It's been a great day for our country and a great day for Jay as HOPE and CHANGE pervade.
How much change can happen in even 24 hours! Last night I slept in Jay's room on the neuro floor because I wasn't comfortable leaving him "alone" after the security of intensive care. A rocky start with nurses not getting his NG tube positioned correctly made me crazy, but the night turned out to be peaceful for both Jay and I. Tonight I feel confident that Jay is in good hands and I'm back at my hotel for a good night's sleep.
Jay is doing so much better, enabling him to focus on recovery and rest. He has endeared himself to the staff with his sense of humor, his appreciation of his nurses, and his strong motivation. We all enjoy experiencing Jay's sharp intellect and sense of humor. Today the speech therapists were accessing cognition and asked Jay "why do young people go to school?" I'm thinking "that's easy, to learn of course." Jay says "for growth and development." Then they ask why windows have glass in them. I'm thinking, "another easy one, to see through, of course." Jay answers "for translucence."
The speech therapists asked Jay to repeat this sentence exactly as spoken. "I got up, got dressed, walked down the hall and ate my breakfast" Jay says: "I wish!" We all laughed and he repeated the sentence perfectly. It seems that everything he says is funny and is just cracking us up. Anger and depression can be a reponse to a stroke, but Jay seems to be positive and motivated. The doctors have great hope for Jay's recovery. The healing of a brain injury is miraculous and amazing as you witness the changes the recovery process brings.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Jay got to have ice chips today! He was in Heaven, Double Heaven, he said. Water and Sprite hopefully come soon. His enjoyment of these simple pleasures is enjoyable to all of us. He has quite a cheering section here as he does in all of you. Keep praying.
This is not easy and having faith makes it so much easier.
Happy Inauguration Day! It was a day of rebirth for our nation and Jay's best day yet.
Dawn
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A very encouraging report, Dawn. Thanks for taking time to communicate with the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteWould you please tell Jay that I'm forwarding the question the speech therapist asked--"why do windows have glass in them?"-- to our Director of the Philosophy Program (Dr. Anthony Miccoli) as a possible prompt for the next Philosophy Intersections forum. "We begin tonight's forum with the question 'why do windows have glass in them?' and to start the discussion, joining us on the big screen, from Salt Lake City, is Dr. Helman. Jay, you've had some time to think about the question...why do we include glass in windows and how does this relate back to our apathetic youth?"
(I hope Jay's in the mood for some bad humor!)
Terry
Jay,
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful each day as I read about your progress. You are so amazing and have such good humor. Every day I look at a photo I have of you on the kitchen table. It's one I took one Christmas morning. You have disheveled hair with a big clip holding it up. You're looking over your reading glasses at me with an amused look and a twinkle in your eyes. I kiss that photo each morning and thank God you are in my life.
Keep up the good work little brother.
I love you, Orma