Something about a horse... and a baby bunny...

"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man"

Sorry about the closed eyes.
The photographer was also the horses handler and couldn't see into the sun.  

 Today Jason got to go spend time with Sam!  (If you don't remember Sam, see the post Trotting In Place)

We are starting off slow, and today was just a day for Jason to reconnect with Sam and see where he is at.  First we worked Sam in the round pen to warm him up.  Then we brought him into the arena where Jason groomed him and said hey to his old friend:

It was a little windy so Jas started with his hood up.
Lots of wind+hearing aids=ANNOYING!

For those of you who have never groomed a horse, it is extremely therapeutic!

Then the fun started!  You may remember that Jason was riding in an english saddle prior to his most recent health scare.  Today, he went bareback.  We stayed at a walk, with LeAnne leading Sam and Jason just focusing on his balance and enjoying the ride:

"The wind of Heaven is that which blows through the horse's ears"
~Arabian Proverb

Bareback riding is extremely challenging but also one of the most rewarding ways to ride a horse.  You have no stirrups to support you, only the muscular, powerful back of your horse.  You really learn to just move in harmony with the horse.  It requires a great deal of balance, muscle, trust and courage!  This is one reason why a lot of therapeutic riding centers start their clients on bareback pads before transitioning to a saddle.  It is a great foundation, and a great exercise for any level rider!

It's also just a ton of fun:

 "Horses carry the wisdom of healing in their hearts and offer it to any humans that possess the humility to listen"

"Horses: Life's apology for every crappy day ever"

Jason has a very sweet spirit and is very humble.  This helps him work remarkably well with Sam.  Jason is also courageous and always ready to try new things; his work ethic amazes everyone he meets!  Jason's balance was great today, and he still had plenty of energy after his ride.  This was especially impressive considering he'd already had a workout at the gym today!  He will do great continuing to ride Sam.  From here we pick up where we left off (using a saddle and bridle) and keep him moving our favorite direction...forward!  Go Jas!




Also, you should meet Roger:

Yup.  This is our new bunny!  Roger is a such a sweet special boy, I think I see a future therapy rabbit here!  

Make sure and hug your pets today, they are with us for so short a time but can teach us so much :)

Top of the Muffin to Yah!

-LeAnne

Peace, Be Still

Well hi!

First the sad news: as most of you heard we had to put our beloved beagle, Darwin, to sleep.  He held on as long as he could but on April First (lousy holiday anyway) he returned to our Heavenly Father:

Truest of the True Aggies

We are happy to announce that we will soon be adopting another beagle puppy (or two?) but until then we miss our boy.  We adopted him right after Jason finished his chemo treatments.  He literally brought a new, happy spirit into our home with his wagging tail and joyous, unassuming brown eyes.  He was there on sick days, on happy days, summertime and Christmastime.  He braved first driving experiences (and I mean braved them) and gladly went for long runs or walks after stressful days.  Our broom almost lost its job thanks to his quick tongue and reflexes when it came to anything edible and the kitchen floor.  No piece of furniture wasn't refurbished at some point with a fresh coat of dog hair, and no outfit was complete without it.  Our Daisy misses him terribly, and we are so excited to bring home more wet noses for her, and us, to love and adore.

Now for the good news.  Jason weighs 97 pounds!!!  In case that didn't catch your attention that's 97 POUNDS!!!!!!  AHHHHHH!!!

We are very excited about this.

like a boss

There are a couple of reasons for this.  The first is the NG tube but the second is this little bottle of magic pills:

These little beauties are the greatest thing to come along since vitameatavegamin.  These are pancreatic enzymes.  Your pancreas is, among other things, in charge of producing enzymes that help break down your food.  In people with any kind of pulmonary fibrosis (like Jason) the scarring and excess tissue and mucous in your lungs messes with your pancreas and digestive enzymes.  Basically, your pancreas doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes and this causes problems with nutrition absorption.  These pills are those missing enzymes.  Jason takes one before he eats anything and this helps his body break down and absorb food.  

We've been informed by doctors, several times, that we may never have a definitive cause for Jason's gastrointestinal troubles.  For all you pre-med students out there, this is towards the top of the list of things your patients don't want to hear, just FYI.  We still pushing forward regardless.  Jason has a colonoscopy scheduled for the end of this month and we are hoping for more answers.  In the meantime however, we are so happy that he has gained so much weight!  He is finally getting back to doing the things he loves.  He still tires really easily and has a long way to go in rebuilding muscle mass and stamina, but he is such a trooper and we are SO grateful for all the progress he has made!

Jas put together a bookshelf for his younger
brother, Matthew

Jason picks up music really well, we are so
happy to hear him tickling the ivory again!

 Jason also visited with Mom's family in northern California over spring break.  Can you tell we like the Giants?

The grandparents that are cooler than yours

Spring is such a beautiful time of year.  It's warmth and overwhelming sense of hope are a welcome blessing.  Have a beautiful Easter Sunday everyone. 

He is risen, and He lives today that we also may live through Him
(painting by Greg Olsen)

Top of the Muffin to Yah,

-LeAnne

Pictures!

Hi everyone!

Here are those pictures I promised forever ago, thank you again to all who came and supported Jason and spent the evening with him!

The Manila YSA ward is basically the best ever!

Top of the Muffin to yah!

-LeAnne