FEBRUARY 11, 2020
Support. It’s an uncomplicated concept yet its definition doesn’t seem to quite do it justice. The support Megan and family have received over this hellish process could never be summed up in one simple translation. Support comes in so many different forms and we’ve all been lucky enough to witness its variable and beautiful embodiments first-hand.
First and foremost is the support Jon is receiving from his medical team. The heroic efforts Jon’s doctors and nurses put forth day and night is truly superhuman. Today Jon is noticeably tracking with his eyes a lot more than he was yesterday. He is 100% responsive when asked to look up, down, left, right as well as commands to blink once, twice, etc. His doctors are questionable whether he is able to answer “yes” and “no” questions with eye-blinking though and that could be because he needs more time. Jon was sedated for his tracheotomy yesterday and if you’ll remember the last time he was sedated for his amputations, he didn’t wake up for multiple days afterwards. So to have responses like this less than 24 hours after his last sedation is really good news. Additionally he had a dose of of Ritalin today in hopes to stimulate his nervous systems and improve his mental activity which could also be helping his brain get back on track. Jon’s blood pressure is tolerating the fluid pulls which is a really good sign and his heart has tolerated the steroid wean well so far. He is not under any sedation at the moment nor is he receiving any pain medication. Let me repeat that, the guy gets his lower legs removed and he’s not receiving any pain meds. I won’t circle back to his “beefcake status” because that always made him blush but, c’mon let’s give credit where credit is due. His white blood cell count continues to go down. His pneumothorax, collapsed lung, continues to be an issue along with the health of his overall lungs. Right now Jon’s team is focusing on ramping up his tube nutrition and further trimming down his steroid dosage. Overall not much change from yesterday but sporadic, small improvements are what keeps his team, and this family going. As long as Jon’s team continues to see even the slightest of improvements like we have today, they see no reason not to continue to move forward. His doctors and nurses are not in the business of sugarcoating anything, sometimes those non-sugarcoated pills can be hard to swallow, but Megan appreciates their candidness so she can appropriately prepare herself for the long road ahead. We’ll never be able to thank Jon’s team for all of their support. One way to start, however is to share their vigorous fight for Jon’s life with each of you who are also supporting Jon and Megan in your own ways.
We’ve recently been asked to compile a list of ALL the ways this nation-wide community has come out to support Jon, Megan and family. Whelp, where do we even start? It’s mind-boggling folks. Bake sales, dine out nights (in Orange County and Iowa), donations, donation matching, pro bono home maintenance and repair (I’m talking lawn mowing, electrical repairs, full water heater replacements here) hotel stays, hotel upgrades, prayer groups from churches across the nation and the WORLD, apparel sales, I could go on (and I’m sorry if I didn’t mention your personal contribution) but that would literally take days. The support this village has come together to provide and continues to provide this family is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. There are times, really dark, hurt-your-heart times that threaten to swallow Megan whole but each of your constant support and love continues to be a rock on this unsteady surface for her.
To talk about the support Jon provides Megan and their three beautiful boys would also take a lifetime. Juggling a full time job, getting his MBA, traveling, maintaining a beautiful house, (again, I could go on) all while still managing to be a devoted husband, loving father, and fierce brother, friend, and son-in-law. Jon is truly the definition of an Outlier.
Even when feeling his worst Jon’s support for Megan never wavered. Before being urgently whisked away by his admitting team at Saddleback hospital Jon grasped Megan’s hand, held it tight while looking her in the eyes and said “I’m not leaving you”. Anyone who knows Jon knows he is a man of his word.
We’re taking you for your word, Jon.
#EffSTSS
#WatsonNation
For additional ways you can support the Watson family please follow the link below:
https://linktr.ee/watsonnation