Monday Evening
Hi Everyone -
Jack's swallow study went great today, he passed with flying colors. For Jack's first real meal since his surgery he chose a happy meal, cheeseburger, fries and a sprite (coincidentally this was his last meal he chose before surgery, I think I see a pattern). Then he decided he wanted a bowl of cereal for dessert. He has already got breakfast planned, pancakes, eggs, sausage, and cereal if he is still hungry. The speech therapist, Patti, told Jack she has never seen a child heal so quickly and get their swallow back who has come to this facility. She said Jack is the vitastim poster child. Jack is excited to get his feeding tube out of his nose tomorrow, and I am hoping from the dr. for an estimated departure date. I am hoping to return soon, but I don't know what the dr. will say. I do know that Jack has done exceptionally well, and I would want to have him in the best place for where his needs are.
Jack is still talking about the bus that picked us up from the rehab and took us to "Big Baylor" today for the swallow study. He has had a great day.
We are currently looking into a dr. in Abilene for Jack's vision, as that is one of the areas that has changed from the surgery. The dr.'s here at baylor recommended Dr. Wadley in Abilene, and there is a pediatric opthomologist that comes to Abilene once a month, named Dr. Moody, we are waiting to hear from Dr. Wadley about his recommendations. We will be coming back to Dallas frequently for a long time so if we needed to have an eye dr. here, we could, but it would be nice to have them in Abilene if we could.
Jack's right eye is turned in at this point and we might need to wait that out, or he might need some special help with that also. I guess the eye doc would tell us what to do about that.
Looking forward to giving an estimated date of departure soon.
Tammy
5/23/2005 6:53 PM
Jack's swallow study went great today, he passed with flying colors. For Jack's first real meal since his surgery he chose a happy meal, cheeseburger, fries and a sprite (coincidentally this was his last meal he chose before surgery, I think I see a pattern). Then he decided he wanted a bowl of cereal for dessert. He has already got breakfast planned, pancakes, eggs, sausage, and cereal if he is still hungry. The speech therapist, Patti, told Jack she has never seen a child heal so quickly and get their swallow back who has come to this facility. She said Jack is the vitastim poster child. Jack is excited to get his feeding tube out of his nose tomorrow, and I am hoping from the dr. for an estimated departure date. I am hoping to return soon, but I don't know what the dr. will say. I do know that Jack has done exceptionally well, and I would want to have him in the best place for where his needs are.
Jack is still talking about the bus that picked us up from the rehab and took us to "Big Baylor" today for the swallow study. He has had a great day.
We are currently looking into a dr. in Abilene for Jack's vision, as that is one of the areas that has changed from the surgery. The dr.'s here at baylor recommended Dr. Wadley in Abilene, and there is a pediatric opthomologist that comes to Abilene once a month, named Dr. Moody, we are waiting to hear from Dr. Wadley about his recommendations. We will be coming back to Dallas frequently for a long time so if we needed to have an eye dr. here, we could, but it would be nice to have them in Abilene if we could.
Jack's right eye is turned in at this point and we might need to wait that out, or he might need some special help with that also. I guess the eye doc would tell us what to do about that.
Looking forward to giving an estimated date of departure soon.
Tammy
5/23/2005 6:53 PM
Comments
Dr. Wadley is GREAT. I went to him for a while when I was little. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about him! I think Jack would really like him... he has a great sense of humor.
Glad to know things are going well. I am so excited for Jack that he gets a Happy Meal. I am sure it will be a "happy meal" for you too!
We are still praying. Take care.
Love,
Shoni Gililland Power
We thank God again and again for Jack's healing. We praise God that his healing is so outstanding that all who hear his story will know that is was by the grace and mighty power of God. We thank him for the Drs. and nurses through whom He has worked. Also thankful for all the good reports you have received.
And, we hope that Jack loved his meal tonight. You always know your children are doing better when they plan ahead for their favorite meals. :-)
Hoping to see you soon.
Lois Perkins
I am so glad for this report! I also appreciate hearing your mother's heart that is pausing the enthusiasm just enough to make sure your little boy is in the best place to meet his needs. I would be the same way. SO--we can begin to pray for the doctors and therapists to have wisdom, and you to have complete peace about Jack's discharge. But what a wonderful prayer to be praying after all you have been through!
Have a Happy Happy Meal!!!!!!
Beverly McCallon
PS: I am a patient of Dr. Wadley and really like him a lot. I have found him to be compassionate, funny, and personable. When I had a difficult time with an exam, he went the extra mile to help me through it, and never made me feel foolish about it. :-) I can easily imagine him helping Jack with great bed-side manner.
