Boys Are Back In Town

Alex and Dane have been able to hang out a few times this week.  They are so positive and funny.  Instead of sitting around thinking "this sucks dude"  they are joking about Dane getting a Head Shot and that they might have Wonder Twin Powers.  They joke about the things they can do like Dane jabbing Alex that He can walk, Alex jabbed right back saying "ya well I can eat!".  They are having fun.  Oakley Sunglass's heard about the boys (via Alex's step dad) and sent the boys a pair of sunglass's to protect their fragile eyes. They were sporting them in the hospital.  Looks like Alex's release date from the hospital is December 1st. (yep December)

Thursday 10-28-10

Back in St. George - cant describe the felling I had when I pulled into my little town of Santa Clara Tuesday night, knowing that I didnt have to go back to Vegas, but also knowing that my son is still in the hospital.  It was bitter sweet.  Alex is glad to be back but wants to be Home!!!  He was a home body before this happened, he and his friends always hung out at our house (and it wasnt because we had the best food, it was because Alex wanted to be home).
Alex had a few visitors in Vegas some very special visitors that we will forever be grateful for.  We extended an offer for them to come visit in STG and hope they will.  We miss you already.  Some of our amazing STG friends drove to Vegas to visit and share their knowledge of things to come with Alex's recovery.  Thanks to all those that made the journey, lifted our spirits, brought us clothes and food.  I know SO many more wanted to visit but with him in PICU then the Burn Unit he needed to have restrictions.  Some of those restrictions have been lifted at IHC, but its still not an open door for visitors.  He's very busy here, hes in the Acute Rehabilitation center.  He has a schedule that starts at 7am and goes until 4pm.  If you want to visit, contact me and I'll see what I can do to get you in (after 4).  Alex is learning a lot of things such as; Sitting up in bed, putting his legs on the floor, standing up (with help), moving his feet to then sit down in a wheel chair, learning to roll over, learning to take steps,  move his fingers,  hold a cup, scratch his nose, rub his eyes etc...  Just since yesterday he has improved SO much.  The doctors and nurses in the Rehab unit know "their stuff", they are good and are dedicated to Alex and his recovery.  I'm so grateful for them and all that they are doing for Alex.  Hes in great hands.  Alex also got the 75 staples out of his chest today.  Wahoo - he is looking good and ahead of schedule with his burns. I will be able to return to work next week at Stevens-Henager College, it will be good to be back.  We are on a great schedule and before we know it Alex will be Home.

On the road again...(recovery)

We are so happy to have Alex and his parents back in St. George. The boys have a lot of healing to do but I am so grateful to have them both here and on the road to a full recovery!
Dane is still having some issues with weight loss and we are trying other medications for his stomach spasms and pain. It's hard to make him eat when it immediately causes him to feel like "there is glass in his stomach" (his description). He has been to two Doctors and the ER (and had many tests) since we've been back but still no definite answers, although I was encouraged to find out that our family Dr. had treated a lightning strike victim before...he said it will be a process.
Hopefully before long, these two will be doing some catch up homework just to stimulate their brilliant minds. At the very least, Dane wants to visit Alex as soon as he is up to it, I'm sure it will be very soon.
Much gratitude for continued prayers!!!
Leslie

Theres No Place Like Home

We made it back to Utah thanks to the amazing transport Co  Nevada Medi-Car.  They safely delivered Alex from UMC to IHC.  Alex will  undergo some intense PT and evaluations for the next 2+ weeks.  Thanks for all the signs that were delivered, it made his welcome bright and cheery.  I will keep you updated with his status as I am updated.  Once we get the green light for visitors I'll let you know.  Thanks for all your prayers, we are so happy to have him back in Dixie.
Kaleen aka Alex's Mom

Ronald McDonald House

 

