| 04-21-2006 I'm sorry to report that Jake has another skin ulcer - two of them. On the opposite cheek as the previous ulcer. He was going to come home for a visit around May 1st and now that has been postponed. Normally the drive from Robbinsdale to Oconomowoc is about 6 hours but with Jake in the van it stretches into 8 hours or more because of the frequent stops so he can move about a bit. His new ulcer would never stand 8+ hours of pressure. |
| Jake was going to speak to Kris's high school classes about his injury. Now this won't happen until at least the fall or winter. |
| Yesterday he told Terri that the ulcers have improved slightly. The aides at the group home where he lives are doing an awesome job keeping on top of things. They are constantly watching out for Jake's best interests. The care they give to Jake is without compare. One of the biggest difference between the group home where Jake lives now and the assisted-living apartment where Jake existed is that these aides care about him. |
| I purchased a new digital camera for Jake's birthday. It's a Fuji A500 and it seems to be just what he needs - I think he will be able to operate it. He has tried taking pictures with a small inexpensive 35mm camera I got for him. He has a system - thumb on the on/off switch - then he sort of cradles the camera in his hands. He frames the picture, then lowers the camera slightly and uses his chin to push down on the button. Surprisingly, he has taken pretty good pictures that way. |
| I tried the camera - I used it like he would use it - it worked great. And the pictures weren't blurry from camera movement. It's a great camera. |
| Unfortunately I had to return it because I can't be sure he will be able to use it and there is no telling when he will be home to try it. I only had 30 days to return it. |
| You might remember that I gave him a digital camera for Christmas a few years ago. While living in the assisted-living apartment it mysteriously disappeared - along with a small safe that he kept his medications and money in. |
| 05-26-06 Jake has yet another UTI. I have stopped documenting these as they are so frequent but this time there are a few differences. |
| He's being treated in the hospital because he needs to be on an IV medication. When they were taking him to his room he noticed that to get into the unit a key pad entry was needed. hmmm.... |
| Then once on the unit he noticed fish in the pattern on the floor. hmmmm... |
| They had placed him in pediatrics! Now either the other floors had full-bed status or his doctor has a terrific sense of humor. Or maybe a little bit of both. |
| Well, he made it past his birthday before he was hospitalized. At least he spent his 23rd birthday at home, not a nursing home or a hospital. |
| He helped make his birthday cake. He has sent me a lot of pictures. They are posted on pBase. There is a gallery of Jake helping with his birthday cake and a gallery of Jake putting on his shirt. |
| It will soon be a year that he moved into the group home. What a difference! He is (usually) healthy and happy. |
| 05-28-06 Jake's cultures found two infections. The first one was treated first with IV meds, the switched to oral meds. |
| The second infection was E.Coli, which proved to be resistant to Gentmyacin so he is being treated with an injection (butt). This could have been IV but Jake chose the injection. |
| Jake is in North Memorial Hospital until Tuesday - he's not sure if it's in Crystal or Robbinsdale MN. |
| He has contacted a motivational speaking organization to see what college courses they would recommend for a career in motivational speaking. He is extremely interested in this. |