The journey continues and the current chapter takes us to Baltimore and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. On Thursday the 12th an amazing organization called Grace on Wings (graceonwings.org) offered to take Jesse to Baltimore on one of their two specially built air ambulances. (Although the costs was reduced to about 25% of the costs of a for-profit ambulance company would charge, that’s still a big amount and we want to thank Grandma Lee and Grandpa Mort for paying those costs for Jesse.) The founder and pilot, Hal Block, weaved the small twin engine plane through thunderstorms, missing every bit of turbulence and rain, to land us like a butterfly in Baltimore. Jesse was then driven by ambulance to Kennedy Krieger Institute where they were ready and waiting for him.
Since we have arrived, the attentiveness, professionalism, compassion, knowledge and care provided by the nursing and doctor staff has been nothing short of amazing. This is our 6th hospital over the past 8 months and there are clear differences between the other 5 and KKI. We feel very fortunate and blessed to be here and wish we got here many months ago. That said, we are all human and even the best are not perfect. Today during therapy Jesse got put down on his tracheostomy! An honest accident, but to put the pain in perspective, take a 1″ diameter piece of PVC pipe, push it into your throat, wiggle it around for several months and then when it is really tender and painful, hit it with a hammer into the back of your throat! Even the toughest guy in the world could not contain that amount of pain, but 3 hours later he was back at therapy proving once again he deserves that title.
KKI is treating Jesse’s wound with electronic stimulation and between Friday and today it has already shrunk 10%. They have the latest equipment in every phase of his treatment and a staff that takes great pride in providing the best care possible.
Last night we spent 4 hours with Patrick Rummerfield. If you don’t know who Pat is, check out his web site at www.rummerfield.com. Pat has taken Jesse under his impressive wing ever since the first day he heard about Jesse’s accident and is the main reason we are here at KKI. If Jesse can achieve what Pat has achieved, he will truly have his life back. It was an awesome night talking with a truly amazing person who gave Jesse lots of reasons to be encouraged and inspired. Pat is the kind of caring, giving, altruistic person that restores your faith in mankind!
On Wednesday we met with all the doctors to discuss Jesse’s treatment plan. Look for another update soon about that.
Thanks – Dave