nice evening

i stayed around the house today getting stuff done here at home and for the business..ya know just trying to keep things going..i picked up the mail before getting the girls..THANKS claudine taylor for the fun things for the girls!! they loved it!! i took the girls to kohls to get something fun..i was looking for easter dresses but so bugged that everything was pretty much sleeveless!! then i dropped them back off at home and went to the hospital..
he was meeting with the recreational therapist..who cares for his whole being..and she asked him what were his most important relationships..he said "first and foremost is my relationship with Jesus Christ and my Father in Heaven, then my wife, then my children, then my extended family and friends" ..she was totally floored!!! she said.."jon, i am in awe of you - i really am! you are truly my hero..for you to KNOW your most important relationships like that and to not have to think about them - im just in awe of you"..she commented that she's "never had a patient like jon"..and that "she's going to be learning so much from him..she has already"..and that "she always leaves the room feeling 10 times more uplifted!! its suppose to be the other way around!!!" and that "she always makes sure jon is her last patient so she can go home with such a great spirit"..it was neat to see that and witness that...
jon was doing good - very tired..he'd had a big day..its nice to have the weekends to relax a bit for him!! poor guy! we did a lot of crying today...jon and i...he's really worried about me...that i wont want to stay with him..i keep reassuring him that i do want to stay and that i will..and that it shouldnt even be a concern of his..but he needs that verbal reassurement..so i will continue to do that for him..
he told me one day..he will be able to hold me again like he use to...one day he WILL dance with me...he was a fantastic dancer!! he is very romantic that way...yes who knew jon could dance the waltz!! we loved to dance those kinds of dances at wedding receptions...
its just been a rough emotional day for him..i was grateful to be with him during that time..i told him .."some days youll be strong and i wont..and some days ill be strong and you wont...thats why we are together"...he told me he's not the same man anymore..that he's different...i quickly said your ONLY physically different..THATS IT!! im so grateful that his mental capacity is still there..that he knows who i am..that his spirit is still passionatley alive..he could have been SO MUCH worse...or even dead...im so very grateful for what i have of him! he felt good hearing that from me...i cant even begin to imagine what he's going thru...i can escape it here and there..he can only constantly think about it day after day...the fact that he's not moving..i can only imagine how that would start to tear you apart..but we have faith..and the blessings that were given we remember...
driving home i had hard time..sometimes im driving and look at the time and think ...hmmm its 1030pm..on a friday night...what would we have been doing?? probably playing games at someones house..or watching a movie..and it makes me sad that our life in 3 seconds completely changed...our life simply isnt the same anymore...these have been the LONGEST 15 days of my entire life...and they seem to only get longer...but then i remember how i felt when i first heard of what happened..i fell to the floor and prayed..and yet..i still felt good and felt that "all would be okay"...i hold on to that moment ..and what i felt...in times of sadness..i REMEMBER how i felt at that moment..and i continue to forge ahead..most of you know how i feel about that word "remember"...remember how you felt when you first felt the Holy Ghost, remember how you felt when you married your spouse, had your first child, prayed to know if the church was true, the scriptures are FULL of that very word..."oh ye remember, remember"...i live by that simple word...remember..i cannot deny the feelings i felt after my prayer..i remember how i felt and thats what brings me peace and comfort and the strength to continue on...
during my time with jon..the doctor came in who speaks VERY LITTLE..and i asked him.."how did he know that jon was not in spinal shock anymore?" he tapped the bottom of his knee..below the knee cap and the top of his knee cap moved..it had a reflex..he said "thats how i know"...we asked a few more questions..and he began to say.."you now i can only tell you medically what i know..and nothing more...but i can say that things have happened...i have seen things take place that aren't what medically is suppose to happen...i have seen where the brain DOES MAKE that connection with the spine..and everything starts working..i just dont know how it happens..i have seen people walk..i dont know what it is..or how to explain it..but it has happenned before..and i do hope that that happens for you"..jon told him we'd take it...
it was FINALLY encouraging for the doctor to admit that sometimes things DO happen!! and that he couldnt really explain them..
i feel for our next fast that we pray that his brain will make that connection with the rest of his body...with his spine...that is key to his recovery..also pray for his spirit and him emotionally...im grateful that he allows himself time to get his feelings out..its heartbreaking to watch a grown man cry...to see him struggle in SO many ways right now...i always felt jon was indestructable..this man would do flips just from standing on a sidewalk, or flip off with his snow skis, this man could LITERALLY do ANYTHING he put his mind too..and anyone that knows jon knows this to be SO TRUE!!! to see how everything was taken away from him in 3 small seconds..its hard to wrap your mind around that..
going thru this trial is just so very hard...i often drive home and feel like im on some sort of vacation..and that soon ill be getting home and life will be back to normal...you know that feeling..when your just ready to be back in your own home doing your own routines and things...like before...jon will be working crazy on his new business in the office, ill get online to check my emails, the girls will be playing handball on the garage, anna will be playing my little pony.com on the computer, becca will be napping, we'll eat dinner together promptly at 6pm because im such a nazi schedule freak, jon will give his 4 girls their horse ride up the stairs, ill finish cleaning up the kitchen and jon would prepare his seminary lesson for the next morning...but all of that has changed...all of it...i just REALLY miss our old "normal" boring life...i miss it a lot...it was boring, simple yet perfect...
it was EVERYTHING i wanted my life to be......
all this has changed...but for the better...and honestly better is ALWAYS better then boring right!
so again, pray that his brain connects with the rest of his body...and pray specifically that his right wrist starts to function better, that each of his digits will function better, that he'll get use of his arms..we have to focus on one thing at a time..if he could just get his arms and hands and fingers to work...our lives will be 80% better!! then we can focus on each part after that...
thank you ALL and ALLLL of those that i dont even know!! im so grateful to have SUCH a tremendous support system!! thank you especially to my home family ward..you guys are doing such a great job - the hardest part sometimes!! and to bonnie and kevin..who i feel have the hardest challenge of all - thank you both for being here at my home for my children..we're SO VERY lucky!!
during the weekends are a GREAT time to visit jon..he only has PT ONCE per day..so that makes it nice for visits...
thanks Aunt deborah and family for the gorgeous flowers! it had a lemon in the arrangement and a lemon in the vase with water..SO ironic because the Occupatient Therapist (who has a liking for us) has a lemon tree that she made homemade fresh lemonade for me and jon and was pouring us the lemonade..jon was LITERALLY drinking it when your flowers came in!!! he saw them and thought immediatley..when life gives you lemons..make lemonade and then there we WERE literally drinking some!!!

never mind

so i did some investigation myself..just went to whitepages.com and typed in for tyler wilkinson and BOOM got it!! i left a message..but wasnt quite sure it was them..it was an automated answering machine..so i took it a step further and figured out tyler's parents name and then BOOM got it -so i called..and a girl answered... i didnt even know WHERE to begin my conversation!! so i started by asking for "bro or sister wilkinson"..the girl said "they werent home could she take a message"..i said "oh i dont even know where to begin..but my name is christina hales from southern california and my husband jon has the same injury that tyler did..and i wanted to know if i could get incontact with the family to have tyler email my husband jon"...
she said this is tasha mcname!! i about fell on the floor!!! tasha was IN MY WARD here where we live in riverside!!!!!!!!!!!! i was so excited to talk to her and tell her what was going on!! i gave her the blog..so they could catch up to where we are..and my email and phone numbers- it will be SO great to be in contact with tyler and jennifer!!!
thanks tasha for your help!!!

help

can anyone get me in touch with Tyler Wilkinson? i understand he grew up in St. George...i also think he is Tasha Macname's brother? i JUST finished watching his video - thanks valerie albrechtson..Tyler reminds me SOOOOOOOO much of jon!! its amazing!!! i bawled thru the entire video...watching him go thru the same things jon is doing right now...then i was amazed to think they had the same injury..Tyler was in ICU for 3 weeks..where jon was only in for 4 days- amazing! i think it was 12 days from jons injury - and jon pushed HIMSELF 20 ft in a wheelchair! Tyler took an hour to go a few inches- im amazed again!
jon is CONSTANTLY doing more then what's asked of him, whether it was track -(he would RUN to and from seminary each morning in highschool), whether it was him being the ASB president (he gave a devotional stating he was trying to please everyone else at school and making them happy..but realized he could not do that..he could only make God happy and so thats what he did), whether he was serving his mission in Japan (he never went a day without in some way trying to preach the gospel -his entire 2 years there he never got past the 2nd discussion and ONLY baptized one person), in his career (he worked MANY 12-16 hour days when he didnt have to proving to other that he was a hard worker), as father, (he gives ALL four of our girls at one time a horse ride up 2 flights of stairs for bed-i have pictures!!), as a husband (is always telling me im his whole existence) and as a friend (is more concerned about how they are doing then anything else EVEN in the state he is in right now)...
what a priviledge it is for me to be married to this man...as someone once told me.."when i think of what Jesus Christ would be like..i think of Jon Hales"-what a wonderfully kind thing to say- thank you...

another good nights rest....

jon has a pattern now..2 sleeping pills and 2 tylenol...right at 10pm..he then falls asleep and sleeps solid till 3am..then sandra was there to stretch out his arms..and he fell asleep again till 6ish...
he's been in his wheelchair at the 90 degree angle for almost 2 hours now - you have NO IDEA how HARD that is for him -- really - just to sit like that is so terribly hard!!! they worked at PT to help him to do transfers..from his chair to the bed and back again..the stronger he gets --the easier it will get...

changing the house

i know some of you are concerned about our future house - THANKS celesta and sheldon mcgee, jake and erin thompson, and kevin and bonnie garrick!!! its my understanding that these are the guys helping me make the decisions WITH jon about what we should do regarding making a bigger bathroom downstairs and making the office into the bedroom...if anyone would like to assist in this process please give either celesta mcgee or jake thompson a call..

