Back Brace is Off!

June 27th loomed like a black cloud or hope of a future. This was the four week mark from Jacoby’s accident on the Dakar beach in Senegal and his first return appointment with the orthopedic doctor since his arrival back to the USA. He was excited for this appointment. I had a dreading sense of “I just know it, now we will need that surgery”. Jacoby had been wearing the brace constantly except when he was sleeping. It is cumbersome and not at all comfortable but he never complained. The doctor saw him and said he could move to just wearing it when he was out of the house in an ‘uncontrolled’ environment but at home he could take it off. Praise God! Still not sleeping well, Jacoby moved from the bed to the lazyboy recliner and this seemed to help ease the pain. He was ecstatic over this new found break and the best news, he could drive again!!

July 18 was another day trip into Cleveland to see the doctor. Our joy found in some mother/son time and coffee-to-go was only heightened when the doctor asked if Jacoby wanted to be free of that thing (the back brace)!!! He was all smiles. The doctor said it will be slow going still. One can get into a pool two ways; doing a cannon ball off the deep end, or toe by toe getting wet wading into the shallow end. Both get you in the pool. He wants Jacoby to take the slower approach. So for now he has one day of gentle physical activity and one day of break. He said his back will tell him when to take it easy. Kicking the soccer ball in the yard with his 7 year old cousin had him resting the next day. Crush injuries to the bone like this one will heal in 4-5 months, with complete healing in 6 months. It is still a long road, but we are so thankful!!

From Jacoby:

God’s healing me! Please keep praying. I was supposed to wear the brace for three months. I got it off a few days ago. I only had to wear it for seven weeks. I am easing back into activities with a day on and a day off of physical activity while my muscles strengthen. I am hoping to have full bone recovery by mid October and complete recovery by six months from the accident, May 30th. I am blessed to be walking, a miracle! Huge amounts of love and thankful for your messages, encouragement, prayers and support during this time.