Breakin' Out!

Good morning all,

Well, I have lots to tell you and I was just too tired to try last night. John's new theme song (Cejae has tried to put it on) is Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews "I'm Alive" and he wanted her to try to add it to the blog. [Sidenote from Cejae: I finally figured out how to add the song but can't figure out how to put it on autoplay, so if you wan't to listen, you'll have to click play button] She's had a dickens of a time getting it on there and is frustrated at this point. Anyway, when you hear it, just think of John.

He had his video swallowing test yesterday morning and that went REALLY well. The speech pathologist said he was making a liar out of her. When he eats slowly, concentrates, takes small bites/sips he does a bang-up job. He is at least so much more aware of what is going on and knows how to control it better which is great. He chokes so much less frequently than he did even before the surgery. Praise God!

They opened his eye again yesterday and took out the tasoraphy (pretty sure that's not how it's spelled, but I at least wanted to sound intelligent), and his eye looks good. They put a contact back on it and he sees Dr. Yoo, referred by Dr. Hsue (pronounced Shoe), today at 1:00. I think Dr. Seuss could write a book using these two doctors' names. Well, anyway, a bit of humor this morning. And everyone there has been so great and so pro-active that we have no complaints whatsoever. The top and bottom lids of John's eye look pretty rough, but that's where the stitches were keeping it closed. Dr Hsue thinks that Dr. Yoo may want to go ahead and put in a more permanent tasoraphy or possibly a gold weight, but yesterday she said the eye is closing really well and they may just try the contact for a while. Wouldn't that be wonderful? But, again, John is perfectly willing to do whatever they think is best.

He was also awarded "Patient of the Week" yesterday. Guess who cried! I'm such a sap, but it was so sweet. I think everyone in Rehab. votes on who it is and then decide. They said he had been such a pleasure to work with. We're going to try to get a picture today with his certificate and put it on the blog. They choose a "Patient of the Week" weekly (imagine that) and put their picture on a board in Rehab. You are then supposed to return in a year and show them how far you've come. Cool idea, huh? Well, anyway, it was very sweet and touching.

Our friend Barbara came and brought a huge cookie tray for everyone in Rehab. for John to give to them. They were so excited and asked how he had gotten that so quickly. He said, "I just called my peeps." They thought that was hilarious.

He is so looking forward to getting out today. We are going to stay at Bucky's tonight and then head home in the morning. So we will be staying an extra day, but that's okay.

We have several follow-up appointments in a couple of weeks, so we will be headed back but we get to spend some time at home first. Man, that place is going to look good.

Thank you to Bob Brockett and whoever helped him add a rail for us. We can't tell you how much we appreciate everything each of you has done. We love you all and will try to keep you updated as much as we can.

We continue to pray for Van and others and hope all goes well today.

See you soon.

Cathy