Jay & Some Visitors

Jay has had visitors this week! Ryan Vucina and his girlfriend and Carma and Stuart Dong, came to see Jay! After talking with my mom it was bittersweet. Seeing Jason's friends and having them see Jason in this state is really hard. We are headed to my parents this weekend and Jacob and I are going to see Jay on Sunday. I am anxious and will post an entry when we return. We never know in life when our lives will change forever, and I am beginning to think that there is no tragedy in life. There is only opportunity and lessons to be learned. In our church we learn about our spirit and our body and how they will be reunited together one day in a perfect state. I then ask myself...where is the tragedy in that? After living a life on this earth, we have the opportunity to become perfect and live with our father in heaven again. I know that through Jay's trials and tribulations he will be able to see that there is no tragedy here but opportunities for him and others to grow.

Great Day!!

I was not there to witness it, but Jason had a great day yesterday!! My mom and dad were there to see him get his physical therapy, which was really good. They stood him up on the tilt and he was awake the whole time. He didn't need any meds until late that afternoon. They are going to ease up on Jason's meds and only administer them as needed. My parents were thrilled to finally see after 43 days a glimpse of hope! Go Jay!!! You are a miracle already, so keep going strong.

Day with Jay

I thought I would just write a quick update on my visit with Jay this past Saturday. My Dad had invited Jacob to go play golf up in the bay area, so, of course he wanted to go! So we loaded us all up and headed to Pleasanton. As soon as we got to my parents hotel, the kids and I went swimming and it was a great time. I went to visit Jay after I got the kids down for a nap and my mom was able to relax at the hotel.

Jay was asleep when I got to the hospital, but soon after, he opened his eyes, and looked at me. We read a magazine together, listened to a c.d., watched some olympics, and looked at the pictures on his wall. He has been lifting his right leg up to the side a lot lately and gets a little restless with his movements on the right side. I believe it is his body "waking up" and the brain is trying to tell his body how to move again etc. His right side is the more affected side, and his left side seems to be more calm and less restless. He started to spike a fever towards the end of my visit with him, so we put the cooling blanket on him, packed his armpits with ice, put a cool rag on his forehead and gave him some meds. It was going down slowly but got up to 101.9. The fever is not due to infection but related to his neuro injury. The hypothalumus controls our temperature which is located in the back behind the neck I believe, and his is still trying to regulate his body temperature.

I wish I knew what was going on in Jason's head but I hope he can feel that everyone is pulling for him and loves him.

p.s. The picture is of Jay holding one of my twins, I can't wait till he can see them again, he was so good with them:)

Week 8

Here is an entry written by my mom:

JASON IS SLOWLY IMPROVING. HE IS MORE AWAKE, WATCHING THE OLYMPICS , GETTING A LOT OF PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. JASON DOESN'T COMMUNICATE BACK TO US YET-BUT HE DOES FOLLOW COMMAND, SUCH AS "LOOK AT THE TV" AND HIS HEAD WILL TURN TOWARDS IT.

JAY IS STILL ENDURING HIS "SYMPATHETIC STORMING" EPISODES. THEY ARE GETTING FARTHER APART BUT PRETTY INTENSE WHEN HE GETS ONE. FEVER, SPASMS, SWEATS. YOU CAN LOOK UP SYMPATHETIC STORMING ON THE INTERNET AND GET LOTS OF INFO AND SEE WHAT HE IS ENDURING. IT IS A PART OF HIS TRAMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND IS SUPPOSE TO SUBSIDE AT SOME POINT. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT WITH THE BRAIN RECOVERY PROCESS.

JASON LOOKS GOOD, MOM BUZZED HIS HAIR YESTERDAY AND IT WAS OK--JASON DOESN'T HOLD HIS HEAD UP BY HIMSELF TO WELL SO THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST HELD HIM WHILE I CUT HIS HAIR.

