Great Weekend

 He is doing well with his therapy and really trying hard. This past weekend was awesome! My mom and Aunt Gaye were able to see how great he did. He is nodding Yes and No now....which is really helpful when you are talking with Jay. He is able to hold a pen with his hand now and use his thumb better. He did some drawings with me and just got the idea of holding a pen. He was very interested in drawing and was trying very hard. He made more noise for me this weekend and on command. I would tell him to make noise and move his lips and he did. No words yet, but he is very close. I am so proud of Jay and his efforts this past weekend. He wanted to know about the accident and doesn't remember anything. My mom does a great job of reassuring him that he is getting better and he has to continue to work real hard and then he can come home. 

Doctrine Covenants 50:16, "Behold ye shall answer this question yourselves; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto you; he that is weak among you hereafter shall be made strong."

Another step Forward

Jason had a great week! He got his trache out! He has had a trache in for about 4 months and finally was able to get it taken out. His RT(respiratory therapist) said he was swallowing well and had had enough of it. I am sure it was a relief to finally get it out. His therapy is going great and he is trying very hard. Sitting up with some assistance, leaning from side to side, and holding his head up for longer periods of time. Today, I brought my laptop and typed some questions for him and commands. Such as: "Are you cold right now?" he would then answer yes or no using his foot board. He did very well with that. I will try to attach a video of Jay that my Aunt did. It is very cool to see him in action with his Physical therapist. Pics to come!

Sitting up and his new kicks

Here is Jason with his PT Stacy and his new kicks! Jason has really kicked it into gear with his physical therapy. He is sitting up with support, able to roll from side to side, and doing well with his head control. In the beginning he was unable to hold his head up for any length of time. His neck muscles are able now to support his head for most of the time. Jason is listening...he will do anything that is asked of him that is physically possible for him. If you tell him to lift his head up he will, if you tell him to lift his hips up he will. So, with that said, Jason is paying attention and doing exactly what is being asked. My mom says it is nice to see him listening and actually doing what he is told. At this point it is up to Jason and he has decided to listen so we are proud of him. He wants to get better so bad, you can see it in his face. Our Grandma Diane is coming into town this week. I will post some more after this week. 

Halloween Week

Jason had his EEG and MRI last week. He will be having a neurologist appointment hopefully this week to go over his tests. Jason has been having his trache capped on and off lately. This means that he will be getting it out soon! We know Jason is ready to have the trache taken out. It has been causing some irritation in his throat and he hates to cough because it doesn't taste good! Jason is making more noise with his "hums" and if you ask him to make noise he will usually try. He is on antibiotics right now for a bladder infection, which is probably good because everyone seems to be getting sick this time of year! Jason will probably be moved to another facility here in fresno in the next few weeks. I just got a new Mac laptop so I am so excited because I am going to take it to Jay's and show him the blog and all your comments. I will let you know how that goes! 

"whats up Jay"

I know Jason's hat is somewhat to the side and looks a little ghetto, but doesn't he look handsome?! I just loved this look on his face. I had taken a couple pictures prior to this one and I kept telling him to smile. If you look closely, I think he is trying! He looks very content in this picture and I think I captured what I wanted to! We had a great day with Jay. We went to visit with the kids after church. We brought the bikes, scooters, balls, and parked it outside. It was beautiful weather and Jason was great. I even had a conversation with him using the "yes" and "no" cards. He did great! Yet, he still does not remember my wedding. Oh well! He was only 14! I barely remember yesterday:) Jason will be having an MRI and EEG this week so keep him in your prayers. We are anxious to see what they will show. I think with Jason it is not a matter of "if" he will get better but "when".

Middle of October

I am sorry for the late posting but doesn't it seem like the time is just flying by lately?!! I just returned from an evening with Jay. Our dear friends Beth and Darin came by to see him. They are both Therapists who work here in town! It was nice to get some advice and second opinions on Jay. Jay has been doing really well. Tonight I felt like he and I were having a conversation minus his voice. He is so close! I feel he is right there, and I know it will just take time and we all have to be patient with him. He really wants to get better. My mom has been asking him yes and no questions which he answers by kicking the signs, "yes" and "no". It seems to work well with Jay since he can't speak yet.
He had an appointment with his neurologist this week. As you can imagine my mom had many questions for him and got some answers and some not. As we have learned with a "TBI" tramatic brain injury, it takes time and everyone's injury is different. Jason is scheduled for an MRI and EEG next week. These tests will give the Dr. and us some more answers on Jason's current and future condition.
Jason has been drinking water for the first time. The nurse will put a little cup filled with water to his mouth and he will drink and swallow it. He is getting better and better with swallowing! I even gave him some tonight after I brushed his teeth...shh don't tell the nurses!! ha ha. I feel like sneaking him a milkshake or something! You know he would love it! We are taking baby steps with the swallowing water because they want to make sure it is being swallowed into his stomach and not his lungs.
I am enjoying the one on one time Jason and I are having together. I really feel he is listening to me and understanding every word. He always was a good listener.
Well, hope this post finds your family healthy and well. I can't believe we are nearing the holiday season. Thanks so much for your comments,
Love April

First of October

My mom was able to spend the week here with Jason and us. It was so nice to have her close by and help her out with Jason. He is making so many baby steps, we are all anxiously awaiting that big step...him talking! He has his trache capped off to where he can speak to us. He has been moaning and making noise with his vocal chords. He is swallowing much better. Speaking of swallowing he had a "swallowing test". His speech therapist put blue dye into food such as applesauce, ranch dressing, pecan pie filling, and let Jason eat it! They then suction him to see if there is any blue dye in his lungs. If there is dye, he did not pass, if it is clear, he passed and is swallowing food into his stomach! He passed! So, we all know Jason and food! We figured this would be Jason's motivation. FOOD! Hopefully he will get some more chances this week to try swallowing some more food. The biggest worry is him choking.
My Aunt Gaye decided to laminate two signs that say "yes" and "no". As you all know Jason moves his right side very well, especially his right leg. So, we decided to have Jason communicate with his leg. Sounds crazy but he did it! My mom and Aunt would ask Jason a question and he would kick the "yes" or "no" sign as a response.
We had a lot of visitors this weekend. At least for Jason. My Dad came on Friday, Jason's friend Whitney came, Mike Ward, a family friend came, and then of course my bunch and my Aunt Gaye.
I will be with Jason tomorrow afternoon and will post a note on how that goes. Until then, thanks for your continued prayers and comments. I was thinking I will print out some and read them to him. I can't wait for him to see how many people love and care for him.