August 27, 2007

This is Jesse's dad here...I haven't posted anything for a while. But, that doesn't mean that nothing has been going on in Jesse's life, it's just that lately Jesse has been seeming much more like he was before the accident and there didn't seem anything really noteworthy to report.

That's not quite true though. Every day that Jesse is here is a true miracle and we give all the honor and glory to God.

One very significant thing that happened earlier this summer was that Jesse took an Introduction to Physics class at Boise State University. The idea of taking one class was to test him...to see whether he might be up to college level work before returning to school full time. Well, that class went very well. Knowing that test hurdle was out of the way, he applied for readmitance to UCR. He was accepted back into the university as well as back into the honors program. His doctors want him to take it slowly this first quarter, so he is signed up for three classes...that is the minimum full time load at UCR. If this quarter goes well then he can go up the normal four class load.

This past weekend I drove with Jesse back down to Redlands. He was able to move back in with Roy Tinker into the same apartment where he lived before. This is a big deal for Jesse. Last October nobody really knew if this day would actually come. It did! Yeah God!

All the orthopedic recovery is neat, but the best part is that Jesse(what's in that noggin) is back!

Jesse Has Taken Over!

Hello all! This is Jesse (writing to you for the first time), and I have now unofficially taken over this blog. Well, now that I can write my own entries, that would be best, since they are about what God's been doing in my life lately. Of course, my dad, Roy, and cousin Em are still free to post whenever they would like to do so. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been keeping up with this blog and keeping me in your prayers. God has truly been doing amazing, miraculous things in my life recently, so thank you for being such a vital part of it!

I would like to take this chance now to elaborate on a few details from my last elbow surgery, giving a brief overview. The original purpose of the surgery was to remove all the extra heterotopic bone growth necessary to give me the highest possible range of motion, and to remove all the hardware that was no longer necessary. The surgeons did remove 2 of the 3 plates and about 15 of the screws holding them down, as well as enough heterotopic bone to allow my elbow full range of motion at the end of the surgery! This was very good news, as previously my range was quite limited by that bone growth blocking the joints.

However, this surgery on May 10th was prolonged about an hour due to some unforeseen complications the surgeons back in October had failed to notice. The lateral radial collateral ligament (located on the outside, which you can see by clicking here) had been completely torn off; additionally, the ulnar nerve was badly damaged and being crushed by the bone growing in, to the point that my doctor said he was surprised my arm hadn't gone numb yet. Fortunately, the doctors managed to find enough of the ligament to stitch it back together, and relocate the ulnar nerve in order to continue with the removal of bone. As a result of moving the nerve, about half of my hand went numb, and is very slowly regaining feeling as the weeks go by. (This has made it quite difficult to play guitar or piano, I might add).

At this point, I am very grateful for the incredible improvement my elbow has shown. All I can think to do now is to say thank you to those of you who have helped me through this experience so far, and all of you who have been praying for me! And thank YOU, God, for giving me yet another wonderful chance at life!

May 11, 2007

Yesterday Jesse went in for surgery again. This time it was to go back into his left elbow to try to help him regain some range of motion. Between the traumatic orthopedic injury he received to his left elbow and the traumatic brain injury he suffered, his body created lots of extra bone in the healing process. When the surgeons (two elbow experts) went back in they found that Jesse's ulnar nerve (that's the funny bone nerve) was involved with the earlier scar tissue. If they didn't move it they would not be able to remove that extra (heterotrophic) bone with out damaging it. So that was the first thing they did. Then they removed the two plates on the humerous, but they needed to leave the plate on the ulna as it still looked too weak. One other thing that they found was that the ligament holding the joint together on the inside of Jesse's elbow was damaged, so they needed to repair that too. They were then able to remove the bone which was interferring with Jesse's range of motion.

After the surgery the surgeon told me that it went well. Jesse even has full range of motion right now! But, because of the repair to the ligament Jesse will have to approach rehab more carefully. He is on anti-inflamitory medications to help with the recovery and to help his body not recreate that bone. He is in the hospital right now. We'll find out soon if he needs to stay another night or whether he can come home today.

We thank our Lord every day for returning Jesse to us and we marvel at His grace in Jesse's life. I suppose it is too soon to tell if Jesse will retain full motion in his left arm, but we are very please nevertheless. Thank you Jesus!

