushi. Num-a-num!!! Not my hearts desire but everyone else love it.
David found out yesterday that his some levels in his blood that should be around the 500 mark were at about 120. Those levels greatly affect his ability to produce muscle, energy, and make him retain unwanted weight - so, it was a great thing to find out and now he is using a patch to get his levels back where they belong.
Today was great too, we went to OT and he had all of his scars massaged. I've found out that is very necessary as the scars tend to adhere themselves to the muscle underneath instead of floating with the skin. The massage therapy helps to break the scar away from the tissue and give his skin a much more natural flow. "Natural Flow" sounds so foo foo, but I'm not sure how else to put it. I'm sure there is a medical term but I'd spell it wrong anyway.
We, Charlie Tasto, and I had a pretty good surprise planned for Lynnette and Christina. Charlie is Lynnette's brother and he and Christina have always been very close. David knew the whole scheme so he wasn't surprised. I left to "bring a friend of David's to the hospital!" Tee Hee, it wasn't really a "friend" of David's, it was his Uncle Charlie whom he has liked since he was little and Charlie taught him how to build a wood model airplane. When Charlie walked in with me, Lynnette and Christina looked at Charlie like he was a very nice young man who had come to see David until they finally realized he was Charlie. There was some controlled screaming and some "OH MY GOSH's". It was great. We had some lunch and then went to OT.
In OT we all visited while David had the Therapist bend and straighten his arm and hands and legs until he called "UNCLE!" They push until David has had enough and then they add another 2 degrees and hold it for about 30 seconds. Afterwards David talked to them a bit more about a problem that is not even part of the program - teaching an amputee how to get back into a wheelchair that has tipped over and there is not one person there to help. They struggled with some different methods and then, with a great suggestion from Charlie, they figured out a way to take care of the problem. In the PT room they are also teaching these guys how to fall. You'll be sitting there, not really paying attention to the other patients and therapists in the room and all of the sudden, THUD, a soldier has hit the floor. I wondered if he got fresh with the therapist and she knocked him down, but it was just another phase of the therapy.
There is a one soldier here that received some injuries that have all be addressed and taken care of. He has been told that he can walk again but it is solely up to him and it appears he has given up. It is very upsetting and now David's phone number has been given to this young man in hopes that David can build his confidence back up - but he hasn't called. David plans on giving it a couple weeks and then we'll go hunt the guy down and get him going. As incredibly difficult as this is, David will never give up. It's a great lesson for every one of us, bad things happen - we just need to lift ourselves up and get back in the game until we're called back home.
Tomorrow David may drive a car - I'll let you know how that goes.
We have all learned so much this summer. It has been one of the hardest emotional things I have ever done but I have loved every moment that we take toward David's independence again. He will get there and it will be quite hard to step aside and let him take over, but that will be wonderful too.
I gained a greater appreciation of my extended family today. Charlie was a great lift to David and it was very inspiring to watch their interaction. Thank you Charlie, from the bottom of my heart.
All My Love,
Gordon
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday 24 October 2010 @ 2108
Happy Birthday Tate
These last four days have been great. I haven't written a great deal in this blog because I have been extremely busy. Most of you know what it's like to move, you suddenly find all of the things that you accumulated and wonder where it all came from. Well, these you military heroes don't seem to be much different. They go overseas and fight the bad guys and then come home long enough to get situated and more trained and then go again and again and again and again. That ends up being many footlockers and duffel bags full of stuff.
I've been emptying out everything and going through it one piece at a time. With 5 more plastic buckets, 1 duffel bag, and a few large carry bags to go, we have found, washed, and folded 115 T-Shirts. David's feeling pretty good in the fact that he may only need to do laundry three times per year.
On Thursday David went to his first of many driving evaluations. He didn't do any driving but had to go through several exercises to test his reflexes, and his brain functions. Without question, he did better than I could have. The only difficulty he had was on this board that is mounted on the wall - small lights would randomly turn on and David would have to quickly touch the light - the lights were on a large grid with lights about 24" apart and he had to chase them all over the board. They wanted him to get to 80 but he only got to 69 - 69 is above average. Next week, we think, he will be getting behind the wheel and will then be issued a learners permit and they should approve the hand controls for him to drive his new Jeep. I have felt very mixed feelings in putting on the first 500 miles on his Jeep. I'll let you know how things go.
On Friday David met Stanley. Stanley is a service dog that David is interviewing for. These dogs are taught from about 7 weeks old to provide services to these wounded or otherwise handicapped individuals. The training cost is approximately $30,000. The group then interviews individuals to find a perfect companionship, so David is in the interview process. The dog is a Lab and is more on the red side rather than the blond or brown. We'll see how the process goes.
