Tuesday, September 28
Since Jake didn't have any appointments today, he decided to sleep in. Well, sleeping in until 7:55 a.m. when he had to get up and call one of his Sergeants to check in with him. Every day (other than the weekends) Jake either checks in at formations (Mon., Wed., & Fri.) or has to check in by phone call (Tues., & Thurs.). He wanted to go back to sleep after the phone call but couldn't. :(
In the afternoon, we headed over to Bethesda to see the medic (who was in his truck) and his wife. It was a great visit!! It was wonderful to see how well he is progressing in his recovery, to talk to them both, and to laugh with them. :)
This evening we didn't have to worry about what was being served in the dinning area. Yeah!! There was a BBQ that was put on by the Cause Organization and the Discovery Channel people. It was nice to be outside, talk to others, and eat good food.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Day 78 - Sept 27
This morning started early by heading over to the hospital for Jake's doctor's appointment. He needed to get some refills on his medications and she wanted to make sure that he was doing okay after con leave. She was happy to hear that he has stopped taking some meds and wants to start weaning him down some on others. We had a "to-do" list of things we wanted to get accomplished while over at the hospital. We were able to cross off quite a bit while we were there and were going to cross off more, but Jake was starting to wear down and not feel so good, so we went back to our room for him to rest for a bit.
After he rested, we went over to get his mail and to talk to his nurse case manager. We were very happy to hear that he almost has the paperwork packet done for the CBWTU (Community Based Warrior Transition Unit). This is the unit that Jake will be attached to for him to come home for good. There's still a lot to be done, and, we have to see if they will accept him or not, but at least the paperwork is getting done. We are keeping our fingers crossed that everything will go well and that we will be home sometime in October.
His nurse case manager is also busy getting appointments scheduled again for Jake--especially his physical therapy. So, this week is going to be a little bit of an easy one for Jake with not having many appointments. However, it may be a little bit of a boring one for him too because he wont be as busy.
When we returned back to our room, I saw what options were being offered by the dinning hall for dinner. None of it looked appetizing, so I told Jake that there is no way that I can eat another piece of pizza or a ham/cheese pannini sandwich (everyday options if you don't like what they are serving). So, we decided to catch the shuttle bus to Silver Spring and went out for dinner. We went to the Copper Canyon Grill--wow, what amazing food they have!! It was wonderful!! We savored every bite!! :)
Spending time with Jake, talking, laughing, AND, him paying for it all--what a great evening! :)
After he rested, we went over to get his mail and to talk to his nurse case manager. We were very happy to hear that he almost has the paperwork packet done for the CBWTU (Community Based Warrior Transition Unit). This is the unit that Jake will be attached to for him to come home for good. There's still a lot to be done, and, we have to see if they will accept him or not, but at least the paperwork is getting done. We are keeping our fingers crossed that everything will go well and that we will be home sometime in October.
His nurse case manager is also busy getting appointments scheduled again for Jake--especially his physical therapy. So, this week is going to be a little bit of an easy one for Jake with not having many appointments. However, it may be a little bit of a boring one for him too because he wont be as busy.
When we returned back to our room, I saw what options were being offered by the dinning hall for dinner. None of it looked appetizing, so I told Jake that there is no way that I can eat another piece of pizza or a ham/cheese pannini sandwich (everyday options if you don't like what they are serving). So, we decided to catch the shuttle bus to Silver Spring and went out for dinner. We went to the Copper Canyon Grill--wow, what amazing food they have!! It was wonderful!! We savored every bite!! :)
Spending time with Jake, talking, laughing, AND, him paying for it all--what a great evening! :)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Day 77 - Sep 26
A cloudy rainy day, but the rays of sunshine peak through every so often. It's beautiful to see and to feel the warmth of the sun.
Another peaceful and quiet day before the hub-bub of the week begins. Jake and I visited with the parents of one of his buddies who is here as a result of his injuries. It was nice to talk to them and to laugh. Jake then went off with his buddy and two other friends to spend time together watching football games at a local gathering place. I stayed back to have some quiet time of my own and to let Jake be on his own without mom hovering over him. :) He has been texting me, though, to make sure that I am okay and to keep me posted on the scores of the games--especially on the Steelers game. Yes, we are true Steelers fans. :) And, yes, the Steelers won! :)
Jake has an early morning appointment with his primary care physician tomorrow. As of right now, that is his only appointment. But, we have learned from the past that it never stays that way. With coming back from con leave, he still has to check in with his sergeant and with his nurse case manager. I'm sure that when we walk out of his nurse case manager's office, Jake will have the rest of the day filled with things to do and the rest of the week filled with appointments. This is good though. Every appointment means another step in his recovery and possibly another step to him being transferred home for good.
We are also hoping that his physical therapist here will start him on aquatic therapy like he was receiving back in Vermont. The aquatic therapy was heaven for Jake. :) He loved being in the pool and to be able to use his legs to "walk" in the water. That type of therapy seems to be the most beneficial to him--physically and mentally.
Just as the sun's rays peak through the cloudy sky, little rays of hope and promise peak through each day for Jake.
Another peaceful and quiet day before the hub-bub of the week begins. Jake and I visited with the parents of one of his buddies who is here as a result of his injuries. It was nice to talk to them and to laugh. Jake then went off with his buddy and two other friends to spend time together watching football games at a local gathering place. I stayed back to have some quiet time of my own and to let Jake be on his own without mom hovering over him. :) He has been texting me, though, to make sure that I am okay and to keep me posted on the scores of the games--especially on the Steelers game. Yes, we are true Steelers fans. :) And, yes, the Steelers won! :)
Jake has an early morning appointment with his primary care physician tomorrow. As of right now, that is his only appointment. But, we have learned from the past that it never stays that way. With coming back from con leave, he still has to check in with his sergeant and with his nurse case manager. I'm sure that when we walk out of his nurse case manager's office, Jake will have the rest of the day filled with things to do and the rest of the week filled with appointments. This is good though. Every appointment means another step in his recovery and possibly another step to him being transferred home for good.
