Friday News----JLM

I guess this should be called the late edition of Friday's update.

First: Thank you again to Emmanuelle........I've read your comments twice and tear up each time. Someone else could not only feel & care for but put time into comforting family & friends with such kind remarks and encouragement. You know the Justin in that bed; I hope you will soon know the Justin we know--the humor, commitment, daddy, brother, co-worker, son, hard-head-dimples and pearly-whites that have influenced so many to come together and pray. We cannot thank you enough for the role you have played through this moment in our lives. Please do not ever give up the compassion that put you in this profession and I think you would be an excellent teacher so that more nurses will understand the role they play to both patient and family. May God bless you in the road you have yet to travel.

Mama Hen---thank you!!! As a mama, I hope you know that you have been appreciated!!

Next I feel I must Thank ALL the nurses that have played their part in the past 22 days of my son's life at SAMC. While some names we will not remember and others were given nick-names, you were the instruments that allow me to report today the miraculous recoveries we experience everyday. Our son is still here, he is inspiring others and determined to find his way through this. From ER staff on day one, to anesthesia team twice, to daily nurses to night nurses to staff nurses taking the time to explain procedures--pulminary, or respiratory, physical therapy or occupational, or even those Wallace students fixing to graduate in December, we Thank each of you with sincere gratitude.

Apologies are extended to any nurse we nick-named and possibly offended. As any of you should know, when faced with tragedy--the mind works mysteriously. We found sanity in humor and meant no harm---we recognize faces more so than names but we know each of you, by who made a phone call, who explained a procedure, who was 'by-the-books' versus who bent the rules, who made Justin 'tear up' and who just down right made him mad. We appreciate each of you for putting Justin first---what mattered the most!!! Affection and humor called out to nick-names such "short s**t", "Atilla the Hunh", "Stiff lip", "Mama Hen", "Red" and others. We will forever be indepted to all of you---whether we know you as Mindy, Emmanuelle, Bea or simply a face we recognize yet can't remember the name on that tag on your uniform. I sincerely hope our gratitude has been deeply expressed and Justin's determination is shown as a result of your efforts.

As of tonight, 1:30 was just me and him---boring as always. I've tried telling him that I'm mama, work-hospital-no gossip, just boring mama.

4:30 was a scary start--Robyn & I showed up and he seemed just blah--no response, no motivation, no care--he said he was okay and nothing happened but it worried me. Nurse said she noticed his mood but played it off as reality, time to think about things, still worried us. He had a few friends show up before close of visitation and Justin became himself again (thank you Shaggy). He was joking and responsive. We were eventually ran out of the room around 5:20 but not before Justin asked if I would feel his feet----he said he didn't feel anything but when I moved up towards his knee he said yes to both knee and under-knee area feeling.

7:30 visit had entertainment. We all walked into his room with him lifting arms, waving them about showing us he had movement. He had a few leg spasms that he said he didn't do but were clearly obvious. He was given some more water through a straw and seemed to smack his lips a few times in enjoyment. More of Justin's personality showed up this time. He clearly expressed that he knew he would walk again. He said "I will walk again" and nodded!!

Thank you all for the prayers, support and encouragement!! We love you all and pray that God will heal Justin's injuries so that he will walk again, in Jesus name-Amen.

I'm sure I've left out something but will get it tomorrow. OH--he goes to Shepherd 6a.m. Tuesday morning. Love you all!!