March 2010
Mar. 3 - Dear friends and family and supporters, we feel your love, thank you for this prayer group. I am Jonesy's wife, by his side now in Fla. His spinal cord injury is considered catastrophic. We believe in miracles. I will start a blog soon and post the link here. Pray.
Day 5 comes to a close....Jonesy is communicating with his eyes. I hold up pictures of Liliana and he lights up. He enjoyed brief visits from Ft lauderdale Rugby Folks... He is being kept comfortable.... we wait to see what tomorrow will bring....I suppose that's our new mantra.
Day 6 of “Jonesy’s Journey” MJ started the day with a collapsed lung and cardiac issues. His lung is now re-inflated. Tomorrow he goes back in the OR for a trach. I’m terrified to leave him, must return to NY to hug our baby girl. Brother Les arrives Sat. Will get updates from the nurses daily and post them. I read him posts from this page at his bedside-he knows you are all behind him. 1900+ strong on this page-what a tribute to Jonesy. Ft. Lauderdale folks have been amazing-Sarah B, Mark E, Mike R-wish I can thank everyone individually who has called, visited, emailed & posted.
Day 7 of "Jonesy's Journey" Trach procedure went well. Next hurdle: breathing on his own and being stable enough for transport to the best spinal rehab that wants to see a miracle man before their eyes.....Michael Jones will defy the odds.
Mar. 5 - Dan Payne, Director of Rugby at Life University (winners of the premier, club and 35+ division in Ft. Lauderdale this past weekend) called me yesterday, as we spoke, a check was handed to me....it was the club's tournament winnings from last weekend.
Day 8 Update-Jonesy's Journey-Brother Les arrived to find Jonesy alert, good vitals and getting a massage by two fans from the Ft. Lauderdale area (thanks littleman)! On the home front: nothing feels better than holding my little one close.
Day Nine of Jonesy's Journey, Les and the ICU staff report a mellow day due to a fever. Michael caught the eye of a pretty nurse and persuaded her to scratch his beard...all with his eyes! On the homefront: Thanks to Deacon Ed and friends for a lovely prayer session at St. Vincent's this morning.
Day 10 of Jonesy's Journey-recovering from a difficult night, tired but a good attitude-started speech and PT today. Thanks to Big Brother Les for daily updates, I gave him a notebook and made him takes notes, can't take the teacher out of me.
Day 11 of Jonesy's Journey- Started communicating more, asked for a shave. I will start advocating on Jonesy’s behalf to get him to the spinal rehab of our choice CDPHP denied us today. There are 2,762 people on this page who has the biggest connections?????
(Wed., 3/10) Day 12 of Jonesy's Journey 3/10/2010-Evening Report- Jonesy used a communication board with his brother today; this will help with the frustration of not being able to speak. He enjoyed Bob H and Jim M’s visit-thanks guys. Today we put our daughter’s little voice on speaker phone in Jonesy’s hospital room-da-da got the message loud and clear.
RE:CDPHP & Jonesy's Rehab placement: Wheels are in motion and we must go through the appropriate chain of command, (believe me, they hear our thunder) we will now be patient and let Michael's medical team at North Broward do their job- they will prove why Kessler is medically necessary for Michael's spinal rehabilitation. (So, those of you who really know me you know how hard it was for me to post this and obey-I am a get it done now "downstater"
Working on proving the point medically that Kessler is the best fit....it's hurry up and wait and be patient for the next 24 hours......
(Thu) Day 13 of Jonesy's Journey 3/11/2010-Evening Report- How exciting!! For a short while, Jonesy was breathing on his own today! Go Jonesy, Go! Les stalked the halls for doctors, advocating for his brother. Go Les, Go!
(Fri) Day 14 of Jonesy’s Journey 3/12/2010-OMG over the speakerphone, I heard a word from Michael’s own voice box through a speaking valve. My heart soared.
Tomorrow is Jonesy’s favorite national holiday…………Albany’s Parade Day! Carry a sign, picture, have a beer….to Jonesy!
(Sat) Day 15 of Jonesy’s Journey 3/13/2010-Every day can’t be a banner day. Jonesy had fevers and swelling this afternoon and evening. I lip read-no attempt to use speaking valve today, just happy to be by his side again.
(Sun) Day 16 of Jonesy’s Journey 3/14/2010 Another surreal moment… today Jonesy realized the severity of his spinal cord injury, including no movement of his arms..…what was his reaction?....he mouthed….. “Maybe it will regenerate” I said, “just like a starfish”.
(Mon) Day 17 of Jonesy’s Journey 3/15/2010 Late evening report…we are one step closer to spinal rehab…tune in tomorrow for a full report……..Michael used the speaking valve and said about five words….that knocks him out.
(yesterday) Day 18 of Jonesy’s Journey 3/16/2010 “Everyday is a winding road …I get a little bit closer” If all goes well, Jonesy will be transported to Kessler tomorrow. Thanks to all who said prayers and made calls. We are pleased CDPHP placed Jonesy in the appropriate spinal rehab facility. We have a very limited number of days at Kessler per insurance agreement….. that will be our next challenge together…one step at a time.
