We are cautiously optimistic about the results of the last surgery. Tison’s doctor took a look at the graft on his shin which was done a week ago. Dr. W. was very happy with the results of the surgery. The graft was holding–this is so important because of the potential infections if the graft doesn’t take.Tison will have to have another couple weeks of limited activities. It will be very hard on him because he is so active. We...

Tison had a successful surgery on Monday. The shin on the right leg had was badly damaged in the burn–it needed a large skin graft. This was a very serious injury because it could have resulted in an infection in the leg bone. He could have lost his leg due to the infection. Skin for the graft was taken from his upper thigh. The first day and night was painful and unsettling for Tison. He is a brave little boy but it wasn’t until 2...

Tomorrow is an important day for Tison. He will be going to the hospital at 7 a.m. and check in for his fifth surgery. He has had a lot done already but there is a lot to do. Tomorrow his Doctor will be putting a skin graft on his right ankle. The inside of this foot is being pulled up. The contractures allow him to walk only on the outside of his foot. The left foot had the same surgery ealier. The issue is the tendons can be frozen due to...

It is 4 a.m. here at home. I am awake and am still on some other time zone. This is the plight of those who travel Internationally. I have flown a lot and still have the adjustment every time.I have found that flying westward is easier than going eastward. I often fly to Singapore and then into Indonesia. I am usually ready to go on day one and have no sleep problems. Singapore is 17 hours ahead of the west coast of the U.S. If I sleep at least...

It has been four years and who knows how many surgeries. I estimate she has had 25 surgeries to repair her burn injuries and her curved back. She is a new person and a 17 year old young woman.I flew to L.A. to meet all the hosts and to see Dr. Peter Grossman and his wife. They all have been so amazing as they have done so much to change Yulce’s life. Yulce was very much an American teenager. She was not ready to go back to Indonesia. She...

Yulce is finally going home. She has been in the U.S. since 2004. She went back to her family in Indonesia for one year following her first year of treatment. Dr. Peter Grossman has been amazing as he led her surgeries and recovery. Tina Johnson has been her guardian and has been a mother and friend to Yulce. She came with severe burn injuries and now she is going home as a confident and beautiful young woman..She will go home after a long time...

Today was a big step for Tison. He had his fourth surgery. It was possibly the most important surgery for him. The surgeon worked on the ear that has been closed since the burn accident. His right ear was closed and we did not know if the inside of the ear was burned or untouched by the burn. It was a relief to hear that the ear canal was open. We are so happy to know his hearing was not affected and his ear can be made to look normal.Tison had...

Tison has been approved to remain in the U.S. for another six months. The application for a visa extension is a big job and must be done correctly. It was great to get the approval of his application for the next six months visa.Tison needed to remain here in Alaska for more surgeries. He has been doing well and was able to complete three surgeries. The next surgery will be next week. His surgeon has been careful and we feel he has been...

Tison is only speaking English now with an occasional Indonesian word thrown in when he doesn’t know the word. He told us he wanted to cook some eggs. So he began giving us the list of things he needs just like a good cook. First, eggs and then a bowl. He took a fork and mixed the two eggs in the bowl. Then he said I need some bawang puti. That is garlic and he let us know it was not onions. No–not onions. He carefully sliced the...

Normally–we would be told to NOT feed the bears. But Tison got to see and help feed two black bears owed by Ron and Sharon Richards. Samson the male and Delilah the smaller female have been a part of Ron and Sharon’s family since they were very small. They live in a five acre fenced forested area and are not treated as pets. These huge bears are respected as wild animals but are cared for and nurtured by the Richards.Tison got the...