thursday

today was tiring for jon...but atleast he slept well!! his mom is with him tonite..russell santos helped in the morning then kristen thompson took over after till i came back around 530pm..he was doing good..just resting...
jon felt like he's not progressing fast enough..poor guy! he really is though!! i pressed on his thigh and he WAS able to feel that now too!! then i did more of his stomach area and he COULD feel the right side, middle and left side!!! its really working! he's feeling more and more!!!
the doctor had come in and we talked to him about our concern regarding spinal shock..the doctor tapped his left knee and jon could feel that all the way up his spine..and the doctor said your not in spinal shock anymore..so im going online to research that more..so that was encouraging to us!
i wanted to take a minute and thank the COUNTLESS people that are reading the blog here- and their geniune concern for jon and our family at this time of our lives...i have been hearing about people i dont even know praying for us!!! we called some friends from the bay area (matt and jp - you guys rock!!)and they informed us that some churches in Arkansas were even praying for us! and that we were on their prayer rolls!! how neat is that!!! they joked that they hoped it wasn't considered "spam mail" for God - we had a good chuckle!!! we truly can feel everyones real prayers and concern for our family..jon REALLY is progressing...
earlier today on my drive home this morning..i was thinking about life..and i thought man ..how am i going to even do church!?!?! i guess wheel him in..and keep a reign on the other 4 girls..jon was SO helpful with that - helping to keep them quiet..take one out if needed...then i got to thinking about ALL the many things i will for a time be doing all by myself...house stuff, mom stuff, wife stuff, outside house stuff, church thing, our business stuff, remembering to take an extra hour to get him ready BEFORE i can even start to do anything else that needed to be done..then i remembered a part in my patriartichal blessing that says "you will not be overcome or overwhelmed by the things that transpire"...thats why i can only do this trial one day at a time..its hard to think of the "future" simply because i dont even KNOW what the future will be!!! its hard to wrap my mind around that...
its also been SUPER hard to go anywhere because ALL of the magazines have had christopher reeves and dana reeves on the cover..EVERY time i see a mag..i start bawling and totally lose it..im sure the cash register people are worried!! i think to myself..man i hope i come close to the way dana was..she's truly an inspiration..
i often hear people say "what can i do"..the most comforting and MOST powerful thing that has truly helped us..is for you to become closer to the Savior, to feel his love, and to know that it truly is our HF's love and Jesus Christ's love that is comforting you- that SAME comfort you feel..is the SAME comfort we feel..its very tender..very simple..and very real..i had someone email me today whom i have never met that said because of MY trial..she is changing things in HER life..that is SO beautiful to me! she says that she has started to do things differently at home, treats her children differently, kisses her husband before work and when he comes home, and that she does more service for her ward that she lives in...that everyone, ESPECIALLY the youth and children, who is wondering "what can i do" is what gives jon and i encouragement to keep going..that is what makes our trial worth every minute that we endure...we thank you for the changes you have made or have considered making by enduring this trial with us-

more photos!

here some of jon this am doing the wheel chair..he struggled with it this am..but with time he'll get it..

had a good day..

jon had a good day yesterday..it seems all a blur to me now though! oh ya..i didnt get there till 1130..thats why im not remembering a whole lot...we did manage to have our business meeting with sheldon and scott..we got alot of things addressed and assigned out to be taken care of..
he did some more hard PT..then some speech therapy..then i think that was it for the day..i stayed the night with him..he took 2 sleeping pills and 2 tylenol again at 10pm and was out by 1030 till about 4am..during the night they rotate him and he never wakes up..i slept on the floor next to him on a camping cot- quite comfy vs the hardwood floor!! jon slept solid thru but i'd sort of wake up each time they came in..at 4am his arms were SO stiff and sore..so i got up and stretched and massaged them a bit...then he went back to sleep till 630 again..
he ate ALL of his breakfast which is SO nice! i dont have to worry about that so much - he's eating TWICE as much as he was before - which im so grateful- i was so worried!!!
they had their "wednesday" conference that they will continue to do each wednesday..they said he's doing good..and the projected date of discharge is april 19th -- which was SHOCKING to us!! we felt like that was SUPER SHORT!!!??!?! they said "because of your insurance"..but we know that we can bug them to extend it and they can tell the insurance company that his medically neccessary for an extension..but we were still surprised that he's only in there for 20 days...then hell have outpatient therapy..but it wont be as good as inpatient therapy..inpatient is MUCh more frequent..so we'll see how this next week goes..
they've been starting his therapy at 715am..which is terrible because thats RIGHT when breakfast is getting there!! and he doesnt want to spend his PT or OT time getting dressed and eating breakfast!!! so they made some changes and now his therapies wont start till 845 after EVERYTHING else for him is done - which is nice-- it just means he'll end later during the day..
were just a little concerned because his spine is still in "spinal shock" and still has swelling..so were not even sure if all this PT is working right or even beneficial because of those two things..thats jons greatest concern right now..he continues to get more feeling each day..more so on his right side then on his left..
we REALLY are asking for prayers that his spinal shock and swelling will come down rapidly..so that his PT stuff with be more beneficial to him..he also asked that thats what we fast for on sunday..its his greatest concern right now..not being able to do as much because of the spinal shock and swelling...
so far very clear of pnemonia..his breathing is fantastic..and he's eating so much better...he's still having difficulty getting acclimated to a chair that is at a 90 degree angle..ALTHOUGH he's definalty getting better at being in a chair..its tiled down a little..but hey thats better then no chair! so keep praying that he'll gradually increase his angle to feel relaxed at a 90 degree angle..when i left this am he was SO exhausted from being at that angle!!!! he couldnt believe how much focus and sheer energy it took JUST TO SIT!!!! its so amazing to see JUST HOW MUCH energy it takes to do ANYTHING!!! that is SO frustrating for me- to watch that...
he did get going on his wheel chair - as you can see by the pics..they had him outside almost uphill a little and he had to turn around - it took EVERYTHING out of him -- it was so sad to see him work so hard..and see that it wasnt much..but one day at a time..
so please pray for his spinal shock and swelling to go down rapidly, for his deltoids and ESPECIALLY his tricep muscles!!! that would make his life SO MUCH easier right now!!! and continue for the pnemonia and especially no bladder infections...
he still has his postive determined attitude..jon and i talked last night together..and where our focus needed to be..that he was promised in his blessing a full recovery..and that we will need to have continued faith in the priesthood and those blessings and that a full recovery IS going to happen...so that is where our focus is and we hope all of yours as well..when that happens..we will ALL have truly been blessed to be part of a REAL MIRACLE..how fortunate we are in this day and age to STILL witness the very real existence of a HF and Jesus Christ...our testimonies will be incredibly strengthened...we will now for sure they are real and live today and do very much care for us..with this added strength of testimony..the future will be so much more encouraging to all of us..
thank you for joining jon and i on this journey that we are honored to share with all of you...

photos of jon!!!

Our Trial Motto

This was JUST given to me by a friend from mormonchic.com- thanks dani!! your wonderful!!!

I will be printing this a bit larger and putting it up in jons room..preferrably above his bed...this explains our trial and what we are striving to do...

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God.” by Elder Orson F. Whitney

perfect- just perfect

he slept well again..

YA!!! im SO happy jon got some sleep last night!! he took 2 sleeping pills and 2 tylenol..and went to sleep about 10pm..then slept till 3 or 330...then he slept here and there till 6am..which is SO GREAT!!!
he's had one PT thing this am..then he has a break from 1030am-1pm..which is PERFECT because thats when me, sheldon, scott and jon are having our business meeting...then he has something at 1pm and again at 330pm and again at 415pm...then hell be done for the rest of the day --and probably wiped out!
im SOOOOOOO glad he slept well!!! it will make for SUCH a better day today!!
i downloaded all of our business email...forwarded it to scott's email..its SO LAME because the hospital has a wyfi..and we have everything we need equipment wise to hope onto the wyfi..BUT their netorked is LOCKED of course..so we get LAME old dial up!!! RUGHHGHGHGHG if anyone knows me and jon - we dont do dial up!!!!! we've had dsl since 1998!! when it first started!! so we'll have to pray for LOTS of patience!!
this will be GREAT for jon..to get back to business..he gets SO excited when ANYONE talks about his business...jon will delegate work out to the three of us..we need to keep the momentum going on the business..it was SUCH a great success at the GDC convention..its jons dream to own his own business...so were doing our best to keep that dream alive!
time for me to go take that shower, grab a few more business things then head out for that meeting -- hoping the day continues to go well for him!

TIRED tuesday...

last night jon slept here and there..which made his day a little more difficult for him...i got to him this am around 630am..chris and kristi needed to head for the airport..
he did a few things..one was learning how to eat with a spoon with a splint attached to his arm..they put it on his right hand..which sadly is SO weak right now..his left arm is much stronger..but with patience and practice he'll get it..
he also had a speech therapist come in..his doing good..he just needs some work on his diaphram so he can yell if he needs to..
he also did work with the PT..they actually put him in a manual chair and put a rubber rose around the wheel..then jon has these special gloves that give friction so that he can push himself around..he was actually ABLE to do it!! he went up and down the hallways..it was EXAUSTING of course!! but HE did it!! i was amazed!!
he's still having a hard time getting use to his chair..although its better then before..he cant quite get up to a 90 degree angle like he needs to...with time..hopefully that will be better...
after his PT of the wheel chair in the hallway thing..he came to his room and asked to be put in his bed..he then slept for a little over 2 hours..it was a ROUGH day for him...
scott and kellie came..and relieved me for the night..im so so so so tired! i compare it to going to disneyland EVERYDAY -- you know how your just SO tired when you get home--thats exactly how i feel every night i come home..
it was a little hard for me emotionally..to watch him struggling to feed himself..or even pick up a rolled washcloth..trying desperatly to hold on to it..i kept thinking to myself - -man we take SO MUCH for granted dont we!! to see someone...especially your husband..struggle like that..it was almost too much for me to bare...but over time..it will come..
he tells me when he has to lift his arms..its like lifting arms with 100lbs attached to them- it takes EVERYTHING out of him JUST to do that!!
i talked with the social worker today..she asked all kinds of questions..one of them was..how would you feel if you went home with jon today as the caretaker..i said..well i feel 70% okay that i could do it..she asked what i would struggle with..i said doing the catheder..which im learning..and transfers..getting him from the wheel chair to a bed..anyway those few questions REALLY made me THINK of what i was REALLLLLY headed for...it was all i could do to keep it together...
sometimes i think..man i just wish he could just all of a sudden get up and walk!! but then...what lesson would i get out of that??? jon and i have been preparing for the lessons that lay before us...
jon was a little bit cranky today..i think he just feels like he cant EVER escape this situation...i can come home..and step away from it..he on the other hand is practically drowning in it!! although each time he was cranky..i would think in my head..i'd be even CRANKIER if that were me stuck in the bed like that and in his condition..he's not trying to be mean on purpose..he's just frustrated..so i never lost my cool...i just kept things in perspective..i have kept thinking that this whole time..i think..ya know there will come a time when he tells me "sweetie, your not doing that right..or please just do it this way.." but ive prepared myself knowing this time will come..and he's just frustrated not mad at me..so thats been a big help...
its 830 now and im STARVING!! im SO very grateful there is just always some food in my fridge-- i cant EVEN IMAGINE what i'd be doing without everyone's help!!
my prayer is that he sleeps well tonite..and get the rest he needs...its amazing to remember that its ONLY day 12 of his injury!! its AMAZING that he didnt ever have to get a traich!! its AMAZING that he had surgery and has breathed on his own this ENTIRE time!! its AMAZING that he's able to feel more and more of his body as each day passes!! he is SOOOO determined to walk again and be whole..he tells the staff..it may not be in this building..but it WILL be ONE DAY!
please continue to pray that he wont get pnemonia and ESPECIALLY no urinary tract infections of any kind...also pray that his triceps get strong..along with his deltoids..he'll be using these a lot...and that each day his body will heal just a little bit more then it was yesterday...
as far as feeling..he feels more on his right side then his left..he can feel his shoulders, back, abdomen (if pushed), knees(if pushed), legs (if pushed), he can tell you which way his ankle/foot is going if you move it..on his right food he can tell you which toes your are squeezing..so this is ALL just so positive for us!!
well i need to get some food in me, maybe a shower, and then some sleep!

