The Unfolding Miracle

We are so blessed and I have been witness to a true miracle. I feel sad and even a little guilty when I see others who have not had a recovery like Jay's, or those who will not walk again. Today in PT when they were challenging Jay by having him walk outside on different surfaces, (rocks, grass, hills) I was so grateful that we will still be able to hike together. When a loved one is devastated by a stroke, and is working on recovery, the fear and the grief of what might not come back and what might be lost forever is a constant.

We have video clips of Jay taken by one of his physical therapists as he struggled to relearn to walk and regain his motor abilities. You would have to see these clips to understand the enormity of his recovery. He has come so far, it is miraculous.

When we're not working with the physical therapists we still use a wheelchair to cruise around because we don't want to get too cocky, but Jay will come home on his feet. He has regained the strength and dexterity of his left hand and arm, which was so important to him.

The University of Utah Hospital has 2 outpatient rehab clinics. This week (post surgery) we continued to go to the one we attended as an inpatient at University Hospital. It's been wonderful to see our friends, the doctors, therapists, and other patients. It's been great for them to see Jay with his bone in place, and to celebrate his amazing progress. Jay does not take credit for his recovery. We know this miracle is a result of the gifted surgeons, the talented rehab staff, the incredible therapists, the doctors who offered us friendship, and the prayers, love, and support of all of you.

Next week we begin outpatient therapy at University Hospital's community based clinic. We'll have intensive 5 day a week therapy, which will be more related to transition back to work and community. Jay has been heroic on this journey, and has gained much from this challenge. You've heard the terms, "a stroke of genius, a stroke of insight, a stroke of luck." To have a stroke is to experience a lightning bolt of awareness or transformation. It truly can be a blessing.

Goodbye Hospital

After being in the hospital since January 12th, Jay came "home" to my hotel room today. We are so thankful to be at this stage in the journey. Getting the bone flap replaced is a monumental step forward. The doctors are amazed at Jay's recovery and gratified that their aggresssive surgeries resulted in such a positive outcome. Jay has a million staples in his head. The staples come out in 10-14 days, so he's going to be scary looking for awhile!

Jay is getting better everyday, and now we begin outpatient therapy to continue his recovery. Only about 3 1/2 weeks and then it's home, sweet, home.

A Peaceful Day Today

All is well as Jay continues to recover from the surgery to replace his cranial bone. Discharge is planned for tomorrow. The day has been a lovely balance of activity and rest. Jay and I both took walks and now it's quiet and peaceful in our room. Our "roomate" was discharged today and with a little bit of luck this will be our "private room" from which to view the Academy Awards. In view of all that's happened it's such a treat to savor these sweet peaceful moments.

"Closing a Chapter"

Jay's surgery to replace his cranial bone went great! I just visited him in the recovery room, and in response to my question about how he felt, he said "I have one helluva headache, but besides that I feel fine." He then asked me to call the college and get a message to the Board of Trustees, currently in a meeting, to inform them that he is out of surgery and doing well. He's definitely got his head back in the game.

The surgeon who took the bone off and replaced it, told me it was gratifying for him to witness the extraordinary value of the aggressive treatment they gave Jay. Removing that bone prevented increasing intracranial pressure from causing damage or death, and closing Jay's cranial vault puts closure on this chapter. Jay is doing so well that he is not going to the ICU, but is going directly to the regular floor. He should be discharged from the hospital in a few days and will begin outpatient therapy and life in the world. I am so excited!!!

The rec therapy trip to the gym to play basketball yesterday was amazing. The automaticity of movement in such a familiar and comfortable environment was remarkable. It was an exhilarating, exciting, and ultimately emotional experience for all of us.

Thank you for all the positive energy directed our way. I am sure that Jay's recovery and my ability to hang in there, is in direct proportion to the power of your thoughts and prayers!

Graduation Day

Today is Jay's last day in rehab! His physical therapists are celebrating by taking him to a gym on campus to shoot some hoops. This trip will be Jay's first day outside the hospital since Jan 12th! We're ready to go, we need to go, and because our outpatient therapy will take place at this same University of Utah clinic, we will be able to maintain our support system and our connection to this community.

