Weekend update

Hi everybody- Dustin and I got settled in after a challenging air ambulance flight. His heart stopped while we were waiting to take off in the airplane and then again when we arrived after loading him onto the ambulance to take him to the Veterans hospital. I am very grateful for two awesome nurses, Cesear and Mia who took awesome care of Dustin on the plane, in the ambulance and finally at the VA. Having their stability and expertise were hugely precious to me as the ambulance people did not seem to have a clue and then when we got to the VA you'd think we were in Jamaica, i.e. laid back, taking their time etc when I am trying not to freak out. I begged the air ambulance nurses to not leave but of course they "merged" the best they could and then had to turn it over to the VA. Actually all worked out and Dustin is safely tucked in at the spinal cord unit.

It is a bright new place with 60 beds as it has become the regional new spinal cord injury program for the Iraq vets. Dustin has not been sleeping at night but sleeps on and off during the day. He is very tired from his very eventful flight but seemed much more coherent yesterday. The speech people are doing their own swallowing test and so far he has passed water and ice! He had had a full liquid diet before he left ALB. but of course they want to take it slow until they get to know him. The speech therapist also did a cognitive test and he did pretty well. They are thinking they see a little more brain injury than Univ. of NM hospital saw, but he seems to be coming out of that. There will be a lot of things that take time including the decreased swelling of the brain but I have no doubt that all will be well over time.

Yesterday I had to tell him we were going to VA for a funeral and he wanted to know who died. I shared with him about his grandmother and then he asked about his cousins etc as to how they were. We then had a most precious conversation about God and Jesus and the importance of that for him to be a child of God so that he can talk to Him whenever he needs to as well as receive all the blessings that God has for His children including healing.

The staff and nurses are for the most part really great. I even like the medical psychologist and I think Pastor Anita and Brenda would agree. They surprised me by coming the day after the plane ride for support which was greatly needed and appreciated. We walked along the river walk, had a great lunch and visited Dustin for a few times for a short while. They also went with me when I did the history of Dustin for the psychologist. We all feel hopeful but know it is a long road ahead. They are very supportive at the VA and provide most all that he will need. Praise God!!! It will probably be a good week or two before they can get an accurate assessment due to the trauma of moving etc. I hope to be back here Mon or Tues and then go back to Thomaston for a few days before coming back on the weekend. I will be here a lot less as he begins his rehab and as he begins to take back his life. Of course we will be there for support but he doesn't need mom to be hovering around. I look forward to going home and seeing the dogs, and my garden as well as all of my Thomaston family.

Rick and I appreciate all of the cards and blogs etc. You have no idea how helpful they have been for us to know that you are out there fighting this battle with us. We love each and every one of you!! Will not have much access to computer over the next few days but will update as soon as we can.

Be blessed,

Rick and Mary Pat