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...

Tison has had three surgeries in the last six months. He had a cold on the day his second surgery was scheduled, so it was set back three weeks due to the congestion. His left foot is really looking good. The graft around his ankle has allowed the foot to start to lay in the normal flat position. He had remarkable changes in his burned right hand and scaring on his face.It was clear that he was in need of more surgeries and would need more time...

Tison has his skin graft to his chin and face. The skin is healing and looking much better. He had a very uncomfortable gauze covering sown over the new skin graft. it was on about a week he was embarrassed about it and it was uncomfortable. He was very happy when the gauze was removed.It was a beautiful day and I had a chance to get a nice photo of his chin and lip. We took a long walk and just enjoyed the sunny day. It is snowing as I...

Break-up is a word used here in Alaska to signify the end of winter and the beginning of our summer. Summer is close when the snow and ice begin to melt. The sun is higher in the sky and everyone has a smile. The river ice “breaks-up” and the deep green waters appear again.It is a time out get out the bikes and jet ski’s. Tison got in full swing with his first ride on the bike at the Johnson’s. He is just having a great...

Tison had an appointment with his surgeon today. He is doing well following his second surgery. The graft on his left ankle is healing nicely. The big toe on the same foot setting well. It was a positive report and the next step in his progress was set.Tison has a radiant smile and it will only get better. He will have plastic surgery to his face in about two weeks. That smile will get better and brighter.His English language skill are really...

Tison has his left leg elevated following his second surgery. This is a real restriction to his active lifestyle. He went from snowboarding and sledding to having to put his leg on a pillow–does not seem fair.The skin graft came from the upper left leg. The surgeon put him under sedation on Monday to remove the wrapping and to inspect the graft. He came out of the surgery room very pleased at the condition of the graft. The graft is still...

He was asking for water following his second surgery. Tison did very well in the three hours he was in the operating room. The pin that was inserted in the thumb of his right hand during the first surgery was removed. The surgeon cleaned up some scar tissue that will vastly improve the range of motion on his legs and realigned the big toe on the left foot. A graft of skin was removed from his upper leg and used to repair the toe.This is a big...

Tison was sick last month when he was scheduled for his second surgery. He will have this surgery on Thursday. He is ready (red-ee) for this next step. He likes the word ready–but he pronounces it red-ee. This was one of the first words he learned. We would ask him, “Are you ready?” He would say, “Red-ee”. Now, he better be ready for this surgery.This is an important process for him. He will have his left foot...

March 4 will be a big day for Tison. He will have his second surgery since arriving in Alaska. He was sick when his second surgery was originally scheduled. It was rescheduled and the countdown begins. This is a very important surgery because the surgeon will work on removing the contractures on the left ankle. This will hopefully allow his foot resume the normal flat position. He has been walking on the side of his foot since the burn...