We are also hoping that his physical therapist here will start him on aquatic therapy like he was receiving back in Vermont. The aquatic therapy was heaven for Jake. :) He loved being in the pool and to be able to use his legs to "walk" in the water. That type of therapy seems to be the most beneficial to him--physically and mentally.
Just as the sun's rays peak through the cloudy sky, little rays of hope and promise peak through each day for Jake.
Day 76 - Sep 25
A very relaxing day. It's good though because we both need the rest to get over from these colds.
The maid came to clean our room (they have to clean the rooms every day here), so Jake and I decided to go outside for a bit. It was a beautiful day--not too hot or humid. It was nice to get out into the sunshine. As I was sitting on one of the benches, I looked around and saw these amazing soldiers (with their many different injuries) going to and fro. It's a totally different existence here. We seem to be secluded from the outside world. Being here every day, we see the effects of war. It's sad. I then realized how many people do not even know of this "other existence." How many people don't even realize the cost that this war has had. Before Jake was injured, I had no idea that there was this "other existence.". I knew, from the news, that there were injured soldiers, but they didn't have a face, a name, a family....
I am so grateful to each of these brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for their country. My heart and gratitude go out to them, to their families, and to those families who have lost loved ones. We are truly blessed to be in this great country, to have the freedoms that we enjoy, and to have such amazing men and women serving our country.
Every Friday evening, outside the gates of the hospital complex, there are people standing there with signs and flags. They are not protesting the war. They are there to honor and support our military members. Their signs have nothing written on them against the war. What is written on them are words of support, love, honor, and encouragement. It's nice to see that type of demonstration.
As we were flying back down here yesterday, we saw other members of the military--some in uniform, others not. Jake went up to these men/women, shook their hands, and thanked them for their service. He later told me that a lot of people come up to him to thank him for his service because they see his injuries, but he said that all soldiers need to hear the thanks also. So, he makes a point that whenever he sees any service member, he thanks them. What a great example to follow. I'm going to be more aware now of all service members, veterans included, and thank them for the service they are rendering and have rendered.
I owe it to them.
The maid came to clean our room (they have to clean the rooms every day here), so Jake and I decided to go outside for a bit. It was a beautiful day--not too hot or humid. It was nice to get out into the sunshine. As I was sitting on one of the benches, I looked around and saw these amazing soldiers (with their many different injuries) going to and fro. It's a totally different existence here. We seem to be secluded from the outside world. Being here every day, we see the effects of war. It's sad. I then realized how many people do not even know of this "other existence." How many people don't even realize the cost that this war has had. Before Jake was injured, I had no idea that there was this "other existence.". I knew, from the news, that there were injured soldiers, but they didn't have a face, a name, a family....
I am so grateful to each of these brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for their country. My heart and gratitude go out to them, to their families, and to those families who have lost loved ones. We are truly blessed to be in this great country, to have the freedoms that we enjoy, and to have such amazing men and women serving our country.
Every Friday evening, outside the gates of the hospital complex, there are people standing there with signs and flags. They are not protesting the war. They are there to honor and support our military members. Their signs have nothing written on them against the war. What is written on them are words of support, love, honor, and encouragement. It's nice to see that type of demonstration.
As we were flying back down here yesterday, we saw other members of the military--some in uniform, others not. Jake went up to these men/women, shook their hands, and thanked them for their service. He later told me that a lot of people come up to him to thank him for his service because they see his injuries, but he said that all soldiers need to hear the thanks also. So, he makes a point that whenever he sees any service member, he thanks them. What a great example to follow. I'm going to be more aware now of all service members, veterans included, and thank them for the service they are rendering and have rendered.
I owe it to them.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Day 75 - Sept. 24
We had the best time being home on con leave!! It was so wonderful to be with family once again, to be with friends, and to be in our own home. But, it had to come to an end--and we knew that. We just wished that it didn't come up on us so fast. The trip back was a pretty smooth sailing.
Jake and I are back in DC at the Mologne House. I was very worried that we wouldn't have our room since we were gone for so long, but I should of had more faith and trust that everything would work out. And, it did. Other than our room keys not working at first, we are all settled back in and will start the "routine" once again on Monday. :(
One of Jake's friends from his original unit is here also. He was injured a few weeks after Jake. The two of them sat in the dining area and just caught up on things. It was really nice to see Jake's friend again, to see how well he is progressing, and to see the smile on Jake's face as they talked.
We both are extremely tired right now. It's been a long day and we, along with the rest of the family, are getting over a pretty bad cold. So, off to bed we go. We love you all! Good night.
Jake and I are back in DC at the Mologne House. I was very worried that we wouldn't have our room since we were gone for so long, but I should of had more faith and trust that everything would work out. And, it did. Other than our room keys not working at first, we are all settled back in and will start the "routine" once again on Monday. :(
One of Jake's friends from his original unit is here also. He was injured a few weeks after Jake. The two of them sat in the dining area and just caught up on things. It was really nice to see Jake's friend again, to see how well he is progressing, and to see the smile on Jake's face as they talked.
We both are extremely tired right now. It's been a long day and we, along with the rest of the family, are getting over a pretty bad cold. So, off to bed we go. We love you all! Good night.
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