Tomorrow is Jay's surgery to replace his cranial bone flap. Our hope is that he'll be discharged from the hospital as early as Monday, and will begin outpatient therapy the next day. Please keep us in your prayers as we take this next major step in Jay's recovery. He continues to make amazing progress and we've been told that huge steps forward will happen simply with the closing of the cranial vault.

It will be good to be so close to our doctors and therapists when I bring Jay "home" to the University Guesthouse. Their expertise and guidance as Jay reintegrates into life outside the hospital gives me a great sense of security. Our stroke team has left no stone unturned and has found what they believe to be the cause of Jay's stroke; a clotting factor in his blood which is now being treated with medication. It gives us a great sense of relief that this determination has been made and can prevent another stroke.

I'm feeling so blessed as we finish another chapter in this remarkable journey. As Jay "graduates" from rehab, this no longer feels catastrophic, but transformative. We move forward with faith in the unfolding.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

We are getting so ready to come home. I told Jay I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and he replied "I want to be in the light!" The surgeon who will replace Jay's bone flap is available on Feb 20th, so that's the next big hurdle. Once that is done, we'll be discharged from the hospital, and have chosen to stay in Salt Lake City for a few weeks to do outpatient therapy.

The farther Jay goes on the road to recovery, obviously the more ready he is to leave the rehab setting. We are both starting to long for peace and quiet, more privacy, and more environmental control. We are ready to join our community, our co-workers and our friends, and get back to Gunnison in time for spring. (well, mud season anyways)

Jay continues to progress and grow stronger on his feet daily. He has had to face the challenge of another round of c-diff, the intestinal bacteria. It's been very frustrating, but not as bad as the first time. We are both relieved and thrilled about the function he has gained in his left hand and arm. Working your way back from a stroke is very hard work, and Jay has become my hero as he steps up to meet each challenge. I am aware that not everyone who has a stroke is as lucky as Jay, and I am grateful for his recovery.

We have been touched and amazed by the oupouring of love and support from all of you. Your thoughts, prayers, gifts, and cards have made a fierce situation much gentler. Thank you.

WOW!

What a great day! Great strides! Literally! Jay's climbing stairs, actually broke into a jog, doing defensive slides and lateral moves. We are so relieved that the transient deficit in his left hand and arm has been diagnosed, and can be resolved. We are really moving now!

All Systems Go

I spoke with Jay about the blog and he feels very comfortable with it. He feels that it is a great way to keep in touch with people and to update folks on his progress. So it is with his blessing that I continue.....................

This has been a real wild ride. Disneyworld's "Tower of Terror" and "Expedition Everest" have nothing on the ups and downs of this journey. Jay has been working so hard in therapy and is making remarkable progress. His steep and fast ascent in the last month has amazed the doctors and the rehab team. Jay's stroke deficits are on his left side, and we have all felt relieved and estatic as he gains back the use of his left side.

The latest stumbling block has been mysterious and very frustrating. For the past few days Jay's left hand and arm have been coming "on and off line." At times it's all systems go, and at other times his left hand and arm does not respond to his concentrated focus to move the way he wants it to. The fluctuation in the degree of function has been very puzzling to the team and supremely frustrating for Jay. The team has done all kinds of diagnostics, and with experimentation have found that his left hand and arm responds to increased fluid volume, a carefully titrated blood pressure and certain body positions. They assure us that because he has good function some of the time, this will resolve, but it's been but yet another unexpected, frustrating and scary thing on this intense journey. Jay's new saying. "if it wasn't this, it would be something else!"

We're getting close to the next important phase of this recovery process. On February 20th, Jay will have the surgery to replace the cranial bone he had removed to prevent increased intracranial pressure, secondary to the post surgical and post stroke swelling of his brain. Believe it or not, this bone has been waiting in the freezer here at University Hospital. (I told you we were in the right place!) This rather standard procedure will necessitate a few days in ICU, a move to the floor, and then discharge!!!

We have decided to stay in Salt Lake City for a few weeks following discharge to do outpatient therapy here at University Hospital. Dr. Edgely and this team is very invested in Jay as he is in them. Jay's trust in their expertise, their belief that Jay can return to full function, and the relationships they have built, makes this a winning team. After a few weeks of outpatient therapy we will return to our home sweet home, Gunnison Colorado!! AMEN!