Then we went to PT and David immediately wanted to walk. We took the next 10 to 15 minutes getting him into his liners, his legs, his waist belt, and his harness. David did two laps up and down the room with a walker and I sincerely wish you would have seen the determination on his face. It was quite funny when he was getting seated into his legs. He would push the button on the base of his let and then rock back and forth to get further and further into the sockets. I know this seems light minded but it looked a little like an Oompaloompa in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory doing a gig. David got a kick out of it too - get it? - a kick.
During the walking, Dr Peyo watched him and said that he felt that David is ready to try knees. The "shorties" he is walking on have absolutely no hinges, they are just a titanium rod bolted to a heavy plastic foot that is only about 7 inches long with a rubber sole. It is very hard to walk with it because you have no bend and the tendency is to bring the legs forward by taking them in an outward arch to get them back in position. David works very hard to pull the leg naturally through and the effort is enormous - you try it without using your ankle or your knee ( not counting the extra bone growing throughout your thighs. He did great and was completely tuckered. The tried doing another lap using just short ski poles with rubber tips and his shoulders were just too tired to keep going. But, he may be standing at 6'4 in the next few days. I can't even get through typing that without getting teary - I know I won't be able to get through it when he is actually standing and looking down on my bald spots again. I'll love every second of it and wish you could be here. Lynnette and Christina may see it with me but I guarantee I'll be carrying my camera all week so you can be part of this.
We went that night and saw the movie RED. It is really an entertaining movie and it is really nice that David wants to get out.
On Saturday we went up to Carlsbad and saw David's great friends Deb and Tom. We had a great visit. Great friends like that and like many of you are what keep him pushing forward. These were his next door neighbors before he went to Afghanistan this last deployment. David holds them is very very high regard and absolutely loved the visit.
And now today - David hosted a BBQ at the pool and had 9 guests. Great friends, great stories, and fantastic respect for each other. You would think that, with all of the terrible things they have gone through, seen, felt, smelled, etc., they would be a bit of a somber group but that is totally not the case, they are fun loving and just a great bunch of guys - always teasing and ribbing each other and then hugging each other. I would have enjoyed watching the interaction all night but I knew my mom would be mad at me if I stayed up too late - just kidding mom.
I'll write more as it happens
All My Love
Gordon
These last four days have been great. I haven't written a great deal in this blog because I have been extremely busy. Most of you know what it's like to move, you suddenly find all of the things that you accumulated and wonder where it all came from. Well, these you military heroes don't seem to be much different. They go overseas and fight the bad guys and then come home long enough to get situated and more trained and then go again and again and again and again. That ends up being many footlockers and duffel bags full of stuff.
I've been emptying out everything and going through it one piece at a time. With 5 more plastic buckets, 1 duffel bag, and a few large carry bags to go, we have found, washed, and folded 115 T-Shirts. David's feeling pretty good in the fact that he may only need to do laundry three times per year.
On Thursday David went to his first of many driving evaluations. He didn't do any driving but had to go through several exercises to test his reflexes, and his brain functions. Without question, he did better than I could have. The only difficulty he had was on this board that is mounted on the wall - small lights would randomly turn on and David would have to quickly touch the light - the lights were on a large grid with lights about 24" apart and he had to chase them all over the board. They wanted him to get to 80 but he only got to 69 - 69 is above average. Next week, we think, he will be getting behind the wheel and will then be issued a learners permit and they should approve the hand controls for him to drive his new Jeep. I have felt very mixed feelings in putting on the first 500 miles on his Jeep. I'll let you know how things go.
On Friday David met Stanley. Stanley is a service dog that David is interviewing for. These dogs are taught from about 7 weeks old to provide services to these wounded or otherwise handicapped individuals. The training cost is approximately $30,000. The group then interviews individuals to find a perfect companionship, so David is in the interview process. The dog is a Lab and is more on the red side rather than the blond or brown. We'll see how the process goes.
Then we went to PT and David immediately wanted to walk. We took the next 10 to 15 minutes getting him into his liners, his legs, his waist belt, and his harness. David did two laps up and down the room with a walker and I sincerely wish you would have seen the determination on his face. It was quite funny when he was getting seated into his legs. He would push the button on the base of his let and then rock back and forth to get further and further into the sockets. I know this seems light minded but it looked a little like an Oompaloompa in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory doing a gig. David got a kick out of it too - get it? - a kick.
During the walking, Dr Peyo watched him and said that he felt that David is ready to try knees. The "shorties" he is walking on have absolutely no hinges, they are just a titanium rod bolted to a heavy plastic foot that is only about 7 inches long with a rubber sole. It is very hard to walk with it because you have no bend and the tendency is to bring the legs forward by taking them in an outward arch to get them back in position. David works very hard to pull the leg naturally through and the effort is enormous - you try it without using your ankle or your knee ( not counting the extra bone growing throughout your thighs. He did great and was completely tuckered. The tried doing another lap using just short ski poles with rubber tips and his shoulders were just too tired to keep going. But, he may be standing at 6'4 in the next few days. I can't even get through typing that without getting teary - I know I won't be able to get through it when he is actually standing and looking down on my bald spots again. I'll love every second of it and wish you could be here. Lynnette and Christina may see it with me but I guarantee I'll be carrying my camera all week so you can be part of this.
