Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 2357

Hello Again,

I am so sorry it has been so long since I have written but, unfortunately, I don't have the privilege of being by David's side and I am having a hard time seeing and feeling his struggles and victories.

What I do know is that the HO (Heterotopic Ossification), which is the bone growth that is occurring in David's legs is an extreme problem. Right now he has 4 or 5 spots where the bone has caused lumps near the surface of the skin on different areas of his legs. It is anticipated that at least one of those spots is going to break through the skin very soon. I am told that the remedy is to push the skin as far on to the protruding bone as possible and then clip off the end of that bone and pull the skin back and close that wound. It is my understanding that no extensive surgery, to remove the bone, will be done any time before six months because they want the bone to reach maturity and stop growing before they try to remove it and because, sometimes, that bone can actually form in such a way that it provides extra support for the prosthetic without necessarily causing additional pain. Although it is very hard to allow my wait idly by with my son in pain, I completely trust the physicians caring for him. The wonderful thing about Bethesda and Walter Reed is that these physicians, nurses, and surgeons truly admire and revere men like my son as their personal heroes and will do everything in their power to make things better for them. They have become my heroes too!!!

David has expressed a desire to transfer to the Balboa Hospital in San Diego, California. He is not sure when the transfer will happen, but he will be treated in the C5 (Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care) unit there. We have seen brochures on the facility and are very confident with the care he will receive there.

David is very close to getting fitted for his prosthetics but the move to San Diego will, more than likely, happen before the fitting takes place. It has been very frustrating because the wounds have not been healing as quickly as anticipated. David had the privilege of getting a shower a few days ago and I asked him if it was heavenly. He said it was a little bit of both. I'm assuming he meant that it was a little of Heaven and a little of Hell. Whatever he meant, he said that the shower somehow triggered his wounds to start healing quicker, so those of you out there who don't shower very often - not a good idea. David didn't have much of a choice.

Before David went to Afghanistan, he went to a trade show and was introduced to a new kind of safety glasses that changed with the brightness of the day. David was wearing those glasses when he received his injuries and although his glasses were damaged and pitted from the blast, his eyes were completely protected. When David felt up to it, he emailed the company to thank them for his eyes and to tell them what a great product they had. When they received the email they contacted him and invited him to Vermont - he had a wonderful time and they treated him like royalty. If I can get the name of the product, I'll let you know so we can pay a little tribute to a great company and a great product. I thank you for my son's eyes too.

David is much more mobile now and has been on several weekend outings - it's great to hear that he is not just looking at those hospital walls now. He is in outpatient status and can live away from the hospital with assistance. He still attends physical training and occupational training each day. The other day the Occupational Therapist told David that if he touched the thumb and index finger of his right hand together without assistance of any kind, she would give him a really nice remote control car - he did it, but he hasn't got the car yet! Oh the diabolical treachery!

My wife and I sincerely miss being with David on a daily basis. He is a wonderful part of our lives. Those of you who know and love David and his great personality know exactly what I am saying.

You are all very much a part of our family and are welcome any time when you come to Utah. My work email has changed to gordonlyon@intinsgrp.com and I welcome your friendship for the rest of my life. Thank You!!

Gordon