Monday all day in the chair!

your prayers are REALLY REALLY working!!! today he stayed in his chair from 9am to 430pm!!!!!!! he started his PT today..i was in for the second session..the hard stuff..he blew the PT people away!!! they kept saying - wow he is SO strong!! wow - we've never had a patient like him before!! - they are SO excited to get to work with him - in fact they are putting him in a manual wheelchair tomorrow!!!!! that usually takes a month!!! sorry for all the !!!! as you can see im so excited!!!

he is eating so much better too..and his breathing is fantastic...jons sister kristi and her hubby chris are in town..they just got back from a weekend cruise..so kristi is staying with jon over night..then chris and i will leave EARLY 6pm to get back to the hospital so they can head for the LA airport to get back to utah..

we talked to George at the rehab place about having family stay over night..we explained to him our reasons and we all agreed that eventually jon would be doing good on his own thru the night..and as soon as that happens we'll all be sleeping in our own beds..but the rehab place needs to remember that this is ONLY day 11 of his recovery!!! most everyone else have been in ICU for 30 days- so they are use to not having someone there for them...so as of now..the family will stay thru the night..and then jon will be better sleeping on his own..

his spirits are SO great- and his determination is AMAZING!! even thru PT..they would say do 15 of these..and he'd do 14 and say okay 2 more...they couldnt believe it!! he's SUCH a go getter- and anyone that knows jon - knows that about him - it was awesome for the both of us to see his determination and HF's blessing and miracle in ACTION!!!

he's been growing out his beard..since he hasnt really had an option..i kind of like it! i like him a little "rough around the edges"...they talked about shaving it tomorrow..so we'll see what he looks like when i see him in the morning...

thanks aunt glenda for the cute packages for the girls..i have yet to open the other box yet..trying to save that for jon..the girls LOVED all the fun things!! sarah said as i put her into bed...this was almost my favorite day ever!! things kids say - i love it!!

we ask that you continue to pray as you have done SO faithfullly!! jon frequently asks how I AM doing..i tell him surprisingly really well..i told him its because of all the prayers in my behalf...he wants to make sure im crying..and getting it out of my system..i tell him i do every couple of days..i dont hold anything in!! he's very worried about the burden this is putting me through..and will put me through...i tell him not to worry i have lots of help..and im sure ill have continued help down the line...i told him to just work hard so that atleast his arms work and he can do many more of his own things..and isnt 100% dependant on me...he said he's planning on doing SO MUCH more!!

i thought i'd share a couple of humorous moments..while jon was in his chair..he likes to be elevated once in a while..meaning a pressure release..sort of tipped back into his chair..if that makes any sense!?!? anyway..your suppose to lock his wheels and then turn these 2 things and tip him back and WITHOUT FAIL he always asks me..."sweetie..did you lock the wheel??" after the 5th time of this question i just looked at him and said "sweetie! enough with the lock thing!! ive got it!!" it was pretty funny...so this one time i was going to do the pressure release thing..and i went to go do the "lock thing" instead i pushed a lever which sent his upright feet FLYING to the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!! OOOOOOPPPPS!!!!!!!!! he just calmly said ..."sweetie..did you do the lock thing?" i think he was truly frightened..he told our friends.."please dont leave me alone with her- im really scared!!!!!!"

the other story is we were in PT therapy..in their gym..and he was working out and the PT's kept saying "wow he's so strong! he's the strongest patient we have!!"
i then looked around the room and noticed the 5 other 70-80 year olds there and had to chuckle!!!!

so today was good for him..he got REALLY cold after therapy and being in the chair for so long..his chin and jaw were shaking tremendously..it started going into his temples..he was FREEZING!! we kept laying blankets on him and they have this heater light thing..it was on FULL BLAST! he probably just ended up getting a facial tan! then kristi and chris started putting very hot washclothes on his forehead which calmed him down and he slept for an hour...he was so grateful..he said he wanted to cry at that point..it was SO hard on him!! his temp got down to 97.0...they say thats normal..and that his shaking his normal..maybe his spine is coming out of shock..or its his body readjusting to everything...he was a little scared by that..
his plan is to take 2 tylenol and 2 sleeping pills again to get some much needed rest again..

i forgot to ask that we pray for his deltoids..that they will be strong..that each of his muscles will be quickened..and come back to life..each day he gets more and more feeling! its truly amazing!!! his right side he feels more then in his left side..its SO encouraging!! also pray that his shivering will subside..and that he will be relaxed..also continue to pray that no pnemonia sets in..and that he wont encounter any bladder infections..

thanks to everyone ...emails, cards, dinners, food, visitors, prayers, thoughts..were so lucky to have such wonderful people care so much about us!

slept better

i talked to sandra this am...she said he took tylenol and a sleeping pill and slept from 10pm-3pm solid...then in and out after that..he said so far last nite was his best sleep yet...then he asked for a shower/bath at 6am so that he was awake, alert and ready for PT for the day..i guess today is the big/busy day..so we'll see what it all entails for him...

i forgot to mention last night that you pray for his deltoids to function and become stronger...just having those deltoids would do SO much for his recovery!!! also pray that he doesnt have any side affects come due to the injury..ie pnemonia (which we think he's clear of -but you just never know), any sort of bladder infections, and anything to do with the heart..all three of these things are SERIOUS issues that can happen with his injury..so please pray that none of these become serious issues with his body so that he can continue to recover..should one of these three things happen to him..its 4 steps back in his recovery...

thank you again! i dont think jon REALLY has ANY idea just HOW many people are daily praying for him..i think he'd be truly surprised! please feel free to send jon a quick note and mail it to our home address..im hesitant to give that out on my live very public blog for obvious reasons..so please feel free to contact the Roberts or the Hales or call my home for the address...
thank you everyone for your help thru this trial of ours..i hope all of our hearts are open to the lessons each one of us can learn as we travel this journey together..

a C5 injury

i found this on the web... a C5 injury..lets pray to make this outlook MUCH better..

http://www.apparelyzed.com/support/functionality/c5.html

Sunday

Today was a lovely sunday...chad said he did okay thru the night..jon said he woke up pretty much every hour he felt like..they did move him from side to side every 2 hours to keep from getting any bed sores and keep him from being stiff at night..chad said he ate a big breakfast and then konked out! family started arriving..he felt like he needed to entertain...i kept telling him to just take a 10 minute nap and he'll feel better..knowing he'd sleep longer then the 10 minutes!! which he did!! it was fun to have family around..that patio thing makes it SO nice to have everyone there!
russell and jordan farrer came to give us the sacrament..which is always a special thing to have done for our family - its a very spiritual and moving experience- thanks guys!
the girls got to come in again this evening..it was interesting to note how involved anna was..she was so cute..rachel of course..off the walls as USUAL! looking for whatever there is fun to eat or play with..sarah was her typical mother hen self..and becca singing ring around the roses and falling down literally..it was fun..then i drove home with the 2 older kids in my car, bonnie had my 2 younger ones in her van, and kevin had his 2 kids in his car..we all carpooled home -
i got home and got the girls to bed...i folded some laundry that i had in the dryer..which is ALWAYS nice to do..makes my life feel a little more normal and like what it use to consist of...then i came downstairs and opened the fridge- its SOOOO CLEAN!!!!!!!!! im guessing bonnie did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i then opened the freezer and same thing!!!!!!! i cant believe it!! how very very very nice!!!!
i just have to take a minute and publically thank kevin and bonnie garrick for what they have done..first they stayed with my girls here at the house when jon took me to brazil for 17 days..then we asked them again to watch our kids while he and i were going to attend that convention..as soon as she heard..they came right away and said they would stay here indefinatly...right now they are living with his mom while they wait for an apartment to open up in the tustin area..so they say they are "homeless" anyway right now..how INCREDIBLY generous of them to do this for our family..its NO easy task in any way what so ever..we will forever be indebted to these two individuals..they are both just like jon and i..calm, collective..easy going..low voices..everything i'd want for my kids..im SO thankful!!! the truly have the light of Christ with them at all times...something thats important to have for my children to experience and remember while jon and i are not home for them..if anyone can ever help kevin and bonnie out here at the home..would be SO helpful to me and im sure them ...since right now they are doing the hardest part!
its SO hard to do this balancing act...be there for jon, be there for the girls, be there for things around the house, and be there for business stuff..i now know how jon felt the past 10 years!!! when your working on something..your feeling guilty about the other 3 things..its that balancing act that i will continue to work on to find..and that is why im SO thankful that kevin and bonnie are there to make one of those things easier on me..i NEVER have to worry about my kids in anyway because i know they are being well taken care of..and my girls LOVE bonnie and kevin!
today was kind of a hard day for me..sometimes i just wish life was the way it "use" to be..a few nights ago i was typing up the blog..and someone had knocked on the door..i just didnt have it in me to go answer it and chit chat with whoever was there..then i heard the door opened..i thought well maybe its just someone from r/s dropping off a meal and they'll just put it in the kitchen..so i just kept on typing..then i heard someone walking down my hall towards the office here and i heard keys..i thought for 2 seconds..wow that sounds like what jon use to sound like..walking down the hall..shaking his keys and then hitting the bathroom for a pit stop before coming into the office..the person turned the corner and it was my friend russell..i of course KNEW it wasnt jon..but it was nice to think that it was for those 2 seconds..
jon only sat up in the chair for a couple of hours today..they say that its like 3 steps forward and one step back..this was just one of those step back days..i ask that you keep praying for him to be acclimated with the chair..he's eating SO MUCH better now! im so happy about that!!!
i also want to ask that no one call the hospital room..jon is usually asleep and then the phone keeps ringing..PLEASE only call my cell phone..my parents the Roberts have the #, the Hales have the #, you can call my home to get the #..but please do not call that room itself..the phone is SUPER loud and keeps waking him up...thanks for understanding...
jon has such tremendous faith right now..i do as well..we firmly believe miracles HAVE happened and WILL happen...we have always tried to live our lives in such a manner to be worthy of such miracles...we only hope that Heavenly Father feels the same way..
he is SOOOOO determined!! we've met person after person...who was in a similar accident..and are in wheel chairs..or cant move much of anything..jon is just determined as ever to do all that he can to be whole again...with Heavenly Fathers help..we believe he can...
i do terribly miss my dear jon...i miss his outrageously tight hugs...his tender kiss..the warmth of his hand..the way he blows his nose so loud in the morning which wakes me up! everything..i just miss everything...i think this weekend..we'll have to do some sort of "date" thing..its important, now more then ever, to keep our relationship strong..i'll have to think of something we can do..maybe just eat together quietly alone..and play a game..or watch a movie..id even like to just be able to lie right next to him...i know he's very worried about me..and keeps telling me to tell him when its too hard..i seem to find myself saying..man it could be SO MUCH WORSE!!!! i truly believe that Christ lived and many miracles happened..and Christ STILL lives this very day and miracles STILL happen this very day- that has never changed and never will..i have no doubt in my mind..all i have to do is look at jon...he's my miracle..in evey sense of the word..how did i get to be so lucky..its just a testimony to me that as we choose righteousness..and make righteous choices..we are literally bless for them...and that my jon is my literal blessing...i love him and will forever

the prayers are REALLY working!!