We went that night and saw the movie RED. It is really an entertaining movie and it is really nice that David wants to get out.
On Saturday we went up to Carlsbad and saw David's great friends Deb and Tom. We had a great visit. Great friends like that and like many of you are what keep him pushing forward. These were his next door neighbors before he went to Afghanistan this last deployment. David holds them is very very high regard and absolutely loved the visit.
And now today - David hosted a BBQ at the pool and had 9 guests. Great friends, great stories, and fantastic respect for each other. You would think that, with all of the terrible things they have gone through, seen, felt, smelled, etc., they would be a bit of a somber group but that is totally not the case, they are fun loving and just a great bunch of guys - always teasing and ribbing each other and then hugging each other. I would have enjoyed watching the interaction all night but I knew my mom would be mad at me if I stayed up too late - just kidding mom.
I'll write more as it happens
All My Love
Gordon
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, 18 October 2010 @ 2345
Here we go again - I'm staying up way too late.
I've been working around David's apartment trying to do whatever I can to help him feel like things are getting accomplished.
David's high school buddy and great friend, Ryan Wicknick just left today after being here since last Friday. It was a great boost to David and we really had a great time together.
For the first time since David's accident, we had a great recreational adventure. Another great EOD Tech friend of David's, his name is Mark, has a boat and loves to fish for lobster, so off we went. We met at about 8 pm on Saturday night and jumped in the boat somewhere around the San Diego Airport. We would set out 9 lobster traps and then just sit and chat in the boat for about 20 or 30 minutes and then go and pull each trap to see what wonderful adventures we might find. We found lots of little crabs, one stingray, one fish that can paralyze your arm and after the setting and pulling the traps 4 different times we found about 20 or more lobsters. Mark taught us that a lobster takes 7 years to mature to legal size so we had to carefully measure each one in order to make sure they were legal. We took 4 of them home - close to $150 worth of lobster. The biggest was somewhere around 4 lbs and David ate that one.
We had no idea how to prepare them so Ryan had a U-Tube video playing on the kitchen counter while I prepared the feast. When I cut them open they didn't look that impressive but they looked exactly like the U-tube video so we rinsed off the meat and dug in. They were fantastic. We would have eaten the brains but the Marine spirit just does not go that far.
David did great on the boat and drove for a couple of the pulls. We were in the boat until almost 1 am and had a fantastic time. We had a seal following us most of the time and I dropped a piece of bait off the side and that seals head couldn't have been 2 feet away from me when he got the bait. We were tired but I was great to be out there together. We got to sleep about 2:30 in the morning. David even allowed me to have some licorice on the trip.
On Sunday we had the Lobster Lunch and then went up north to Ryan's grandfather's house for Irish Burritos. They were great. We really enjoyed the time there and Ryan and I were very manly and lifted David and his chair up and down about 15 or 20 steps. David is so gracious and open about his injuries and we thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Every time we go to these places I try to sit back and observe when David is explaining everything - inevitably he is given great compliments and love is expressed by those he meets. It is a very tender things to watch.
On Saturday, David bought a new Jeep. A beautiful Jeep Wrangler 4 Door Sahara. While we were sitting there, an older gentleman walked up to David and shook his hand and thanked him for his service. He then stepped over to me and asked if I was his father, I proudly said yes and he tenderly shook my hand and thanked me for such a great son. He was feeling very tender and, as you might guess, so was I. David was doing some great negotiating and I said something that about blew the deal but, after that glaring eye from David that said, "Dad, what the heck are your doing!" I quickly rebounded and he was able to close a great deal on the jeep. We had a good laugh once it was all over but I was very close to banishment.
Today was an OK day. David did quite a bit of therapy and tried to stand but something immediately started grinding in the muscle of his left leg so he thought it best to stop. Instead, he continued to do some strength training. Ryan laid on the exercise bed across from him, picked up a weighted ball and did a few of the same exercises along side of him. It was quite enjoyable to watch as David would start to grit his teeth and pull some good faces when he was close to the end of the exercise and Ryan's face was doing the exact same thing. David thoroughly enjoyed Ryans company and they rekindled their friendship. As we dropped him off at the airport, I received a handshake and David stuck out his hand but Ryan made him open the door so he could give him a big hug. What a great friend and, yes, another tender moment.
