Jon did GREAT!!

jon did great!!

The pressure is on!

Jon is feeling the pressue with his Talk he is giving this sunday, he had plans to write it all out today only to realize that for SOME REASON our laptop that has his voice software on it KEEPS FREEZING AND SHUTTING DOWN!!! rghghg so irritating!!!
so dad's laptop is coming up tomorrow that also has the software so hopefully he can get that done tomorrow..
he also has a few articles he has to write and a magazine layout to put together before jan. 5th the deadline to hand it over to the print company! YIKES!! he's getting a little stressed out and the pressure is on..
he hasnt been feeling well the past couple of days..we think its due to his backing off the baclofen AND the dilaudid..hopefully that will subside and he'll be okay.

He's IN!!!!

Well we received a phone call today from project walk...he's IN!!! YA!!! jon is SUPER EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!! he will do a week long trial starting jan. 9th, then on the 11th and the 12th, then again the next tue/thur ...then we'll go from there..

if you want to be inspired and motivated like jon is..we HIGHLY reccommend that you check out the website at www.projectwalk.org..its amazing!

well- just wanted to update everyone..

faxed the application

www.projectwalk.org

well we have filled out and faxed our application into project walk, i suppose we'll receive an email or phone call for an interview...cross your fingers and say MANY MANY prayers for this- jon is SOO motivated that it brought him to tears...he's backed off the baclofen AND dilaudid (which he's been working on before)..

i will keep you posted on the progress of project walk..

it is in carlsbad-so we will have to drive there for the sessions...

speaking of dilaudid- he's been soooooooooooooooo cold...and yesterday he said he wasnt too cold..he realized that maybe it was his body coming off the dilaudid-so lets hope that was it and that he's not soo cold all winter long!!!

YA for jon!

after watching, reading, and getting frustrated that the past information ive posted has not been offered to him or mentioned by any doctors..he's DECIDED to come off the baclofen!!!!!!!!!! im so happy!! he has been SOOO hesitant about doing so - thanks robert for you help-im not sure who (family or friends) or just having him watch and read about it-but he's decided to come off of it completely..
he started today already..he's been on 20mg 4x's a day..he's backing them down to 10..then he'll go off completely..SUCH good news-and it will be perfect timing for the research project he's doing come january..

he's REALLY motivated and inspired to work hard..we're so grateful for the progress medicine has made AND for the idea of "people with SCI can be in RECOVERY not REHAB!"

very interesting stuff

i continue to effortlessly gather more and more info to try to help jon..this is what i found today..check out all these people with a c5 injury--it sounds like having spasms is a good thing-which jon has-
he has noticed that when he spasms he is able to MOVE!! so we may think about getting him off baclofen to get more moving happening!!

http://projectwalk.org/clientLocatorNew.php

EXCITING NEWS!!!

check this website out!! EXCITING NEWS!! this is what jon will be doing for 10 weeks (2 days a week) in january..

http://news.yahoo.com/i/2614

then scroll down to Supermans Foundation and Legacy

Friday..

Today has been good..the past few days have been good for jon, he has ANOTHER UTI which i need to run to walgreens to pick up antibiotics for that..
i just gave him a haircut and trimmed his nails so he's looking and feeling better..

my dad put on the emtion wheels so he's MUCH more mobile and can get in and out of the front door all by himself..he likes the freedom..he's been outside on the sidewalk with the kids..

we went to the cal stat LA and were REALLY excited for the possiblities there..it will be a 10 week session (mondays and wednesdays-i will take him mondays and robert will do wednesdays-i will need help on mondays as we will need to leave the house by 1230-1pm and will not return until about 7 or 730 due to traffic-UGH! if anyone is able to help me on mondays it would REALLY be helpful and again its only for 10 weeks)
they will exercise extensively with him AND put him on the "gait" machine, where they strap him in and he is suspended by the ceiling and there are two guys working his legs and one on his waist and he walks on a treadmill..so that was encouraging! they said there are NO LIMITS as to what they will do with jon, if he wants to try something-they'll do it..thats also encouraging..so its like therapy for free..we wont have to pay for it-which right now is helpful too!! so we are REALLY excited about this prospect and what it will do for jon..this is the 5th year they've done this research project and were excited to be apart of it..

we may also be taking a "road trip" at the end of this month to Danville, CA to chads house- his oldest son Aden is turning 12 and will be ordained a deacon, all the family will be there and so we may try to make it happen for us...it will take TONS of work on both me and jon, but its family! so with a lot of help-we hope to be able to go and to do all that needs to be done when we are there.

