3 months down, who knows how many to go

Today marks 3 months since Justin was injured. Today is also is also two days before the 12th anniversary of the events that sparked the war that Justin was fighting when he got injured. Who knew on that morning of September 11, 2001 as I was getting ready for school just how much that day would change my life in ways I never could have imagined. If someone had come up to me on September 10th and said, tomorrow terrorists are going to hijack some airplanes. Two will fly into the Twin Towers, one into the Pentagon, and another will miss its mark because of some brave passengers. Oh, and one day, you’re going to marry a soldier who will eventually deploy three times and on the third time will get seriously injured and you’ll live at Walter Reed for a time. I would have looked at the person like they were totally insane. Yet, here I am, and thankfully, Justin’s here with me.

Right now, the only thing holding him up for prosthetics is the open wound areas on both legs. Because of how the blast hit, it originally looked like the left leg would be the holdup since it sustained worse injuries and needed the skin graft. Now it’s the right leg that’s causing a little bit of concern as to its healing. Due to the way his leg had to be closed up (picture moccasin type stitching around the end of right leg), the last section to heal is right at the end where he would need to be putting pressure to bear weight. The left leg was closed up in more of an X pattern across the top of the leg, and they’re hopeful to start the process of casting it and getting ready to bear weight. He’ll be able to start that even if the right leg isn't ready yet. It’s more difficult to walk with just one prosthetic, but I’ve seen plenty of guys here start out like that. Please continue to pray that both legs will finish healing.

Corey’s been up here with us almost a month now. We’ve had some times of adjustment that weren’t too fun, but we’re working through them. He’s enjoying “working out” with Justin for PT/OT. He wants to do everything his daddy does. We’ve gotten to do some fun things together as a family since he’s been up here like the fly fishing tournament, the zoo, and some of the museums and monuments in D.C. I think Justin has another fishing trip this coming weekend that we’ll all be able to go to, also through Project Healing Waters. So thankful for organizations like these that provide opportunity for Justin to get back into his hobbies and let Corey and I come along for the ride to enjoy it with him.

Even though there are days when hate it here and just plain want to go home (whether that be to GA or to FL), I’m thankful for the opportunity for us all to be together and for the good times where we can make new memories. Not all of my memories from the Walter Reed days will be pleasant, but there are plenty that are…just like any other situation I’ve been in and every place I’ve lived and really, life in general. There will always be ups and downs. Things I’d rather not have to deal with, and things that are a pleasure to experience. Through the difficult times, you can definitely see who your friends are, and let me tell you, I’m blessed with some really awesome friends and family (and friends who are like family). Barely a day goes by that I don’t get a message on facebook or my email, a text or call on my cellphone, or a card or letter in the mail from friends and family and even complete strangers. Some days up here are pretty crazy, so if I don’t reply/call back right away, I apologize. I do really appreciate each and every message I get. Sometimes I just have a minute to read them and then am pulled in several different directions, and by the time I’m able to reply, I’ve got 50 other things on my mind and forget or it’s too late at night to call. Anyway, thank you all for being there for me and my family in so many ways that I couldn’t begin to name them all without leaving something or someone out. You all are the best!

Changes in Perspective

Life definitely has a way of changing your perspective on things. Before Justin was injured, when I’d see an amputee, I’d try not to stare, but still looked on in curiosity and pity. I was clueless. Granted, I’ve still never experienced the loss of one of my limbs, but I’ve seen firsthand what Justin’s gone through. I’ve seen guys with much worse injuries than Justin working out in physical therapy. Some guys give up and probably will never leave the hospital wing other than to end up in a nursing home, but the vast majority of the ones I’ve seen are fighters. They don’t just fight to do big things like walk again, but they fight to do simple tasks that most of us wouldn’t think twice about. Not only do they fight for themselves, they push each other to fight harder. They don’t need pity; they deserve admiration. They daily overcome more obstacles just to get out of bed and get dressed than most people do the entire day, and they’ve been through so much to get to the point where they physically can get out of a bed. Yes, I still look at them with curiosity, but it’s different now. Now I wonder things like how long it was until their residual limb was ready for weight bearing and what the steps in getting fitted for a prosthetic are and how many modifications to it were necessary before they got their permanent ones. I look at them and see hope. I see men (there’s currently only one female amputee here and she hasn’t healed enough for a prosthetic yet) who sustained more severe injuries on their new feet/legs next other wounded warriors who were starting to walk for the first time. They were giving tips to the new walkers and encouraging them the entire time. They aren’t wallowing in a pity party (though I’m sure they’ve had their moments); they’re coming down to the PT area at times when they don’t have to so they can make their rounds pushing the other guys to work harder; they’re going back to the hospital to check up on buddies that have had to have more surgeries. These men know the meaning of sacrifice and have given so much in service to our country, yet they’re still giving of themselves to help each other. It’s pretty amazing to watch.

