Hello & sorry about the delay in updates.

Over the summer Jon got an infection from his prosthetic skull. He had the prosthetic removed, and we had to do extensive antibiotics via PICC line three times a day. Each application took about 10 minutes to dispense. This means we had to be strategic on the time due to therapies, sleeping and day to day life. We managed to keep up on the every 8 hour schedule for almost 7 weeks. At this point we got the notice that Jon was all clear of infection. Over the next 6 weeks he would go in for frequent labs, MRIs, CT scans and test to confirm that the infection was gone and that he remained healthy.

Jon has continued to progress with speech and occupational therapy. He has increased his range of motion in his left arm/ shoulder. With the neck collar on it makes it a little harder to move the shoulder, but he has be making a positive improvement. Jon still continues to struggle with some short term memory. Jon had recently taken a drive to see some of the customers homes he serviced. He was a little apprehensive about not remembering anything. When he got there he was able to say something that he remembered about each property... "they have a dog", "they have a pool in the back", "that guy is a banker", "she is really nice! She used to bring me a water every time I was at her house". He was very excited that he remembered so much.

In the last month Jon has been in for multiple CT scans and MRIs. This was to confirm that there hasn't been any change in the brain/head and that there is still continued healing of his C1 (first vitibrae in his neck). There was talk at the beginning of the month that they would put the cranioplasty (inserting a prosthetic to complete the skull) on hold and potentially fuse his neck to his skull. This would limit his mobility for the long term. Jon had gone in for one last MRI on 10/8. His neck had enough scar tissue built up and the fractures in his neck had built up strength. The team decided that he would not need to have his neck fused. 🎉🎉🎉 The team had also decided that he can start weaning off the collar over the next 3 weeks. Jon's surgeon team had also scheduled his surgery for the cranioplasty for 10/23!! This would make his skull complete again and he would not need to wear his very fashionable white helmet any longer. The need for the helmet was due to not having a skull on the left side to protect his brain. It was skin on brain. So if he would have fallen or hit on the left side, he would have permanent damage.

Jon told me last night he was excited he would be trading in his helmet for a baseball hat tomorrow.

No drinking or eating after midnight the night before. New showering routine, clean sheets and special instructions to minimize the infection opportunity...along with this morning. Jon's surgery was planned for 11am. When Jon got to the hospital (two hours early as required) they had informed him that there was another person that came in that was an emergency causing him to be postponed until 3:30/4pm. We had been a little disappointed... but we figured that when Jon came in back in January he had caused multiple people to be postponed. We waited patiently for our turn. Jon's neuro team had him in and out in record time. Due to his prosthetic implant being out for the length it was his scalp had shrunk a little. They had to also be strategic with the stitches not to cause any potential problems with reopening or scaring. They expressed that everything had gone right as planned.

Jon will be resting for the next couple days at the hospital with a close monitor from the AMAZING staff. He is expecting to go home this weekend and continue to heal at home.

We thank you for the continued support, love and prayers over the last 10 months. We are so blessed to have such great people in our lives.

Jon wanted to say a special thank you to Mom, Dad & family. Also to Claire (girlfriend), Laura (sister) Brian (Prev. owner) & miscellaneous helpers who have helped Liesinger Lawn Service continue & maintain business as usual.