For those of you that were like me and dropped some money into the little RMH collection box's a few times a year, that saved soda pop tabs and then didnt think about the RMH again until their next drive,  Nows the time to think differently.
On 10-10-10 I was fortunate  enough to check into the Vegas RMH where I was welcomed with warm arms (and big red shoes).  This home is beautiful and was built by love for families that have children in the hospital.  These homes are located through out the US.  Find one close to you and go volunteer there.  You will receive as much joy by serving as those that are receiving.  Theres all kinds of opportunities to help.  I witnessed a family cooking dinner for the residents last Saturday.  I watched a family cook dinner, parents teaching their teenage children how to cook.  What a great way to spend a Saturday night, parents with their teens, laughing and cooking while serving families that are staying there due to sick children.  I visited with some other parents that were staying in the home, I heard their stories of their sick children and my heat ached for them.  Oh how grateful I am for this program and the relief it brings to families while they watch their children in so much pain and agony.  How grateful I have been for the warm bed to sleep in a few hours each night.  The beautiful home, huge kitchen and amazing laundry room.  Thank you RMH of Las Vegas for allowing me to stay there while Alex was/is in the hospital.  I plan on visiting the STG home and hope that YOU will visit a RMH near you.  If we each give one hour a month, think of all the hours we will donate to these families that find themselves in horrible situations.  It felt like home - thank you. I'm not there tonight - Alex is having some struggles - hes back on oxygen at UMC for the moment.

St George bound - soon

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13379887

"Peaches" "Billions of peaches, peaches for me, billions of peaches, peaches for free...." the Presidents of the
United States of America...That has been Alex's theme song as of late we will add it to his soundtrack.  His last menu order he just said "Bring me peaches".  He seems to be eating them at every meal along with his vanilla or chocolate Ensure supplemental drink.  He inhales that stuff.  Other flavors of the week include:
Sobe Stawberry Daquiri, strawberry lemonade from ClaimJumper, chocolate milk, and water so lets recap Alex's playlist/soundtrack so far

Lightning Song - Queens of the Stone Age
Big Bang(History of Everything) - Barenaked Ladies
Blow me Away - Breaking Benjamin(from Halo soundtrack)
Livin on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Tear Drop - Massive Attack (House theme)
Waking Up in Vegas - Katy Perry
His Last Walk - Bless the Fall
The Only Medicine - Scary Kids Scaring Kids
insert the Peaches song here
and apropos we can't forget
Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley

We will round things up with Motely Crue's or Carie Underwood version of Coming Home, or maybe In the End by Linkin Park.  The vote is out on this one.

He is sporting the Samurai up do tonight, and the hospital gown completes his battle dress ensemble.  He looks ready to fight his way out of the hospital bed.  He looks almost like his old self and is just as cranky.  I'm so glad to have my son back.  He is here and he is present.  

When we moved from the PICU to the Burn Unit after his surgery on Tues.  Alex waited patiently for transport to take him to his new room.  They came and loaded him up on a new bed, a gurney, then we loaded all of Alex's stuff from his room on to the bed.  Well there wasn't enough room.  We had so many bags of get well cards, posters, food, balloons, DVD's etc from you.  It was a pretty funny procession from one end of the hospital to the other with his bed and balloons, and Grandma trailing guarding us.  Alex told the guy pushing him that he was thankful for him pushing him and that he would from that point on refer to him as the "Transporter"  When Alex was finally situated in the new room Alex said "Thanks Transporter".

It is wonderful that Alex will close another chapter in his recovery by leaving the Burn Unit behind soon. and
returning to you in St. George.  I'm happy that he is in good enough shape to make the journey, sad that he will be farther away from me.  It was nice having him so close here in Las Vegas for three weeks.  He is back mentally.  I have been quizzing him relentlessly on Halopedia trivia.  He knows the answer to each and every question I can pose.

 We have been watching a lot of Big Bang Theory and House, and it is tough for him because it hurts him to laugh right now.  It gets easier for him each day though.  I am sure we will get ROFLMAO's and lulz from him soon.   ~Arden aka Alex's Dad