Please keep all these wounded warriors in your thoughts and prayers…both the ones with visible injuries and the ones that often go unnoticed because their wounds aren’t something you can see and the doctors can’t do surgery to fix like brain injuries. Each of these men and women are facing different struggles, and I’ve seen how much prayer can make an impact on facing these trying days, months, and years. I thank you all for the prayers sent up on our behalf! Whenever the doctors/nurses/various other medical personnel see Justin’s progress and the date he sustained his injuries, they are amazed at how well he’s doing in such a relatively short period of time. Justin has received the best care possible, but only God can make his body heal, and He definitely is!

First Project Healing Waters meeting (more on them in future posts)

Recreational therapy archery program

First time putting weight on his knees post-injury

Our time at Walter Reed so far

Today marks one month since Justin got injured in Afghanistan. It’s been quite a rollercoaster physically for Justin and emotionally for the rest of us. He’s made a lot of progress even with having some setbacks. Two weeks ago, he was in a lot of pain due to non-leg related issues. Last week wasn’t pain-free but it was at a level just about discomfort which was a relief. This week will likely be a mixed bag. They’re weaning him off the different IV and epidural pain meds. On the one hand, this shows significant progress, but on the other hand, some of the leg and other pain that was dulled/eliminated by the meds has started to return. Hopefully they can get it under control with oral medications. He’s also been going to physical therapy this week and got a really good workout today. He’ll be doing that pretty much every day now. This Friday, they have him scheduled for his skin graft. They were able to close up more of the area, so it’s about ¼ of the size they originally thought would need a graft. Now it’s about the size of a nickel that will need it. They’ll also be starting to remove some of the stitches from his legs in the areas that are healed up. This will get his legs one step closer to starting preparations for the prosthetics. Weaning him off the IV/epidural meds gets him a step closer to outpatient.

I know Walter Reed got some bad press not too many years ago, but the Walter Reed today has given Justin excellent care. He has had teams of doctors attending to every aspect of his care. It hasn’t been perfect, but the very few issues we’ve had have been addressed. The physical therapy department has a ton of activities like fishing, hunting, learning to scuba dive, and many more than Justin can participate in once he’s physically capable. He’s also had great nurses and techs. After being here with Justin nearly three weeks, I have a new respect for the nursing profession. The day shift people have been great, but it’s more hectic with the teams of doctors in and out of the room all day long. I can’t say enough good about the night shift staff. Since it’s quieter at night with a lot of the patients in the ward asleep, they are able to spend more time with Justin. Whether it’s talking about current events, joking around, or listening to Justin tell about how he was injured, they never act like being in here is an inconvenience…even on Justin’s worst nights. In fact, after one of the worst nights, one of the Army medic/techs requested to have Justin on his rotation the next night since he knew he’d be in here anyway. One of the Navy guys came in to help Justin even before his shift started, and a different night, they needed to monitor Justin after adding a different medication, so he brought a chair in the room and watched over Justin while he was sleeping. I have no idea how long he was in here because I fell asleep knowing Justin was being taken care of. One of the civilian nurses (who is a former Army medic) is Justin’s favorite. He has a great sense of humor, even with the unpleasant aspects of caring for Justin. He also will come by just to say hi and check on Justin even when Justin isn’t on his rotation for the night. These guys care about Justin as a person, not just about doing their jobs.

There have been so many groups and agencies who have come by the room to bring everything from hygiene items to modified clothing that fits around IVs and other wires and tubes. Duffel bags and backpacks full of clothes to milkshakes, ice cream sundaes and cupcakes. Special dinners and lunches so we don’t have to only eat from the few fast food places on the complex or room service. Another group came around and gave Justin a haircut here in the room since he wasn’t up to going down to the barber shop. There are so many generous people and organizations that I can’t even remember them all. The main ones are the Wounded Warrior project who came to see Justin both during his brief stay in Germany and multiple times here in Walter Reed, Operation Ward 57, and the Red Cross. They come on a regular basis to see if we need anything…not just Justin, but all of us who are up here with him. It’s amazing to see all the support they have to the injured service men and women and their families and the prayers, love and support shown from friends and family…and even complete strangers all over the world.

Taken the day Justin was injured...aka "the last leg picture"

Justin receiving his Purple Heart Award in Afghanistan

Our son seeing his daddy for the first time post-injury