your prayers are REALLY working!! jon stayed in his chair for a full 4.5 hours!!!! he did so much better today with that...
most of his family were there today, chad,kelly, scott, kellie, mark, jennifer, me and then sheldon..sheldon stayed there all day to be with jon..so nice of him!! he's been a really good friend to jon..it was hard for me to watch such a big guy spoon feeding my husband..and yet it came so naturally to sheldon..it was neat to be a part of that..
his room has a nice patio that opens up--so we all could sit out there and visit while jon was in his bed..he could feel the breeze and hear the birds sing... he really enjoyed that..the gang left to go get lunch and get him some workout shorts..jon was able to sleep for a good hour..during that time sheldon and i talked about a LOT of important things..it was good for me to have that kind of conversation with sheldon..then jon woke up and we talked about the business for a bit..the GDC convention went REALLY well - were so lucky that scott and sheldon took off a whole week of work to do that for jon..this has been jons DREAM to own his own business or atleast to TRY to see if it would work..
i left at around 8pm..chad is spending the night with jon..it will be good for those two to spend quiet time together..all the family will be back again tomorrow to visit again..i hope they remember to bring apples 2 apples!!!
one PT guy or doctor or someone came in this evening before i left and talked with jon..he was TOTALLY surprised that jon could even lift his arms and hands the way he did!! he told us that usually its a whole month before they can even do that- what a miracle!!! he also told jon that in about 3-7 days he'll be able to feel his toes..that shouldnt be a problem...it was very encouraging!!
so amazingly its only 10pm! i can get to bed early tonite! ya!!!
im starting now to think a little about the future..and what needs to take place for that..i personally want to thank celesta for "thinking ahead" and about our future for us..right now everything is so "right now" or at "this moment" for me..im thankful to her and jake thompson for helping to put things in motion for our future..im very blessed to have friendships like that!!
we ask that you continue to pray for him to be acclimated with the chair..and also pray for his eating..he eats VERY VERY little ..and im a little concerned..he thinks he's eaten a lot then when he see's what he's really eaten..its not much..he says he's just "never hungry"..and he's worried about acid reflux or making his sugar level too high..i talked to the doctor and showed him his dinner plate...and he had even said..oh thats hardly anything..i will need to bring this up with the doctor..what a blessing for me it is to listen to the spirit and follow it..thats so important to live your life in such a manner that your able to her the whisperings of the spirit and to act upon them..
he doesnt have his PT schedule yet..but once he does he'll be in more of a daily schedule type thing..on wednesday he's having a "business" meeting with me, his brother scott, and sheldon..there we will go over what the next steps for the business is and what we can do to make this business continue..there was a LOT of buzz at the convention..and now its just a matter of keeping it going..
i cant believe tomorrow is church! some days flew by and some crawled by..time for me to go hit the sack!!

jon sleeps better thru the night

jon went to sleep on his own and did pretty good for the most part his brother todd said...right now they have him in the wheel chair again..he's only been in it for 15 minutes..todd was going to take him outside..man i WISH i was there!!! im getting things settled here and then im heading over myself along with a lot of the family i imagine..
its so neat that everyone wants to be there with jon! nobody wants to leave!! you go there to uplift jon and you find yourself leaving being SO uplifted by him!!

good day for jon

jon had a pretty good day today- it was a lot of evaluation stuff for him..he is set up to do PT 6 times a week..2 times monday thru friday..they say every wednesday is their "update" day ..and thats when they will update jon on his progress and make the next week's goals..
they had him up in a wheel chair for about 1.5 hours..he gets REALLY lightheaded and a bit woosie from sitting up like that..so we have to have him lean back a bit for 5 minutes..hopefully he will get acclimated with the chair..thats the hardest thing they say - once that happens..it gets better...
so far i like the PT's ive met-they seem really nice and upbeat..
he had a cognitive therapist type person come in..and ask him question about his memory and congnitive stuff..i had to laugh because one of the questions was who is the president of the US - he said George Bush..then she asked who is the VP? he said OH MAN im SOOOO bad with names!!!!!!!!! and if anyone knows jon -- they KNOW he's SO BAD with names!!! he said.."oh man.. now im TOTALLY nervous!! am i going to bomb this??? i dont keep up with celebrities or politicians!!!" after a minute or two he remembered..but i had to laugh because i know him SO well that way!! so he passed his cognitive test with flying colors..they will be helping him with his voice..jon feels that that could use some improvement..he was SUCH a great singer..i miss that! but to me it sounded like his normal voice..but it wont hurt..he said "it cant be as hard as PT! ill just be talking mostly right!?!?!"
he took a few naps here and there..then at 5pm all 4 girls came..that was SO FUN and SO NEAT!! his room has a little courtyard off of it..so they could go in and out the whole time..there is a table with chairs out there too..and its fenced in so they cant escape..they were just busy eating ALL of jons candy!!! someone gave us a HUGE thing of licorice..so jon had me set it out by the door and its now called the "visitors vine"..he wants his visitors to have one when they come in or leave..
rachel realized just how bad things were..she didnt realize that he couldnt move anything..so we explained why he was there and made things make more sense to her..she sure didnt seem too worried about anything..so that was comforting..it was SO great to see them -its wierd when you dont see your kids much then ALL of a sudden they are HUGE!!!!
then paul and kelly dobbert came in- those two are HILARIOUS! we love them so much!! they brought us some del taco - and again if anyone knows jon - he should have stock in del taco!! he LOVES their green bean and cheese burritos..so they brought massive amounts of del taco for us..jon was worried about acid reflux..he'd been having it the night before and a little thru the day..so he only had about 4 bites of it..but they brought him sprite ..which is funny..because whenever we all go out to eat for dinner..jon i think drinks 18 glasses of sprite!!! so paul bought the HUGEST cup of sprite ever!!! jon was in heaven!!! they also brought him some workout pants and tshirts...one tshirt was a gaming tshirt (ninetendo) the other was a shirt that said "i do all my own stunts" - we were ROLLING!!! it was SO fun having them there..it was just like old times..hanging with our friends again..it was nice to escape what was going on in our world right now...then they left a little before 9pm and jons brother todd came to stay thru the nite with them...
we seemed to ALWAYS get the nazi nurse!!! the head nurse told us that we are not allowed to have visitors stay all night..we explained to them our situation and our feelings about things..she said it was okay now since we are new..i told her..right now he cant do much of anything!! sure there is this big button he can push..but it takes you guys a LONG time to actually come in here!! sometimes his eyes just start burning for NO reason -- were here to put drops in them..what if he's choking on something - he cant even cough anything up!!! im not willing to risk that much..anyway - i was getting frustrated..jon said that we would talk to george our go to guy on monday when he comes back in for work..but as of now..family is staying..i think i may have to leave the 3 lawyers cards again from the hales brothers!!! that seems to always make things rolling!
when i left at 930 jon was heading off to sleep..he didnt take any anxiety medicine the night before..only a sleeping pill..and then tonite he didnt take either of those..so hopefully he just falls asleep on his own more naturally..
tomorrow all of the family will be here..chad and kelly drove down from up north...and so we will all just be hanging out with jon..chad will stay all night with him HOPEFULLY tomorrow nite..
we would like to specifically ask that you pray for jon to be able to be acclimated with his chair- this is a HUGE hurdle for him right now..he cant do much until he gets use to the chair and being sit up into it..so please pray for that..everything else seems to be doing well..he said that he can feel the toes been squeezed on the right side..the nurse had put an abdomen wrap on him and when she took it off..he was laying flat on the bed..and when she pulled it from underneath him..he said he could totally feel that..so we'll just have to be patient and wait to see how he progresses...once again it was hard to leave him..i just really want him HOME SO BAD!!! i want to be able to sleep next to him and not worry about some nurse trying to kick me out...i want him to be here to see the girls and his family..to just be in his own enviornment..he's so grateful to have me there with him so much..he knows its so terribly hard on me..i tell him i have so much help from our ward and from our families..im very lucky..but he knows deep inside its hard for me still..and yes it truly is hard deep inside..im good at making things seem fine..but i know its important to feel those feelings of "its hard"..but what we do with those "feelings" is whats most important..today jon and i had a good 10 minute cry together..i think it was good for the both of us..its funny how you ALWAYS seem to feel better after a good long cry!!
thank you to everyone praying for him..remember the specific one of the chair..the breathing thing has TOTALLY been taken care of!!! were SO grateful! and its because of ALL of you and the specific prayers..its SO wonderful to see progress and its SO wonderful to see our prayers working!!!! what a testiment!!! we tell eachother..science and medicine doesnt heal...faith and HF heal..physically and most importantly spiritually...after all..were not human beings having spiritual experiences..were spiritual beings having human experiences...

New directions

Here is an alternate route to Loma Linda Hospital. Traffic is congested on the freeway due to it being Friday.

