Jason's Friends!

Jason is finally “home!”  For those who have been following J and his hospital stay, after two months in the Neuro ICU and neuro ICU step down unit, Jason finally came back to Eagle County three days ago.  He is staying at Castle Peak Assisted Living until the house can be readied for him (hospital bed, suction, etc.).  He’s no longer ambulatory, no longer can have anything by mouth (all by feeding tube), occasionally verbal, requires new meds and constant monitoring for persistent respiratory issues.

Granted he is covered under some insurance however that will only cover so much... They are now in the process of trying to set the house up to bring him home and coordinate hospice care. To say the bills are mounting, is an understatement.  

Thank you all for so much love and support you have shown Jason!! He is such a sweet soul and been a part of so many peoples’ lives!


This was the my initial post on Facebook to help explain how we got to here...

Thank you to everyone who has been thinking of Jason and keeping him in your prayers. I think I can say on behalf of my family, everyone has been so amazing and supportive over the last week! It has been an emotional roller coaster of epic proportion.

To give you an update of the last several days...
Dec. 17-Jason went in to the Vail hospital in respiratory distress. He was hospitalized in the ICU until Friday the 20th, diagnosis sepsis and pneumonia.
Dec. 20-Jason was sent to Swedish hospital in Denver for respiratory support and neurological evaluation. Immediately he was intubated and put on a vent.
Dec. 22- the doctors advised us that the next day we would be meeting with the hospice and palliative care team to discuss next steps in caring for Jason. He was weaned off all of his seizure meds but one, and no seizure activity followed. Unfortunately, he failed several attempts to wean him off of the respirator. The doctors said he lacked the neurological ability to manage his own airway and would need respiratory support for the rest of his life, among a few other challenges. The decision was made to remove him from the respiratory support to give his body the opportunity to function or let go. These discussions and decisions were utterly heartbreaking and gutting.
Dec. 24- he was to be taken off respiratory support however his vitals were to low (pulse 30 blood pressure 80/53).
Dec. 25- vitals improved and the decision was made that he would be taken off support this day. The intent was to give his body every fighting chance. Being that he had failed each attempt up until this point, things were looking pretty bleak. We were even asked by the Intensivist if we were “ok with him dying today,” being that it was Christmas day. Jason was taken off the vent and placed on a high flow oxygen mask. We watched the monitors constantly waiting for the first sign that he wasn’t maintaining. 2 hours, 4 hours...make it through the night...he exceeded all expectations!
Dec. 27- holding his own! He is still on high flow, but they are trying to wean him down from 60liters per minute (!!) He’s not out of the woods yet however is continuing to improve! He is more alert and engaged than he has been in months! He is still in the Neuro ICU at Swedish and will likely be in the hospital for at least two more weeks. So keep the good vibes coming and send this kid some love!