Friday, July 23, 2010

Day 22 - July 23

What a fantastic, fabulous, wonderful, awesome day!!! :)

Jake was in a deep sleep again when I arrived at the hospital with his breakfast.  He did not like me waking him up this morning, but I had to because he had a "date" with Jacqui. She needs to see that he can do some more daily living tasks by himself.  He was able to prove to her that he can do most of his bathing/dressing by himself and also worked on some "transfers."  Today's transfers were from bed to commode then to wheelchair.  He impressed her with how well he did with all of his tasks today. :)  He was happy to be clean and to be sitting in his chair again.  He was just happy all around! :)  Jacqui is going on vacation for a week so she brought her substitute with her to introduce Jake to her.  Good thing she can take teasing because he gave her a hard time just like he does with Jacqui. :)  

He wanted to get out of his room for a bit.  The goal this week is to have him in his chair each day for at least three hours.  He was able to accomplish that goal except for Wednesday and Thursday due to him not feeling well.  The new goal now is to be in the chair four to five hours each day.  We couldn't leave the ward just yet because he was expecting a visitor soon and didn't want to miss her.  So, we just "traveled" around the halls.  As we were going past the nurses area, he saw one of his nurses (a male one) working on the computer.  He asked Jake how he was doing and Jake replied that he was doing really good today.  The nurse replied, "Well, you are looking better than yesterday."  Jake's reply (this cracked everyone up), "Man, I always look good!" :)  His sense of humor has returned! :)

Our thoughts/guesses about what was making Jake feel so ill the past two days were correct!  It was the new pain medication that they started giving him.  Jake and his night nurse decided to not take that particular pain medication last night to see if it was causing the illness.  He had a great night and had even greater day!  YIPPEE!!  It's so nice to see our Jake back!!  He makes sure now that every nurse knows that he cannot take that medication.

A special family friend, Francine, came to visit.  It was so wonderful to see her again and to talk!  It perked Jake up and he just started talking and talking.  Seeing and visiting with friends really perk both of us up.  Thank you, Francine, for stopping by to visit on your way home.  It really meant alot to both of us.  Thank you, also, for the hugs. :)

After her visit, Jake decided to hit the road again in his chair and decided to go turn in some paper work a few floors down.  He loves being in the chair and going fast.  Now, he still has his IV in and the PCA is attached to that IV--and--mom has to push the PCA pole behind Jake so that the IV doesn't come unattached.  Just picture in your mind, if you can, Jake wheeling down the hallway enjoying the freedom of movement and forgetting, I think, that there is something and someone behind him trying to keep up with him!! :)  At least he is helping me with my exercising!  What a thoughtful son I have!! ;-)  We returned back to his room some time later and he transferred back into his bed.  He was worn out--mom too--from their morning jog. ;)

Right as he was starting to fall asleep, Matt came in.  I don't think Jake had a smile on his face then--in fact, I know that he didn't.  He really likes Matt and likes joking around with him, but he was not too happy with him disturbing his sleep and then his lunch!  But, Matt persevered and didn't let Jake's scowl scare him away.  They worked on both legs again and Matt even had me start helping with the exercises so that I can help Jake this weekend with them.  
 
Jake was finally able to eat his lunch and sleep for a bit.  Well, at least I thought he was sleeping.  I looked over at him and it looked like he was, so I decided to just lay my head back against the chair and close my eyes.  Lack of sleep has been catching up on me.  Within a few minutes, just when your body is entering the stage of deep sleep, I was jolted awake with "Mom!  Mom!  Mom!"  I jumped up as fast as I could and ran to the side of his bed.  I kept asking him what was wrong and if he was okay.  I really believed that he was having another nightmare.  My heart was in my throat pounding as fast as it could!  He replied to me, "Look!"
 
I said, "Look at what, Jake!"  
 
"Look at my leg, ma!"  
 
He was smiling.  Okay. . . so it's not a nightmare--whew!  I looked down at his legs--the right one in particular because I knew that he couldn't do much with his left leg yet without assistance.  When I didn't see anything, he said, "The left leg, ma."  
 
As I looked, I saw that he had lifted his left leg up high--all by himself!! :)  
 
"See, I did it!  I can lift the left one!"  
 
And then he repeated it again!  What a huge step--a milestone!  We were so excited--high 5's and all!  I told him that he scared the beejeebees out of me when he called my name.  He just laughed at me!  He never did fall asleep like I thought he did--he was just concentrating and focusing on lifting his leg. :)

After that big excitement, he actually did fall asleep.  Matt came back to his room, but this time for a different reason.  Before he told me the reason why he was back, I told him about Jake lifting his left leg unassisted.  He got a big grin on his face and said, 
 
"I've been telling him that it was him lifting his leg and not me, but he wouldn't believe me."  
 
He was very happy to hear the wonderful news!  He then presented me with a box (red, white, and blue) and a pencil/pen set that has written on it, "United States Senate".  He proceeded to tell me that Senator Bob Dole came to visit the hospital (can't remember when) on his birthday and wanted the wounded soldiers to receive something from him.  Matt thought of Jake and wanted to get this gift from Senator Dole for him. Inside the box was a folded American flag with a certificate of authenticity that it was one of the flags flown over the United States Capitol building and signed by the Acting Architect of the Capitol. Wow!!  What a gift!!  My heart was touched by not only Senator Dole's kindness, but also with Matt's thoughtfulness in thinking of Jake.  My heart swelled with love, gratitude, and with greater appreciation for Matt.  He left with a smile on his face and with "Have a great weekend!"  When Jake woke up from his nap, I presented the gifts to him.  He was extremely touched by the flag and with Matt.  He couldn't believe that Matt would do that for him.  Jake loves the American flag and what it stands for.  This is a very, very special gift to him.  Thank you, Matt!

We had another wonderful visitor tonight--Jake's cousin, Mary.  When she walked into the room, it was like a breath of fresh air! :)  She, her husband and kids, are traveling to their vacation spot and always stop half way.  They decided to stop in DC and make a visit to Jake.  Rick and the kids stayed at the hotel while she visited but they all are coming to the hospital with me in the morning to see Jake. It is sooooooooooo wonderful to have family around--even if it's just for a short visit. :)  She and Jake talked for the next 2 1/2 hours about everything!  Laughing, smiling, talking--what a great ending to a fantastic, fabulous, wonderful, amazing day!! :)

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