I can't express what a privilege this is. It is very hard being away from Lynnette, but I am so blessed to be able to be here and do what I can.
See you soon,
Gordon
I've been working around David's apartment trying to do whatever I can to help him feel like things are getting accomplished.
David's high school buddy and great friend, Ryan Wicknick just left today after being here since last Friday. It was a great boost to David and we really had a great time together.
For the first time since David's accident, we had a great recreational adventure. Another great EOD Tech friend of David's, his name is Mark, has a boat and loves to fish for lobster, so off we went. We met at about 8 pm on Saturday night and jumped in the boat somewhere around the San Diego Airport. We would set out 9 lobster traps and then just sit and chat in the boat for about 20 or 30 minutes and then go and pull each trap to see what wonderful adventures we might find. We found lots of little crabs, one stingray, one fish that can paralyze your arm and after the setting and pulling the traps 4 different times we found about 20 or more lobsters. Mark taught us that a lobster takes 7 years to mature to legal size so we had to carefully measure each one in order to make sure they were legal. We took 4 of them home - close to $150 worth of lobster. The biggest was somewhere around 4 lbs and David ate that one.
We had no idea how to prepare them so Ryan had a U-Tube video playing on the kitchen counter while I prepared the feast. When I cut them open they didn't look that impressive but they looked exactly like the U-tube video so we rinsed off the meat and dug in. They were fantastic. We would have eaten the brains but the Marine spirit just does not go that far.
David did great on the boat and drove for a couple of the pulls. We were in the boat until almost 1 am and had a fantastic time. We had a seal following us most of the time and I dropped a piece of bait off the side and that seals head couldn't have been 2 feet away from me when he got the bait. We were tired but I was great to be out there together. We got to sleep about 2:30 in the morning. David even allowed me to have some licorice on the trip.
On Sunday we had the Lobster Lunch and then went up north to Ryan's grandfather's house for Irish Burritos. They were great. We really enjoyed the time there and Ryan and I were very manly and lifted David and his chair up and down about 15 or 20 steps. David is so gracious and open about his injuries and we thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Every time we go to these places I try to sit back and observe when David is explaining everything - inevitably he is given great compliments and love is expressed by those he meets. It is a very tender things to watch.
On Saturday, David bought a new Jeep. A beautiful Jeep Wrangler 4 Door Sahara. While we were sitting there, an older gentleman walked up to David and shook his hand and thanked him for his service. He then stepped over to me and asked if I was his father, I proudly said yes and he tenderly shook my hand and thanked me for such a great son. He was feeling very tender and, as you might guess, so was I. David was doing some great negotiating and I said something that about blew the deal but, after that glaring eye from David that said, "Dad, what the heck are your doing!" I quickly rebounded and he was able to close a great deal on the jeep. We had a good laugh once it was all over but I was very close to banishment.
Today was an OK day. David did quite a bit of therapy and tried to stand but something immediately started grinding in the muscle of his left leg so he thought it best to stop. Instead, he continued to do some strength training. Ryan laid on the exercise bed across from him, picked up a weighted ball and did a few of the same exercises along side of him. It was quite enjoyable to watch as David would start to grit his teeth and pull some good faces when he was close to the end of the exercise and Ryan's face was doing the exact same thing. David thoroughly enjoyed Ryans company and they rekindled their friendship. As we dropped him off at the airport, I received a handshake and David stuck out his hand but Ryan made him open the door so he could give him a big hug. What a great friend and, yes, another tender moment.
I can't express what a privilege this is. It is very hard being away from Lynnette, but I am so blessed to be able to be here and do what I can.
See you soon,
Gordon
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 @ 2320
I have no idea why I wait until almost midnight to write on this blog - I must still be rebelling against my mother who sent me to bed way to early as a child.
Anyway, this has been a very busy two days.
Yesterday we went in for a quick appointment with the bloodwork people (didn't know what else to call them) and they told David that all was great with his blood tests. There was a bit of a concern with some elevated liver enzyms, but that was a false reading and everything is A-OK!
We then went to Occupational Therapy where they heated his right arm up with a heavy hot wrap and then rubbed his arm down with cocoa butter and then massaged the heck out of it and did some bending, pushing, pulling, twisting and whatever else they could think of to do to give him more function. He is still unable to straighten the arm all the way but he uses it for almost everything. He is now able to touch all of his fingers to his thump and make a pretty good fist althought it is not quite as tight of a fist as the left hand. His ring finger on the right hand is not extremely responsive due to the ulnar nerve damage, so they will be doing a great deal more to try to activite the strength and sensations in that finger.
