Posted by Jodie on May 1, 2009, 7:37 am, in reply to "Re: Gibbons update: Summit Greenland Photos"
Message modified by board administrator May 1, 2009, 7:38 am
Hello to all and again thanks for your many, many e-mails and your prayers for Jason!!!
Another early day (4/29) starting at 7:00 AM with surgery at 7:30 AM. This surgery was very tiring for Jason and certainly nerve racking for the family. They removed his right hand and had to take about six (6) inches of his wrist also. The good news is that the nerve endings and all the rest of his forearm in this area is in good shape and will most likely qualify him for one of the new type prosthesis devices which are electro-mechanical. This essentially means that down stream (probably 6 months to one year) he may be qualified for a prosthesis where he can control the use of mechanical fingers through brain transmissions electrically to the nerve endings. This is not yet for sure but it is exciting technology.
Also, they grafted skin from his right thigh to wrap around his left hand and ensure that the left hand will be close to 100% useability. The doctor feels very good about this procedure and we are all very happy about this because it GREATLY improves his ability to use both arms, with left assisting the right.
Last they removed all of his toes and about half of his remaining feet. This was more than we had hoped and so his feet will probably need some "Sock" like prosthesis devices to allow proper push off by the feet and for good balance.
All in all this surgery was much as we expected and soon we will be able to assist Jason with the rehabilitation process.
He may have to have one or two more minor surgeries to fine tune or tweak what has already been done. He has an incredibly wonderful positive attitude, his sense of humor, if anything, has been greatly elevated, and he and Kathy have charmed every nurse and doctor . It is quite interesting to watch and warms our hearts.
Jason's wife, Kathy, continues to read him e-mails everyday and he greatly enjoys listening to them and sometimes he will quote a smart --- remark for Kathy to send in a reply. His spirits remain high and we are all pulling together to help him on the path to recovery. Your prayers and thoughts are wonderful salve for the psyche. Thank you all so very, very much. His email address is:
thawnout@hotmail.com
Much love to you all, the joes
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