A Restful Sunday
Both Jason and I slept in this morning. I awoke about 8, the latest I have slept in since my arrival in October. Went downstairs to get the morning bagel and cream cheese and burnt the first one in the toaster. I didn't know until I offered to Jason and he said, "This IS bad." Downstairs to try again, more successfully.
Jason finished the bagel, got ready and we both headed over to WR about 10:30. I was carrying the model of Jason's hip as I had told the PT's I would bring it over for them to see. Corwin said, "Let me see that, then I can give Jason exercises to meet his needs." Corwin then proceeded to bring out the biggest exercise ball I have seen. He had Jason put his legs on the top and draw up his stomach, Jason was able to bend his legs very close to 90 degrees. I am amazed at the difference within one week of surgery. Lots of stretches again for Jason and gladness at his continued healing.
I caught up with Jason in the room after attending liturgy in the fairly full chapel for the first Sunday in Lent. Lois and Dan Spoden were stopping by about 1:30 for a movie and lunch. We all went out together to Silver Spring. It was much easier for Jason to get in and out of the SUV this trip. We ate at Bowls of Noodles and attended two different shows: Dan and Jason to "16 Blocks" and Lois and I to "Nanny McPhee." After Jason headed for the bookstore but couldn't find anything he wanted we all headed back to Mologne. Lois and Dan dropped us off and we headed to the room to watch...the Oscars! If you watched, hope you enjoyed them as we did.
Saying Good bye and Hello
I said "Goodbye" to another one of the parents whose son was with Jason on Ward 65. They leave on Tuesday. She is very happy as WR saved her son's leg. He will be going home with a halo on his leg and return periodically as necessary.
I met a Vietnam veteran, a relative of one of the soldiers who was on 58 with Jason. He informed me about:
1. The work of the Vietnam Vets to establish "Veteran Centers" as there was no services available for them when they returned. They focus on peer counseling and their work with PTSD/peer support were not accepted by the VA. The VA is now trying to establish similar centers of care and support for the Iraqi vets. He encouraged Jason and family members to use the services. What he found most supportive was that it is peer run and soldiers are always available to talk to soldiers. He said that no one outside of the combat zone can understand the experiences in war. He also said it is hard to understand especially the need to be alone sometimes. He said this was especially hard on wives. In one group he attended 5 soldiers had 17 spouses, including his own two.
2. He talked about how important it is for the soldier to attend reunions of his unit. There he can talk about what he chooses to talk about his combat experiences to those who were with him. He said this is has been a really important support "and it is over 35 years after Vietnam."
Let us pray for Jason's continual healing and healing of all the veterans of all wars. May we hold them tenderly in our hearts and good thoughts and prayers. Blessings and may you have a night of good and peaceful rest.
Jason finished the bagel, got ready and we both headed over to WR about 10:30. I was carrying the model of Jason's hip as I had told the PT's I would bring it over for them to see. Corwin said, "Let me see that, then I can give Jason exercises to meet his needs." Corwin then proceeded to bring out the biggest exercise ball I have seen. He had Jason put his legs on the top and draw up his stomach, Jason was able to bend his legs very close to 90 degrees. I am amazed at the difference within one week of surgery. Lots of stretches again for Jason and gladness at his continued healing.
I caught up with Jason in the room after attending liturgy in the fairly full chapel for the first Sunday in Lent. Lois and Dan Spoden were stopping by about 1:30 for a movie and lunch. We all went out together to Silver Spring. It was much easier for Jason to get in and out of the SUV this trip. We ate at Bowls of Noodles and attended two different shows: Dan and Jason to "16 Blocks" and Lois and I to "Nanny McPhee." After Jason headed for the bookstore but couldn't find anything he wanted we all headed back to Mologne. Lois and Dan dropped us off and we headed to the room to watch...the Oscars! If you watched, hope you enjoyed them as we did.
Saying Good bye and Hello
I said "Goodbye" to another one of the parents whose son was with Jason on Ward 65. They leave on Tuesday. She is very happy as WR saved her son's leg. He will be going home with a halo on his leg and return periodically as necessary.
I met a Vietnam veteran, a relative of one of the soldiers who was on 58 with Jason. He informed me about:
1. The work of the Vietnam Vets to establish "Veteran Centers" as there was no services available for them when they returned. They focus on peer counseling and their work with PTSD/peer support were not accepted by the VA. The VA is now trying to establish similar centers of care and support for the Iraqi vets. He encouraged Jason and family members to use the services. What he found most supportive was that it is peer run and soldiers are always available to talk to soldiers. He said that no one outside of the combat zone can understand the experiences in war. He also said it is hard to understand especially the need to be alone sometimes. He said this was especially hard on wives. In one group he attended 5 soldiers had 17 spouses, including his own two.
2. He talked about how important it is for the soldier to attend reunions of his unit. There he can talk about what he chooses to talk about his combat experiences to those who were with him. He said this is has been a really important support "and it is over 35 years after Vietnam."
Let us pray for Jason's continual healing and healing of all the veterans of all wars. May we hold them tenderly in our hearts and good thoughts and prayers. Blessings and may you have a night of good and peaceful rest.
posted by Katy (Scott) Zatsick | 3/05/2006 01:41:00 PM
2 Comments:
Hello,
Thank you so much for putting together this BLOG. I had no idea so many people were reporting their experiences online. Please don't let these people be forgotten! The biggest newspapers in the world fail to do what you and others like you are doing - making us remember that in the end, all of this is about people. Real people, with lives, hopes, dreams, friends, families, loved ones.
Whatever you believe politically, you're basically given a one-dimensional view of world events from the media of your choice. For me, a mother's reaction to seeing a mouse eating is so much more profound than all the high-tech images, realtime feeds, expert analysis.
Like it or not, we're ALL in this together (the big "this"), and eventually we will learn to live together or we will perish. If we're to survive, it will be by returning to our humanity, which means never forgetting the human side of life (and death), no matter where, how or why.
So please keep up the good work, I think it's important, and I know it means a lot to many people. My warmest wishes are with you, Jason and everyone else. Be well...
Thank you for your very kind thoughts. You are not inarticulate, but convey beautifully your feelings and experience of the blog. I had never read a blog until Jason was injured in October. One of the RN's here at WR suggested the blog as a way to stay in contact with family and friends.
Welcome to the circle of those who hold Jason and all the soldiers tenderly throughout the world. May they all return to their homes in peace.
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