I have a dream and the mountaintop is high. But the progress today has been amazing. It all looks so hard and the "minor" medical issues are really frustrating. Jay's NG (nasogastric tube) needed to be changed, and the nurse who did it (bless her heart) didn't get it in right and it had to be done again. SO miserable. I have to leave the room when they are torturing Jay. This is no time for professional development. His PIC line needed to replaced after only two days (who forgot to use heparin??) Ouch again.
But the care he is getting IS extraordinary Bruce Bartleson! Most of these nurses and respiratory and physical therapists are rock stars. Today we cheered and high fived when Jay lifted his left leg and wiggled the toes of his left foot!!! It's coming back!!!! The doctors say the lower extremities come back first, before the arm and hand. We already knew that the speech, cognitive, and right side of Jay's body was not impacted by this stroke, but 2 brain surgeries leaves a guy looking really rough, and we've been waiting for his left side to show us what he's got. Today he sat up at the side of the bed and did great PT. One young PT stated "wow Jay that's good", and the other stated "that's ridiculously good". Of course I told her that everything Jay does is ridiculously good.
Tomorrow we do the swallow study and hopefully get this NG tube out. It's making Jay's life so miserable. He's dying for water, Sprite, a smoothie. When watching the football game yesterday with the Miller Lite commercials, I said "doesn't a beer sound good?" And he shakes his finger at me. "I want water and a smoothie." ( I have to admit a beer sounds good to me).
Jay is being so strong, clear, humble, and co-operative. He told one of the nurses yesterday that he hoped he wasn't being a pain in the ass. The staff here really care about me and Jay. Each step of the way, I hate to leave the people who are taking care of us because I've grown attached and secure. We're doing a lot of talking laughing, and getting to know each other.
We only got to Neuro ICU yesterday and we're moving to a floor this afternoon. I'm SO glad we're moving on, but I hate to leave the "intensive care" we're getting. On the floor the nurses have more patients and because Jay is doing so well and is stable, he doesn't need the intensive care of the ICU. They are even taking him off his monitors, which makes me very nervous. It seems like there have been so many risks every step of the way, and now I'm worried about the risk of moving off ICU!! Jay always says "squeezie, you can't take yes for an answer".
Your prayers are working. Please keep them coming. I've not yet read any of your messages to Jay, because right now he's focusing on the work of recovery, being tortured, and sleeping.
Got to go. We're moving!!!!
Dawn
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Great Work Jay! Keep pushing through. After two brain surgeries, you now know how my thought processes have functioned all these years! It is not pretty, I know, but on the bright side, you can wake up some sleeping dendrites which have been eager to get out and work! Feeble attempt at humor. Were behind you 110%, and I am so glad this has been a good day.
ReplyDeleteDawn! You are handling this unexpected, unprecedented change in life like a trooper. I imagine that your world has been reduced to the size of University Hospital for now, but there's a bright, beautiful world out there awaiting the return of you and Jay. Stay strong, keep your marvelous sense of humor, and know that a gazillion people are sending you love from every direction.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, my dear friend,
Donna D.
Hey Jay, It's true you know, "You can't keep a good man down!" And you're the best! Can hardly wait to see you back home in the Captain's chair and share a laugh or two
ReplyDeleteDon
It's Official...I have become a jhelman.blogspot.com junkie!! I find myself checking throughout the day waiting for a new update. It's great Jay is moving on to the floor. I only hope the beds may be longer there! Dawn stay strong. Jay keep up the good work there. We are keeping the prayers coming from this end.
ReplyDeleteLove to both
Vicki and the entire Howell-Kadlec clan
From one Outlaw to another, if you are using this as an excuse for me to spot you points on the bean bag toss game, forget it!
ReplyDeleteI must admit that the Colorado contingency has posed challenging opposition in the past, but I am very much looking forward to the re-match soon.
Stay strong and know that there is lots of love and prayers coming from back in the "D".
Can't wait for the next "staff" meeting complete with all the accoutrements.
Love you big fella
Outlaw Kyle
Dawn and Dev, Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to stay connected with all of us. You courage and spirit inspire me. Love and good thoughts to all of you. CM
ReplyDeleteJay Baby,
ReplyDeleteI'm rather alarmed you're pooh-poohing the thought of a cold beer, but I guess I'll just have to trust you know what the heck you're doing... Meanwhile, I'll have one (well, maybe two) for you, and Dawnie, there's a case of Corona (with three bags of limes) here with your name on it. If there were any justice in the world, there'd be a lifetime supply headed your way right now.
What heartening news this all is. I'm a little worried about your pace of recovery, though, ol' buddy. I was hoping that if we connected soon enough, I could finally, for the first time in my life, beat you in a game of Horse. Any more days like this though, and those chances will quickly be reduced to nil.
We're holding you close here in Sonoma County--our phone doesn't stop ringing and email alerts don't stop pinging from people who love you guys and are wanting to commiserate. I'm telling them all to send you 6-packs of Sprite, care of the medical center...
Hugs,
Drew, Robyn & Dakota
Hey guys,
ReplyDeleteEveryone at EMS is stoked to hear of the progress, Hoss says hello. I'll be thinking of you all over the next few days and will be in touch as soon as I'm back in working order.
You give me hope, Jay, and help me remember how strong one can be when facing the hardest fights of your life. You're amazing!
And, Dawn, I'm very glad to hear you're getting a little peice of mind with the progress. Although, don't fear the upgrades... it's scary to be moved from something safe and known, but they wouldn't send him to other floors if he wasn't ready. Believe me, I'm sure they'd keep him if they could (I know we wanted too).
I hope the swallow test goes well today and that you can soon feel the bubbly sweetness of Sprite :)
Take care both of you, I'll keep you in my thoughts,
Britt
It’s great to hear that Jay is stable and doing well so that he is able to leave the ICU. Our thoughts and prayers are there for you, your daughter, and Jay. Everyday is a blessing, every step to recovery is a victory. We can’t wait to see you in the stands again cheering on Western!
ReplyDelete- Western State Volleyball Team
All our best to you all! Hoping for more good news, and that you get a cold sprite right away!
ReplyDeletephil