Email update from Dad sent 1/17/2010

Yesterday brought some interesting news. He had a trip down to the ear clinic and they found his LEFT ear drum perforated and his right ear filled with fluid with no sign of perforation. They couldn't see where the fluid
came from so he goes back in a couple days for another look. Poor guy - both ear are messed up. Sometimes he hears pretty clear but then sounds muffled. The ear we thought was bad is actually better than the other. The eye docs are still watching his eyelids and last night in his sleep he scratched the left eyelid and damaged it so today he got a patch so he can't get to it again. The mouth docs came by and tightened his jaw wires again and are planning on redoing the wires on Wednesday. They'll look at the possibility of removing the piece of shrapnel in his nose at the same time. He got a visit from a doctor that tested his sense of smell today. It seems the type of injuries he sustained can also affect smell so they came to check him. It appears he has lost some ability but did ok. They will continue to check him periodically to see that it gets corrected.

We had an interesting visitor today. The Director of Government Relations for the Blinded Veterans Association (a blind man that lives here in Washington) came across town to visit Michael and talk about opportunities and services available to him. We will definitely keep this guy's number in our files. He works directly with Senators and Congressmen to provide legislation for veterans injured like Michael.

The other day Michael told me he thought he asked one of the nurses out. He wrote the note to her and I saw the note the next day. He said he wasn't sure he'd done it but his day nurse confirmed he had. That same nurse is his nurse tonight and now he can talk so she better watch out!

His jaw wires are scratching his lips so the docs gave him some wax to put on the wire. He put so much in the first time he couldn't get air out of his teeth and couldn't talk. He's getting better at doing it so he can talk
now. He was able to talk to his sisters and some special friends today and enjoyed that immensely.

We also heard from his day nurse that he has not been the typical patient. She said he has been truly enjoyable to work with. Instead of the depression, resentment, anger, and other similar attitudes they deal with; Michael has been considerate, cooperative, grateful and kind. His reputation is spreading. As the nurses discuss him, the ones that haven't worked on him want to and the ones that have don't want to give him up. We have received many compliments about him and are so pleased he's such a fine young man. Time after time, he's been thanked and told his service and sacrifice are truly appreciated. It helps to lift our spirits and keep us going.

His TACP friends are here now so mom and I will go back to the room early. We need it. The jerks in the room next to us partied till 2:30 am and I was ready to hurt them last night. If they do it again tonight, I will take action!

Thanks for your love, prayers, and support. Know we appreciate you so much and miss you all dearly.
Love,
Dad