Take Alessandro (toward Moreno Valley)to Mason
Take a left at Mason
Turn right on Ironwood
Take a left on Redlands (follow all the way through the canyon)
Take a left on San Timoteo Canyon Rd. (follow all the way until it dead ends)
Take a left on Barton
Take a left on Benton

It will be the first parking lot on the left
You will see a spanish style courtyard
Room 15

jons night

jon took a sleeping pill and was able to sleep 4 hours straight without waking up..after that when he did wake up his dad just did the same thing i did with jon to get him back to sleep quickly again and it worked...
as of now he is with the PT guys doing an evaluation..then they'll go from there..

i wanted to let you all know..that day by day or week by week once we have his goals for PT we will let you know what they are ..we are asking that you pray and or fast for the VERY SPECIFIC things we ask for via this blog..i think that has been key for his recovery -- were so grateful for EVERYONE that is taking part in his progress- together we ALL are progressing! its ESPECIALLY comforting to jon to hear how the children are fasting for him as well and watching his updates - to them especially with tears in his eyes- he says thank you to you..what a blessing it is to see our children becoming more like Christ through Jon..

Friday Morning

i have yet to go see jon or hear how he is doing..i imagine he's already doing therapy with his dad..i couldnt reach roberts cell phone either..
right now im helping scott and sheldon with some work stuff then im heading out..i should probably grab something to eat since im starving!!!
once i hear more news i will get an update again on here- thanks for your patience

jons new home

so jon is in his new home.. loma linda rehab (east campus)..its a nice place..friendly staff...its shared rooms- BUGGED..but as of now no one is in there with him..they are really nice about letting us stay the nite with him so that is great..there are other people there doing that too..they just bring like fold out cots..i picked one up today for whoever stays there- we've been just sitting in a chair this whole past week!
when we left the hospital..ALL the nurses and PT's were SO SAD!!! they didnt want jon to leave at all..they LOVED his room! all of his posters, family and friends..and especially jon..they told him.."when you walk again..you come right back to us okay!" jon said I PROMISE I WILL!!! it was neat..
jons doing really well still...no complaints..the nurse gave him a body bath and jon said he could fell pretty much everything..he could tell her exactly where she was bathing him..he actually even felt it down his chest and stomach on the right hand side..so that was encouraging!!
then the doctor came in..start poking and proding at him..he very LIGHTLY poked jons toes to see if he could feel them..jon of course said no..anyway - the doctor told him he has about a 1-2% chance..jon said bring it on...ill take that 1-2% chance..the doctor did say that there have been 1-2% chancers that walk right out that door..so he's hoping for us too..jons dad said.."doctor, your going to see some miracles here"...
so we shall see!! tomorrow he has therapy started..he will be doing it 3 hours a day..its VERY scheduled out his whole days..i hope he likes that.. more of a routine thing vs sitting in bed all day...
i always HATE driving home!!!!! its usually very late..by myself..at night..tonite i cried the whole way home..i kept thinking man i hate having to leave him...i wish sometimes life was like it use to be..ill be SO happy when he's just back in our home again..no matter what his condition..just in my home again...then i thought im so lucky that ATLEAST i have somewhere to go see him..that he's alive..i cant imagine what people go thru knowing they have no where to go see their loved one..who am i to EVEN complain!! so i pulled myself together before i walked thru the door..im much better now..so VERY VERY exhausted though!!
i had to laugh..rachel caught 2 lizards from erin thompsons house..and she made a huge poster and taped it to the back of bonnie's van that said lizard for sale 6.75 includes the container..i saw the container on the table by my front door and i though OH CUTE! ill leave 6.75 and let the little lizard escape..but she had already put it back into its little cage i guess..im REALLY not any kind of a pet fan!! i make her keep all her "pets" in the garage- im so mean!!! i just prefer not to have a lizard hanging in my kitchen where i eat breakfast- just creeps me out!!
well its now 1230am..i REALLY need sleep..we shall see how tomorrow goes!!

these are the directions to the rehab place..take 215 north to washington..it will turn into barton road..follow that down and when you get to Benton turn right at that light and immediatly left into that parking lot..then you enter right there..it looks like a spanish style entrance..walk STRAIGHT back all the way to room 15 i think..once your all the way back go to your right and he's the last door on your left...

he's going to his new home!!!

sorry for so many posts!!!! but this one will be good i promise!! todd from loma linda just called and asked for permission to get him over there..so were good to go...he will head over there THIS AFTERNOON!!!!! i do have gym clothes that he can wear right now..so ill bring those with..he said he wants jon OUT of the gown and INTO regular clothes so he feels more human then a pin cushion...im SO EXCITED!!!

okay so here's the info on loma linda..it is the East Campus area that he's going too...
essentially take the 215 North then exit Washington St which will turn into barton Road and he's on the corner of barton rd and barton st...right side..
its called the Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus 909-558-4229

what is jons business?? www.outsourcereport.com

Many people are asking what exactly does jon do anyway?? jon for the past 10 years has been working in the gaming industry..i know he's worshipped by ALL of the deacons around the world!!!
the past couple of years he's worked his way up to be an "Art Director"..meaning he has anywhere from 10-30 artist under him that he manages..but he doesnt just manage..he's also working right in there in the middle of things...he's not one of those guys that tells them they have to work 16 hour days because they are in a crunch and then goes out to lunch or home..nope he's working those SAME 16 hours..he says it makes a BIG difference when their boss guy is willing to work just as hard as they do!!
last september..he decided to change some things..he was commutting clear from riverside to santa monica 2.5 hours each way...he feels he's missed out on his family for the past 10 years..so he now is working on starting up his own business from home..he now commutes down the stairs in his shorts and shirt! he loves it! he has developed a "information service" company for the gaming industry..his website that he created..but had someone else code it all together is www.outsourcereport.com with that it is a database of information for "providers" who can do work and "developers" who need the work done..the way the money is made is the "providers" pay us for advertising (jon also does a montly magazine in which he does all interviews,writes all articles and designs it all himself..then we send to canada for it to be printed up and mailed out thru the entire US) and the "developers" pay us a subscription fee per year for the online database and magazine as well as a monthly fee to use certain "levels" of the database online..
so that in a nutshell is what our business is..and hopefully we can still make it happen! thankfully with technology today..he should be able to use a voice activated PC and voice activated keyboard..i know one guy that runs his entire website from his wheel chair..so the possibility is still there!
hope that helped to clear that up!

great night again

i talked to jons mom this am..i didnt get to bed till 2am..one of those thinking thru the nite things...but i did sleep in till 9am..so that was good! jons mom sandra said he did good thru the nite..they actually have him a sleeping pill vs the anxiety medication..and when he woke up thru the nite... it wasnt so bad..he requested that he be moved every 2 hours..so the nurses were good about that too..this am when he finally woke..he felt SO happy that he wasnt so grogged out from the other stuff...
the PT guys have already come in TWICE today!!! jons a go getter!!! his fever is at 99.3 still..they say its common because when your lying down so much everything settles in your lungs..so he continues to do his breathing thingy (he calls them his breathing dumbells) hes actually got his number to almost 2000!!! AMAZING!!! they told him the more he sits up the better his lungs will be..his body is fighting it off well..maybe thats why he stayed sitting up for 17 minutes yesterday!!!
all in all he's doing well..today again would be good for visitors! he told me last nite.."i hope your not turning people away!!!" i told him people understand..and they'd rather see you getting rest then chit chatting with them..so no worries..now that he's doing good..it would be good for people..keep in mind it takes a lot of wind out of him and breathing to carry on a conversation..so if you can-- you yourself try to do most the talking...
i am now on my way to the LOVELY dmv - ugh- but atleast his car will be registered and i wont get any tickets!! tracy is with him now caring for him..then mark should be there shortly... he'll stay till 2pm..then ill take over ..then robert will stay thru the nite..
thanks again to everyone for all of your help -- its just been so wonderful!! soon here jon will be getting out of his cute night gown..and into some regular clothes..my mom is on her way getting him some fresh white garments..mom-- he's going to LOVE THAT!!! thanks!! i imagine he'll be in some sort of workout gear type stuff..loose clothing..he only has one pair of gym type pants and NO SHORTS!! if anyone would like..he could use some more gym type sweat pants..the loose kind..not the tight sweats kind...the one he has now says XL..so get a L or XL..as well as some gym shorts..again L or XL..maybe make sure they have a tie so he can keep it around his 32 waist - i know ALL the 33 year old men and older are jealous he still wears a size 32 waist and has a 6 pack!!! also some tshirts would be good...i know he's a small guy BUT he has a big heart!! he likes to wear size large in the t shirts...also some fresh white gym socks would be good for him.. he does have gym shoes so were good on that..i hope thats not asking too much of anyone..but he's going to be spending the next 4-6 weeks working out..so he'll love it!

thank you everyone! its sure a lot easier to do this with so much help! look later for a fun surprise on my blog from jon -- i hope you enjoy it when it comes!!

what exactly happened?

ive realized that a lot of you dont even know exactly what happened..sorry the information is swirling around and getting confused! this is an account of what happened last thursay:

Jon has had a love for motorcycles since about 16 years old..of course he parents wisely said "no thanks" to that idea...

about 7 years ago he was able to get his own motorcycle.. he would use that to commute to and from work where as we could only afford one vehicle..for his 30th bday i bought him a REALLY sweet motorcycle that he had always wanted..he also used that to commute to and from work..but mostly for pleasure..

he has been and used dirt bikes before in the past...

last thursday jon was riding a 120..he went up the hill and was coming down and hill..wasnt going very fast..he said he just "hit the wrong rock/bump" and he flipped over the handle bars..he had over extended his neck..meaning he had put his chin REALLY close to his chest- too much so..when he landed he had his C5 had obliterated..he was totally aware and awake and knew INSTANTLY what had happened..he knew right away that he couldnt feel anything from his shoulders down..he said he even felt and heard a pop sound..he knew he was "done for the day" his exact words he told sheldon..

the paramedics were called out and rushed to him..they accessed him and quickly had him in an ambulance..as the ambulance drove the bumpy roads..they decided it was too dangerous and called for a helicopter to life flight him in..they waited an HOUR before it got there- the wierd thing was the hospital was only 10 minutes BY CAR!!!

sheldon mcgee and jake thompson say he was in SUCH good spirits..almost in humor..he kept saying..im so sorry i ruined your day..and your bike..and your gear...ill totally pay you back for everything..im sooo sorry..he kept telling them..its not that bad..sall good..its not a big deal..really he's fine..

the MRI initually showed that there was severe damage at the c5 part of the spinal cord..they couldnt tell how bad..due to the swelling..and there was extensive nerve damage..and only time prayers and hope would tell what the outcome would be..

so there you have it- ive realized some people knew what happened and some only have bits and pieces and are trying to put it together..sorry for the confusion - hope this helped!

