Day 26 - July 27

The light at the end of the tunnel is getting a bit brighter. :)

Jake had a very, very good day today!  Other than struggling with keeping the pain under control, he made a lot of strides.  He went down to the occupational therapy room and did some upper body exercises.  Once again, he was in a teasing mood.  In fact, he was teasing everyone all day!  The therapist gave him two "gifts" to take back to his room to help him achieve more independence with his daily care.  A long back wash brush and a grabber.  If he drops anything on the floor, he can use this grabber to pick it up.  Well, he had a lot of fun with that grabber today with mom!  It's always good to see him smile and laugh. :)

Matt achieved another goal with Jake.  He got Jake on the edge of his bed today with his legs hanging down.  YIPPEE!!  Jake kept telling him that he wouldn't be able to do it, but he did!  His knees may not have bent  all the way, but this is a HUGE step for him.  I think Jake was even surprised that he did as much as he did.  Matt won the bet--so no push-ups from him. ;)

One of the biggest smiles Jake gave today is when the student nurse came in bearing a small gift--a gift that Jake has been waiting for since he arrived here at Walter Reed.  His glasses!!! :)  He immediately put them on and exclaimed, "I CAN SEE!!!"  Then, he proceeded to look at every single sign that is posted in his room.  He was so happy to see finally what was written on them. It is hard to believe that he's gone nearly a month without the ability to see clearly.  

Jake received some visitors today.  The daughter of our dear friend, Michele, and her husband and kids surprised us by stopping in.  It was so wonderful to see them all and to finally meet her amazing husband.  Kathryn brought Jake some goodies that he devoured right after they left. :)  The Connecticut Army National Guard came and visited with Jake also.  There was one other visitor from Vermont (the civilian aide from Vermont for the Secretary of the Army?), but Jake was extremely worn out from all the therapy and lack of sleep so he told his liaison leader that he was too tired to receive any more visitors.  He apologized to her, but she understood completely.  

The past few nights (and days) Jake hasn't slept very well due to the pain in his legs.  He usually takes a nap during the day, but hasn't been able to.  The lack of sleep was catching up to him today--he was yawning all day long.  He received a phone call from a friend in his home unit but didn't take it because of how wiped out he was.  He felt bad about turning down the call, but knew that he wouldn't by much of a conversationalist.  We both are hoping that he will be able to sleep better tonight.

We also found out a bit more about what his discharge plan is going to be like.  It's not exactly what Jake wanted (and, as a family, we wanted), but it is the best plan for him.  They are thinking of discharging him from "inpatient" status to "outpatient" status next week--IF--he can get off the PCA unit and control his pain better with the oral medications.  What great news!!!  He will be outpatient down here--not in Vermont like we were hoping.  He, and his NMA (non-medical assistant--which will mainly be me with Mike re-leaving me when he can), will be going to the Malogne House (hotel here on campus for wounded soldiers and their NMA's).  He will stay at the Malogne House until the doctors, and other people in charge of his care, give their okay for him to come home to Vermont.  They are trying to honor Jake's request to get home as soon as he can, but it will take some time.  There is paper work that has to be completed (which will take a few weeks) and then the approval of those involved in his care.  This will be good for Jake because he will see how things will work in the real world with a wheelchair and will be close to the doctors in case there are any problems with his healing.

We are very, very excited for Jake and the milestones he is about to make!!  It's a long, long tunnel, but we can see a little bit more of that light each day.