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April Update

  It's been awhile since I've posted.  Justin's situation is hard to write about, but I know there are people who want to know what's going on with Justin, my son.  In truth, he is getting sicker and weaker.  For awhile,he made great progress, talking, eating, and getting back into his power wheelchair.   Then he started getting weaker.  His left lung became covered with secretions, and he needed surgery to scrape things out. Then a CT scan revealed more new spine fractures (total of 7).  After that, he just hasn't been able to get over the hump.  This week, Justin decided to discontinue the weaning from the ventilator.  He is on full breath support and can no longer use the voice valve to talk without dangerous oxygen drops.  Pain medication has been significantly increased to help him deal with the pain. It's a tough thing for a 23-year-old to confront one's mortality.  We will continue this journey with Justin to the end to the best of our abilities.  We

New Reality

We are settling into our new reality in south-central Wisconsin.  Most businesses with public interaction have closed.  Based upon CDC recommendations and other information, Julia's optometry office also closed, except for emergency and curbside service.  She will be off of the schedule for awhile.

The weather has been lousy during the last couple of days:  rain, snow, cloudy skies.  I've continued to take long walks with Callie in town. The streets are mostly deserted.  With schools closed, I expected to see more kids outside, but I guess everyone is sticking close to home and inside.

Allie and Justin are both home.  Allie is taking care of Justin and getting paid for it.  Justin's previous caregivers have shut down operations in Whitewater, and the dorms have fully closed.  His care coordinator advised the status quo will remain in place until at least mid-April and perhaps longer.  Justin is on a bunch of medications, and we've stocked up on those as best we can. 

The grocery store has had shortages like many around the state, but it hasn't been too crazy.  The hardware store remains open. Bars and restaurants are all closed.  I've been doing a lot of reading online about the virus, and it takes a bit to separate the wheat from the chaff.  One of the best sources that I've found is this blog by a very experienced infectious disease physician:

Allie is probably the most bored out of the four of us.  She put together this video:






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