We have been thinking about how to bring this blog to a close. How do we say goodbye to all of you who have followed Jay's progress and sent prayers, positive thoughts, and well wishes? We are so blessed with the MIRACLE of Jay's life and recovery, and we know that so much loving energy sent our way has been instrumental in bringing him back.
We've been at home for a week, and it has been wonderful. It was like a time warp to walk back in to Xmas cards, cookies, and decorations. It's taken the entire week to get organized and we still have a way to go. Our town is welcoming us home with open arms and Gunnison greetings, and "normal life" never felt so good.
Jay is doing great. As hair grows over the scars on his head, it's hard to see the signs of our Salt Lake City journey. But we have both been changed and will continue to grow from this experience. A few more weeks and Jay goes back to work part time, to regain his stamina in the workplace. Life is therapy now, as Jay continues to recover at home and in community.
Jay has been touched by your cards and messages, and wishes he could respond to all of you. Perhaps a good way to stay in touch would be via our home email. Please feel free to contact us at djhelman@msn.com
It brings tears to my eyes and I am at a loss for words, but we are officially SIGNING OFF!
So much love and thanks from Dawn, Jay, and Devanie.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Return Home
Our last Sunday in Salt Lake City! My brother Mark will accompany us on the drive back to Gunnison this Thursday March 19th. After all this time, it's hard to believe we're coming home! I will miss Salt Lake City, and the people and places that have become part of our lives.....but it's time and we're ready. When we flew in here on an Air-Med flight on January 12th, if someone had told me we'd be here until March 19th, I'd probably have had a nervous breakdown, or simply not believed them. There's no way to comprehend all that's happened to us, and we've lived it!
The road back has been a journey of personal growth for both of us. We're still processing what it all means, but we know Jay has been gifted with a second chance at life. There's been a silver lining as well as lots of challenges. He's coming home with a buzz cut and a cane (both temporary), and is still accessing higher level abilities and skills. His personality and his confidence are re-emerging, as a stroke and brain injury is a humbling experience. Jay will continue to recover, but returning home to our lives is the next phase.
The silver lining lies in the growing, learning, changing, accepting, and pondering we've both had to do, and in the strength, gratitude, and openess we've been blessed with. We left in the dead of winter and we come home in the spring. It feels like a rebirth full of new opportunites and possibilities.
The road back has been a journey of personal growth for both of us. We're still processing what it all means, but we know Jay has been gifted with a second chance at life. There's been a silver lining as well as lots of challenges. He's coming home with a buzz cut and a cane (both temporary), and is still accessing higher level abilities and skills. His personality and his confidence are re-emerging, as a stroke and brain injury is a humbling experience. Jay will continue to recover, but returning home to our lives is the next phase.
The silver lining lies in the growing, learning, changing, accepting, and pondering we've both had to do, and in the strength, gratitude, and openess we've been blessed with. We left in the dead of winter and we come home in the spring. It feels like a rebirth full of new opportunites and possibilities.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Milestones
It was hard to say goodbye to my sister Tammy yesterday and our daughter Devanie today. Their presence made this rehab adventure away from home so much more fun. Jay had intense outpatient therapy everyday this week, and on Saturday we went out to lunch AND dinner to celebrate our visitors and our daughter's birthday. Jay's stamina is improving as he spends time in the world. Sunday is a day of rest and the quiet today has been restorative to us both.
So many milestones this week. We returned our wheelchair and Jay is cruising around with only a cane he uses for balance and security. The staples are out of his head, and there's no more Frankenstein zipper. He's doing "assignments" for speech and occupational therapy that I'm glad I don't have to do. (powerpoint presentations, math problems, budget problems, driving tests.)
Jay is ready to be done with therapy, but he is gaining much confidence as he accesses the skills and abilities he had before his stroke.
We continue to be grateful and awed by this miracle of recovery, and we often reflect on our blessings. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, encouragement and love. It has meant a lot to us.
So many milestones this week. We returned our wheelchair and Jay is cruising around with only a cane he uses for balance and security. The staples are out of his head, and there's no more Frankenstein zipper. He's doing "assignments" for speech and occupational therapy that I'm glad I don't have to do. (powerpoint presentations, math problems, budget problems, driving tests.)
Jay is ready to be done with therapy, but he is gaining much confidence as he accesses the skills and abilities he had before his stroke.
We continue to be grateful and awed by this miracle of recovery, and we often reflect on our blessings. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, encouragement and love. It has meant a lot to us.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Progress Continues
Jay has completed one week out of the hospital and one week of outpatient therapy, and his progress continues. Jay is walking really well and is now focusing on strength, balance, and stamina. We took a good walk today and Jay chose to use the stairs instead of the elevator in the hotel.
Jay is spending time each day reading books, magazines, and newspapers, which is helping to build mental endurance. He also spends time resting. We're told that a healing brain needs to either "be on or be off". The miraculous plasticity of the brain enables the brain to heal itself during times of rest, and to regain function during times of focused concentrated effort.
Tomorrow we begin a new phase. We'll have intense 5 day a week therapy at a community based outpatient clinic. Jay believes that recovery is his job right now. Add to Jay's therapy schedule, a doctor appointment, lab visit, and a visit to the nerosurgeon to get the staples out of his head, and the next few days will be busy with work on recovery.
It's great to be out of the hospital, and we're cozy at the University Guesthouse, our home away from home, but there's nothin' like the real thing, and we are excited to get home to Gunnison. Thanks so much for your continued thoughts, prayers, emails, and cards. We are grateful for your understanding, as I know many of you are carrying a greater load in our absence.
Jay is spending time each day reading books, magazines, and newspapers, which is helping to build mental endurance. He also spends time resting. We're told that a healing brain needs to either "be on or be off". The miraculous plasticity of the brain enables the brain to heal itself during times of rest, and to regain function during times of focused concentrated effort.
Tomorrow we begin a new phase. We'll have intense 5 day a week therapy at a community based outpatient clinic. Jay believes that recovery is his job right now. Add to Jay's therapy schedule, a doctor appointment, lab visit, and a visit to the nerosurgeon to get the staples out of his head, and the next few days will be busy with work on recovery.
It's great to be out of the hospital, and we're cozy at the University Guesthouse, our home away from home, but there's nothin' like the real thing, and we are excited to get home to Gunnison. Thanks so much for your continued thoughts, prayers, emails, and cards. We are grateful for your understanding, as I know many of you are carrying a greater load in our absence.
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