I am so in awe to watch him use what functions he has. He goes to the passenger side of the jeep and opens the door, then locks his wheelchair directly in front of the opening. He has rigged a handle on the roll cage of his Jeep and he grabs it backwards and lifts enough so he can completely rotate, while still in the wheelchair. Then he reaches in with his left arm and grabs the dash handle just above the glove compartmen and uses his right arm on the rigged handle to lift himself completely off the seat and rotate into the Jeep, then he uses both arms to lift himself from his back to his rear and vowalla - he's sitting up and ready to travel. It's as easy as that - go ahead and try that yourself - I'm quite amazed every time I see it.
David has decided to purchase a different Jeep with 4 doors so we went shopping. He is figuring out how he can climb into the back of the Jeep, pull the chair into the back, close the back door from the inside and climb from the rear of the jeep, through the center console arm rest area and into the driver's seat. I watched him do the entire routine, except for pulling the wheelchair in because it might scratch a Jeep that isn't his yet, and he just did it. I'm sure it was extremely painful but he just did it. I keep having to turn away so he doesn't see my face scrunch all up as I fight back the tears.
Before we went shopping for the Jeep, we went to physical therapy and he did Palates for awhile and made me feel like a real bump on a log. Then he decided to walk. I watched and gave him any assistance he requested in getting into his legs. The fit is still very painful with all the HO, but he insisted on doing it. We then harnessed him in and he did a lap all the way across the room and back. He tipped a few times and, even though he has only part of his legs, he is still a stout young man - I don't consider myself weak, but helping him get back straight made me feel like a girly-man. When we were taking the harnass off, his skin was absolutely wet. The effort to do that was enormous. I'm glad I contain my tears better when I am with David that I do when I write this blog. Oh my gosh, am I proud of the effort he is putting out. We then looked at the x-rays of his legs and the HO is everywhere - the x-ray of the bones is a deep dense white and the HO looks like a swirling mist of lighter white. In a few places it is darker and those are the more sensitive spots that have matured and are hardening. David had me tough one of the spots and the HO is still pliable and can be manipulated through the skin. In a few places the HO is nearing the joints and the Docs have encouraged him to keep rotating his legs, whenever possible, so the HO does not get a good hold in a joint. We were told today that they just have to wait because sometimes the HO will just stop growing and present absolutely no problems - other times, surgical removal is the only option.
Almost all that was yesterday - now today. Another occupational therapy, heating up the arm and manipulating every function of the hand and arm as much as possible. David comes out of there completely fatigued from the pain but it ready to hit it again tomorrow. We had a few hours to kill before Physical Therapy so we met a few people that he wanted me to meet and then went to the hospital where a fellow EOD Tech, who was just transferred here yesterday, was recovering. It was a bit different for David to put on the yellow gown and put on the surgical gloves to see another wounded soldier. This young man had lost both legs BK (below the knee) and had no arm damages. David's biggest concern seemed to be that this soldier had a better beard that his own. David was very encouraging and helpful. Before we went up, David had asked it that was an OK thing to do and was told that he had to go through some training before they would allow him to talk with someone in an "inpatient" status. We both thought that was a bit STUPID since he had just had 5 months of training while being an inpatient himself. So, we ignored the directive and made a successful visit.
We went on to PT after some lunch and took David's "stubbies" over to the prosthetic lab for some adjustments. They basically rebuilt the legs while we waited and he put them on about 6 different times so they could make adjustments. Then, he slipped in, and they fit somewhat comfortably with no major pinching. He walked, I would say, about 80 to 100 feet. Working on his posture and using the handrails on the parallel bars. At one time he let go of the bars and just stood there and balanced himself. "It's all a process!", he would keep saying - and what a wonderful process it is to see him gaining confidence and resolve to push through every imaginable pain to stand and walk. His goal is to be standing at 6'4" on the runway when his comrades return in November - I know he'll be there and, yep, I'll be standing there with a runny nose and watery eyes.
We were at his apartment and he was playing a war game on his X-box and was hit by an IED. His comrades in the game were dragging him away from the blast and it was showing the view from his eyes close to the ground and coming in and out of focus. David said, "that is eerily real!". A few minutes later he said he as going to miss those military operations when he was able to supress the bad guys and help his friends and the people of those countries. He also said, "Dad, I miss my legs, I really liked having my legs!" What can you say? "I know son!" wasn't much of a comfort, but I don't think he was really asking for comfort, just making a statement of fact. Then it's back at it tomorrow.
It's past midnight now and I am not going to proof-read my mistakes.
All My Love,
Gordon
Anyway, this has been a very busy two days.
Yesterday we went in for a quick appointment with the bloodwork people (didn't know what else to call them) and they told David that all was great with his blood tests. There was a bit of a concern with some elevated liver enzyms, but that was a false reading and everything is A-OK!
