Success

We are cautiously optimistic about the results of the last surgery. Tison's doctor took a look at the graft on his shin which was done a week ago. Dr. W. was very happy with the results of the surgery. The graft was holding--this is so important because of the potential infections if the graft doesn't take.

Tison will have to have another couple weeks of limited activities. It will be very hard on him because he is so active. We have had him outside in his wheelchair but he wants to get on his feet and enjoy the sunshine. It is hard for him because he is 10 years old and very active. We will have to watch him carefully over the next two to three weeks. He can still damage the new graft--we have come this far and do not want to see this graft fail.

Recovery

Tison had a successful surgery on Monday. The shin on the right leg had was badly damaged in the burn--it needed a large skin graft. This was a very serious injury because it could have resulted in an infection in the leg bone. He could have lost his leg due to the infection.

Skin for the graft was taken from his upper thigh. The first day and night was painful and unsettling for Tison. He is a brave little boy but it wasn't until 2 a.m. that the right combination of medications allowed him to fall asleep. He liked the X-Box in his room. It really helped to distract him and keep his mind off why he is the hospital.

We must be very careful because the skin will require 72 hours to begin the attach to his shin. Tomorrow we go to see his doctor--we will know just how he he is progressing. He is a strong and brave little boy. He impresses us every step of the way.

Number Five

Tomorrow is an important day for Tison. He will be going to the hospital at 7 a.m. and check in for his fifth surgery. He has had a lot done already but there is a lot to do. Tomorrow his Doctor will be putting a skin graft on his right ankle. The inside of this foot is being pulled up. The contractures allow him to walk only on the outside of his foot. The left foot had the same surgery ealier. The issue is the tendons can be frozen due to lack of use. Even after the surgery, it may take a while for the tendons to loosen.

Tison believes he will be a great soccer player once all the repairs are completed. He is so funny at times but he knows he will be much better. The best therapy for him is to remain active. After the graft heals then it is a matter of time when the foot is loose enough that the foot can set flat on the ground. This is the goal to give him a more normal posture and allow him to walk and run.

He is in bed now--he knows he has surgery in the morning and has no fear or anxiety. He is strong and confident.

Jet Lag

It is 4 a.m. here at home. I am awake and am still on some other time zone. This is the plight of those who travel Internationally. I have flown a lot and still have the adjustment every time.

I have found that flying westward is easier than going eastward. I often fly to Singapore and then into Indonesia. I am usually ready to go on day one and have no sleep problems. Singapore is 17 hours ahead of the west coast of the U.S. If I sleep at least six hours on the flight to Singapore I am ready to go.

The return is a mystery to me--we land in the U.S. about the same time we leave Singapore. Yes--17 hours ahead of the U.S. the flights are about 17 hours from the Singapore to the U.S.

I am now awake and wondering how long it will take for me to get back to the U.S. time.

Yulce is Home

It has been four years and who knows how many surgeries. I estimate she has had 25 surgeries to repair her burn injuries and her curved back. She is a new person and a 17 year old young woman.

I flew to L.A. to meet all the hosts and to see Dr. Peter Grossman and his wife. They all have been so amazing as they have done so much to change Yulce's life. Yulce was very much an American teenager. She was not ready to go back to Indonesia. She spoke English and had little Indonesian language she used on a regular basis.

We did not expect her to be here for four years. We thought one year would cover everything. The biggest issue for the three extra years was the problems with her back. We had to find an orthopedic surgeon who would correct the back problems. Dr. Peter Grossman made a contact and found an Orthopedic surgeon who was willing to help her. The result was good but the years added to our original goal.

She was a great traveler. She was on time and had no complaints. She did tell me she was nervous to go home. The day we flew to her island after traveling for four days she told me she was afraid. Her home would be new and the life in remote Indonesia was very different from the middle class in California.

Esther Scarborough took her to see her family. Yulce was slow to hug her parents and kept looking around at the dirt floor and the small house. Esther spoke to her about how much her family loved her and how she must learn to adjust to her culture. It will take time. The best thing Yulce has going for her is that she is a sweet girl. I think she will learn to be thankful to everyone who helped her and to appreciate her own culture.

Would we as a foundation put out the effort to help her if we had to do it all over again--YES. She was in a horrible situation--just look at her first photos. We knew there would be cultural issues to deal with but they are secondary to the foremost issue--she could not live with the crippling burn injuries. We all did the right thing and now it is time for a wonderful young woman to come home. She was rescued for a purpose.