Trudging forward

First to the many that continue to follow Justin's progress, thank you and forgive our delay yet once again.

Mama Hen--Justin's heading to SEAMC Wednesday 12/23 for a CT Scan and lower back x-rays. ETA should be 8:00 a.m. I will remind him to give you a call to see if you are in the building or if you were blessed with a few much needed days off.

Ms. Lue--Thanks for the encouragement. It sometimes takes a while to realize so many things are only temporary, regardless of how long it seems it will take to accomplish a goal, this too shall pass and a year from now we will barely remember the anxieties we feel right now. We love you much and appreciate you!!!

For LT.--met your dad yesterday. Seems like a very sweet man and it seemed to perk Justin to have him visit. I sometimes forget you and your family are long-time acquaintances to the Medley family (small world).

For all others not specifically named---there are so many of you that continue to pray and ask for updates, so many that encourage and offer a shoulder. Those are the blessings I say "thank you God" for daily. Even through the moments when I waiver in my faith, I am brought back to the many that keep me grounded and help me get back on track. Bless you all and thank you!!!

For the latest update:

Justin has been experiencing some popping of his spine in his lower back area for a few weeks now. We have finally managed to get an appointment with SEAMC to get a CT Scan of his upper spine because neurology believes it is "leaning". The lower back x-rays will hopefully explain why he is getting the popping which involves throbbing pain through his bottom and legs.

He has also been battling disagreements with his blood pressure, being low some mornings then high and as of late he has been having 182/98 with no obvious signs of what is causing the distress. Last night's episode was accompanied with a massive headache yet we were unable to locate a reason. We massaged his head and exercised his legs, took his shoes off and checked for pressure points--he said it wasn't urinary as for as he knew or bowel. Hopefully some of these tests tomorrow will open doors for discussion as to what is going on.

Therapist Andrew has him plaing Rock Band Drums on a Wi and he's pretty good at it. Wears him out but he's doing super. Also has improved his strength in his left arm to the point that Andrew is at a loss for what else he can do to really push that side. Justin continues to be weird with his body and reactions though. Left side vs. right side, nothing seems to be the "norm" with Justin. We just continue to pray that these are positive signs for recovery and improvement.

Functionality continues to be a slow progress. While his strengths improve weekly, no movements are new to report. Some motion in his thumbs but nothing by way of full hand improvement and some days his right wrist goes weak on him. He continues to have days where sensation is fleeting---can feel a knee today but that same feeling is lost tomorrow. He also indicates some days he can distinguish hot or cold, yet that also comes and goes.

We pray his body is just waiting for that right jump start.

Construction has been slow and I had a momentary meltdown; however, 'tis the season to believe in miracles and know that we shall overcome this portion of the journey as well. It may take us 6 months to wash down all the dust and clean floors and wipe down furniture and reclaim what we threw into what closet or storage unit, etc but there again, it goes back to having faith that it is temporary and will be back to a better routine that we had 2 months ago when we first got him home.

He has been approved for the FES Bike and E-stem machines. This is a wonderful thing. The FES bike uses electrodes to work his legs and he loves it. The e-stem is smaller and can work his abdomens, wrists and several other areas which is also fantastic.

He remains optimistic and upbeat even through the rough nights and the intense spasms he has been having the last few weeks. While some are tough enough to prompt some "mini-fits" that startle me sometimes, he regains himself and works through them.

His chairs are working out great and he even decided to go 'mud riding' yesterday. Of course, that meant a lot of sweeping of tires (and the mud was red and damp, yuk) but it gave us one more thing to laugh about instead of cry!!! And it was encouraging to have him outside playing with that boy of his!!

Well, duty calls---got a precious thing wanting some milk. Will definitely try to update again soon. Forgive the delay, first our computer crashed, then we had to lose it for a while witht he construction going on--we have a small corner in the living room that accommodates us for now and I wanted to give an update to you all.

I'm sure I've forgotten something, but will fit it in the next time.

Merry Christmas to you all, be safe, be blessed and we love you all!!!!

Christmas Spirit

Here we are once again finding me apoligizing for the delay. So many of you have been our inspiration, strength and motivation to move forward and we continue to pray for you all and thank God for you all and feel bad that we don't update enough!!

Things since Thanksgiving---I wish I could say we are slacking on updates because of the holiday season but it is more so because things are that hectic (go figure---like they could get more chaotic than the last 5 months)!!

We have no tree up yet--not sure where to put one based on the home-modifications going on. That in itself is a new story---gotta love contrators!! A 2-3 week event has found itself lasting 5 so far and that's just outside work, no interior work has been done. Did come home Friday to find the new plumbing pipeline leaking and flooding the livingroom closet......no idea why or what will become of that, another day in paradise!!

What we do know:
Doctor visit with NeuroSpine did X-rays and Justin's spine is "leaning like the Tower of Peaza". They want to do a CT Scan and based on some issues he has been having with his lower vertebrae, they want to do some X-rays for that. We are waiting a call to let us know when that is to be done because Doc's office isn't equipped for these and we have to wait to let us know when SEALMC can do them. He goes back to Doc's office on Jan. 2010----------new year, new journey, new blessings, new thanksgivings!!

For those questioning:
We did a follow up with Neuro just to establish a local doc in case we had a need; we thought it was routine. The neck x-ray apparently showed something that concerned them to the point of mentioning a new surgery---going in through the back of the neck and even stated that due to the original urgency and location that perhaps they didn't recognize the tendancy towards his "leaning". Now they have to check if the spine has "fused" or not and determine next step. Justin said "hell no" to another surgery, but we think we have him contemplating that this may play a factor in some things coming back and others not.

Urology wasn't as concerned as we thought they would be so I guess all is well with that part of things. VA had already told us that kidneys and such were different but working well. Gotta love Justin and all of his uniqueness--keeps everyone else on their toes I guess!!

What other portion we didn't expect was his lower back "popping" and Neuro didn't know what to think of that. We have to have x-rays done. When it pops, it gives him a LOT of new throbbing, pain and anxiety about what is going on. NO NEW MOBILITY---just a lot of feeling, throbbing, uncontrolled activity.

WE WILL UPDATE ONCE WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AND ANY RESULTS!!

So much more to update on but must do what have to!!

Also, Scotty isn't feeling well at this time--ended up at ER with bad pain which turned out to be possible gout. Please pray that he will overcome his illnesses and rebound!!

So much to update on, house-transportaton-VA-new equipment-lack of equipment-loss of benefits-LOD-----

MaMa Hen---We have NOT forgotten you!! Seems like Rucker has an appointment every 2 weeks and with contractors being out, they get hectic for dad----we WILL be calling you; just can't pinpoint when, sorry!!

Betty/Joe---love you guys!! Charles/Carol---Merry Christmas!! Wayne--thinking of you through this season and pray you will be okay with the loss of Peggy!!

CLUTCH---Justin said Hello---

Anyone not mentioned----we are thinking and praying and thankful and trying to fit it all in. AND will try again to update---so much going on, so little time. I have to go do the "bedtime" stuff now.

Love you guys, Happy holidays, thank each of you............