April 17, 2007

Jesse saw the orthopedic surgeon who repaired his heel today. He is very pleased with how Jesse's right heel has healed. He is also pleased with how well Jesse functions without a PCL in his left knee. He still wants him to really push himself in rehab to strengthen his left leg. He says that is the key for that knee. He is glad that Jesse was able to see the other surgeon to go back into his left elbow to remove that bone growth too. We have a date for that surgery. Jesse will go into the hospital on May 10th and will remain overnight and maybe one other night. Jesse has signed up for a Physics class in the summer session as BSU. He is working now at Taco Bell several days a week too. So far so good, he is learning lots there and he gets tired from being on his feet so much, but he is gaining strength all the time. Praise God for all your blessings!

April 3, 2007

Today Jesse and I went to see another orthopedic surgeon. He is an upper extremities guy who specializes in elbows. Jesse was refered to him by the surgeon who fixed his right heel. Anyway, two weeks ago Jesse had a CAT scan of his left elbow and today this doctor looked at it and examined Jesse. He wants to operate on that damaged elbow. He, and another surgeon, will open that elbow back up...take out the titanium hardware...remove the extra bone growth that Jesse's body made as a result of the brain trauma...all with the hope of restoring more functional range of motion in that elbow. The surgeon is confident that this procedure will help Jesse. He has to coordinate the schedule with the other surgeon, but he hopes to be able to schedule the operation within two to three weeks. On top of that, Jesse today was able to get a part time job! This should help him greatly in his rehab...gaining strength and endurance. It'll be good for Jesse to try to save some money to help him with expenses as he reenters college life next year too.

March 25, 2007

About a week and a half ago Jesse went in to Boise to spend the afternoon taking psychological tests at the neuro-psychologist's office. This past Tuesday we went in to Idaho Elks to meet with the neuro-psychologist to go over the test results. He told us that Jesse had done extremely well on all of the tests. It has not even been six months since the accident either! We do praise our God for restoring Jesse. Dr Beaver, the neuro-psychologist, doesn't see any reason why Jesse can't return to college in the fall. His only caution is for Jesse to take a lighter academic load for his first quarter back, just to make sure that he doesn't over do it.

This past week Jesse also had another scan taken of his left elbow. He is going to be evaluated by another orthopedic surgeon to see if there might be anything more they might do to help restore better range of motion. His appointment with that surgeon is this coming week.

March 15, 2007

This past Tuesday the 13th Jesse went in to Boise to be tested by the Neuropsychologist. It was a long afternoon for him. The testing was from one in the afternoon until nearly five. Jesse and his mom and I will all go in to Idaho Elks rehab next Tuesday for an interview where we'll learn the test results. This is part of the process to determine whether Jesse can return to school in the fall. His rehab continues to go pretty well. It does tire him, but there continues to be progress. He also goes over to a friends house to work on calculus a couple times a week.

March 1, 2007

It has been a little while since I have updated this blog...Sorry.

Jesse has been walking for a while now. At first he was a little unsteady as he walked. It had been four months since his right leg had done much more than stretch and so that leg was pretty weak. Through his rehab he has been able to regain enough strength so that as he walks he looks pretty normal. His left leg, the one with the destroyed PCL, has improved greatly too. He is now able to straighten it out all the way and when he flexes it he can bend it nearly as much as his right (the undamaged knee) one. His arm continues to improve too. It's really slow going with that left elbow, but there is progress.

This last weekend Jesse went on a trip to Oregon with some friends here in Nampa to see Phil Keaggy in concert. He had a really good time. Then, this past Monday he drove himself to therapy by himself! I took Jesse last week to see his rehab doctor and she cleared him to drive. He had to take a cognitive evaluation and a practical driving evaluation at Idaho Elks rehab also. He's now back on the insurance policy and able to get around on his own.

Jesse needs now to have another appointment with the Nuero Psychologist at Idaho Elks rehab. Then, within a few months we'll be able to assess better how he's doing and be able to better make a decision about him returning to school in the fall.

February 11, 2007

Jesse continues to make progress in his recovery. But, it is slow going. He has been walking for about two and a half weeks now after four months in bed or in a wheel chair. His left leg is pretty good now even though the PCL in that left knee is destroyed. We'll know more the next time he sees his orthopedic surgeon whether he will get a brace for that knee or not. His right heel still gets sore when he is on his feet lots, but Jesse is able to stand in church for singing praises to our Lord. His right leg still needs to regain the strength he lost from being off of it for so long. His left elbow is making very slow progress too. He is able to play his guitar better and better all the time and he wants to volunteer to play with the church worship team.

