We spent the morning chit chatting with him and Carolin. This week we really felt more like he was connecting with most of what we were saying. At times he does answer a question with something that is just out of the blue and makes no sense or tell us something that Carolin then has to remind him didn't actually happen. It's unnerving, (though sometimes you just have to laugh), but then we remind ourselves how just a few weeks ago he was only saying a few words and seemed unable to concentrate for more than a short time and then would be exhausted. We remind ourselves it's only been 7 weeks and how determined and hard working he is that he's already at this point. We remind ourselves that the power of healing prayers still surrounds him and helps keep his momentum going.
At lunch time we told him we would get anything he wanted to eat. We discussed some options but as soon as Carolin mentioned Chipolte that was the end of the discussion - he was definite about that being his choice! Yet another normal thing that thrilled us - getting to eat our first meal with him since mid July. He even choose to walk to the patient dining room on his floor rather than using his wheel chair - another first for us to see! He was tending to walk towards the right and needed just a little guidance from Carolin but how cool to see him walk in, sit down on a regular chair, and use a fork! He had half of a burrito bowl on his plate so it was hard to see him only eat a few bites before putting his fork down and saying he was full. He is so painfully thin I had to bite my tongue not to urge him to eat more. After lunch it was almost time for his next physical therapy session and again he chose to walk to the therapy room which was down the other end of the hall rather than have Carolin get his wheelchair. They really have him do alot during the 30 minute PT! They started out doing a lot of walking and then twisting towards the therapist to hand her the ball while walking. During this is was very evident he was pulling towards the right and would have walked into the wall if she hadn't guided him away from it. Carolin told us this was all part of the worry about his right eye as they think he can't see from certain angles or it may be his right peripheral vision. Since he can't always find the correct words to communicate they haven't done any complete checks on this but plan to in the next week or so. It was even more worrisome when cones were set up in front of him to walk between and he missed the ones closest to him on the right side. When asked to count the number of cones he got that immediately as well as the colors of the cones but when asked to count how many were on the right he again missed the closest two. It was painful for us to witness this though Carolin had already told us about it. We are praying like crazy this is a temporary problem that will resolve itself and not any permanent damage.
After physical therapy we walked back down to the patient dining room for his speech therapy. He gets very distracted when others are around so we sat behind him at another table where we could still hear what was being said. Just as in PT - his speech therapy session had a lot packed into it. They did some matching of pictures and words, (not easy for him), some flash cards where the therapist shows him objects he has to name, (some came easy and some were far harder for him), and she also goes thru a lot of verbal questions for him to answer. It really hits you how far he still has to go when she asked him if his parents were visiting today and he answered he didn't think so. However when asked his mother's name he immediately said, "Amy", and asked his father's name, again he immediately said, "David". We were glad to stay a few extra minutes with her afterwards to get some reassurance that his was normal and he had come a long way from a few weeks ago. We can only once again pray that he is the exception to the rule and regains his short term memory much quicker than normal.
Back in his room he was in bed for a well deserved rest. It was neat to see him watching TV as before this past week he was not even interested in turning it on as it was too confusing for him. Who would ever think you would be happy to see someone watching TV while you were visiting! We talked about the baby and he said he was excited - again a change from a few weeks ago when we were afraid to even talk about it in front of him.
Carolin told us that today he again talked about how excited he is about the baby and has remembered for several days now that he is at Bryn Mawr. They've also started working with him with money and though he gets some of the coins mixed up he's doing pretty well.
It is astounding how much can happen with a head injury - and from just where that head injury occurs. There is so much excitment at the progress Jason has made and watching his determination to do all he can and push himself farther. And yet there are days I have to stop myself from crying with longing to have him talk to me the way he did before the accident and worry if he will ever be the same again. Those are the times to quickly turn to the miracles that have happened in only 7 weeks - a long 7 weeks to be sure - but Jason is amazing people who see this every day and that is something to hold on to.
There continue to be auction and raffle items arriving. Thank you so much to those who have pounded the pavements, been putting fliers up, and emailing anyone who has known Jason to join us in our effort to make sure his only concern is continuing the fight to get himself back. He and Carolin have many long hard months ahead and this benefit is so important! Please click on the link and buy your tickets!
My cousin, who owns a large PR firm, helped the kids send out a press release last week and it's been picked up by the Lancaster Daily newspaper. She will be interviewing Carolin today so those of you in the Lancaster area keep a look out for the article in the next few days highlighting Jason and the benefit. (If there is anyone who has connections to the Frederick News Post or Gazette, or radio stations, we would love to get them to cover the event!)
Your prayers have done so much for Jason - please please continue to send them up for him and especially his right eye to be healed soon!
Jason and Carolin September 2012
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