still doing well

jon is still doing well..i came to see him around 730pm..he was doing great..he was chatting with his friend camille hughes and kellie hales..scott called from the convention and told him that everything was going well..and that they were enjoying themselves!
Camille left and then so did kellie..kellie didnt want to leave..she thoroughly enjoyed herself there! she said it was SO good for her to be there- its really helped her!! jon had a great day - im glad she was able to see him happy like that..and doing so many new things!!!
She then left and so it was me and kristen thompson..this is the first time she had actually gotten to see him - she said to him .."i now jon is your man christina..but i just really want to hold his hand!" jon laughed and said its theraputic for him - so go right a head and hold his hand and move it around..whatever she wanted..it would only help him!
soon then sandra came in to spend the night with him..he's going to take some stuff to clear his stuffy nose so that he doesnt have to take the anxiety medication..he did NOT like the hallucinations and all that went with it!! so hopefully it works and he's able to blissfully get to sleep...
they say he's going to loma linda TOMORROW!!!! so if your going to go visit him..make sure you know just exactly where he is at! were all excited to see where his new digs are going to be..we heard they have plasma tvs in the rooms! that it all got remodeled..so we shall see!!
jon had to laugh..he said since i put the request out for gummy bears and twizzlers..he now has like a years supply of it!!! so were all good on that stuff- he says hes going to have to be careful..the blood sugar level will go up again! he was as high as 156..then this am was 113 and this afternoon down to 86...but after the candy..oops back to 121!!! so he'll have to be careful about that...
Well he's doing great for visitors..just make sure you know where he is at..his brother mark hales is flying in from utah tomorrow at 7am to be with him during the day...then i will go later during the day..got to get jons car over to the DMV to finish up the registration on it..then jons dad will come stay the night..jons brother chad is driving down with his family of 4 boys on friday carpooling with sheldon and scott in my truck (6 hour drive) and will stay with him..and then jons sister kristi and her hubby will fly in and be with him for a while too..he's so lucky!!
well its 2 minutes till midnite! im off to bed..thanks again everyone!!

the afternoon is even better

I called my sister in law kellie at 3pm after i slept for an update...she said he's doing great..and that the PT people came in and worked with him.. he even sat up off the edge of the bed again (of course with their help) for 17 MINUTES!!!!!!!!! can you EVEN believe that!?!??!?!?! they were totallly amazed!!!!! jon is SUCH a fighter!!!!! he's one of those types that thru this process..they will say "okay lets do this 5 times"..and he'll do it 7 times-he doesnt settle for the "basic"..he pushes himself..he ALWAYS has and ALWAYS will..he doesnt do anything mediocore in life...
they also had him lying on his left side and he slept like that for 30 minutes..it was great!
he ate more of his lunch today..and he's just been enjoying spending time with kellie and helping her to prepare for her politicial science midterm exam tomorrow..thank you for everyone to allow him time to rest today..
i hope i dont hurt anyones feelings here about what i am going to say next..but here it goes -- please know i appreciate all the encouraging things and uplifting calls and emails...there are a lot of people who know people that have been in the same injury types as jon..and they'd all like to come see jon and tell their stories to encourage him...we feel that at this time..jon REALLY wants to go thru this with a fresh mind..and not to be comparing his trial with anyone elses..its like having a baby..each time you deliver your baby..its COMPLETLEY different from the one before..atleast in my case..all 4 of my deliveries were totally different..and totally different from the next woman..i LOVED that i got to experience it myself..and didnt try to compare it to anyone elses...jons the same way about his injury, recovery, rehabilitation, everything..he is SOOOOOOOO positive..its his nature...he's even MORE faithful..its his nature...he tells me over and over..im so excited to see what lessons and the growth he'll make thru this trial..big and small miracles are happenning to him..there are guys in there STILL struggling..the fact that jon is doing so much already in LESS then ONE WEEK of his injury??? that is TRULY a miracle!!!!! and ALL OF YOU made that possible..together our prayers, fasting, strength and MORE IMPORTANTLY our faith - our faith that any of this would even matter..that any of this would even work...well my family and friends..simply put...it has...we are all so blessed to be able to witness this and be a part of it and to see it happen like this in this time in our lives..dont forget about this experience..its as much YOUR experience as it is ours...remember the feelings we are all having..they are VERY real and very tender...HF does love us, he does hear us, and he is real..
anyway - i say this so that anyone that goes into see him at the hospital..doesnt say "well i know someone and now he's walking and doing great..or he's in a wheelchair and has a happy life"..jon is SERIOUSLY focused with HF's help to experience his own trial..he's so encouraged by his faith, the Gospel, the priesthood, his wife, his family and his friends...
anyway - i hope that made sense as to what i was trying to convey..our biggest fear would be that he gets so sad and frustrated because he cant do this or that..but someone else could..he's ready to just take it one day at a time and experience his own recovery..
if sis. dalton is reading this from my ward...please contact us so that we can utitilize you to talk to our older 2 maybe 3 girls..we have been careful NOT to say "daddy might not walk again"..were not sure if they can wrap their minds around that quite yet..but we dont want to lead them thru this blindly..im just doing my best to follow the spirit as to what to say to my children..so far they are doing great..as we speak they are at erins house who lives on an acre and they are out there finding lizards for jacob pendeltons birthday on saturday! too cute!! that has always been our dream to live on an acre so that rachel can go be her "tomboy" little self!! she's just in HEAVEN over there im sure!!! thank you erin and bonnie for letting her play there..its right up her alley!!!
so the plan for tonite is sandra jons mother will stay thru the nite..using my technique to help him to stay asleep..then i will come during the day (tracy im good now we've got it worked out-maybe we can do half and half type thing)..then robert will come stay thru the nite tomorrow..then the rest of jons family is ANXIOUS to "hang with their bro" as they say!! the family will be able to do it clear thru tuesday of next week..im SOOOOO incredibly BLESSED to be apart of the hales family..as tears are streaming down my face right now..where would we be without them...the love in that family is SO geniune and SO very real..they were taught the correct principle of love..as our friends get to know his parents and siblings..thats one of the first things they say...what an amazing family he has..the love is so real!
last night i felt inspired to bring jons patriartichal blessing and read it to him..he was so overjoyed..as he said "honey, thats why i love you and married you! you follow the spirit and do exactly what your prompted to do...i really wanted to read that too!" where would we be right now without the Gospel..true knowledge of our life before, now and after..its SO comforting and puts jon and i at such ease and contentment..may we honor our pioneers who struggled for us to enjoy the feelings of peace and contentment by following the commandments..and doing what we know to be true and correct...

Oh what a beautiful morning! -(oklahoma style)

Ohhhhhhhh what a beautiful morning!!! thank you to rebecca from Huntington Beach who drove ALL the way to my house to give me a CD with that song on it..i also used the blanket last nite as i stayed over night with jon...

last night i came to jons room...his dad was still there taking care of him..he didnt eat much dinner..didnt feel too hungry he says...jon hendrickson was there along with camille hughes...jons father and jon hendrickson gave my jon a blessing..afterwards...holding back tears in his eyes jon hendrickson told my jon.."ya know i had a couple premonitions...one being that i would take part in a blessing for you ..which JUST happened..and the other that you were walking with a cane.." my jon was excited to hear about that!!

they soon left and it was just me and jon..we waited CLEAR till 1230am last nite before they gave him the anxiety medication which takes 30 minutes to set in..and then once he had that 10 minutes later they gave him the breathing treatment..which he says when he does he can literally feel the oxygen going clear thru his arms and out his toes even! he loves it! it put him right to sleep and he slept solid for 40 minutes..then he woke up almost in a panick..asking "where am i..whats going on..how come i cant move"..i was careful not to startle him or tell him he was in a hospital ..from an accident..things of that nature...instead i told him.."your alright..im right here with you in bed...were sleeping..breathe in thru your nose and out thru your mouth like this" ...and helped him to follow my pattern - thanks tracy for the tip! totally worked!!!!!!! he would do this every 10 minutes..wake up a bit startled..but i calmly talked him back into sleep..he then moved to every 20 minutes..then 30 minutes..then one hour at a time..each time less and less startled..i would just keep saying.."jon your doing great..im proud of you...we're just sleeping..im right by your side here..breathe thru your nose"..he would only be awake for 5-10 seconds and then boom..back to deep sleep...keep in mind this is the FIRST time he's made it to deep sleep or REM sleep since LAST wednesday!!! so you can imagine falling completely asleep and then walking up to feeling what he's feeling- its a bit scary!!! but that night i asked HF to help me to know the things to say and do to help him stay calm..which was CRUCIAL for him...HF stepped in and i was provided with the right things to say...whatever came to my mind..i simply said quietly and calmly...he slept CLEAR till 730am!!!!!!!!!!! it was AMAZING!! hence my title "oh what a beautiful morning"..he said he was SOOOOO very grateful for me-- he was SOOO happy he could get "real sleep" for once!!! he's so scared at nite..but not last nite..
this am he felt super groggy..he THINKS its because of that anxiety medicine..but it had been 9 hours..i told him its probably because he had REAL sleep..i myself can HARDLY get myself to wake up!!! i started him eating his breakfast and moving things around..he didnt want to be sluggish and grougy for the PT guys coming in..they wanted to put him in a wheel chair today - so he didnt want to be out for that!!
the nurses came in and moved things around for him..he could even tell you which way his toes were going..he cant move them..but if someone else can..he knows...same thing with his knees..he can tell you which one it is and what your doing with it - its awesome!!

so today he's pretty sleepy..it should be an okay day to see him..he is there now with my sister in law kellie hales..i told kellie to not be shy about letting people know if he's not up for visitors..jon can only take so much..and he's WAY too nice to send anyone home...if anyone does go down today PLEASE bring him gummy bears or worms or licorice...something to help keep his mouth wet...he's still very dry..and thats why he wakes up at nite..and then he just gets startled..i talked to the doctor about getting him something for his dry nose..that maybe if he just had something to help with that..something basic like sudafed or anything like that..he could probably get to sleep without the anxiety medication..the only reason he woke up last nite was because his mouth was dry..

well im THRILLED that we had such a good nite together..im now going to go take a shower and hit the sack..im totally exhausted!!!

thank you everyone again for all your prayers, emails, phone calls, cards, service, just everything..he tells me.."i cant believe this many people even like me!?!? im just jon!!" but i tell him..he's not JUST jon...he's so much more..

its been interesting to go thru this journey so far..to be so let down so so so many times..it seems HF always does it that way..you get pushed till you give up and surrender to whatever the possibility lies ahead..then boom a simple small miracle happens..and your encouraged to trust in the Lord..thats really how my entire life has been..i always say to myself..well here comes the part where i go to the BITTER end...and then HF steps in..like that saying "after every storm..there comes a rainbow" i truly feel that this beautiful morning...

i CANT believe it!!!!!!