well that is about the update here- i have ALL my xmas shopping done AND wrapped-just need to figure out what to do for both sets of parents-our family does xmas ornament xchanges vs gifts (MUCH easier for all of us!)so i even have my ornament picked out and here at my house ready to give..

hope everyone is enjoying their holidays!

jons being interviewed for research project

jon is going to be interviewing this wed at University of Los Angeles at 12noon for a research project- here is the link:
http://www.robomedica.com

i will need to find someone who can be at my house for most of that day on wednesday, we will need to leave around 10 or 1030am the session is only for an hour then we will return home between 4-5pm hopefully!

jon is doing well! he's been asked to speak at our ward's xmas eve sacrament at 9am- anyone who would like to come - FEEL FREE! he'd love to see you there! i plan on inviting a lot of our neighbors who supported jon at the fundraiser- i think it would be great for them to hear from jon..

jon and i had a date saturday nite with our friends- a quick dinner which was fun, we also had fast sunday with jons family last nite- which is always fun..he's doing well, working on getting himself onto a schedule, staying in his chair longer, all and all he's doing good!

back from rehab

now thats a lovely title!!

we left for jons rehab appt at 1150am..my mom made it here just in time so that worked out great..we pulled into the rehab an hour later and got ourselves checked in..we met a nice guy named mark who use to be a programmer and didnt like working long hours to help someone ELSE make millions..so he went back to school to be a PT..he's currently a student and working under a PT at the rehab place..so him and jon will have fun talking techno nerdy stuff i imagine as i sit bored listening!! heheh

he did lots of measuring and what not to have a baseline and then asked for jons goals..so to begin they gave jon LOTS of exercises and stretches to do and then we will go in once a week to learn new skills and come back home and work on those till the next week...then once jon is in better condition they'll do other things..jon said he wants to become more independant..as of now, im doing all of his transfers and most everything else for him..so we'll see where this goes..

we left the rehab at 230pm and got home at 4pm..the times to pick for his other appts werent that great of times to choose from! it was either 1030am or 145pm..so we either hit traffic in the morning on the way down or on the way home..so i picked the 1030 and figured maybe the traffic wont be as bad as the other time..

he's home now and CRASHED out on his bed asleep..he must be really tired because we've had 8 kids here in the house and all the chaos that goes on and he hasnt budged! poor guy!

our friend that comes over nightly has worked out a daily schedule for jon so that he has time to workout, do his business, spend time with family, etc..so this has been great! they still need to fine tune it=then jon will be in business..were SO grateful for such good friends that care so much about him and are willing to sacrifice their time..i truly cant do all this alone and im thankful for family and friends that help!!

we know famous people!

our friends jeff, christine and their family are going to be on tv today at 1pm set your DVR's! jeff was the MC at jons fundraiser (which he wants to do again!-so nice!)
http://drkeith.warnerbros.com/
here is the link for a preview thing..

today i will take jon to his rehab appt at 1pm in downey, my mom is coming up to care for the girls..

i will update when we return..

we are going to try to get jon on medicare so that we arent having to pay 566 per month for insurance coverage for him and myself..if he can get medicare--his premiums will be paid for and have 100% coverage with 10 dollar copays..then we'll do something A LOT less for me since im in good health..so cross your fingers!

Sunday

WHEW- its been a while since i posted..jons doing good..he's having a hard time getting and staying in his wheelchair..after 8-9 weeks of being in bed constantly..its not easy to get back into the swing of things..i find myself sometimes forcing him to get up and get going..its so hard for him though..but once he does it..its a little bit better..

we had tday at jons parents house on sunday and then my parents house on tday..SO YUMMMY!! the 2 older girls actually went with the hales up to kristi's house for the rest of the week and got home late last nite..they told me all about it and apparently rachel was REALLY good and helpful- makes momma proud!! whoo hoo!

today everyone is home and hanging out..this week on tuesday jon has his rehab appt-so that will be a long day for the both of us..i believe its at 1pm again in downey..
well see how that goes!

