The word community is defined as a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

Since February 23 a large community of people have rallied around our Jackie.  Everyone from our town of Boiling Springs/Carlisle to the medical staff at Geisinger to the students and staff at Bloomsburg U and South Middleton School District to our friends and family including work families, clergy and even people we do not know.

This outpouring of support is incredible and even though we may never be able to appropriately thank all of you, please know how much we are touched by your generosity and support.  We can’t wait for Jackie to realize how many people love him and are praying for his recovery.

As hoped, the rest of the day was fairly quiet.  Jackie’s central line that was in since he was admitted was removed as well as the last tube that was going down his throat.  Jackie is still coughing quite a bit on the trach, and still remains on the cooling blanket and is shivering on and off.  They are working to get the blanket cool enough to keep the temp down, but warm enough to stop the shivering.  So far it is working.  They are keeping an eye on the blood clot and successfully administered Jackie’s first two feedings through his new feeding tube.

I’m sure Jackie is pulling his strength from faith and you, our huge community of support and for that we are forever grateful.

We continue to be in the trend of rough nights leading into better days.

Last night Jackie still had a fever so was on the cooling  blanket once again.  At one point most of his body was shivering so they gave him something to help.  He continued to cough, which is a good thing, even though it is hard to watch.  The docs decided to let his body rest so they put him back on the vent overnight. It seemed like he was fighting it, wanting to be in control himself.  This morning he is back to breathing on his own with moisturized oxygen flowing over the trach. He was also given something else to allow him to rest in the early hours this morning.

The treatment for the blood clot is the same, so he will stay on low levels of blood thinners.  The one main line that was put in when he first came into the hospital is being removed later today and the pic line with three ports is now in. If his blood work comes back as they expect, the pic line can be pulled in just a couple days.

Even though Jackie is still in a coma, certain therapy teams are starting their treatment.

The speech therapy team made their first visit this morning.  They examined Jackie and will be working with us for the duration of Jackie’s hospital stay.  They will eventually help him to speak while on the vent.

The physical therapy team is working with him now.  They actually have moved him to a chair.  So amazing how we need to keep Jackie’s body moving while he still sleeps.  He will be moved back into his bed within two hours and I’m hoping he will have a restful afternoon.

We can still touch and talk to him softly, but are not to over stimulate him.

Final details are being confirmed, but it appears that Jackie will be moving to another section of the hospital for further treatment.  More details to come.

It is hard to believe it is only noon and so much has happened already today.  Our thanks goes out to the wonderful docs and nursing staff, our family and friends.  We could not get through this without you.

Please continue to send prayers and positive thoughts to Jackie.

I don’t know if you could hear me this weekend but we finally got the green light to whisper things to you while your brain continues to sleep and recover. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to be able to let you know that I was there by your side and that I love you so very much!

To think that words, as quick as they seem to fly out of our mouths these days, end up meaning more than we could have ever imagined when allowed to speak them once again has been quite a life lesson for your big sister. You have shown me that saying I love you, showing you care and having the strength to allow yourself to say words that you feel without any hesitation even if they are followed with a mini crying meltdown is quite okay and even, as everyone is calling it, “normal” for this situation. As you already know, I am a very strong and independent spirit who you’ve always laughed at being too stubborn for my own good so this will give you a good chuckle while reading soon I’m sure.

It’s been very hard to focus and stay in the real world when back at work and away from your side and our parents but I am finding it to get a little easier as the hours and days pass by. I think about you constantly and can’t wait to be with you again later this week and fill you in on your many visitors and messages you’ve had and of course the ever entertaining lives of your favorite cat Rosie and second favorite dog Fidji 🙂

Stay strong Jackie and know that when you find the strength to open your eyes again we will be there sitting and talking beside you (probably watching walking dead or a flyers game or some March Madness – won’t it be great when you get control of the remote again?!) and will be at the ready to hold you and help you stay positive yet stubborn through the recovery to come.

Love you to the moon and back then back again,

– Sis

As with any marathon there are parts of the course that are flat and easy.  There are also hills that make the race challenging.  I would have to say that today we traveled on all parts of the course.

As you know from this mornings post, Jackie’s surgery went well.  I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to round the corner to his room and see our son’s face uninhibited by a neck brace and multiple tubes going down his throat.  There still is one small tube that remains on the side of his mouth, but that should hopefully be removed sometime tomorrow.  At one point he was breathing completely on his own during the day.  Ahhh the feel of the flat part of the course was good.  A huge step in the right direction.

As the day continued so did the journey up the hill.  At the end of last week his left arm was beginning to swell.  The docs had an idea of what it might be, but had to stay the course based on Jackie’s condition.  Today they confirmed there is a blood clot on the upper left side of his body.  Treating clots with brain injuries is a fragile science.  At this point he is on a very low dose of blood thinner in hopes that with time the clot will dissipate.

I know how tired we are, I can’t imagine how tired Jackie is.  One thing I can tell you, he is strong. There will be many flats and hills ahead but with your prayers we will make it through the entire race.

Jackie just got back to his room.

The surgery went well.  They actually took Jackie to the ER a little earlier than we expected.  Jackie now has the vent connected to his new trach and his peg/feeding tube is in.  It may take an hour or two for him to completely come out of the general anesthesia.

I’ll have more to post tonight.  Just wanted to let everyone know we have crossed another hurdle and are off and running.