WHAT a day today has turned out to be!!!! everyone - your prayers did EXACTLY what we needed them to do - to the core!!! thank you so VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!!!

as of now he's still breathing on his own..he gets a breathing treatment that helps to open up his lungs and it actually puts him to sleep!! he's so relaxed now and comfortable!!! no more oxygen..no more IV..no more needles! its just my jon in a bed with the neck brace- LOVE HIM!!!!

while i was there the PT guy from loma linda came in and accessed him and said he is the kind of person and canidadate that we all go to school and do this for!!! hes awesome and i cant WAIT to see his progress!!!! he's going to rock!!!! his physic is perfect, he has the best family and friend support he's EVER seen, and jon has the best attitude and "ready to roll" attitude- he just LOVES it!! the PT guy can HARDLY wait!!! he said that jon would be in loma linda for 4-6 weeks..thats how much the insurance will cover..and then if he's doing good he'll be coming HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

even the nurses were ALL CRYING!!!!! they are so touched by jon!!!! they said he's one patient they'll remember their whole lives!! theyve been praying for him too!!

then some other PT people came in and had him sit up on the bed to look out the window..he kept looking at me and telling me how beautiful i was..im so lucky!! the PT people couldnt BELIEVE that he could ALREADY sit up like that with minimal support and NOT throw up or get dizzy or want to faint!!!!!!!! they were literally amazed!!!!!! they said this is HIGHLY unusual that he can do any of this!!!!!
they were moving his leg up and closer to his chest and he said i think youve bent my right knee and are moving it- the PT guy was so shocked! he was SO excited!!!
they all just cant wait to transfer him -- they say friday but they are all pushing for him to go WAY WAY earlier! they are all just "ready to roll"!!! its become our motto i think!!!

his dad is still with him..im here at home trying to be with my girls..i will go in tonite to be with him thru the nite..im just SO happy for him - you can see how his entire countenance has changed- he's exuding PURE sweet happiness! i just cant even tell you!!

the bishop came in with his wife and he and jons dad gave him a blessing..it was wonderful...

chad thompson our EQP JUST came by and took my keys to go get that smog check - so ryan its taken care of- i cant believe how quickly things get done!!!

well im going to have my first meal in 5 days with my girls- thank you all again so very much!!!! im in heaven!!!

The prayers are working

Christina called and asked me to post an update, so I will do my best.



It's 3:00 p.m. and the prayers are working. Jon was given anxiety medicine earlier today. When they gave him the medication they took out the oxygen tubes and put on an oxygen mask. He was able to fall asleep, but the oxygen mask dried him out and he woke up choking and gasping for water. They decided to remove all the oxygen and the I.V. since he is eating so well. Jon's dad put in some classical music and Jon was able to sleep peacefully.
The physical therapist moved Jon to the edge of the bed to sit up and Jon said it felt like his head was sitting on top of a water balloon.
The Chaplin comes in every morning and this morning he asked if he could say a prayer. Jon's dad was holding his hand and then during the prayer Jon lifted his arm and folded them (exciting progress).
Jon was able to get his breathing treatment to 1750, yesterday afternoon it was 750. Jon looks great and Christina was so excited to walk into the room and see Jon without any tubes.
Thanks for all the support and prayers. It is comforting to Jon and his family to know they have so many people to lean on. Keep up the good work and let's make sure we are here for their family as the months go on. So pace yourselves!

need help

i JUST remembered that i need someone to go get a smog check on jons vehicle and then i can get the new tags for it..its due in march..so were still okay..so if anyone is available to run it thru a smog check that'd be wonderful..im not sure if it has to be the owner or what...

thanks!


i also need our health insurance agent Williamn Pollard to be on top of our insurance..and make sure thats all going smooth and to help me understand what is covered and what isnt and if there are any issues with that...i believe mark mckell would be the best contact to get Mr. Pollards cell number..
thanks again

Rough Night

Well its now 1215pm...i didnt get to sleep until 2am last nite..constantly thinking about changes in our home, our lives, with eachother etc..it was comforting to have sarah sleep in my bed with me..we are going to have the older 2 girls switch each nite so that i am not sleeping in that big master bedroom so alone..it was really comforting to have a warm body next to me!!
I just got done talking to jons mom who is actually asleep in her car in my drive way!! she says shes just so tired and super comfy in there she's staying put for a bit...
she told me jon had a horrible night last nite..his major issue is STILL his breathing..he's having MAJOR MAJOR anxiety about his breathing -if ANYONE knows ANYTHING about this - PLEASE email me and give me extra tips as to what we can do..were leaving the lights on during the nite a little..he fears that when he sleeps he stops breathing..which sometimes he does..and it totally scares him so he's getting anxiety attacks and his heart rate jumps up..they DID give him some anxiety medication to see if that would help to relax his nerves about all this..we'll see if that helps anything..but again he had no sleep thru the nite..
its VERY frustrating for me as his wife to be going home each nite SO hopeful only to wake in the morning to find out how bad it was...UGH!!! i just want to scream!!!
They did give sandra results of the MRI taken..and it shows that the spinal cord is dead at the C5 where he was injured..and told that he would not be able to use his legs...she did say that he feels the pressure on them so that has to mean something! but of course doctors give you the worst cause science scenerio and the HF takes it from there..so were still hopeful..and we'll work with what ever is dealt our way..even if it means no legs..
we did put in a request to have him transferred to loma linda..it was either that or corona or san bernadino..we picked loma linda because brad carlson has friends that can look out for him there and we've heard so much about loma linda..its about 30 minutes i believe from where i am at near redlands..
he STILL has his temp of 100.5...so it hasnt subsided..there was going to be talk of getting him on an antibotic for fear of that starting the pnemonia..
sandra did talk to him about the swelling in his feet and was told to keep working with them..rubbing them..elevating them more..working his legs so the swelling goes down...
as of right now PLEASE PLEASE with all your might pray that his anxiety goes away..and that the medication works in his favor and he's able to rest...and continue with better progress...he is in good hands with his dad right now..im so grateful!
i am SO BUSY at home..ive been working with scott and sheldon who are at the GDC convention..jon set up meetings with different people to discuss our business..so im trying to help that continue to be facilitated and in motion..
i now need to start the paper work for the disability insurance..then i will go down to the hospital to talk to dawn about loma linda and my insurance and what i need to be doing...
one thing at a time for me..i HATE to see jon suffering like this ..its just tearing me apart in every direction of my fragile heart...thats where HF steps in to fill in those holes with his comfort and peace and the love of my family and friends..each one of you seals up the holes in my heart..i thank you for that..
keep up the prayers- as jon says- "sall good...we'll lick this!"

Today ended better then it started...