Monday

Yesterday was great..we did church..came home..made homemade rolls for thanksgiving dinner at the hales home that nite..got everyone ready and out the door..

we had a great time at dinner! its fun seeing everyone and catching up with everyone!!

while making the rolls yesterday..becca took off with my wedding ring- YIKES! we figured it was either outside on the grass or in the house somewhere...

this am i got up and went searching for the ring..i told the girls i'd pay them 10 bucks if they found it for me..they had even said 2 prayers yesterday when they started looking for it..so cute! the whole time i just KNEW i'd find it..it was just a matter of time..

today while the girls were looking..i was cleaning up the kitchen because i couldnt function being it a disaster and as i turned the disposal on..the downstairs bathtub filled with sewege...UGH what else could go MAJORILY wrong today!??!?!?!
so i had to go put my plumber hat on and do what i did last time to clear out the sewer thing..good times..i almost threw up twice..but walked away for a second and came back to it..i have respect for those guys now!! i managed to clear it out and make everything work again...

as i was finishing up sarah came yelling "mom i found your ring in my room!!"

what started out as a horrible day..has ended well and its only 1230pm!! NICE!!

jon is doing well..he's getting in his chair more and more..he's on his laptop working now..he's trying to remember to switch positions..sometimes he leans back and sometimes he leans forward..but its hard because that means i have to constantly be here every 30 minutes to help him..so he's trying to find ways that he can change positions without having to keep me here all the time like that..

his sores seem to still be doing okay..and not changing..so that is good..

well it looks like my 2 older girls will be heading up to utah with robert, sandra, scott and kellie to kristi's house..they will leave tomorrow nite and come home saturday..my girls are excited..of course it was all about which video games they could bring in the car to play on grandpa's laptop!! GEESH!! how times have changed huh!!! it will be nice having them gone for a few days to keep the house quiet..its really hard on jon to have screaming girls throughout the house..i started a new thing with them and told them each time they did somethign wrong or screamed in the house..they will have to clean something..i started today..i have to say my stairs look GREAT!!! needless to say..my stairs look nice and i have yet to hear any screaming..next episode will be the bathroom..i thought that was a great idea! i figure i'd mineaswell kill two birds with one stone!

what a day..

today ive spent ALL day trying to get jons dilaudid medication and it has NOT been easy for me..but alas at 830pm..we finally have some..
it started with me needing the prescription-which was waiting for me at the dr's on tuesday..the dr said she called to the pharamacy downstairs and it would take till thursday to order it in..so today i went..but they didnt have ANY because they didnt know if they were SUPPOSE to order it or not! UGH BUGGGED!!! THEN we got new insurance and after making 10 phone calls..we come to learn that yes we were approved but hadnt made it all the way "thru the system" yet..so we werent showing up! UGH BUGGGED AGAIN!!
so i had to take it to ANOTHER pharamacy and give two prescriptions for 2 different dosages to make it work AND pay cash on top of it..anyway..now im just really tired!

jon stayed in his bed again today..i think tomorrow he'll feel more up to being up and around in his chair a bit..his mom and maybe dad are coming tomorrow to help me out for the day..they typically come around 2pm..we're VERY blessed to have jons dad come on wed's afternoons to help and then again on fridays..THANK YOU!!!

well time for me to go cath jon and get kiddo's to bed-i told them tomorrow morning if they are good and NOT screaming and giggling in the early hours of the morning..we'd take a bike ride to the donut shop-they are SUPER excited about that..good times

Wednesday..

Today is Wednesday..Jon is offically healed from his sores and has been discharged by the nurses that have come daily ..YA!!
His blood pressure remains really low which makes it hard for him to be in his chair..we're currently working on that to raise it..he's on medication for it but it seems to remain at 80/60...
We're going to be working on getting him back into the chair daily so that he can build his tolerance back up again..

We'll be having tday with jons family this sunday and then tday on thursday with my family - YES two of my FAVORITE meals in one week!!

My bday is the 25th of this month- im looking forward to it because it may mean i get a break from having all 4 kids home for 10 days in a row!!! they have parent teacher conference the next two days and then ALLLL of next week off- YIKES.

Saturday..

Its now saturday- been a while since i last posted about jon! he's doing well..we made it to his urology appt- he gave us more neosporin solution for his bladder..so we will be doing that twice each day to help..
last nite we made it to the newport beach temple for a temple session with robert and sandra..that went well too..jon was really emotional..he's been kind of sad lately..
Today he is doing well..he enjoyed getting out of the house for the dr's appt's and for the temple as well..we saw Pres. Baron when we walked into the temple- thats always a treat for me! i love pres. baron- he's one of my most favorite people..

There is nothing really going on this week for jon..russell continues to come over faithfully every nite at 830pm to stretch jon..sheldon brought over jon some workout gear for him- jon was SUPER excited about that!! he's been doing that here and there..i really need to work out some schedule time frame thing for jon so he gets that done everyday! jon also wants some how to rig up an exercise bike that he can strap his feet to and have someone help him to have him think about pushing the wheels as its going..if anyone is capable-let me know!

