Though most weekend days he will only have half days of working so hard Saturday he spent most of the day working with his various therapists very rigorously. He was so exhausted when we visited him soon afterwards that he pretty much slept the whole visit but just putting my hand on his chest and feeling his own rhythmic breathing made me emotional when I thought of where we were just two weeks ago.
Yesterday we went to the hospital with Aaron, his wife, Lindsay, and their two little boys. Jason was sitting at the front entrance in his special wheelchair and though tired out, and having just received an injection of pain meds, he did open his eyes when the boys greeted him. Though at first they weren't sure what to think of their usually very animated uncle within minutes they were happily playing with their dinosaurs at his feet. Between dozing J did seem to be watching them play quite a bit. We then moved inside to a huge Ronald McDonald family room which has lots of table games on one side and the other is a family room setting and also includes a little room full of children's toys and books. David got our busy little 3 year old grandson interested in a game of table tennis and Carolin turned Jason so he had a good view and he really seemed to wake up and watch. Though Carolin has been reluctant to leave Jason's side during the day we managed to talk her into going for lunch. He became pretty upset when she said she was going for a short time and her parents would stay with him and shook his head no over and over. As hard as that was for her it's yet another good sign that Jason is in there and understanding at times. And as time goes by he will understand more and more!
Once we got back it was time for another pain shot so he was pretty sleepy for quite a while but eventually Carolin had the nurses get him into his wheelchair so we could give him some stimulation and get him outside again. We were excited to see how to some degree he was able to sit up assisted and swing his legs over the bedside with help. Once in the chair he even held his head up for a time while the head rest was adjusted. That was very impressive compared to how little he was doing just days before! There is a fairly good size pond with water fountains which we strolled around and eventually stopped in front of for a while. David asked him if it was good to have a change of scenery and he shook his head yes. Even though we had been told he was shaking his head yes and no to questions in therapy it was such a thrill to see in person! He also seemed to brighten considerably and look right at his father when David started talking about the Redskins. He also reached his hand out for him to take and I can't tell you how simple things like that make our insides sing! Back inside in the lobby we were kidding around with Carolin's parents and he was definitely paying attention as when asked if he was married to Carolin he shook his head yes and then had a little smirk on his face when we teased him about marriage. He slowly turned his head and looked right at Carolin making us all laugh. Right after that he brought us all to laughter again when David asked him a question and he put his hands out and turned them out like you do when you don't know the answer to a question. It sure seems like that Shepard humor is still there!
It is so hard to leave for home and be so far way when each day is bringing more progress - we want to be there and see each little move forward! Carolin told us that in yesterday's PT they had him up again trying to walk and that he's gone in just 3 days from hardly able to hold himself up to doing 60% of the work himself! It just seems like we can't use the word miracle enough when it comes to Jason!
Not to sound like a broken record but please please keep Jason in your prayers and thoughts that each day brings more miracles and that he continues to amaze everyone.
We need him to grow even faster than that little girl Carolin is carrying and be ready to have her placed in his arms!
I'll have lots more info on the Jason Shepard Benefit Event as this week progresses but if you haven't already, make sure to mark October 12 as a great evening which will include dancing, great food, awesome raffle items, and silent auction items that I guarantee will be much sought after. And the best part will be showing Jason all of his friends from, as Brian says, the timeline of his life, come together in a united front for him!
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