We then went to Occupational Therapy where they heated his right arm up with a heavy hot wrap and then rubbed his arm down with cocoa butter and then massaged the heck out of it and did some bending, pushing, pulling, twisting and whatever else they could think of to do to give him more function. He is still unable to straighten the arm all the way but he uses it for almost everything. He is now able to touch all of his fingers to his thump and make a pretty good fist althought it is not quite as tight of a fist as the left hand. His ring finger on the right hand is not extremely responsive due to the ulnar nerve damage, so they will be doing a great deal more to try to activite the strength and sensations in that finger.
I am so in awe to watch him use what functions he has. He goes to the passenger side of the jeep and opens the door, then locks his wheelchair directly in front of the opening. He has rigged a handle on the roll cage of his Jeep and he grabs it backwards and lifts enough so he can completely rotate, while still in the wheelchair. Then he reaches in with his left arm and grabs the dash handle just above the glove compartmen and uses his right arm on the rigged handle to lift himself completely off the seat and rotate into the Jeep, then he uses both arms to lift himself from his back to his rear and vowalla - he's sitting up and ready to travel. It's as easy as that - go ahead and try that yourself - I'm quite amazed every time I see it.
David has decided to purchase a different Jeep with 4 doors so we went shopping. He is figuring out how he can climb into the back of the Jeep, pull the chair into the back, close the back door from the inside and climb from the rear of the jeep, through the center console arm rest area and into the driver's seat. I watched him do the entire routine, except for pulling the wheelchair in because it might scratch a Jeep that isn't his yet, and he just did it. I'm sure it was extremely painful but he just did it. I keep having to turn away so he doesn't see my face scrunch all up as I fight back the tears.
Before we went shopping for the Jeep, we went to physical therapy and he did Palates for awhile and made me feel like a real bump on a log. Then he decided to walk. I watched and gave him any assistance he requested in getting into his legs. The fit is still very painful with all the HO, but he insisted on doing it. We then harnessed him in and he did a lap all the way across the room and back. He tipped a few times and, even though he has only part of his legs, he is still a stout young man - I don't consider myself weak, but helping him get back straight made me feel like a girly-man. When we were taking the harnass off, his skin was absolutely wet. The effort to do that was enormous. I'm glad I contain my tears better when I am with David that I do when I write this blog. Oh my gosh, am I proud of the effort he is putting out. We then looked at the x-rays of his legs and the HO is everywhere - the x-ray of the bones is a deep dense white and the HO looks like a swirling mist of lighter white. In a few places it is darker and those are the more sensitive spots that have matured and are hardening. David had me tough one of the spots and the HO is still pliable and can be manipulated through the skin. In a few places the HO is nearing the joints and the Docs have encouraged him to keep rotating his legs, whenever possible, so the HO does not get a good hold in a joint. We were told today that they just have to wait because sometimes the HO will just stop growing and present absolutely no problems - other times, surgical removal is the only option.
Almost all that was yesterday - now today. Another occupational therapy, heating up the arm and manipulating every function of the hand and arm as much as possible. David comes out of there completely fatigued from the pain but it ready to hit it again tomorrow. We had a few hours to kill before Physical Therapy so we met a few people that he wanted me to meet and then went to the hospital where a fellow EOD Tech, who was just transferred here yesterday, was recovering. It was a bit different for David to put on the yellow gown and put on the surgical gloves to see another wounded soldier. This young man had lost both legs BK (below the knee) and had no arm damages. David's biggest concern seemed to be that this soldier had a better beard that his own. David was very encouraging and helpful. Before we went up, David had asked it that was an OK thing to do and was told that he had to go through some training before they would allow him to talk with someone in an "inpatient" status. We both thought that was a bit STUPID since he had just had 5 months of training while being an inpatient himself. So, we ignored the directive and made a successful visit.
We went on to PT after some lunch and took David's "stubbies" over to the prosthetic lab for some adjustments. They basically rebuilt the legs while we waited and he put them on about 6 different times so they could make adjustments. Then, he slipped in, and they fit somewhat comfortably with no major pinching. He walked, I would say, about 80 to 100 feet. Working on his posture and using the handrails on the parallel bars. At one time he let go of the bars and just stood there and balanced himself. "It's all a process!", he would keep saying - and what a wonderful process it is to see him gaining confidence and resolve to push through every imaginable pain to stand and walk. His goal is to be standing at 6'4" on the runway when his comrades return in November - I know he'll be there and, yep, I'll be standing there with a runny nose and watery eyes.
We were at his apartment and he was playing a war game on his X-box and was hit by an IED. His comrades in the game were dragging him away from the blast and it was showing the view from his eyes close to the ground and coming in and out of focus. David said, "that is eerily real!". A few minutes later he said he as going to miss those military operations when he was able to supress the bad guys and help his friends and the people of those countries. He also said, "Dad, I miss my legs, I really liked having my legs!" What can you say? "I know son!" wasn't much of a comfort, but I don't think he was really asking for comfort, just making a statement of fact. Then it's back at it tomorrow.
