More blessings

Wonderful afternoon visit--we found him at 2:45 sleeping which we figured would be the case since he had his PT/OT this morning and afternoon. We dressed up his room with the balloon from Dothan's nurses (it's still flying--wow), of course we had to bring Sponge Bob and added a few more sponge items we picked up from our trip today to get him some more clothes and lotion. He has his pics of Preston, Robyn and Simian and his LSU Get well card made by sis Robyn.

He's off calorie counting, no more tube feeding and hopefully gets that removed by Monday. His PIC line is coming out tonight and has been told he will lose the traech in 2 weeks (but he said he feels it will be by end of next week). He comes off the catheter most likely Monday and will start the IC line. They did a nerve test on him today in his right arm and he said he is also starting to get some sensation in his right leg. He did wonder why its not coming in both legs at the same time, of course he looked at me funny when I tried giving my "medical" opinion about how the brain works both sides differently, right side/left side theory (made sense to me when I said it but told him we'd ask the doctors Monday--ha)

He had a cup of coffee and a Reese cup--he was tickled, can pretty much have whatever he wants as so confirmed by his nurse, who by the way is impressed with him today when she found out he had just gotten in the chair for the first time yesterday. Supper was sphagetti & meatballs with corn, chocolate cake and banana. He said the meatballs were good, the spaghetti had cilantra in it (yuk he said, course I like cilantra) corn was delicious-he made me take a bite to know for myself how good it was, he left the cake (go figure--passed up the chocolate) but ate the banana----acting like a monkey the whole time, he would lift his right arm to scratch his head and use his left one to rub like he was scratching his bottom area. We laughed hard on that one and the nurse told us that we were having way too much fun in there!!

He did let me know that one of the counselors came in and he was a bit perturbed because of the negativity he tells all of the patients--told his roommate the same thing, you'll never walk again so you need to come to terms with it, how do you feel about that?? Justin said he wanted to be around those that would encourage him to push himself and even though he knows it won't be tomorrow he knows he can improve and doesn't want to hear from those that say it won't happen. He is already impressing so many with the progress he's made and only been here 4 days. He lifted 7 pounds with his right arm today and 2 with his left-he was disappointed with his left but I told him that was normal and after so much body & weight mass loss, he needed to get his food intake up and keep working with rehab to build his weight and muscles back up.

HE WAS IN SUCH GOOD SPIRITS, LOTS OF CONVERSATION ABOUT MANY THINGS AND MUCH OF JUSTIN PERSONALITY. He's got the nurses wrapped and has kept them in stitches for the most part today.

The three hours I was with him this afternoon were the hours that I wish had been recorded in order for everyone to truly get the feel of what a wonderful visit this one was. I know there will be some that will regret having missed it; take it from me--there will be many more good reports to come and many more chances to catch them. His spirit, faith and determination has shown themselves big time this afternoon.

Also, he saw himself for the first time in the mirror and has decided that he needs a haircut, shave the sides of the head and trim down the top--military Justin--he's ready for one now. We have the razor so we'll check with the nurse when they get him ready to get in bed if we can do it real quick like and hope that makes him feel bunches better.

BP was 103/66 and Nurse Erica said that was great. HR at 78 and temp normal. He's no longer being monitored for SPO so I'm guessing he's doing awesome in that area also.

WE'RE blessed and know it. These are the visits that keep my faith so strong that he will recover and walk again. Continue to pray, we can testify to God's healing, mercy and blessings.

Love you all, keeping track of Robyn and Brooke--they just hit 85 coming into the Georgia line. Praying they make it before the 9;00 cut off for visitation (and it looks like they might).

Will update again soon. Thank you all so very much!!!

Wayne & Peggy----we certainly appreciate everyone you guys have done also!!