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For all of you avid fans of the nightly updates, I figured I would start out with the boring, hum-drum info and lead up to the night's finale---hope you don't mind.

Justin had a leisure visit with Robyn sharing some Java and Dunkin Stix--finally managed to get there early enough to pacify his cravings (lol). Once we managed to get packed and loaded (had a small mishap by letting Robyn leave the hotel with our keys-haha), we made it up there around 11:30--just in time to ditch the 'hospital lunch special' and make a run to the cafeteria for some food and a nice picnic in the Secret Garden.

Hotlanta temp was barely 80 degrees by lunch time which reached maybe 85 all day. Low humidity. Early 7am temp had dad thinking we were in fall already. Justin did catch a chill and wanted to make his way into some Atlanta sunshine so we managed to handle that until the rest of us decided we like 'air conditioning' way too much.

Justin had his facial and manicure yesterday and we finished off the visit with a pedicure and haircut. As the photos will show, he's feeling back to himself. He said just the haircut made him feel better. Amazing how the small things can change an attitude (of course, he reminded me that big things we take for granted can change an attitude also---hands and legs are on his order to Doc everytime they meet).

We managed to work out a plan for the coming week and he's going to have someone with him during his chair fitting time (he said he just wanted to make sure we all knew what to ask for when the time actually came to order---IF there remains a need in 6 weeks).

His BP maintained a 120/64 and he was pleased with that. He knows the importance of keeping a stable blood pressure that is as close to normal to anyone that has not experienced his trauma. Technically normal to us would be 120 over 80 with a few exceptions. So when he sees 120/64 he is inspired that 'normal' may be returning for him. No fever and the night was good for him.

And for those of you that were waiting on what is the grand finale---he texted us on our way home and advised us that he can feel his legs and 'butt cheeks' and can control his own pee!!!
Maybe too graphic for some that follow this but it is a huge step for Justin and we take any and all blessings, regardless of how small they may seem to others and how trivial it may seem.

He had already told us that he could feel the pressure on his heels laying in bed last night so he called the night nurses and told them he needed to be readjusted in bed (pulled up higher) so his heels wouldn't be pressed up and possibly cause bed sores. They wanted to know how he knew there was a problem and he politely informed them because he could feel the pressure. This is a very good sign. We've been warned so many times that paralysis means they can't feel enough to know they need to shift their weight like we would in a car riding too long or move a leg because it gets uncomfortable that way. Knowing that he can recognize his foot is pressing on something or has hit something is HUGE!!!

He also texted us and let us know that he can wiggle his thumbs a little bit.........gotta love his spirit and determination. He wants his hand function back bad and when that blessing happens I will record him playing his beloved guitar. He said he can play a lot and I've been ribbing him about how I haven't heard any of that good music---he claims he can do Phil Collins in the Air Tonight and so, so many more (too many right now to try to name, he know I love the Phil Collins and he claims Eagles too---my kind of rock and roll, he also claims some Lynerd Skynerd). Make a request list up and we'll post them by his bed as a motivation for who he will play for first.

We continue to know our blessings and continue to know that God provides them in the many forms called friends, family, co-workers, doctors, strangers---all instruments sent to answer our prayers. I thank God for each of you and I thank you call for caring enough to pray or encourage or search the blog or ask questions or give so much that we will never be able to repay.

My prayers have expanded beyond selfish---they include so much more and that in itself is a blessing!!!!

We love you guys...............may take another day or two for an update but we'll do our best to keep you all informed (leaving him was once again a hard one, I think the down time and alone time may be tougher on him than on us; yet with all of you--it will be okay).

Texas Janie---thank you so much--got the second card!!!

Amanda--missed the pics yesterday but saw them today, the nurses taped them above his bed-Thanks!!!! And it is the 'green' deoderant he is really liking, even his nurse Stanley (Stan the Man) commented today on how good it smells----you go with yourself!!!!

Love you, calling it a night!!