Thursday, November 20th

Wesley had his final evaluation yesterday. He is still 25% minimum dependent on comprehension, orientation, and communication, but he scored Supervision only on everything else. His short term memory is still impaired to a great extent, but he is improving every day. Today will be his last day of therapy here at Methodist, and he will be released tomorrow. He will continue outpatient therapy at home in Ocean Springs at Encore. He will still require 24 hour supervision for the time being. As far as I am concerned, Wesley is a walking, talking miracle. When he arrived here, he could do neither. This place is amazing, and after only 4 weeks to see him make this kind of progress, I just know that Wesley will be 100% by this time next year. He is still having some issues with his left arm, but it's nothing that cannot be fixed. He will require some surgery to the right shoulder where it was seperated. As soon as Wes is up to it, we will be making our rounds to places such as Ocean Springs Hospital, etc... so that you can all see him for yourself. He is very eager to meet all of the people who played such an important role in his recovery. All of your prayers alone, I believe is what helped to get him to this point. I will continue to keep you all informed on his progress and recovery back at home. Thank you all once again, and hope to see you soon. Jennie and Wes!!

Sunday, November 16th

Just got back to Jackson about 2 hours ago. Wesley had a great visit home. It was so nice to have my family back together again, even if it was only for 2 days. Wes should be finishing up here by Friday, so we can go back home and pick up where we left off. Wes got to get his first haircut since the accident. Thank you TINA!!!!! He's finally starting to look like Wes again. We just need to fill those cheeks back up, and he'll be just like new.

Wes did remember his home, and everyone he saw. He stayed in the house and took it easy, and had a few visitors. Next week when we get back, hopefully it will feel a bit more like home to him. He seems to be a little more comfortable since we got back to the rehabilitation center this evening. I guess this place is the most recent thing that feels familiar to him, so I'll take that as a good sign. Trent will be staying in Ocean Springs with my parents while Wes is finishing up here. I sure can't wait to have my 2 most favorite people back at home where they belong. I am so blessed. Jennie

Thursday, November 13th

Wesley had his second evaluation yesterday, and he scored under 25% minimum dependent on almost everything. Comprehension, Orientation, Communication, memory, and problem solving is still in between 25%-75% maximum dependent. Everything else like walking, grooming, etc... he was under 25%, which is supervision only. He also passed his breathing test today in Respiratory Therapy, which means that he will not have to do that particular therapy anymore. He hated that one the most, so I can see why he was anxious to pass that test first. Wes was also granted a weekend pass to go home to visit for this weekend. We will travel home tomorrow after his therapy and return on Sunday. If next week goes well, they have set his release date for Nov. 21st. He is so excited and so am I. We will be home for Thanksgiving, and we have so much to be thankful for this year. What a blessing!!! I'll let you all know how the weekend at home went by Monday. Thanks again for all of your prayers and support....we love you all. Jennie, Wes, and Trenton!!

Tuesday, November 11th

First, I'd like to thank John Collins for his many visits. John works next door at the VA Medical Center. I am attaching a picture of John and Wes from last week. Thank you for your concerns and your company. Wesley is very appreciative.

Yesterday, after I spoke to Wes's doctor, she gave me some literature. I didn't get a chance to read it till last night, and I would like to share it with you to help you better understand where Wesley is at right now. They rate the patients on their Cognitive Functioning on levels between 1-8. Wesley is at a 5. A level 5 is labeled as "Confused-Inappropriate". "The person appears alert and is able to follow simple commands at times. If the commands become complex, or aren't precise enough, the individual's responses will be random, and without direction. Verbal expression reflects the confusion and disorientation the person is experiencing. Beyond very simple responses, the person's speech is often inappropriate and marked by confabulation(made-up responses and stories). Short-term memory is severely impaired. The person has a tendancy to wander from the setting. He needs help to initiate and complete everyday tasks such as dressing, grooming, etc...."

Now remember, Wes was only around a 3 when he first got here. So, he has come very far and I'm sure he will be a 6 by next week. Just thought this might help you all to better understand the brain and what it goes through while it heals. It really is fascinating to watch this healing process. I am so lucky and blessed to have this opportunity, and to be able to share it with all of you. Don't stop praying.........It's working. Jennie

