Physical Therapy Update
Jack has a "walking apparatus" that he is working out with. He is able to walk across the room with the aid of the therapist.
Just like USC University Hopital, the people that are working with Jack cannot believe how well he is doing. A few of the updates:
- Goes outside in a wheelchair on a regular basis
- Continues with improved movement on his right side (The Doctor stated that the movement in his extremeties (arms and legs) will come back last.)
- Stands up with help and then does "mini-squats"
- Continues speaking without the alphabet board
In summary, Jack wants to be the #1 patient at St. Judes just like he was at USC and as you can see, he is well on his way.
Nutrition
Jack is eating ice chips which is the first step in the process of getting back to eating liquids and solids. As you can imagine, on several (many)occasions he has stated that he is ready to eat.
Health Issues
As several of you indicated in your blogs, Jack caught a cold several days ago but it has gone away and he is feeling much better.
Trach - The Doctor's have been reducing the size of the trach periodically over the past few weeks. Jack is on the smallest size and Doctor's expect to have complete removal of the trach by the early part of next week.
Hospital Report
The visitation hours are still 5:00 to 8:00 pm but on weekends Jack's schedule is much lighter than during the week.
The family reports that Jack love's us to come visit him. If you are unable to visit him during the week, weekends are a great time to see him since he has more time.
In planning your trip to visit Jack, listed below is the phone number of Katie to find out if Jack is in physical therapy or when would be the best time that day to visit. Katie's number is:
951-323-6599 (Cell Phone)
Also, St. Jude can be called direct and there is a phone in Jack's room.
Family Report
As all of you know, this is an incredible family!!!! As many of you have shared, the Hawkin's family has been an inspiration to all of us. Just an example, a family member has stayed each and every night with Jack since his stay at USC and St. Jude. Their commitment is to not have Jack spend the night alone.
Please continue to pray that the Lord will bless the family and give them strength.
Blog Report
Jack has a laptop computer and is checking what all of us write to him each day. He has been encouraged by each and every entry that has been made. This blog has been an excellent way for us to keep you informed but also a way for you to encourage, support and show Jack and his family how much we love them. As of this writing, there have been over 2400 times that people have logged into this blog. Let's continue the support!
22 comments:
Hi Jack,
Again, it's great news! You amaze all of us daily with your drive to succeed. Raquel and I look forward to seeing you this week. As always: stay strong my friend. We all need YOUR inspiration. You continue to show us all that determination can make things happen.
See you soon.
Leo
Good Morning Jack! I am Rob Fazio's sister-in-law, and feel like I personally know you thru Rob. What great news I read this morning! I can't tell you how much I have been praying for your recovery, like Rob says, "things are good at work, but will not be the same until you back there". I guess he is ready to be "locked" back in the bathroom again!! I truly hope I get to meet you someday.
Take Care! Samela Dorey
Morning Jack;
Wow - this is such great news. We are rooting for you Jack. This is a testament of what Love of a "family" and the strength of prayers can do. We miss you Jack - take care and we know that you will be the "Numero Uno" patient at St. Judes. Maybe now is a good time to teach you Spanish. So here is your first lesson: El Señor Dios esta con ùsted y su familia hoy y para siempre.
Take care and see you soon.
Silvia
Hi Jack,
This is great news, I want you to know how much I miss you!!!! Jane and I are hoping to go see you sometime this week. Keep up the good work. John and Kids send their love also.
Take care and I will see you real soon.
Sarah
Jack,
I know you don’t like this kind of praise, but after reading your blog
this morning you truly are amazing. I received a visit from a handsome young man on Thursday. Matthew came to see Judy and stopped by to say hello. What a nice surprise. It was so good to see you last week. I am
glad to hear you are feeling better. May God continue to bless you and your family,
All our Love and Prayers
The Ballesteros Family
My son David is friends with Heather and Katie through Belmont. Our family has been praying for you since hearing about your stroke. God's hand is obviously upon you; for that we are very grateful. It sounds like you are giving 100% as you work to regain your health. Keep up the good work! I check the web site regularly to see how you are doing. May God continue to bless you richly and especially with restored health.
Jack, I have been checking this thing every day and FINALLY a new entry!!! And GREAT NEWS at that! I am so happy that you are doing sooo well. You are truly a miracle!! Thank God!! I am just so excited!! Your going to be back in no time. They say,"You can't keep a good man down!!" You are proving that each and every day. We all miss you so much. You keep up the GREAT work. Please, please, please, get better soon. By the way it doesn't surprise me that you are a favorite patient, because you are my favorite customer!!! Sending love to you and lots of prayers, your friend, Lori
Hi Jack:
We see that you are making excellent progress toward Vision 2007! Just to remind you, Vision 2007 is about your complete healing and return to your "normal" extraordinary life! That includes flying, playing the banjo, listening to country western music, and maybe, when you have time, running several construction companies!
So current reality is pretty good! And you ahve lot s of "steps " to take to get there! So keep taking them!
We love you Jack!
Kumar, Shilpi, Alex and Roz.
