Update 09/09/2009
 
Colton and I are doing well. We are hoping to be moving by the end of the month. Colton found out this week that he is going into the next "phase" of healing. He will be given new shrinker socks to help form his legs. These particular socks are the last step before being fitted for prosthetics. Hopefully by the end of November Colton will be walking on what they call stubbies. It will be sort of as if he is walking on his knees, although he does not have a knee joint. Then after successfully completing that phase is when he will start walking on a form of prosthetics that does not have a knee joint. Again, after that he will graduate to knee joints and be almost completed with the entire therapy process. He has started swimming and is very much enjoying that.

We have enjoyed staying at the Fisher House on Fort Sam and are thankful for all the help and support we get here. We have been continusouly blessed with donations from wonderful people. We are so appreciative of all the support.
 
The Acadia has been outfitted with hand controls and will be ready for Colton when he is able to drive, which we hope will be before the end of the month. Also, by the end of September we are hoping to hear about the investigation at Travis Air Force Base.

Thank you for all the continued support and prayers that go out for Colton and our family. God bless.

Colton now has a personal email connected directly to this website! Feel free to email him with your positive comments! We will be posting a mailing address soon!  Colton.Read@yahoo.com
 
New Wheels 08/29/2009
 
Today, Colton and I got a new vehicle. Thanks to everyone who has donated to Colton, we were able to trade in our Ford Focus and get a new GMC Acadia, which will hold his wheel chair and other equipment. The new vehicle is being fitted Tuesday for hand controls, so that when Colton is able, he will be able to drive! We can't say thank you enough to everyone who has donated money to Colton and I. We are so appreciative. Colton is doing physical therapy at the CFI everyday and goes on their weekly outings into the community. Coltons mother, Shelly, stepfather, Joseph, and siblings Keegan and Faith were able to come visit this weekend from Ohio. We are so thankful to be around such great family.
 
 
Colton and I arrived to the Center for the Intrepid Monday, August 17. He is kept very busy with physical therapy twice a day, occupational therapy, and doctor appointments. Soon, we hope to be moving on base. On Wednesday, August 19, Lackland Air Force Base hosted a benefit golf tournament for Colton. We are truly grateful for everyone who came out to play and all the funds that were donated. Because of all of you that have donated, Colton, along with his VA vehicle grant, will be able to get a modified vehicle when he is able to drive. We are planning on being here at the Center for the Intrepid for atleast 18 months - 2 years. Colton and I have met lots of young men and women that are in the same situation as he is in. We have been inspired by the different men and women from all branches, supporting each other along the same journey. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers and support!

Jessica & Colton
 
 
Today, Colton was fitted for his custom wheelchair. We are all very excited about the huge progress he has been making. I viewed some housing options for when Colton is moved to the CFI (Center for the Intrepid). He is working on transfers from the bed to the wheelchair and back. We are working on getting new pieces of furniture, like a bed and a table that would be accessible for Colton being in a wheelchair. He has been eating well and his overall health has made amazing improvement. We are very thankful to Lackland Air Force Base for the great southern hospitality they have shown to us. This coming week, a golf tournament is being hosted in honor of Colton at Lackland AFB. Also, other fund raisers have been in place since Colton and I arrived. We are amazed at the continued support we have recieved from our Air Force family. We are truly blessed for the situation that we are in. God does not put you through what you cannot get through, we are firm believers of that. Coltons strength and positive attitude amazes me everyday. He was asked by one of his doctors if he was hopeful about his future, he looked at the doctor with a stunned look on his face and said, "No! I KNOW I'm going to get up and walk and ski again. There's no doubt in my mind. There's just no other option." I have learned so much from my husband throughout this experience and have been floored by his positivity and strength to perservere and want to move on with his life. We could all learn something from Colton in this situation. I know I occassionaly hear myself or others say how hard our day and then I remind myself of Colton and know I have no room to complain. As we were going to the cafeteria the other day, Colton overheard a man talking about how much he hated wearing his uniform in this heat, and Colton looked and me and said, "How could he hate wearing his uniform? I'd do anything to wear mine." 

Again, I would personally like to express my thanks. Your words of encouragement help Colton everyday. I know he reads the website daily now and appreciates all the help and support. 

Jessica Read 
 
Update 08/08/2009
 
SAN ANTONIO AND LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE WELCOMES COLTON READ

Colton arrived in San Antonio Thursday, Aug. 6, and was admitted to the ICU at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base.  Today, Saturday Aug. 8, Colton was moved out of ICU and became a patient resident at Wilford Hall.

This morning, Colton started a rigorous physical therapy program, began using a wheel chair and wheeled himself around the floor corridors. As he is recovering well, no additional surgeries planned at this time. 

We sincerely appreciate all the support from both the Beale Air Force Base and the Lackland Air Force Base families. Their time and tireless help have made the journey easier, more memorable and are daily encouragements to Colton, Jessica and the families. All of us are truly grateful.

We also appreciate the cards, letters and contributions from the many people around the world. Your on-going support and caring concern are awesome encouragements to Colton, Jessica and the families.

Please continue to pray for the Lord's peace and healing.
 