Day 19 of Jonesy's Journey 3/17/2010 A quick one, I think I've been awake for almost 3 days....a long emotional, scary day for Jonesy. Air Ambulance transfer was tough for him physically, we settled into Kessler and then, reality struck.
Day 20 of Jonesy’s Journey 3/18/2010 Today Jonesy started hitting the gym! There is a special spinal cord injury gym on his floor with cool equipment. He will have 2-90 minute sessions per day. Speech is trying to teach him to speak while on a ventilator-he said a few sentences today including, “I’m hoping for a miraculous recovery” and “I want to hold my baby again”
March 19 –
THANK YOU TO……every person Jonesy’s prayer page and those who I didn’t thank personally. We are preparing for the long haul………..so what’s ahead? Rehab at Kessler, challenges with insurance for continuing care and finding a home Jonesy can move in to……all in 90 days.
THANK YOU TO……The Rugby Community near and far, especially the Albany Knicks…brothers protecting brothers.
THANK YOU TO……Everyone at the NYS Thruway, we know you’ll do anything for Jonesy.
THANK YOU TO……South Colonie District for their compassion and reassurance my job is waiting for me.
THANK YOU TO……Saddlewood School, you’ve been my family for 18 years, I’ll come home to you one day.
THANK YOU TO…… J. Ramirez and the staff at the Inverrary for giving us a home while we were in Florida.
THANK YOU TO……SCTA, you always take care of your own.
THANK YOU TO……the Ft Lauderdale Rugby Community. The calls, visits and offers for help calmed us in a sea of uncertainty. Big thanks to Mike who saved me one night when I lost my cell phone in the bushes of the hospital parking lot.
THANK YOU TO……the “Inner circle”- a group of men dedicated to help Jonesy and I manage our present and future needs. People are commenting how strong I am, it’s only because I know The Knights of Jonesy’s Roundtable are behind us.
THANK YOU TO……to my dearest friends and family who are providing unyielding support, including co-raising our baby girl while I am by Jonesy’s side.
THANK YOU TO…… North Broward Medical Center-the ICU staff proves there really are angels on earth, they held our hands during the darkest of days…shouldn’t name names but nurse G held on tight that last full day and that was just what we needed.
From Lisa and Jonesy: There will be a time and place for a formal “Thank You” to the many who have supported us so far-today, the informal thank you list will begin.
Day 22 of Jonesy's Journey 3/20/2010 Doctor's Orders: Jonesy needs to see his daughter. So, Liliana and Daddy reunited today, a bittersweet moment.
Day 23 of Jonesy's Journey 3/21/2010 Jonesy was off the vent (with oxygen support only) for over an hour thanks to some very special people who sat by his side (he temporarly suspended his "no Visitors" rule)
3/23/2010 Afternoon report Day 25 of Jonesy's Journey- Jonesy can only speak while off the vent, so it is extra motivation to stay off and build the breathing muscles-he just finished a 90-minute stretch with oxygen only. It is labor intensive-add that to pt, ot and speech and it’s as if he is in a daily triathlon. Michael can’t wait for the arrival of his brother Les today.
So, I left Jonesy in the capable hands of his brother Les until the weekend..returning to Albany ...these days I feel like I'm always leaving someone I love....big sigh......
3/24/2010 Day 26 of Jonesy's Journey- Jonesy was given some mashed potatoes today-not like moms but he enjoyed them anyway!
3/25/10 Day 27 of Jonesy’s Journey-Jonesy was off the vent for 5 hours this afternoon and wants another 5 tonight! Ten hours? Is this the same man who couldn’t do 20 minutes last week? Lisa’s Log: Hats off to Jennifer Gish-the TU article was beautifully written-very emotional for me to see our life in black and white.
3/26/2010 Day 28 of Jonesy's Journey-Marathon breathing day for Jones. Enjoyed seeing two special friends. Tomorrow is a big day, Liliana is bringing Jonesy’s parents to him!
3/27/2010 Day 29 of Jonesy’s Journey-A day of family and friends including Jonesy’s parents, brother, daughter, Zig and John D-New goal: if Jonesy cleans 50% of his plate each day, the feeding tube will be removed-that means more than just mashed potatoes and thick liquids…….hey Guinness is thick isn’t it?
Sobering moment: It was four weeks ago today I saw my husband for the first time post-accident. In ICU, tubes down his throat, only able to blink his eyes. The doctors said vent dependent for life, "If I don't operate he can die" still ringing in my ears from the day before-four weeks later I realize how blessed I am.
3/29/2010 Day 31 of Jonesy's Journey-Lots of smiles today-because every day we read and re-read FB posts and open fan mail. Liliana spent 4 hours at Kessler and enjoyed a cat nap on Daddy’s lap in the wheelchair (that’s after she ran wild in the halls throwing goldfish crackers everywhere).
3/30/2010 Day 32 of Jonesy's Journey-You heard it here first-24 hours off the vent! Jonesy enjoyed good friends, breathing on his own and three meals-he’ll sleep well tonight! P.S. curious how many people joined Facebook just to follow Jonesy- Got to be at least 100 including my almost 70 year-old dad!
3/31/2010 Day 33 of Jonesy's Journey-This evening Liliana sat on Dada’s lap and fed him dinner (then ate his dessert when he wasn’t looking).