Thursday evening

Hmmm----have I mentioned that things work fast around here. After I left earlier around 1:00, we did a quick lunch and then a family orientation. This covered some of the things we had already been told and then covered some things that we haven't yet gotten to in progress so we are still feeling a bit like 'fish out of water'--flopping around like we know what we should be doing but so very much unsure of how to do it.

Our visit after 4:00 found him not in his room. We found him in his chair in the therapy room (yay)...PT had him up and getting familiar with his chair--speedster, he'll be getting hall tickets soon because he has gotten this chair down, other than maneuvering through his door-he was doing super. He's hurting again and his SPO2 hasn't gotten above 93 but is expected to once again resume 100 with the help of being up and moving about. Still had a fever, barely went down--was 101.4 is now 100.9 (found out he has a bladder infection but have been told this is extremely common).

The pillow we found last night isn't quite doing the job for him so Nurse Scott (go figure, his dad is Scotty telling him what to do and his nurse is Scott--telling him what to do, ha ha). Scott told us a local store in town should have the foam, form fitting pillow he wants so dad's fixing to head out in this Atlanta traffic to find a good pillow and tennis shoes. Me--I'm doing laundry.

His neck is hurting worst and will for a while. Being in bed for so long, he now has to regain the use and strength of the neck, vertebrae and muscles. He said as long as his team kept him with pain meds, he would do whatever they asked. Which leads me to report that he's been in his chair since before 4:00 and was sitting in that chair eating supper when we left - eating supper by way that his assistant actually had his hand wrist on, bent his fork and positioned it just right and Justin is feeding himself (of course with some help by way of someone cutting his food for him and positioning it just right on the plate and helping with his juice BUT HE IS EATING BY HIMSELF). And continues to tell anyone that walks in and evaluates or expresses a plan for the future that HE WILL WALK OUT OF HERE!!!!

We don't know specifics yet because we are just getting settled. We haven't been notified of a medical consultation which is suppose to be with the doctor (suppose to be Dr. Bilsky), then we have a consult with his TEAM--PT, OT, Speech, Respiratory, Case Manager---I think that is all of them--probably forgetting someone. We have, however, been advised if it doesn't happen tomorrow then most likely Monday.

He does have a roommate--Michael, from Indiana, 18 years old, starting school as a senior, car accident, only one of 4 that was injured and his differs from Justin. His happened a week ago, he can talk, paralysis in his legs, got to Shepherd within days of the injury, no traech and can text his dad to let him know the hospital food "sucks" (I have found out that you can bring them food now, so Ms. Henri--looks like Justin may be stepping up on the flavor chain--lol).

He starts first round of physical therapy at 10 in the morning for 1 1/2 hours then occupational therapy gets him at 12 for another 1 1/2 hours. They want to start him staying in the chair at least 5 hours per day with goal to be 8 - 12 hours a day being up whether therapy or chair. Not sure what will fill up the rest of the time since we don't know who all else will come and go through this process. Will continue to update you all of the many things to come.

MaMa Hen---you said turn them over to them and let them heal him but you darn sure didn't say it would be such a whirlwind (love you though, he is in good hands from what I've seen so far). I wish we were more in tuned with what is going on as it goes on but that I suppose is the trade off to having been blessed with getting here.

Love you all and will continue--gotta go get the clothes on to dry. Thank you all for the prayers, we love you all and appreciate you all and miss you all and will pray for you as we know you are praying for us.

Let's see what tonight brings.....................