I may be the only person who doesn't know Dr. Wadley- apparently, God is arranging things in a wonderful way once again! Jack,we are so proud of you! You are doing just great! We are going to eat pancakes and sausage at McDonald's tomorrow for breakfast in honor of you and all of your hard work!
I know y'all are ready to go home and I'm amazed at the stamina for waiting that you have already shown! Hopefully, it won't be much longer. We are praying always and telling everyone the wonderful news of Jack's progress. We love you! We miss you! HUGS!
Love,
Dave, Karise, Keely, & Kinlie
"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
Sounds like you have had a great day as well as a busy day! What memories Jack has to share about his "Big Bus" ride..and getting ANYTHING he wants to eat! What great news to hear! We continue to praise God for the miracles He is working daily in Jack's life! We thank Him for leading you to the doctors and nurses who can best help Jack. We see His hand in all of it!! God bless you and sustain you! Hope to see you soon!
Gwen
What wonderful news!!
We are so excited Jack is eating. Now he can have candy at his party.
We are looking forward to you both coming home soon.
God is so good!!
Our prayers are with you,
David and Valerie H.
I am so excited about the progress Jack is making! God answers prayer! We will keep praying for continued healing and recovery. Can't wait to hug you and Jack. The party sounds like great fun!
Love you,
Michelle Smith
It is so good to hear the Happy Meal news!!! I have been reading the blogs and praying for Jack on a daily basis and I MISS him!!! What a blessing to have such a recovery!!!
Allison Winters
Guy, Robin & Kati
I will be praying that Jack will be able to work with Dr. Wadley here in Abilene. I am a former patient of his and he really does "go the extra mile" to do what is best for his patients.
God is continuing to work miracles in Jack's recovery and for this we all give thanks and praise.
I got on here today to check up on Jack. I've been constantly praying for him, but hadn't checked his progress for about a week and a half. I'm in tears with joy for the tremendous progress he has made. So proud of him!!! Wow, even ate a happy meal...what a great choice! I don't know what it is about your family that I am drawn to so much. I feel like I know you from keeping up with Jack on this blog. I thank David and Karise for asking me to pray for you all. This journey has helped me to appreciate my children's health so much more. My Jack and Luke (twins) just turned 1 last week. I look forward to meeting you all some day. I feel certain that our paths will cross eventually. Once Dave & Karise make it back to Abilene I'm sure we'll be visiting often. I look forward to getting my bracelet in the mail, I will wear it proudly. Praise God for answering all of our prayers. I know you're all so ready to be home. Keep it up Jack, you're doing great! Love...Kari Harris
Belton, TX
I am so glad you got to have your "Happy Meal". I pray you continue to eat, continue to swallow, continue to get better, continue to smile, and continue to talk and laugh. I pray that your eyes will return to normal. IN JESUS NAME AMEN
Hugs and kisses,
Tracy
In Him,
Eddie and Connie
Keep on keeping on getting better.
Joe Placencia
Jack is at "snack attack" group time with 2 other kids his age right now. They are making orange julius's and having a great time I am sure.
I talked to Dr. "Mack" this morning and he was going to talk with the other therapists today and see about moving up Jack's date of departure. Haven't heard from him, and I might not until rounds tomorrow morning.
Jack has been officially released from speech therapy all together.
Patti said there is nothing left to work on, his swallow is perfect and he has his voice back. I am amazed at that. Jack has enjoyed all of his meals today, and best of all the feeding tube was removed. God has blessed the people in this facility through Jack's smile and kind nature. Everyone seems to be drawn to him. Teenagers are dropping by in their wheelchairs to our room, just to tell Jack hello, and all the little kids his age enjoy playing alongside him.
Jack's roomate Sahan, 3 yr. old boy, is doing better also. He was officially removed from coma status, and is able to talk and sing a little. He is responsive at times. There is a long way to go on his therapy, after the car accident that he and his mother were in he had a stroke that affected his left side. But after seeing all the work that is done here to help children heal, I am sure that he will be up and around in time. Please pray for Sahan and his mom, his father and grandmother have asked us to ask to pray for him.
Moe is Sahan's father, and a muslim, and he said to me today, that Jesus has healed Jack. I pray for Jesus to shine His glory all over this family and for them to see just where that Glory is coming from.
As always love, Tammy
You are doing so grrrreat! You can tell your friend Sahan that we are praying for him and for his family. If you have any other friends that you want us to pray for , you can put them on your blog. We would love to lift them to the Father! I am not surprised that you have made so many friends. You are so precious- of course everyone loves you! Have fun eating today!!! We love you!
Love,
Dave, Karise, Keely & Kinlie
"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:20-22 We pray this scripture over Jack and Sahan. Amen.
Hooray!!!
Tammy