Posted by Jodie on May 22, 2009, 5:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Gibbons update: They will amputate both feet Friday"
66.215.57.194
JUST WHEN THE CATERPILLAR THOUGHT THE WORLD WAS OVER, IT BECAME A BUTTERFLY. Jason's surgery was a success and he is on the road to recovery. Both his feet have now been amputated but his heart is strong.
He just didn't have enough of his heels left to be fully functional with prostheses. This way he has a clean surface with which to attach the prostheses and should be up and around very soon. He will continue to reside in the Burn Unit for a few more days and then on to rehab as an inpatient.
By the way, you remember the firefighters holding boots out on the street corners asking for donations? Most of this money goes to the Burn Unit at UCD. We are very strong supporters of this Burn Unit. They have been absolutely wonderful to us and the care they give is extraordinary! If you happen to see a fighterfighter carrying a boot in the middle of the street, think of Jason. His right hand is waiting for a prosthesis, his left hand continues to recover. He was so proud yesterday, he signed his own surgery papers!
Here is a summary of what we think will happen for the next several weeks.
Approximately five days and then he will transfer to the rehab unit.
Three weeks until the staples/stitches come out on his legs. While he is waiting for the stitches to come out he will be working on rehab for his left hand and on getting his right arm ready for a prosthesis. Also he will be working on building his leg strength.
At approximately three to four weeks he may be transferred to an out patient basis and be able to move home and get around, mostly in a wheel chair, and at least be out of the hospital. At this point he will continue rehab as an out patient. He will probably move along as fast as his mind and body will allow him to go.
We envision that he will be walking and using his arm well by September. The doctors are optimistic about how well he will do and if anything I think he will slightly or significantly exceed their expectations. He is aiming on working at the South Pole this coming October/November. This is his goal and I do believe that he may make it. We all know, and he especially knows, that this may not be possible so…ooo… his backup plan is to spend the southern summer, November to February in New Zealand surfing and working on the house while he sends Kathy to the South Pole in his place. His mother says she has never before seen him make so many plans in his life.
Kathy remains strong and is a wonderful companion for him. He relies on her a great deal and she is steady and constant in her love and care for him. She reads his e-mail to him every day and he loves the messages he gets from all of you. In many ways this whole experience is turning out to be a great love story about a wonderful community of friends and family that have pulled together to survive and reshape their community in time of crisis. Your love, prayers, positive thougts and the outpouring of love to all of the family has been absolutely awesome. We cannot thank you enough!!!!
The most obvious down side to all of this is that I have gained 3 pounds and I know it could not be from eating cookies!!!!!!
Many, Many thank you(s) to everyone. We send our love to one and all. The joes
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