Hi All - We've had quite a rollercoaster lately. Good days, bad days, and O.K. days. There have been trips to Mayo in Rochester and trips to Gillette in Minneapolis. Jack was able to go to an Ace's baseball game one Sunday (see picture). He was sure pleased to be there. Just this past week, he spent 4 days flat @ an attempt to encourage the healing and stop the spuratic headaches he's been having. There are a couple tests scheduled soon (MRI and a Dye test) to make sure all is working the way it should be. Both of these are unevasive and we hope uneventful.

We are all ready for some good summer fun, so let the healing begin!
Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and kind words, it means a lot to Jack and the rest of us too!

Things are looking up!

Jack was able to come home Friday after his procedure. Ya hooooooo! He is doing well, no more head aches and he has his appetite and since of humor back. He has spent two half days at school and working back into that routine.

Jack even got to pose for a picture w/Marita on her way to prom.

We are sure glad he is home and bossing us around again. We've been talking a lot about the baseball games, which start in early May, and he is ready to become a bleacher bum again this season.

Update

Hi All - I was actually hoping I was done sending out Hospital updates for Jack but as it turns out he has become a "frequent flyer" here at Mayo. Today we are at Mayo again for another procedure. Last Friday Jack had a surgery to fix the catheter that connects from the pump to his spine. The catheter at Jack's spine had become twisted and somewhat disconnected. That turned out to be the cause of his leakage. However, since that surgery he has been having spinal headaches which are horrible. He has spent most of the week throwing up and when he's not throwing up he's trying to sleep. It's been very painful for him. So, today he's here to have a "blood patch" which will hopefully fix the problem. He's had a rough go since his first surgery on March 24th. We're hoping he bounces back soon. The next time I update this blog I hope I'll be reporting only good things.

Thanks everyone for sending Jack your prayers and good energy!

Leakage

Well, Jack's heading back to Mayo for another procedure tomorrow. Ugh! He has been leaking fluid out of his back incision for the last couple weeks. Last week we spent 3 days at Mayo while they tried to fix the leakage by stitching his incision again. It seemed to work for a couple days but this week he sprung a leak again so that means the surgeon will have to go back in and take a look. We're hoping he can fix the problem without having to do something major.

I'll keep you updated.

We're Home!!

After nine long days we made it home! Jack was so excited to be home, he could hardly stand it. On Friday morning they gave us the go ahead to go home but first the doctors had to set off Jack's pump alarm so we'd know what it sounds like. Jack thought it was a hoot that his belly was making a noise. He asked if he could have music instead of a beep. We're going to make a suggestion to Medtronic that they should have ring tone selections for their pumps.

So after 3 years of deciding if this was the right thing to do for Jack, so far we can say yes! We're also glad we did it at Mayo. The staff was amazing! We're looking forward to getting Jack back on his feet and moving.

Our family would like to thank everyone for the emails, gifts and visits!! We never could have done without our family and friends!

I posted some additional pictures at the bottom of the blog.

No video

Hi -There is not video of Jack at therapy because I can't figure out how to load it. I'll keep trying!

Legs, Legs, Legs

Hey Great News! Today Jack found his "walking legs." It was pretty cool because Dee (PT from school) and Carrie (his teacher) where here to see him take his first steps. We were all really excited!! Jack and I were almost equally excited about the cookies Dee and Carrie brought!! You know you have to keep your sugar levels up while you're at the hospital.

I've posted a video of Jack using his right hand at the bottom of the blog. If you know Jack this is a pretty huge deal because he never uses his right hand.

Have a good night!