It's past midnight now and I am not going to proof-read my mistakes.
All My Love,
Gordon
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010 @ 2005
I hope you're having a great weekend - I'm with David, so I'm having a great weekend!!!!
We've done a lot of shopping today and spent an hour or two installing a remote control for the overhead fan and light in his bedroom. The person who gets this apartment when David moves out is really going to have some upgrades.
I learn more every time we just sit and talk. Today we were talking and he was telling me about the mirror therapy he has been going through. His Occupational Therapist will roll up the legs on her pants and sit next to David with a mirror. Together they position the mirror so David can look in the mirror and see legs on himself. He described his shadow pain in the following manner; it's like your foot is being turned inward and the heel of your foot is being harshly pulled toward your knew. "It hurts like heck!" When using the mirror there was a little bit of relaxation in the lower half of the leg - then the therapist started wiggling her toes and his foot completely relaxed and the pain was gone.
He said that another person in the room said something to her and she, not thinking, moved her leg and David was immediately in pain and told her to get her leg back where it belonged. He was completely amazed, as was I, as to the power of the brain. The pain relief was just sooooooo welcomed.
We have been getting many things done in his apartment and it is very impressive at how mobile he is - especially considering the extreme pain from the HO. When we arrive at a store, I will get the wheelchair out of the back of the Jeep and position it directly facing his seat. He uses his left arm to swing down and rotate backwards to get into the wheelchair and then uses both arm to lift himself up and scoot back until he is comfortable. He is really quite amazing and just continues right through whatever pain is hitting him at the moment.
He said he received some bad (or concerning might be a better word) new the other day. They still draw blood from him often and this time they saw some Liver Enzymes that were not looking the way they should. They had him come in Thursday to have additional test done and should find out the result in a few days.
He has a fantastic apartment. Some furniture foundation provided him with a bed that must have cost $6,000 to $7,000. The thing looks like any other nice natural log style bed but the controls will lift the mattress and vibrate and a number of other tricky things that I haven't heard about yet. The apartment is not necessarily built for his needs but he does just fine with the place. Tonight he whipped up some Guacamole and I had to eat it with some blue chips with flack seed - I guess that just makes me healthier - the surprising part was that they tasted pretty good.
David is quite health conscious and so there are no JuJu Fruits, Dots, and no, not even licorice in his apartment. I'm afraid of the withdrawals. He is, sincerely, very aware of everything he takes and still has all the concern of gaining a dependence on any drug so he takes as much pain as he possibly can before he has to get some relief from a drug of any kind.
David still has his sense of humor. During one of his deployments, they were in a convoy and three vehicles got hit by bomb blasts. Everyone was OK but one of David's comrades got a little anxious with the increased bomb activity and devoured a large bag of Double Stuffed Oreo cookies. Since that time they have never let the man live it down, they put Oreos in his bed, in his water pouch, wherever they can find space. Well, this week the Commandant had the entire battalion in formation and David knew it was going to happen so he called the Commandant and asked for a personal favor. This particular soldier is called in front of the entire battalion to receive a special commendation and was awarded with, you guessed it, a large bag of Double Stuffed Oreos. The soldier said that if David had any legs he would break them. Needless to say, David had a great laugh. All of these things tell me that David is extremely blessed after having been in some kind of major blast 8 different times, yet he has no evident TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) or PTSD. He really has great spirits for the injuries he has.
Today he was wondering if the doctors could take some of the fat off of some parts of his body and inject it into the ends of his legs to cushion the HO.
Early tomorrow morning half of his command is leaving to relieve the other half of his command. We are planning to be there to make sure David can give them the encouragement he thinks they need. David told me that this deployment will be a bit safer because the drug season is over. When the poppy seed fields have been harvested, the drug wars stop until the next growing season. It is quite the cycle these people have to go through.
When Lynnette and I first went to the Bethesda Hospital to see David when he arrived in the United States, we expected to see the most awful scene and , as you may recall, we saw our son - he still looked like our son and felt like our son and the love had not changed. When I got here I expected to see the HO sticking out of his legs like little trees or coral. What I saw was my Son.
The same son that I love and respect for his courage, commitment, and willingness to put his life on the line for someone he does not even know. Yes, the HO is awful. Bumps everywhere when they don't belong and fresh wounds that won't close because there is a bone trying to come through - but he is still that great looking young man that comes really close to being as studly as his father. (Surprised you with that levity - didn't I)
It all makes me cry and smile at the same time. He asked me if I was OK with all this. I told him that the hardest thing for me was the fact that David, just like all my sons, has always been extremely active and on the move, and now I know it is really hard for him not to have those same freedoms. He agreed.
