Jan.7^th,  2013

It’s hard to believe that it has already been just over a week that Jordan was discharged from RC.  Each day we have seen an improvement in strength and endurance.  When he first came home, he would take several naps throughout the day.  Now, he sometimes needs to take one nap but usually does without and goes to bed early instead.  He has progressed from taking a walk to the mailbox to going to Winners with us to buy him some new runners (as his only pair was lost in the accident) to going bowling last Friday night!  I had my reservations about this but Jordan is extremely bored and the kids wanted to do a family night.  The first game his balance was a “little off” but by the second game, he scored three strikes in a row and did a turkey strut!  We never imagined that three weeks ago we would be witnessing this.  On Sunday Jordan was able to go to church with us in the morning and the evening – God is so faithful.

The community occupational therapist came last week to do a home assessment (risk factors) and to pace out expectations for Jordan.  He was surprised at how well Jordan was doing but advised him to keep a daily log of his activities that he could build upon.  He will be coming weekly, then taper off to every two weeks.

Today we took Jordan to Delta for a follow up appointment with Dr. Bahi, the oral surgeon.  The x-ray showed that the jaw is healing, but needs to be wired for three more weeks.   Sorry, Jordan … it’s going to be pureed liquefied meals, Ensure, Boost and smoothies for a while yet!  What would we do without our blender?  Since he has no space between his teeth for a straw, he has to slowly drink his “food” along the inside of his cheek until it can go down the small opening at the back of the jaw and down his throat.  He has this down to an art but can’t wait to taste real food!  He has lost weight and will continue to lose weight on a liquid only diet, much to his dismay.  The doctor assured him that he will gain it all back within four weeks once the wires are cut.  He will be looking forward to Jan. 28^th when Dr. Bahi will remove the screws and cut the wires.

This Thursday, we have a follow up appointment with Dr. Chan, the neurosurgeon.  He will be able to tell us what we can expect Jordan will be allowed to do, given his brain injury.  Jordan is very hopeful that he will be able to do this semester and perhaps drop a course or two.  He has a medical leave for the first two weeks, but we need to first get the go ahead from Dr. Chan.  He will not be allowed to return to his part time job in construction for quite a while and he claims that he will go crazy if he does nothing.  Of course, we need to be cautious and realistic as studying takes much concentration, focus, and memorization.  It would be ideal if he would be allowed to take 1 or 2 courses.  Since he is not allowed to drive yet, rides need to be arranged but he assures us that his friends will take care of that.

On the outside, it does not even look like he was involved in such a horrific accident.  His facial abrasions have healed well, his wired jaw is not visible from the outside, and his skull fractures do not show.  Since he did not have any bodily injuries from the head down, he looks good.  We know that it could have turned out so differently but God had different plans.  We cannot even begin to count our blessings.  We pray that this trial may bring honor and glory to our heavenly Father who counts the very hairs on our heads.  Nothing transpires without His will and for that we are thankful.  Please continue to pray for further healing and much patience.