Movin' Right Along

I'm aware that so many of our family and friends depend on this blog to hear news of Jay, and check it quite frequently (surely not as often as I check my email while I'm here.) I wanted you to know that Jay is doing so well, that no news is good news. I also agree with Dr. Edgely who feels that at this point, Jay needs to be more personally involved with the blog.

I will communicate with Jay about his feelings about the blog. It was begun by our daughter who knew that there was no way I had time to communicate with all those who needed and wanted to know how Jay was doing. Now that Jay is recovering, I feel it necessary and respectful to make sure he is comfortable with my blog entries. Who knows? The next blog entry might come from the big guy himself!

We have a discharge plan in place. I am afraid to publicly announce the details because I'm afraid to jinx it. But breathe a collective sigh of relief to know that we are movin' right along! Jay is even more amazing now that he has been through this powerful experience. His quick wit is as sharp as ever, and his compassion and sense of humor seem to be heightened.

Thanks to all of you who care and those of you who lift up your hearts in prayer. Jay and I have a ways to go, but don't we all.............?

Counting Our Blessings

It's hard to believe how much has changed in one week. This week has been as wonderful as last week was miserable. Jay is doing so great and can actually joke about c-diff now. He's got a funny schtick going with Dr. Edgely about everyone wearing a t-shirt during physical therapy that says, "C Diff - Movement You Can Count On!" We do a lot of laughing around here and are really having quite a good time (relatively speaking). Jay's motto has always been, "if you're not having fun, it's your own darn fault."

I am now at a place in this incredible process in which I am counting our blessings and being grateful for this miracle. Our blessings, let me count them: Denver being snowed in so we got flown to this amazing hospital and stroke clinic, the skilled surgeons who saved Jay's life, the location of the stroke in Jay's brain, our dream team of rehab doctors, the speed and degree of Jay's recovery.

The rehab staff are all angels and bless us with their kindness, expertise, understanding, and guidance. Believe it or not, I will miss the community of this rehab unit. Those who have been wounded in some way, their loved ones, and the angels who help us find our way back, are like a family. And how I love my sweet little home in the University Guest House with the lights of Salt Lake City sparkling below. The great blessing of the outpouring of love, support, prayers, cards, special packages, cheers, flowers, and friendship, has carried us through this with all of you wrapped around us.

And the good news: we're making such great progress that we're putting a discharge plan in place!!! Yes it's true, the light at the end of this tunnel is growing brighter. Let us all count our blessings.........................

The Race Continues

Please forgive me for the lapse in the blog updates.  I have been busy, my sister came to visit and support me, I've had technical difficulties which my child Dev finally talked me through over the phone, and last night I left my power cord in Jay's room and my computer hibernated!

I am touched and honored that so many of you care about Jay and want to know how he's doing. His triumph in overcoming these challenges gives all of us hope that we too could make it to the finish line if faced with the race of our lives as Jay has been. Our dear friend Dr. Garren reminds me that "this is a marathon." This is the game and the race of Jay's life. We're all cheering for him, but it's his race to finish and his game to win. 

 I'm thrilled to report that he's back on track. Jay is finally winning the war over the dreaded closteridium difficile, the hospital acquired stomach bacteria. He's not 100%, but he's back. Now that he's not nauseated and can eat again, his diet has been upgraded and he's eating full meals. 2 weeks ago he was begging for Sprite, and now he's eating lasagna, cake, and key lime pie, and he's making up for lost time by drinking 2 Sprites with each meal! 

It's an amazing experience to be part of this therapeutic community. The patients in rehab are recovering from strokes, trauma, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, surgeries, and debilitating illnesses. There are 3 young men who have sustained snowboarding/ski injuries. (Broken legs are one thing, spinal chord injuries are another...) Dr. Edgley has called Jay the  superstar of rehab, but we are very blessed that his challenge/stroke is one that has such a good recovery potential. He's working hard on his left sided deficits, and makes the comment that "this is harder than it looks." 

What a blessing that Jay is now enjoying the "simple" pleasures of life; eating, walking, reading, watching tv. It really is true that "you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone." A reminder to all of us..............