Updates and encouragement

Yesterday was my two week follow up appointment with the doctor. He removed the staples, took a look at the incision, and took alot of time to discuss my questions, progress, etc. The physical healing appears to be going very well; the surgical site is closing cleanly and without infection. The real problems has been, and to an extent continues to be, the muscle spasms in my back. The neurosurgeon was very clear prior to the surgery that this would be the case, but I guess it's easy to underestimate how it would feel. At any rate, I have been trying to go about my routine statue-still to prevent any further damage, and at the appointment yesterday, the doctor gave me a green light to start moving around and involving my muscles substantially more. Of course I have to avoid over-doing it, and I have to isolate my back from any exercise, but the mere fact that I can begin being more active in my recovery is incredibly encouraging.

I have been hitching rides to work with Eric Brown, who lives and works within several blocks of where I live and work, which has been great both because it allows me to begin feeling productive again (getting into the office), and gives me good time of fellowship. As many of you know, Eric is my great friend, long time training partner and, along with Tom Norris, was with me at the time of my accident. Rebekah diligently comes and gets me from work after a few hours before I spend too much time at the office, as I always have difficulty feeling like I have tied up enough loose ends to leave, and probably wouldn't be smart enough to go without prompting. It does feel like the psychological portion of my healing is well under way as I begin to slip back into the routine at the office, even on a minimal level.

Continuing the mend...

I am healing physically, but it sometimes seems so slow. I have to remember that it's been only two weeks since the accident and just a week out of the hospital. The pain associated with the rib and vertebral fractures has been mostly manageable, and is actually beginning to decrease. The spasms in my back muscles have been the cause of the majority of the recent pain, and hopefully that also will subside as they recover from the surgical trauma.

The greatest difficulty has been the incompatibility of my physical condition with my desire for activity, I guess a pretty bad case of cabin fever. In spite of feeling well enough to do many things I would like, I know that to allow my body to heal I must take it easier than I want. It can be pretty frustrating to wake from a nap and get out of bed simply to go sit in my wheelchair so that my back can tire enough to lie down for another nap. I realize that in the grand scale of life this recovery will be relatively short, but at times the hours of inactivity and being cooped up in the house do drag by. I will have a visit with the doctor this Wednesday and hope to be released to some minimal activity, perhaps knitting or macrame. In the meantime, my nurse continues to care for me with her tireless patience and kindness, whether it's managing my medications or my spirits. Thanks, Rebekah.

I continue to be encouraged by the outpouring of support from friends, family, and our church. Hardly an hour goes by without an encouraging note, phone call, or visit. Again, I thank you all for that, and I will continue to keep you posted as news and status progress.

My second night home

Jon helping with some tasks in the house, and Justin rockin' out with the weedeater.










Last night was my second night at home. What had been mostly sleepless nights are becoming more restful thanks to better pain management and the security of my own bed. I continue to rise quite a few times in the night, but Rebekah's servant's heart is just as keen in the night as in the day, and she is cheerful and willing helping me put on the brace, helping me remember which medications to take and stuffing more pillows behind me to create a more comfortable position.

I got to take Elizabeth to school yesterday and one of the moms there asked "Are you Rebekah Goodman's husband?" (My backbrace and turtle's gait must have given me away.) After I responded in the affirmative, she told me that she had met Rebekah at the neighborhood swimming pool earlier in the summer and continued to tell me what a warm, caring, kind and thoughtful wife I have. Not knowing what to say, I simply told her with a smile that "I guess I shouldn't have to break my back to figure that out."

I realize I have only been out of the hospital two days now, and that I did break my back and ribs and bruised my lung. Being a very task oriented and accomplishment driven individual, the past few days have been very difficult for me. I have felt very helpless, not even being able to dress myself, and hopeless, feeling dismayed at the complete loss of energy after only moments of standing or moving. For better or worse, I have always been a relatively capable individual who rarely needed to ask for help. My current inabilities and the associated feelings of worthlessness have been nearly as painful as the broken vertebrae and ribs.

Perhaps one of the lessons God has for me in all of this is the humility to ask for - or even just accept - help from others. Since I got out of the hospital my mother and brothers have been at the house helping with some of the menial (and long overdue) maintenance projects that need to be done. Many of you have brought meals, made visits to the hospital or our home, offered use of chairs, vehicles, time, or just been there with kind words. These have ovewhelmed me, and I thank each of you.



I think the other lesson I am learning is that our worth is not measured simply by what we can do or accomplish. Having always been capable, that's always been a convenient (and flattering)measurement of myself. But hearing at my daughter's school from some random soccer-mom why my wife was so remarkable to her, coupled with the way she and so many of you have served me in these last days, has reminded me that at my funeral, my eulogy won't include anything about the condition of my lawn. It's about how we can serve others, and about how we can serve one another in the short time that we have.

Sometime today, take a minute to show someone how much you love them by serving them in a tangible way. And when someone offers to serve you in something you could just as easily do for yourself, allow them. It's a challenge I'm making to myself, but one on which you're welcome to join me if you feel so called.

HOME AT LAST!!!

Jason was discharged from the hospital today at about 2:00pm! He is very happy to be home with his family. Jason's Mom and his brother and sister-in-law will also be in town for a couple more days and have been such a wonderful help to Rebekah. Jason will be able to sleep without his back brace, but has to wear it for everything else.

Thanks to everyone for all the help and prayers throughout the week. Please continue to pray for quick and complete healing.

Racin' for Jason

Despite a week full of trial and physical exhaustion, Rebekah and Deb were able to push through and complete their long-prepared-for triathlon. Each of us took the opportunity to share Jason's story with other participants and spectators and we were all reminded again of God's guiding hand through this difficult week.

Thanks to the girls for "sticking to it" and finishing what they had started many months ago.

Eric Brown

The included photo and many more can be viewed at: http://picasaweb.google.com/debbie.sue.brown/CrescentMoonDebAndRebekah

One more night??

In spite of the amazing experience this time at Swedish has been:) we are feeling like it is just about time to begin the next phase of rehabilitation at home. Although the pain remains fairly persistent, it seems that the muscle spasms are beginning to come under control and the rest is largely managable.

In today's therapy, I was able to negotiate up and down two flights of stairs as well as the hallways getting there and back. Hopefully tonight will be comprised of some very good rest allowing me to leave the hospital fresh and energized to begin to acclimate to the at home routine.

Words cannot begin to express the love and thankfulness I have for my wife, for her unconditional love and support of me during this past week. Wow, this experience was miserable to endure with her at my side. It would have been intolerable, no, impossible without her. I thank you Rebekah, the love of my life, for the love you have shown me this week. And when it comes down to it, you love me like this every single week whether I realize it or not.

Tomorrow it will be back home. Thanks also to all at Swedish who have helped make this such a manageable recovery.

More than Baby Steps

Today has been a huge leap towards recovery. Jason was visited by the physical therapist this afternoon and they took him for a walk down the hallway and back. He did great and although the pain is still there, it is becoming more and more bearable.

Also, the results came back from the x-ray on his neck and they found that there is no abnormal movement in the cervical spine and so he gets to take the c-spine collar (neck brace) off. His neck is a bit stiff, but he is glad not to have this restriction any longer. Jason got to pose for his first picture with his sweet family since the accident. If this doesn't make you cry, I don't know what will. God's blessings are overwhelming, and to see Jason standing and looking like "Good Ol' Jason" is wonderful.