Jon’s Progress Update - August 21, 2026

We have an incredible update to share! 

The last several days have brought progress that is rarely seen this soon after a significant burn injury.

After Jon’s surgery on last Friday, we were told to prepare for another ten days in the hospital. Instead, he continued to surprise all of us. At the two week mark of being in the critical burn unit, he continued to fight so hard to move his body and began asking to go home. For this to happen he had to meet some physical requirements that felt huge given his critical state. He had to climb three flights of stairs, do squats and lunges, and showed his team that he was strong enough to continue this next part of recovery at home. And he did it! So, much sooner than we imagined, I was able to bring him home.

Being home has been such a gift, but we are also learning that home does not mean healed. It simply means the healing is happening here now, without nurses and doctors just a button press away. His body is still weak, his surgical areas on his left arm, hands, and fingers are still very raw, and there are moments when even the simplest things ask more of him than they once did. 

For the foreseeable future, we will spend two days each week in Nashville for wound care and follow-up with the Vanderbilt Burn Clinic. The drive is difficult on him - his body adjusting and limitations mean we let his body set the pace. He has also lost a significant amount of weight through all of this, which has made meeting his calorie and protein needs another important part of the healing process. Right now, he has to meet 8,000 -10,000 calories a day - so nutrient dense meals are high priority. 

In this all, there is so much good to hold onto.

One of our greatest blessings is that Jon continues to have no infection in any of his burn sites, and we are incredibly thankful for that.

I think we are beginning to understand that healing from something this serious is not one big moment where everything suddenly changes. It is a collection of smaller moments that slowly begin to add up — a little more strength, a little more movement, another wound care appointment behind us, another day at home, another reminder that his body is still doing the remarkable work of rebuilding itself.

We know there is still a long journey ahead, but we also know how far he has already come.

To everyone who has prayed for Jon, donated, brought meals, checked on our children, sent messages, or supported our family in any way, thank you! There are seasons in life when you realize just how much the kindness of other people can carry you, and this has been one of those seasons for us. Truly. 

We are grateful to be home, grateful for the progress we can already see, and deeply grateful for every person walking beside us as Jon continues to heal.