Hi Mr. Hawkins,
I am so happy to read of the success and progress you are making. You, as well as your family, have been in my thoughts and prayers. May you continue to make progress each and every day. God bless you and your family. Lisa Martinez, Paralegal to Thomas L. Miller
Hi Jack, I had a dream about you last night! We weren't at the office but somewhere else and there was a big announcement that you would be paying us a visit. Then out you come in a wheelchair smiling and happy and we all run to you and give you a big hug. Everyone was crying because we were so happy to see you again.. Then I took your lovely wife Karen to lunch in Laguna beach to a mexican restaurant to eat. I guess I'm just so excited for you to get home to your beach house! Whenever I drive by I think about you! I am so happy and thankful to God that he is giving you the strength to make it through this but knowing the wonderful man you are, it is no surprise that you have improved so well. It was so great to see Matthew in the office last week so happy. Take care Jack and I can't wait to give you that welcome back hug. Rich asks about you all the time and we will miss you at the picnic but I know you will be there in all of our hearts. With Love, Val Tobin and Rich
P.S. Still no ring but I'll keep you posted! :)
Hi Jack,
.....although I'm beginning to think we should call you Superman!! Rob and I are on vacation this week but check this blog every day that we can find a computer. We were so thrilled to see this latest update. You'd think you were in a hurry to get back to work or something ; )
You are an amazing man, Jack....and such a wonderful and peaceful testimony of Gods love and healing Power. We couldn't be happier for you and your wonderful family. Our prayers have not ceased.
With love and admiration,
Kim Fazio
Hi Jack and Karen, It was so wonderful talking to you last night Karen!!! (I'm sorry we got cut off) Afterwards I just dropped to my knees thanking God for your love and friendship and what a miracle He is doing in your life! I love you and miss you so very much! Today I feel like a kid at Christmas, talking a mile a minute updating everyone on all the great news! Sherry breathed a huge sigh of relief when I called her and she is going to write you as well. I'm going to send you a letter by snail mail and send some pictures of the latest and greatest news! But, today I wanted to send you a huge hug and tell you to keep up the great work, know that I am thinking of you and praying for you...and 'Get some rest and take care of yourselves!'. Hugs and lots of Love to you all! Valerie
Hi Jack,
Congratulations on all of the wonderful blessings. God is awesome beyond our wildest imagination. So I have no doubt you will be 100% before long. Your faith, determination and strength will continue to inspire us all. Take care and we continue to be in prayer.
Wanda
Glad to hear things are progressing well. So I haven't included a joke in a while so here ya go:
Q: Why do elephants paint their toenails red?
A: To hide in cherry trees
Q: Ever seen an elephant in a cherry tree?
A: It must work then :-)
YEEEAAAH :) Jack you are doing so much better!!!! Can't wait to see you!!! Love, Brenda
Well Jack, we remain very proud of you for your continued effort to rehab in Guinness record fashion, but we also continue to be amazed at the strength of your family. What truly incredible people you have surrounding you. Karen is unbelievable, and your kids are truly an inspiration! Don't they ever grow weary? One day when I grow up I hope to be just like them.
Please know you remain in our daily thoughts and prayers...and we are truly blessed to see the fruit of so many people praying for you. Yet, it is entirely possible that you took this just a tad too far as we would have prayed for you had you but asked. But this stroke thing sure gives our petitions a much more earnest appeal. Next time let's try something a little less grandiose, no?
Sherri and the kids send their love, and we look forward to seeing you again very soon.
God bless,
Richard Hawkins
Jack
As you know this weekend is the company picnic and we all know you will be there in spirit to watch each and everyone of us make fools of ourselves during all the wacky games that are planned. Since Karen took care of putting this together for all of us, I'm positive it will be just as much fun or better than the Christmas party this past year. The part that will be missing is you and your wonderful ability to make everyone smile and laugh and get involved. We promise to not let you down when it comes to showing our true colors in the three legged race or the potatoe sack hop. But what ever the day brings we will all be missing you and the family and thinking of you with every activity and game that is played. Love and Hugs to you, Karen and HKM. See you soon - Jane
You are a breath of fresh air Jack....your determination and committment is so inspiring...
I want to let you know that you are all in my prayers.
Many Blessings,
Lisa Moseley
Hi Jack:
Your dad tells me you are making excellent progress toward Vision 2007! That's great! Congratulations on your progress!
I trust you are taking stock of all of your accomplishments toward Vision 2007, capturing the learning in each one of them and re-focusing on the next step, as well as keeping the bigger Vision in mind....piloting again (amongst other things!). Just a reminder about the process in case you had gotten rusty. Perhaps we need a flip chart and markers in your room!
Take care Jack and keep up the great work!
Kumar, Shilpi, Alex and Roz.
Buenos Dias Jack, Karen and Family;
Here is your second Spanish lesson.
Como esta hoy? El Sól brilla para ústed y su familia. Todos estamos rezando para se recuperacion.
Con Cariño
La Familia Gonzalez
Jack, I thought you should know that Jason Davis, who has sent several jokes your way on this blog (see above) is a former Woodcrest student who served two tours in Iraq. He ran cross country (co-captain in his senior year) and played baseball for the Royals, and after he was honorably discharged he continued his passion for the sport by pitching for a team in an Orange County adult league. However, when throwing a pitch about 6 weeks ago his upper right arm bone broke very severely and very awkwardly, and only now is he regaining partial, albeit minimal, movement. The doctors who are treating him suspect that there may be significant nerve damage to further impact his recovery. In light of this, the messages he sends are typed with his left hand as his right arm is still immobilized. The rehabilitation he is undergoing will take another year or more. He actually works with Ryan, and when Ryan shared your story with him he became quite concerned about you and took an active interest in your progress. So he sends you his posts as a means of demonstrating his concern for you and to offer you his blessing and his good cheer. Since he has never met you I thought you might like to know a little bit about this very kind, young married man man and father of 1 beautiful child. Ain't life grand when somebody you don't even know prays for you, and takes the time to show he cares about you!
God bless...and love from us all!
Richard Hawkins
Hi Jack,
I love this website!! I have been able to check on you and see your progress from the beginning..Wayne and Lindsay loved the visit with you..They promise to bring Miss Gracie next time!! I hear you are quite the funny one Jack ::))
I want you to know we love you and pray for you every day..Your family have always been very special to my heart...
We would love to come visit you..
Stay strong and keep being the funny man you are!!:):)
Love, Terry, Kenny and Drew
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