Professionalism. teamwork and fun

This has been an awesome few days here at Tampa. His oxygen saturation has remained stable on room air, they can deflate his trach cuff and he can talk and his hope and excitement to begin diving into rehab are great.

He did not pass his swallowing test with foods sticking around his vocal cords but he is vigorously practicing his vocal cord exercises ten times at day five times each.

He has had several of the guys come over and talk to him and that is so cool to see the teamwork and comradrie that goes on between patients and family. Mike, one year ago, was brought to the same room Dustin is in after a snowboarding accident and was worse off than Dustin. Both lungs were collapsed and a similar spinal cord injury. Today, after a year, is all over the place in a regular wheelchair (also has a power one). and can wheel himself. He wants to drive soon and they provide driving school and vehicles. His mom was also telling us that the VA will give you vans etc to try out and borrow for free to take trips when they are able and then can help you get the right car at the right deal for you. The VA helps a lot with the costs.

Next door to Dustin, I mentioned that a guy named. Romie (and his whole family, grandmother included), who was shot in the neck in Afganistan is also an extremly nice and encouraging guy as well as the whole family. There is such a sese of community here and everyone helps each other out and encourages you all the way. That feels so good after the past several months.

The first night I was here, a church brought over dinner and the next night I was invited to a monthly dinner put on by a veterans organization that supports the vets. There were about 150 people and gifts were given and flowers for me from another family! This VA is apparently very well supported by many people and they outdo themselves caring for the vets and families.

They will begin weaning Dustin from the vent on Monday.Rick and I will go home tomorrow. In one sense it will be good to go home and get the garden going and teach again, but on the other hand there is so much education and excitement over each patient that is will be missed. Everyone is considered part of the team and I can listen, help and do whatever I am comfortable doing. I will be learning to do all of his care and they even give you little certificates. They wanted me to help give him his first full shower , but Dustin was not quite ready for that.

This is a "no-lift " facility and they have electric tracks that they lift you out of bed, put you in a chair and wheel you off to a shower/bath. Dustin has never felt better after his first shower in
4 1/2 months. His hair ic actually clean and shiny and Dr. Pope (the cool Jamaican extremely fun and smart doctor) came right in to see his hair!! We laughed and siad that here after we flew him all over the country that all he really needed was a good bath!

Thanks again for all of your support. Please continue to pray against all pain as this has been a tougher area for him since he got here. He is on a fair amount of pain medication to try to keep it under control. Also pray that he easily and quickly gets off of the vent. From what Romie tells me it is a difficult process. The good thing is Dustin is so ready and if he can put up with the last 4 months, I know nothing will hinder him. He is a brave and courageous young man and I am so proud to be his mom. His name again, means "victorious warrior" and certainly he ahs proved that. Thats all for now. He is busy enjoying the company of Nerina and her Dad. I think Nerina will find great support here as well as there are many young wives, girlfriends etc that are around.

Blessings to all
mary pat