As for me-things have been hard around the house- just trying to keep it up..its hard to keep the house in order, kids on track, homework, all of jons care..etc..i have a friend who is going to start coming over twice a week to help me with the house..when it gets sorry looking..its hard for me to function!

well jons nurse is here..time to go help!

Back from the evaluation

Well today we left at 1130am for the evaulation and didnt get home till 5pm..YIKES!

the evaluation went well..the facility is a county place..meaning all the medical and medicaid are going there..we got checked in and seen by a doctor who pocked and prodded jon in different places to get an idea of his condition..he had mentioned that his body had done quite a bit of improvement since he left loma linda..

he gave us an immediate referral over to the OT and PT there..so we walked over there and they gave us a quick appt for nov. 28th at 1pm..there they will eval him there and tell him what they can do for him for OT and PT..we noticed the dr had marked off mobility/locomotion..which means putting him in a standing position with a harness and making him walk on a treadmill..i cant EVEN IMAGINE what that will be like!!!

so all in all it was good..jon was sooooooooo tired when we got home..he fell asleep for a good 2 hours SOLID and the girls were CRAZY screaming and chaos as usual and he NEVER WOKE UP ONCE!!! he must have been so tired!! we had all eaten dinner, had showers etc..i woke him at 7pm to eat..he had NO IDEA we had done any of that!

i have to thank cara arnold for coming over to help me with the girls..she's always SOOO nice and helped clean up my house! im so lucky to have people that care for us!!

well off to get kids in bed..we did fhe (the fall of adam/agency)..ice cream..and now bedtime..then im off for my nightly 30 minute walking!!

Whew its sunday already!

these weeks are going SO FAST for us..

today jon made it to the full 3 hours of church
tomorrow he has his rehab evaluation appt-it will be a LONGGG day for the both of us! i have a friend that is able to come watch the girls till we get back..SO NICE!!

our friend russell santos continues to come nightly at 830 to stretch jon and has begun to do more rotations with him..and its really helping!! jon is SOOOOO thankful to have a friend that is so dedicated to making him heal..we're lucky to have friends that care so much!!

the hales had come over on friday to help me and jon out..it was a good time..we made chicken tacos for dinner..watched the oprah show about how to lose weight- were sooo motivated now!! and then sandra and i snuck out to kohls for about an hour..and then we came back for apple cobbler and the game apples 2 apples- SO FUN to play!!

friday nite we are hoping to get to the newport beach temple for a 630pm session with the hales family..something we are starting monthly...i will need to line up a sitter for hte girls at the hales house and then we're good to go!

Wednesday Nov. 1st...

Wow can you believe its November now!!! Getting close to 8 months since Jons accident. He's come SO VERY VERY far its amazing!! We continue to pray for more movement and move improvement and healing...

He has his rehab evaluation appt on Monday at 1pm. Jons parents are coming with me to go to that. Its at 1pm in Downey.

His sores are ALMOST healed up! 1 is completely healed- his original one, then his 2nd is closed up and the 3rd is on its way.. so this is GOOD NEWS!!!

His spirits remain high- he did SUCH a good job at the fireside- he had the youth riveted -it was awesome! it was the perfect length too- not to short and not too long--which is always important - especially to the youth!!

He had TONSSSSSSSSSS of visitors last nite during halloween! he LOVED it! he felt so loved and remembered and thought of by everyone that kept coming over!!

Jons dad came today - the magazine is COMPLETELY done and being delivered tomorrow! We cant believe it came together! we wouldnt have been able to do it AT ALL without jons dad and my dad's help- they literally saved us!!!! THANK YOU BOTH!!!!!!!!
The new magazine is now on the website..www.outsourcereport.com..

Well time to have family prayer and get candy filled kids to brush their teeth and hop into bed!

Sunday

Today is SUnday..we took jon out last nite to the ward trunk or treat..he enjoyed going with the family and seeing everyone..

today he continues to prepare for his Stake Youth Fireside Talk he was asked to give on tuesday..its tonite at the SC at 7pm..his parents and two of his brothers along with my parents are coming..he has SUCh a great support system!!! im going to try and give him a haircut if he can handle being in the chair for 15 minutes..he TRULY needs one!!

Here is a picture of the girls heading out to our trunk or treat..they are REALLY excited of course for tuesday nite.."the real deal"..

Jon continues everyday to try to move something..its something he visualizes everyday..we're going to figure out how to move his legs like on a bicycle and have him visualise that he's doing it himself..

We've been VERY grateful for our friends that have come to help stretch jon! we're always in need of that!! it REALLY does help jons pain be lowered..so we're very thankful!!