We're hoping to get our fishing licenses and go Lobster trapping - we'll let you know how great the fishing was - but not until after we have eaten all the catch.
All My Love,
Gordon
We've done a lot of shopping today and spent an hour or two installing a remote control for the overhead fan and light in his bedroom. The person who gets this apartment when David moves out is really going to have some upgrades.
I learn more every time we just sit and talk. Today we were talking and he was telling me about the mirror therapy he has been going through. His Occupational Therapist will roll up the legs on her pants and sit next to David with a mirror. Together they position the mirror so David can look in the mirror and see legs on himself. He described his shadow pain in the following manner; it's like your foot is being turned inward and the heel of your foot is being harshly pulled toward your knew. "It hurts like heck!" When using the mirror there was a little bit of relaxation in the lower half of the leg - then the therapist started wiggling her toes and his foot completely relaxed and the pain was gone.
He said that another person in the room said something to her and she, not thinking, moved her leg and David was immediately in pain and told her to get her leg back where it belonged. He was completely amazed, as was I, as to the power of the brain. The pain relief was just sooooooo welcomed.
We have been getting many things done in his apartment and it is very impressive at how mobile he is - especially considering the extreme pain from the HO. When we arrive at a store, I will get the wheelchair out of the back of the Jeep and position it directly facing his seat. He uses his left arm to swing down and rotate backwards to get into the wheelchair and then uses both arm to lift himself up and scoot back until he is comfortable. He is really quite amazing and just continues right through whatever pain is hitting him at the moment.
He said he received some bad (or concerning might be a better word) new the other day. They still draw blood from him often and this time they saw some Liver Enzymes that were not looking the way they should. They had him come in Thursday to have additional test done and should find out the result in a few days.
He has a fantastic apartment. Some furniture foundation provided him with a bed that must have cost $6,000 to $7,000. The thing looks like any other nice natural log style bed but the controls will lift the mattress and vibrate and a number of other tricky things that I haven't heard about yet. The apartment is not necessarily built for his needs but he does just fine with the place. Tonight he whipped up some Guacamole and I had to eat it with some blue chips with flack seed - I guess that just makes me healthier - the surprising part was that they tasted pretty good.
David is quite health conscious and so there are no JuJu Fruits, Dots, and no, not even licorice in his apartment. I'm afraid of the withdrawals. He is, sincerely, very aware of everything he takes and still has all the concern of gaining a dependence on any drug so he takes as much pain as he possibly can before he has to get some relief from a drug of any kind.
David still has his sense of humor. During one of his deployments, they were in a convoy and three vehicles got hit by bomb blasts. Everyone was OK but one of David's comrades got a little anxious with the increased bomb activity and devoured a large bag of Double Stuffed Oreo cookies. Since that time they have never let the man live it down, they put Oreos in his bed, in his water pouch, wherever they can find space. Well, this week the Commandant had the entire battalion in formation and David knew it was going to happen so he called the Commandant and asked for a personal favor. This particular soldier is called in front of the entire battalion to receive a special commendation and was awarded with, you guessed it, a large bag of Double Stuffed Oreos. The soldier said that if David had any legs he would break them. Needless to say, David had a great laugh. All of these things tell me that David is extremely blessed after having been in some kind of major blast 8 different times, yet he has no evident TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) or PTSD. He really has great spirits for the injuries he has.
Today he was wondering if the doctors could take some of the fat off of some parts of his body and inject it into the ends of his legs to cushion the HO.
Early tomorrow morning half of his command is leaving to relieve the other half of his command. We are planning to be there to make sure David can give them the encouragement he thinks they need. David told me that this deployment will be a bit safer because the drug season is over. When the poppy seed fields have been harvested, the drug wars stop until the next growing season. It is quite the cycle these people have to go through.
When Lynnette and I first went to the Bethesda Hospital to see David when he arrived in the United States, we expected to see the most awful scene and , as you may recall, we saw our son - he still looked like our son and felt like our son and the love had not changed. When I got here I expected to see the HO sticking out of his legs like little trees or coral. What I saw was my Son.
The same son that I love and respect for his courage, commitment, and willingness to put his life on the line for someone he does not even know. Yes, the HO is awful. Bumps everywhere when they don't belong and fresh wounds that won't close because there is a bone trying to come through - but he is still that great looking young man that comes really close to being as studly as his father. (Surprised you with that levity - didn't I)
It all makes me cry and smile at the same time. He asked me if I was OK with all this. I told him that the hardest thing for me was the fact that David, just like all my sons, has always been extremely active and on the move, and now I know it is really hard for him not to have those same freedoms. He agreed.
We're hoping to get our fishing licenses and go Lobster trapping - we'll let you know how great the fishing was - but not until after we have eaten all the catch.
All My Love,
Gordon
Thursday, September 30, 2010
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