Next Step

The next surgery for Tison is very close. The first surgery is healing well and the surgeon is confident he is ready for the next step. February 4 is the date set for the surgery.

His translator, Hendra, was able to stay about a month longer than he was planning. He has enough time on his visa and he has been very gracious to give another month to assist in Tison's transition.

The next surgery will realign his great toe on his left foot and improve the range of motion for his legs. We are so pleased that Hendra is able to be here for the surgery. Tison has done well with the first surgery and we are hopeful that the next surgery will also go the same. He will have many steps to this recovery and this is the next one.

Thumbs Up

Thumbs up is the best way to describe Tison's first surgery. Literally, Tison's injured thumb is now up. It was bent backwards in a very awkward and useless angle. The thumb on his right hand was pointing backwards. It was painful just to look at it. It was completely non-functioning. The first surgery turned the thumb into its normal position. The surgeon placed a pin in the end of the thumb to hold it in the correct angle until it heals. Tison is actually starting to move it--he likes to show the progress it is making.

The next surgery will be decided very soon. I am thankful the pain management went well and Tison is seeing the progress in the function of his hand. He knows the pain of an untreated burn. He also can see that great care is being taken to keep that pain at a minimum. The skin graft around his wrist is also looking good. I would say it is a real thumbs up in all aspects.

Recovering

Tison came out of surgery thirsty and groggy. If you have every been in surgery, you know the feeling but likely do not remember much. He did very well following the surgery on his right wrist and thumb. He was taken to his room and had his right hand elevated. A good first night sleep followed and he was released the next morning.

After arriving home he asked for French fries, chicken nuggets, and ketchup. The three main food groups for this guy. If you add rice and chicken soup you have the five main groups. He eats well and I think he has gained some weight.

Following his burn accident, Tison has endure pain at a level that I cannot imagine. Understandably, he was concerned about the pain he would have from the surgery. I think the pain management was positive for him. The nursing staff was sensitive to his pain issues. This was an important step for him. He can now go into the next surgeries with an idea of what he will face and assurance that his pain will be minimal. The recovery is another issue as he will need to do some possibly painful physical therapy.

First Surgery is Done

Tison came out of the two hour surgery, completing a major hurdle in the year of care in the U.S. The hospital staff did a wonderful job of preparing him and making him comfortable with the unknown ahead of him. He has never had surgery before. He was aware of why he was here and the day of his reconstruction had finally come.

Liz Wood, the nurse who has a major role in his care, wrote her evaluation of the surgery, "Some work on his thumb and skin grafting to his right wrist to release that tight band was done. He (the surgeon) had to take skin from his thigh to release the band. The tip of his thumb is still bent but the joint closest to his hand is now back in place. It is held in place with a pin. We will have to see if it will hold. For the toe, he just injected the scar to see if he can soften it up before actual surgery on it. All, in all, a good first step. Still a long way to go."

Tison his receiving great care and lots of support by the Johnson's, his American family. Hendra, his translator, was at his side all day but will leave on Sunday. He has been a valuable help and has made the adjustment for Tison much easier. Tison is strong and is now one step closer to the goal.

First Surgery

Tison has had a wonderful Christmas and has seen a lot of new things. I have written about his adjustments and the many people who have been a part of his first month here in Fairbanks. He is a lot of fun and is really making strides in his English language. I am surprised at how fast he is picking up phrases and key words.

The real reason he has come here is to get his burn injuries treated. Liz sent us a note with the awesome news that he has the date of January 11th (Monday) set for his first surgery. The surgeon will let us know tomorrow what he will attempt first. Tison has a lot of work to do and will take several surgeries. It will be one step at a time.

The month he has been here has been important for him to become comfortable with all of us. He even says the cold (minus 5-25 F.) is not cold. He laughs and says in Indonesian--this is not cold, it is hot. He has found a place in our hearts now he will have a new mountain to face.

He was having fun one day with colored clay and he made some glasses. He is creative and fun.

The Afterglow

Tison opened each gift with what can only be called--pure joy. He was as excited and joyous for everyone who got to open a gift at our home, for his first American Christmas. It was like the best day you can imagine.

When the dust settled he got three movies. He kept saying moobee. He loved the remote control car and mastered it in a short time. Our dog does not appreciate the car but Tison is enjoying the small things.

We do not have a date on his first surgery--but it could happen quickly. Meanwhile, he is enjoying moobees and his remote control car.

MooBee

English is not an easy language to master. If you come from a remote island in a far off corner of Indonesia, you will not hear English spoken. You may not even hear Bahasa Indonesia (official language) spoken either, because many of these people speak only their local dialect. Tison comes from one of these places and has done very well in his first weeks in America.

We just love the way he asks to see a movie--he calls it MooBee. He is now counting on his own in English and thinks the number eight is funny, because it also means (ate) I have finished eating. There are a number of English words that sound the same, are spelled differently and have different meanings. What a language we have.

Before going to bed each night, he is having several books read to him. He is smart and is picking up a number of new words. He is also helping us with our Indonesia. I think it is amazing how his young mind can remember words. I am a testament to how hard, it can be, for an old brain to learn a new language. I tell my Indonesian friends--Saya otak tua (I have an old brain). Words just do not stick as easily as they used to--I need more of that youthful new language glue maybe the words would stick the first time I hear them.

I have written several times about his adjustment to our ways and the climate here in the far north. I think he is doing as-well-as can be expected.

We are still awaiting the date for his first surgery. We should hear in the next day or two.