Thanks again  for all of your support, please keep the prayers coming.

Our dear Jackie has been through so much.  I can’t even imagine what it is like to be going through everything he has experienced in one week.  I do know that I would give anything to switch places with him.  Reality is we can’t turn back the hands of time, we can only move forward each day with renewed strength and hope for more baby steps and small victories.

The MRI went well.  It took over two hours to complete and Jackie had to lay flat on his back .  They sedated him a little so that he would remain still in order to get good images.  It is a lot of work for the nurses as he is still on the vent.  They even tested him prior to taking him down to ensure his breathing was ok while laying flat.

I’m glad that is over.  Tomorrow morning at 9:30 he will be getting the procedure done to put in the trach and peg.  Even though he will still be hooked up to the vent, at least he won’t have multiple tubes going down his mouth into his throat.  I’m hoping it will make his recovery easier.

I think I will wait and post after the procedure is over tomorrow morning.  Please send prayers and positive thoughts our way.  Don’t waste your energy on things you cannot change, but focus on the positive impacts you can make within your own lives now.

A not so good night has led to a very busy morning and afternoon; thus the cause for the delay in my post.

Jackie once again had a restless night.  He got sick again and his lips were swollen.  He also went back on the machine that records his temperature.

The neuro doc stopped by and based on Jackie’s night and the fact that he keeps getting sick, ordered a CAT scan.  We are learning that celebrating the small victories is so important as in hours you can be headed down the road of concern once again.

As the morning continued we learned that the CAT scan results were stable, meaning no major changes from the previous  scan.  This is good news as there is no sign of any additional damage and there are still signs of reduction in the swelling.

We met as always with the trauma team when they made their rounds. We are very fond of our doc on this team and were anxiously awaiting her examination of Jackie.  Great news – Jackie definitely showed signs that he is making intentional movements and it looks like he is really trying to open his eyes.  We discussed next steps and shortly Jackie will be getting an MRI on his neck.  If all clear he will be undergoing a procedure to put in a tracheotomy and a peg sometime tomorrow.  The trach inserted in his throat, will be more comfortable and still will allow the vent to assist with his breathing.  He may also be able to have his neck brace removed. The peg will be inserted directly into his stomach which should also make his nutrition intake easier.

Keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming.  I’ll post again later tonight.

A touch, one simple thing we all take for granted. That is what made our day today. To be able to sit beside Jackie, hold his hand and let him know we are here for him was worth the wait.

A day of small victories:  Jackie’s blood pressure is now being monitored by a cuff only,  his temp being captured by ear thermometer only, and his sedation meds are no longer being administered!

Now it is up to Jackie.  First step is to open his eyes.  Not sure what day this is going to happen, until then he remains asleep.  We are hoping our time spent with him will speed up the process and we will see those beautiful hazel eyes soon.

He continues to get sick periodically and once again his nutrients are being held off until the morning, when we will start the process all over again.

The Trauma team also had a positive neurological test.  Jackie appears to be starting to make movements on his own.  Especially when the doc said that the nurse was wearing a Crosby jersey.  Jackie of course is a Flyers fan.

As always we will take each day as it comes and will celebrate the small victories along the way.  Take a moment to touch someone you love in any way you wish and begin to celebrate the small victories in your lives.  I think you may find joy in things you took for granted.

Thanks as always for your continued support and prayers.

Jackie’s night was not as peaceful as others.  He ended up getting sick again and his nutrients were stopped.  Plan is to start trying to slowly start him up on them again today.  We are really getting to know the staff.  Nick was Jackie’s nurse last night.  He is wonderful and we are always comforted when he is assigned to Jackie.  I know this may sound funny but he also looks like Jackie’s best friend Sean and that in itself is a comfort.

For now, the cooling blanket has been turned off. His blood pressure is also staying within the limits for his condition.

The neurology team made rounds early and although we did not talk with them, we were told they are happy with Jackie’s progress. We are cautiously optimistic and are anxious to hear the update from then Trauma and Intensive care leads later this morning.

Still feel like we are in the beginning legs of the race.  Please continue to pray for Jackie’s strength  as we go day by day.

Will post again tonight.

The waiting room is bursting at the seams  tonight.  Unfortunately new families now gather as they face their own tragedy and sadness.  A bright spot is all of Jackie’s friends who travel from BSHS and different universities to the hospital to visit their friend.  We get the added benefit of lots of hugs that I purposely hold for longer than normal.  Jackie is a great hugger, I can’t wait until I can hug him again.

Jackie is still on the cooling blanket.  This is helping to keep his fever from spiking higher.

He still remains on the vent and he got sick a little bit tonight.  His nutrition was dialed back a bit until his stomach settles.

His blood pressure is being maintained by meds but still spikes when he is worked on by the nurses or docs.  His sedation drugs have been reduced and he continues to move more.  A very good sign.

It is still too soon to tell, but it looks like he is starting to make intelligent movements with his arms.

We finally got the green light to touch and talk to him.  It’s funny because we have been waiting for this moment for so long, but are hesitant as we do not want his vitals to spike.  Fears aside,  we whispered in his ear and touched his arm.  There was no response, but that didn’t matter.  Just touching him made us finally feel connected once again.

We continue to be amazed by all that everyone is doing for us.  Please know how much this means to us.  Keep praying and sending positive thoughts our way.  These next few days will be challenging but will hopefully be filled with small steps that will eventually get us to the finish line.