Going Home

Yulce is finally going home. She has been in the U.S. since 2004. She went back to her family in Indonesia for one year following her first year of treatment. Dr. Peter Grossman has been amazing as he led her surgeries and recovery. Tina Johnson has been her guardian and has been a mother and friend to Yulce. She came with severe burn injuries and now she is going home as a confident and beautiful young woman..

She will go home after a long time in California. The adjustment is going to be difficult as she returns home. She is an American teenager and now she goes home to a remote village in Indonesia. Her parents are farmers and they work very hard to survive. Yulce is missed by her parents and brother and sister. This will be a wonderful reunion. Pray for Yulce as she arrives home and sees her friends and family for the first time in nearly four years.

The Next Step

Today was a big step for Tison. He had his fourth surgery. It was possibly the most important surgery for him. The surgeon worked on the ear that has been closed since the burn accident. His right ear was closed and we did not know if the inside of the ear was burned or untouched by the burn. It was a relief to hear that the ear canal was open. We are so happy to know his hearing was not affected and his ear can be made to look normal.

Tison had a heavy scar on his chest that is very uncomfortable for him--he wanted it fixed. Now it has a new skin graft over the scar. It is step by step. He is in the hospital tonight and will begin the healing process.

He was really anticipating this surgery because the surgeon was going to address the injuries that are the most uncomfortable for him. He was in the best spirits at 6:45 a.m. when he arrived fro the pre-op. He was up in his room at the hospital tonight watching movies. This was a great day.

Approved

Tison has been approved to remain in the U.S. for another six months. The application for a visa extension is a big job and must be done correctly. It was great to get the approval of his application for the next six months visa.

Tison needed to remain here in Alaska for more surgeries. He has been doing well and was able to complete three surgeries. The next surgery will be next week. His surgeon has been careful and we feel he has been wonderful. Tison has noticed his improvements and is happy about the progress.

It looks like he will be here at least until December 2010 and we will evaluate his condition again. We want him to leave here with as much of his injuries repaired.