seems like each day ends up better then it started--probably best for me so i can get some sleep...
last nite jons mother sandra stayed with him at the hospital..im so very grateful! i woke this am at 730- took my shower and quickly ate a bowl of cereal and headed out the door..again very anxious to see jon and find out how things went thru the night.
seems like he had a pretty good night. The staff was very friendly and happy to let Sandra stay the night. That morning they gave him his usual pills..one of them being the anti-depressant..Sandra and jon flatly refused and told the nurses he would NOT be taking the anti-depressant and that it NEEDS to be taken off his chart immediatley! The doctor needs to be the one to have that removed so we talked to him to get that taken care of ...we dont want to not be watching and have that get slipped into him.
Sandra gave me the run down..informing me that the doctor said he could be out of this hospital and transfered to loma linda for physical therapy as soon as the end of this week!! i was in shock!! great news!!
sadly jons still having the same issues with his breathing..he was able to sleep as well as sandra here and there thru the night...the oxygen EVEN WITH the humidifier thing they run it thru still keeps his nose and eyes and everything SO dry -its very frustrating for jon and his nose is so congested, irritated and dry..its very difficult for him to breathe..its almost like when you cant breath- like someone is sitting on you and your struggling..and you begin to panick..and cant get yourself to breath..its similiar to that kind of feeling (thank you tracy for explaining it to me!!) he would get SUCH HIGH anxiety about breathing!!! right before lunch time im able to calm him down a bit and clear out his nose and it WORKS..only lasts for about 10 minutes but he says i had the magic touch and he's truly in heaven now!!! he was SOOOOOOOOOOO happy!!! he ate almost his entire lunch and was just tickled to death that he could breath!! then those lovely precious 10 minutes are up..and its back to ground zero again...
i continued to try ALLLLLLL day to try to get back to those heavenly 10 minutes of great breathing..all to no avail..i was on my feet i think literally the ENTIRE time (12 hours) i was there...today he didnt even sleep one bit...
i try to do a lot of stretching to his arms..i had at one point taken his arm and put his fingers on his forhead..he said THAT was the wierdest thing!! he said it was like it was someone elses hand on his head!!
the physical therapist comes Dan who had a dirt bike accident and is now in a wheel chair not able to feel from his waist down..very cool guy! he does some physical therapy with jon and tells me all the things i can do with him during the day and that i can work out his legs and feet too...he says that he should start having his therapy already everyday!! he informs us that there are 2 guys upstairs with jons same injury that are STILL in ICU --its been 30 days for them both and neither of them can even get off the respitory machine!! the fact that jon had his accident thursday..followed by surgery..NEVER having to use the respitory machine...NOT having any pain medication..feeling some touch and pressure that he does ONLY 4 days after is truly amazing! he is SO excited about jons "ready to roll" attitude! its making all the difference - i told he LITERALLY has THOUSANDS of people praying for him!! and not just for him to get better but very specific things!!!
jon sadly is still just very EXHAUSTED from this breathing issue...he now begins to get a fever of 101.5...the doctor is worried that pnemonia is starting to settle in..they tell him he should try the breathing treatment again to have that open up his lungs for more air...to keep water out of it..and to keep from his lungs collapsing..thats a common thing to have happen especially when your just lying down and not moving..meanwhile im realizing how quickly im beginning to feel weak and so very tired myself..i had high hopes that i could stay all day and all night..right then his mom sandra called and said she was able to go home..take a shower and slept til 3pm and she's feeling awake and rested and anxious to help jon thru the night if i needed..i simply said - that would be WONDERFUL!! i cant make it - im afraid i'll be TOO cranky with jon tonite if i stay!!! i was SO relieved!!
soon there after rachel and sarah came in..at first rachel (8) is VERY timid..on the other hand sarah (6) my "no holds bar" child jumps right on the chair like nothing happened and starts gabbing away!! they had made posters with an 8x10 photo i had taken of them earlier in the year (thats framed in individual frames on my living room wall) along with a message for dad to hang in his room...rachel starts to warm up to the new enviornment..i was careful to cover jon with a blanket from the neck down..i was worried about them seeing so many needles and tubes coming out of jons left hand! we talked a little..they shared their posters..SO CUTE!! thanks bonnie and tracy and who ever else helped to make that happen!! ive got them taped up!! i try to start the conversations by asking them what happened in THEIR day..sarah begins to tell me that scott took them to petco and he put a lizard on sarahs head-THANKS scott!!!! and then rachel tells me that scott put a taranchula on her head - THANKS A LOTTTT SCOTT!!!!!!!! dont worry - some day i will pay you back when im watching one of YOUR kids!!!! hehehe
i thought rachel would ask a jillion questions..but she only asked like 3..one being..is dad really going to be in here for 12 weeks?? i said no..hopefully only till friday..then to a different place..then we'll see how long...soon after..they were done with dad and more interested in those 17 brownies and 5 dozen cookies i have!! i notice that jons having a hard time trying to breath still..so i tell the girls its time to get going home and i'd be there soon...
he does the breathing treatment and begins to notice that its working! he starts to feel more confident about his breathing..he has to breath into this thingy - im too tired to explain! but all day he's only been able to get to 750..after ONE treatment he shoots it up to almost 1250!!!!! i teach him to breath not so much with his stomach and diaphram..but also make his chest get big..he starts to do that and realizes the difference that makes...he says its just SO wierd that he cant tell when he's breathing! he literally has to think about it! especially to think about making BIG DEEP breaths so he doesnt get a collapsed lung..he's feeling optimistic and so i feed him dinner...i called my sister in law celene..it was her bday - HAPPY BDAY CELENE!! jon sings an ENTIRE bday song to her and she told him that was the BEST bday present she's ever received!!! jon was in SUCH a great mood- it was the old jon we all love and adore!!! he happily ate almost his entire GROSS CAFETERIA dinner..i noticed there was a bowl of fruit..and asked if he wanted that- he LOVESSSSSSSSS fruit- so he was in heaven!!! breathing and able to eat fruit!!! i accidently plopped one out of the bowl while trying to feed him..he laughed..i told him "im sorry- im kinda new at this!!" we had a good chuckle!
jon gets his tempature checked again and its only down to 100.5...they give him more tylenol and another breathing treatment and AGAIN stick rubber gloves that are stuffed with ice and COLD WATER and THEN they stick it under his arm pits!!! YIKES thats SO cold!! he says luckily he doesnt even feel a thing!!!
soon after russell and tracy santos stopped in..jon is pumped about his breathing and asks russell to do his breathing thing and gets his number up to 1250 again with no problem and ALMOST to 1500!!! now he's just "showing off" i told russell!!
poor tracy had NEVER been able to come into see jon yet this whole time! she was so excited to see him...russell made his FAMOUS chocolate chip cookies!! i now have about 6 dozen cookies, 17 brownies and kelly's rocky road to eat while im helping jon!! jon was in such a good spirits..so happy..we had good laughs together..tracy and russell told us of EVERYONE in our ward and stake who are offering to do things...anything...so many people care about us right now - its amazing...
then sandra comes in and i give her the update and tell her how things are going..i tell her that jon didnt sleep ONCE while i was with him due to his anxiety over breathing..but i think we've got things under control now so he should HOPEFULLY sleep all nite long!!! the nurses got him all set up to sleep for the nite..i gave him a kiss on the lips and headed out for the nite..sandra informed me that robert had no appt's for tomorrow so he wanted to spend the day with jon..again im SO grateful because im so very exhausted!! it will be special because tomorrow is robert's (jons dad) birthday..i told jon to MAKE SURE he wished him a happy bday when his dad got there!!! sandra also informed me that she could again stay tomorrow nite if i needed..and that kelly (scotts wife) could stay wed morning..and i could stay wed nite..and we'd just need someone for thursday during the day- tracy has offered to do so..so i think thats the plan..and then sandra said the rest of jons family is able to stay thursday nite clear thru tuesday! i was so excited!! i talked to jon about how he would feel..i told him i want to do as much as i can..but there might be times where im just not capable..and would he feel more comfortable with family helping or people from the ward or what..he said at this time..family would be the best for him..so thats what we are doing..later on it might change..but as of now..that is his wishes and what he feels most comfortable with...so thats what we shall do...
earlier today...he told me he was SO sorry for whats happened and the burden he has put on me..i told him i loved him like CRAZY and wouldnt want to be ANYWHERE else but RIGHT next to him..he's my rock and my world..i told him that the past few years ive probably been preparing for this! just last year he was commuting from riverside to santa monica 2.5 hours EACH WAY for work..in the beginning (first 6 months or so)he was just living over there in santa monica (literally sleeping on his office floor because rent was SO expensive over there in the LA area!)monday -friday while i was at home with a 6 week old newborn and 3 other small children..but i made it work..i reminded him..even back then..we didnt have any other options...thats just the "way it was"..and i knew that and just made things happen..what good was it for me to complain! life could be SO much worse!! i just learned to work with what was infront of me...4 kids at home alone 5 days a week..being a single mom! Heavenly Father watched over me everyday and i was blessed by that! im in the same situation again...this is whats before me..i have NO other options..nothing is going to change..its the "way it is"..we just have to roll with it and do what we have to do! again it could be SO much worse!!! with Heavenly Father..we'll do great! i have no doubt in my mind..whether it be you walking again ..or whether it be you in a wheel chair - it doesnt matter-- you are still you and i love YOU! and that means the most to me right now...
im reminded of a lesson i learned from jons dad (robert)a few years ago..we all have trials in our life..some ask "why me?"..some say "i can handle this"..and some say.."with HF's help and power i can reach the end of this trial AND im ready and grateful for the lesson that i will learn from this"..robert compared it to the 3 degrees of Glory..the telestial state being (why me?)..the terrestial state being (i can handle this)..and the Celestial state being (with HF's help and power i can reach the end of this trial AND im ready and grateful for the lesson that i will learn from this)...i believe in this concept with ALL of my heart..this concept has helped me through so much and again will help me now in what is now my BIGGEST trial ever in my ENTIRE life...i have no doubt in that..i am grateful to have the knowledge of a Heavenly Father who loves me and jon..and i am grateful and ready for the lesson that he and i will learn together through this journey that has now begun..on thursday march 15th, 2005 our lives changed for ever..i believe for the better! and thats exciting!!
tomorrow i have things to do...i need to prepare papers for the disabilty insurance..which reminded me that the hospital called jons room and mentioned that the computers showed we had NO insurance!! i told her that i have his card sitting in my purse but no one asked or seemed to need it..we have 100% insurance coverage THANKFULLY when we started our business..we did the right thing and made sure we had good health insurance coverage!!
i will also need to call on getting a wheel chair and a bed for here at the home..i have to laugh..sheldon and his friends said they were going to "pimp out" jons wheel chair! put some spinners on the wheels..get a really good paint job..a sweet stereo system - the whole nine yards!!!
im grateful that robert can be there tomorrow so i can spend a little bit of time with the girls and get paper work started..check on bills..check on our business (scott, chad and sheldon were able to get into the convention center for GDC and got our booth all set up and ready to go!!!)..check our insurance to make sure all is running smoothly with that..call loma linda hospital to see what i will need to be prepared for..call the hospital to see what my next steps are.. i LOVEEEE to learn about all this and to be prepared so that jon is not frightened at all the changes and he can learn from me about all the next steps...
the physical therapist quietly asked me if i lived in a one story or 2 story..i said 2 story..he then asked if i had a bedroom downstairs..i said yes and a bathroom! ive been thinking about how i can change things around..knocking out a cabinet area to open up the bathroom...poor jon he JUST built a wrap around desk in his office which is the downstairs bedroom - but oh well..life goes on..i will need to take a closer look at my house and find out what measurements the doors will need to be and things of that nature..its a lot to think about ..but one thing at a time for me!
i want to say thank you to all those that brought groceries over!!! i opened the fridge and it was full of stuff!!!! thank you to those that have been bringing dinners..its been SO nice to not have to stop off at del taco coming home at 1030 each nite..and to just know when i get home theres some food in the fridge for me to eat!!!
as for now..the prayers we need are that jons breathing gets better..more specifically that he can learn HOW to breath correctly..that his mind will begin to work together with his body to breath the correct way..that his lungs will fill with air..he says when he breaths deep..he can actually FEEL tingling going from his chest clear thru his arms and out his fingertips..he says almost like he can feel the oxygen going thru his arms! also pray that his fever will break..and that his lung wont collapse..that the signs of pnemonia will disappear...he almost has to learn how to breath again..so pray that he does..and that it will come more natural to him..also pray that the swelling in his feet subside..they are severly swollen near his ankles...and that we as his family will have sufficient strength to be able to work out his arms, hands, legs and feet..its get very hard to lift a leg that is SO heavy!! these are the things that are pressing on my mind for him..
know that the nurses are WONDERFUL to him over there - complete 360 from the ICU!! were SOOO grateful!!! jon is sure to be SO nice to them all - he continues to tell them "he's so sorry" that they have to move him around..or bath him..or whatever else..and hes always saying "yes sir" or "yes ma'am"..if anyone knows jon..thats just his thing!! nobody says those things anymore! so people get caught off guard when he does that!!! they all have immediatley said.."oh no need to call me ma'am! where were you raised???" he tells them "the good ol' OC..but he just had very good parents that taught him to have respect for other people"...once they are all in there..they all start calling eachother sir and ma'am! its quite funny actually!! the nurses and staff just LOVE to be in there with jon because he is SO upbeat and optimistic about things and so respectful and grateful for all their work!!!!
i know so many of you want to stop by and visit jon..there is not really a waiting room like their was before (our old waiting room was such a highlight! i LOVED and miss it so much now!!!!!!)..somedays jon is good and up for visitors and some days he is just plain tired and cant even talk...i am not shy about letting you know if its a "good day or bad day"..you are free to call my cell or come in and ill let you know which day it is...hopefully with his breathing under control..some good rest..he'll be up for visitors..its just a day by day kind of thing..i also fear having a stream of visitors outside his door...just remember this will be a long recovery and that he will need visitors for a very long time!
thank you again to each and everyone of you!!! for your constant prayer in your heart for my dear jon...tears are streaming down my face...that makes for only my 3rd cry for today..i still cant believe that this happened to my sweet jon..im so grateful for his example thru this...im so grateful for all of our family and friends that have helped in countless..countless..countless ways..i cant even begin to write them all down! between food being brought, emails, babysitting, cookies, phone calls (sorry if you just get my voicemail PLEASE still leave a message- i listen to them all! it helps me to keep going thru the day!!!!), countless people offering their help in anyway that they can..im so lucky to have all of you such honorable people to help us right now..how blessed we are..so very blessed...we'll get thru this ..ALL of us will..one day at a time!! miracles have happened before our eyes-its a true testimony of the Gospel and how each of us can truly become as Christ through our service for one another...thank you