Day 10 of Jim's Recovery

UGH, I just got finished with a really long post and I hit publish and it didn't work! So now I have to type everything over again. I'm so sorry if tonight's blog is not that great because I have been sitting here now for a half hour and can't handle it anymore!!

Okay, So first off when I sat down to write I was very overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed Dad was getting better. I was overwhelmed because I can't go see him due to my cough. And also, I was overwhelmed by all your emotional responses to yesterday's blog. I can just feel all of your joy at the news of Dad's responses. I am so happy to share that with you and to be able to fill that love pour through this measly computer.

So all of my information is second hand again today. Mom was with Dad all day and said he was doing the same things as yesterday. Though it seems like Dad is saying yes to everything. Mom said that he will say yes if she asks if he knows who she is but she still gets the feeling that he still doesn't know. Erin also said the same thing. I think it is like when you speak to someone who only knows a foreign language, they say yes to everything you say because they don't understand what you are asking. It is like Dad is saying yes because he doesn't know what people are saying. Mom is going to take him his hearing aides tomorrow but those are a little tricky because they will also amplify annoying sounds i.e. heart monitors.

The physical therapists also came in to work with Dad today. They had him chew on ice shavings. Sometimes he would chew them and swallow. Other times it would just slide down his throat and he would cough on it. He wasn't perfect at chewing ice but it's a start! His brain has to relearn simple tasks like how to chew and swallow.

So I just found out that Dad has been moved to the Nero Acute Floor. Now don't you all go rushing up to the hospital, he will get overwhelmed. We will tell you where he is in about a week. For right now we are just asking close friends and family to come visit Dad. Don't get me wrong you are all great friends of Dad's but again we don't want him overstimulated. We aren't sure how long he will be there. The case manager told us that he would be going to a nursing facility on Monday but the Doctor told us he would stay on the floor for 30 days. Again, we aren't sure what will be happening but will keep you updated.

Though, we do have a gigantic request of all of you. The doctors and nurses told us to fill up Dad's rooms with things he is familiar with. So we want pictures of you and pictures of you with Dad! Mail us a copy of your pictures to Mom or Me if you have our addresses (I'm not going to post that on a public blog)! Or e-mail me pictures at jimsrecovery@gmail.com. I am going to create a CD with pictures and music that we can put in the DVD player and Dad can watch on his TV. We want to fill up his room with pictures so that he doesn't have to look at boring hospital walls. The more photos the better!! Don't be a stranger to regular old mail. We need those pictures just as much as we need the ones for our CD. So don't just take the easy route and download what you have on your computer. Go scrounging through those old photos and find that funny one of you and Dad! Or that great picture you have of yourself from five years ago!

Lastly, Mom wanted me to say something for her. She wants to thank all her friends, family, and coworkers who have been helping her this week with bringing food over, to helping fix and pick up her house. You have all been a wonderful support to her and she feels that Thank You does not relay the gratitude she has towards all of you. Thanks again.