This Wednesday the 14th Jesse goes back to Idaho Elks Boise rehab for the first of his driving evaluations. If things go well he should be driving within a few weeks. That'll be really nice for all of us. Thank you Lord for bringing Jesse back to us!

Wednesday, January 24, 2006

Today Jesse was cleared for full weight bearing, and he's walking! He says it's not the easiest thing to do, but no crutches are required.

That's all the info I had... thought it would be cool to get it up right away for all y'all to enjoy... praise God!

I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 39:1-2 NIV

January 13, 2007

This past week Jesse was able to see his girlfriend. Her name is Bre Henry and she attends the University of Nevada Reno on a basketball scholarship and her team was in town to play Boise State. This was the first time that Jesse remembers seeing her since the day before his accident. He was on his way home from visiting her when the accident happened. She was able to come down to Arrowhead to see him when he was in the hospital last October and was there when he first woke up from his coma. But, he doesn't have any recall of that at all. There are about two and a half weeks that Jesse doesn't remember, and probably will not ever remember.


Last Sunday night Bre was able to get permission for Jesse and I (Jesse's dad) to visit with her for a few hours. You'll see Bre checking out the titanium in Jesse's elbow here. Jesse can also stand up on his left leg for a short while.

On Monday night our whole family was able to go into Boise to watch Bre's team play. They lost by 3 points to BSU, but it was a great game. It was great that Jesse and Bre could spend a little time together. It was an encourageing time for all of us.

Jesse continues his physical and occupational therapy three times a week. Soon he should be able to put weight on his right leg. His left leg continues to strengthen, although he'll likely need surgery in the future to repair his destroyed PCL. His left arm recovery is the slowest. He is playing his guitar more and more and he will start taking piano lessons soon.

Thank you Lord for what You have done...and are doing.

January 2, 2007

Jesse continues to work hard at his occupational and physical therapy. He works at home too. He is able to get on our exercise bike and ride. But, what he spends most of his time doing is stretching and working on his left elbow. His extension is getting better and so is his flexion. He is also able to play his guitar in a normal position now. He can reach some of the low notes, but he can't do bar chords yet.

He was able to go out with some of his friends who were home from college for the holidays. They went to see a movie and then played a card game. On New Year's eve Jesse's whole family went to friend's house to eat, play games and celebrate the New Year.

Thank you Lord for letting Jesse be here with us. All praise and honor to God.

December 20, 2006

Today Jesse and I (Jesse's dad) went into Boise to see his orthopedic surgeon. He is quite happy with how Jesse's right heel is healing. That is the surgery that Jesse had on November 6th when he was here in Idaho. The x-ray to the right was taken this morning. It sure seems like an amazing amount of metal, but his right foot sure looks better than it did before.

Jesse's left femur is healing well too. Because of his head/brain injury Jesse's body is making lots of new bone. Jesse can feel the lump in his leg where the new bone is. You can see the titanium rod that goes from the head of the femur nearly down to the knee with the screws that were put in to hold it in place. In the x-ray on the left you can see the site of the fracture with all the new bone around it!

Jesse's left elbow continues to be one of the prime orthopedic concerns. There is so much new bone created around the joint that the doctor is not sure how much range of motion Jesse'll get back. The doctor said that he will show the x-rays to other surgeons to get an idea if there might be someone who could (later on) go in and exise some of that new bone to try to get more range...we'll see how that idea goes. These two x-rays are just different angles of his left elbow.

We did talk to the surgeon about his therapy and he gave Jesse a new prescription to take to the outpatient rehab center. He should be getting passive and active range of motion and strengthing on his left knee (That is for the stiffness and instability from the damaged/destroyed PCL and joint capsule) left elbow and right ankle three days a week. Jesse will still have to wait another month before he can weight bear on his left elbow. That means that he can't start to use crutches till then. Oh well, he'll need to keep using only the wheel chair to get around until then.

We continue to give all the praise and glory to our most wonderful Lord for the blessing of Jesse's recovery. Thank you Jesus.

December 18, 2006

Last week Jesse worked with his speech therapist by reading an essay from his college English text. She then quizzed him on it, then she read one herself and again quizzed him. This week he is working on problems from his differential equations math text in preparation for his session with her. His cognitive recovery continues well. He may even have only a few more sessions. His orthopedic rehab continues, but the progress is slow. Jesse was able to go to two Christmas celebrations at MAF (where his dad works) and he didn't get too tired. That is a good sign. He seems to be gaining better endurance. Thank you Lord for letting Jesse be here with us.