Monday, November 10th

Had a good talk with one of Wes's doctors this morning. She feels pretty optimistic about Wes recovering fully. There is not a time line as to when that might be, but his progress here so far is absolutely amazing. Things that he is still having trouble with the most are his short term memory, and having a tendancy to forget about his left arm and hand. But even those things are improving slowly. It could take up to a full year to see him recover fully, and I have accepted that. Wes is now aware of his condition, and he has accepted that too. Accepting what God has handed us to deal with and live with is what I have learned most about all of this. Things seem to be so much easier once you accept them. We had another unexpected family emergency today. My Grandmother (my mom's mom) was rushed to the hospital this morning. Still not too sure what is wrong, but it has to do with her back and she is in alot of pain. She cannot walk, so my mother had to rush back to Ocean Spring this morning. So please keep her in your prayers as well. Thank you Rachel Rushing (my Shear Attitude boss) for sitting with my grandmother this morning until someone got there. And thank you Nicole Fayard for getting here so fast to help out with Trent. You are all a blessing to me. Sorry Dawn, but Nicole told me to tell you, "Na na na boo boo" because she got to see Wes and you didn't!!! Just kidding........Nicole made me do this. And I can't forget to wish my wonderful father and Wes's Aunt Laura (Lou) a very Happy Birthday. We love you guys. Can't wait to see you again. Jennie

Sunday, November 9th

Today marks 6 weeks since the accident. Sometimes it feels like yesterday, and sometimes it feels like forever. But as I sit and look at how far Wesley has come in 6 weeks, I find comfort in the essence of "TIME". Sometimes time is all we need, but prayer and friends and family make the time that is passing or the time that we need so much easier to deal with. Wes had quite a few visitors this weekend. It was so nice to see all of your faces again. John Collins visited on Saturday, and The Saucier Family visited today. Trenton also came back after being gone for almost 5 days. Being away from him is definately the hardest thing in the world, but I am so blessed to have him in such good hands. Thank you to my loving family...........Oh, and I must not forget to mention, my wonderful friend Jennifer Barnidge from Shear Attitude was here today too. Thanks again for those delicious cookies. Can't wait to see you all again. We love you......Jennie

Friday, November 7th

Looks like we have made it to the half way mark of Rehab here in Jackson. Wesley will get to rest over the weekend, then back at it again on Monday. If things go well next week, he may be able to come home next weekend for a trial visit. And if that goes well, then the 21st may be his last day here. So keep your fingers crossed once more. He will still have to do alot of outpatient rehabilitation once he gets home, but at least we'll be home. There's definately no place like home. I am attaching another photo. This one was taken today. Jeff Page and his mother were here in Jackson. His mother will be having a procedure on Monday to remove some cancer tissues from her breast. Please keep her in your prayers. Jeff, thank you so much for coming to visit. After you left, Wes wanted to know where the rest of his friends were. I had to remind him again that we were 3 hours away from home, and that all of his friends were there waiting on him to hurry up and get better. So, as you can see.....he is doing a fine job. I am so proud of him. We miss all of you and can't wait to come home. Jennie

Wednesday, November 5th

The feeding tube has finally been removed.....Yeah!!! And the trache hole is all closed up. Wesley had his first evaluation today. Walking, he scored in between 25-50 percent (minimum to moderate dependent). Dressing, feeding, grooming, and bathing he scored only 25% minimum dependent. And problem solving, memory, safety judgement, and reasoning he scored 50-75% (moderate to maximum dependent). So, as you can see.......his work here is far from done, but he is progressing more and more every day. The goal is to have him leave here being under 25% minimum dependent for all of the above. He is well on his way. He also had his first outing today with some other patients and therapists. I was not aloud to go. He got to go to Ryan's steak house and to Bass pro shop. I think it went okay....he didn't seem to remember much. I have attached a picture taken today of Wes with Bruce Cartwright. Bruce drove up here to see him. Wes was so thankful and happy. He said that he wishes he could see all of his friends. I told him to be patient just like he taught me, because he will. Thank God that he will.

Love you guys, Jennie

Monday, November 3rd

What a great weekend. Saturday morning Wes started walking by himself with no help. We are not supposed to let him walk by himself yet, so I stay very close to him. Sometimes, I'm only holding his hand. He's doing it all by himself. He did not have any therapy over the weekend, so we spent alot of time talking to him about recent events and reminding him of all of the things that he's been doing over the past couple of years. I showed him a ton of pictures, including the ones from the benefit. He seems to remember people very well. But remembering the next day that I even showed him pictures, he does not. He did great in therapy today. Still having a little trouble with his left arm and hand. It seems to be very lazy. But remember, he was not even moving that arm and hand a few weeks ago. I am attaching somes photo of Wesley taken on Sunday, Nov.2nd so that you can see for yourselves how far he has come with only 4 full days of therapy. It's pretty amazing. Wes is amazing. Jennie

Friday, October 31st

Happy Halloween!! Today marks 10 years that Wes and I have been together. I asked him this morning if he remembered the occasion? He did not, but he did seem to remember once I reminded him. My mom and Trent went home for the weekend. I wanted him to be able to go trick or treating with his little buddies. I am so sad......I miss him so much, but we will have plenty of more halloween's to come. Wes did not sleep very good last night, so he was a little lazy with his therapy today, but they said that that would happen every once in a while. I keep telling him that he's going to have to get some good rest tonight for that Georgia/Florida game tomorrow. He will not be doing much therapy over the weekend, so hopefully by Monday evening I'll have some more good news. God Bless.....Jennie