Update 08/03/2009
 
Tomorrow, August 4, is Coltons 21st birthday. We recieved good news today. Colton could possibly be moved to San Antonio by Wednesday! We, as a family, are very excited! He is eating a communicating well. We are hopeful that the doctors at Wilford Hall at Lackland AFB will be able to continue the great care Colton has been recieving at UC Davis Medical Center. Thank you to everyone who has cards and letters. Colton and I sit and read the new mail that comes in every day. I will continue updating after we get to San Antonio and through Coltons rehab process. Thanks to everyone!!

Jessica Read
 
Positive Steps 07/31/2009
 
Thursday, July 30th Colton went in for surgery to partially close his right leg. He currently has drains in this right leg to drain the remaining adema. He was started on a liquid diet without his feeding tube and drank half of a banana strawberry smoothie, some milk shake, and 3 cups of water. Today is Friday and Colton started eating solid food today! He ate half a piece of french toast this morning and some juice. For lunch, he asked for a Chick-fil-a chicken sandwhich and fries. He had about 3 big bites of his sandwhich and 3 french fries! We as a family are so excited about his progress. He is still suffering from a low grade fever and an acclerated heart rate. The doctors found a small absess in his psoas muscle. Turns out, it's some dried blood left from the initial surgery when his aorta was punctured and blood filled the cavity of his body. The dried blood should disappear over time but they are going to keep an eye on it just to make sure it doesn't cause infection. Colton could be transferred to San Antonio as soon as the end of next week, depending on his recovery rate.

Thanks to everyone who has been sending cards, letters, and comments on the blog. These are all going to be helpful for Colton and our family in the weeks and months to come when we all need a little encouragement and reminder of how many people love and care about our family. Thank you to all those who have donated through his benefit fund through Frost Bank and at Beale AFB. Again, we would like to express our gratitude to the Beale AFB and the Beale Community for all they have done. We receive hot meals almost every day and that is VERY appreciated. I would have never expected the out pour of support that we as a family have recieved. Thank you all so much.

Jessica Read
 
 
Colton had a harder day today. He had surgery late into last night and lost a lot of blood. We were hoping for a possible partial closure, but only ended up with more debriefing and wash out. When I saw him in the morning, he was pale, with a fever of 103. He was breathing heavily with an accelerated heart rate and a high blood pressure. He was administered two units of blood and pain medication with tylenol. His fever has started to come down over the course of the day. He is complaining of terrible stomach pains and hasn't been able to hold much down. He was given contrast through his feeding tube for a CT scan of his stomach. Unfortunately, he was not able to hold down a lot of the contrast but they were able to get a good read from the CT scan. Nothing appeared abnormal in the CT scan, his gallbladder shows signs of gallbladder disease but is not a big concern at the moment. So far, he has all the classic signs of infection, but they have yet to determine where the infection is, or if he even has an infection at all.

Again, please keep praying and please keep contacting your local senators and congressman. I believe our Texas senators must be very busy because I and my family have yet to hear back from Senator John Cornyn and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

UPDATE:: 11:15 AM Thursday July 30.

I was contacted this morning by representatives from Kay Bailey Hutchison. This is her statement that was released July 21st.

“I am heartbroken by the tragic medical mistake that has left this young, able-bodied Airman a double amputee. Our military personnel deserve nothing less than the very finest medical care. What happened to Colton Read is unacceptable. I call on the Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate steps to ensure this kind of tragedy never befalls one of our brave military men or women again. The Air Force must take responsibility for this tragedy and ensure that this Airman and his family receive full financial and medical support. I extend my deepest gratitude to Colton for his service and my best wishes and support for him and his family as they face the challenge of his recovery,” said Sen. Hutchison.
 
Recent update 07/27/2009
 

Colton is showing a lot of improvement. He had surgery Sunday, July 26 to debrief, wash out and redress his right leg. We are hoping by the end of the week to have it partially closed. After the right leg is closed, we will spend another week in the ICU. Then after that, we will spend three to four more weeks in the hospital.

He started eating orally today, along with the feeding tube. He had several bites of soup and almost half a cup of cran-apple juice. We are starting to transfer him to oral pain medication instead of intervenes pain medications. We were that, most likely, a prosthetic for the right leg will not be possible, but as we have learned through this process, nothing is impossible.

Again, I would like to say thank you to all of your positive, uplifting comments left on the Web site. Thank you for all the cards, and letters of encouragement. They will certainly be well appreciated in the weeks to come.

 
 

  Colton had his 11th surgery last night between 7 and 9 p.m., and they removed more tissue from the right leg.  He rested well last night.  This morning, he is in and out of awareness.  We like to believe that sometimes, he recognizes us all.  He responds to us to some degree. 

Yesterday, Colton received a visit from Major General Glenn Bradley A. Heithold.  Colton was not able to communicate well, but he was able to tell his father, Steve Read, Tractor Papa, David Beasley and Grandmother, Terry DeBrow, early in the morning that he had to get up and clean his room for the visit. 

When Major General Heithold arrived, Colton recognized his name and saluted the Major General with his left hand.  Major General Heithold “coined” Colton with a coveted Air Force coin, and Colton held it for hours.  We had a visit from Chief Master Sergeant Suzan K. Sangster, also of the USAF.  She “coined” Colton, too.  Colton had briefed both Heithold and Sangster recently at their unit on visits, and both reported that he did an outstanding job.