WE ARE GOING TO TRY "VISITORS" AT A LOW PACE. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO VISIT JASON, PLEASE CALL :

JILL LEACH AT 831-646-1066 OR 831-601-3426

TO SET UP A GOOD DAY AND TIME TO SEE JAY. WE WOULD LIKE FAMILY TO BE THERE WHEN HE HAS VISITORS. IT IS REALLY HELPFUL TO THE VISITOR TO HAVE FAMILY THERE-WE CAN TALK, EXPLAIN THINGS ETC. WE ONLY ASK THAT IF YOU ARE ILL OR HAVE BEEN RECENTLY THAT YOU PUT OFF VISITING JASON. WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP HIM HEALTHY AND AS STRONG AS HE CAN BE. WE THINK AT THIS POINT SEEING FAMILIAR FACES WILL BE ENCOURAGING FOR JAY.

WE DO APPRECIATE EVERYONES OUTPOURING OF LOVE, PRAYERS, AND SUPPORT! LOVE, THE LEACH FAMILY...

Account for Jay

We wanted to let friends and family know that Carma and Stuart Dong have set up an account with Bank of America for Jason. This account is for those of you that would like to make a donation to caringforjay. The money will go towards Jason's medical care. We appreciate your generosity in wanting to help. If you would like to donate anything you may contact:

Jill & Mike @ 831-646-1066

Jacob & April @ 559-977-6759

Carma & Stuart @ 831-373-4179

Thanks to Carma & Stuart and Diane Albert at Bank of America

Fast For Jay

Jacob and I were able to go up and see Jason yesterday (Friday) for the whole day! Right when we got there they were doing physical therapy with Jason. We jumped right in and helped the 3 other therapists work on Jay. It was exhausting and exciting! He held his head up this week really good! Only for a few minutes and then his head drops back down. He is making so many small improvements in regards to his therapy. His therapists are awesome and they really care about Jay. I was dancing, singing and playing familiar songs for Jay to help stimulate him. Jacob got the new I-phone and so he was so excited to use it! We put the I-phone right up to Jay's ear and played some songs for him. I think he liked it. Stimulation is the #1 thing right now to help Jay wake up more. Sounds, lights, smells etc. If you have any ideas to help him get stimulated please let me know! Things he liked, cool sounds, songs, toys that light up etc.

As far as tomorrow goes, Sunday, my parents church is having a fast for Jason. This entails fasting for 24 hours or 2 meals. It is a time to reflect and pray for Jason and his recovery. Fasting happens in our church once a month at the beginning of each month. My parents wanted to let any and all know that if they would like to participate they may do so. We believe it helps and in numbers it can really make a difference. Jacob and Marv Hodges, a family friend, gave Jason a blessing yesterday. It was really touching. Jacob did a great job and I know Jason heard every word. Right after they gave him the blessing Jason woke up and opened his eyes. It was perfect timing. Marv hadn't seen Jason awake yet and Jason looked right at him and looked around the room. You could really feel the spirit in the room and I know Jason was grateful to have the blessing. God works in mysterious ways and I know Jason feels his love everyday.

Week 5

I (April) got to see Jason this weekend! He was laying comfortably saturday afternoon, sound asleep, while my mom and I talked and read about the gossip Aunt Gaye had left behind! AKA US magazine, People, etc. I was awaiting anxiously for Jason to wake up and open his eyes. The nurses came in and moved Jason up more in his bed, and after they did that, he opened his eyes. I about screamed, because he opened them so big and looked right at me! Then, my therapy began. I had him follow his little stuffed dog, which he did with his eyes, we watched part of Monster-in-law, starring "J-Lo", which he loved! He tracked the T.V. for quite some time and enjoyed watching. I kept reassuring him that he was doing good, and he needed to get better and work harder.

Sunday: My parents and I attented church in pleasanton and then headed to the yummy whole in the wall donut shop! When we arrived to see Jay we told him all about our dinner the previous evening at a great restaurant, and how great the food was! I kept telling him he has to get better so he can eat, "Aren't you hungry?" If you wake up more, you can eat!"

He was swallowing a lot more and moving his mouth...which is a good sign. He did not keep his eyes open as much as he did on Saturday for me, but he did open them and look around. When I left I said Goodbye and you look good, and I would be back soon. I then said you need to work hard and you will get better. He opened his eyes, looked at me, and then closed them.

I know he wants to work harder and get better. He is just trying to figure out how to do it! This week my Aunt Penni is coming to visit Jason. I hope he can show her some progress and show us how strong he can be.

"Counting Time is not so important as making Time count" -Panda Express