0103 jim finds a voice!

(originally posted by my sister on the "jimkitanorecovery" yahoo group site)

Today Jim spoke in an audible voice! He is still tired and didn't have energy to say much, but he was understandable without having to place my ear about 6" from his face or lip read. While it wasn't exactly his normal voice, it was a great step.

The speech therapist came while Jim was sleeping and was going to leave saying she'd wait until tomorrow until after the pulmonologist evaluated him. But I really wanted her to see how much he'd improved in a day so I woke him up. She was surprised at how much better he vocalized, and also gave him a swallow test and remarked how much better he did there than yesterday.

She said she'd consult tomorrow with the pulmonologist (who never did show up) and respiratory, and that maybe he could be on his way to getting rid of the tube feedings. Of all the things Jim hates about this (and there are a lot of things) he really, really misses eating. Of course, one of the things I've learned about hospitals is that many things move in slow motion from the patient point of view and "soon" may a few days hence.

Jim somehow got missed by physical therapy today, and I am kicking myself for only agitating about that around 3:30 or so, when it was too late. Our mom was there this morning, and I didn't arrive until after lunch, so I didn't know he hadn't seen PT. I really don't understand how he can slip off their schedule, it is really important for him to be moving. At least he was seen by OT.

Jim is continuing to be plagued by a lot of congestion that he can't clear. Although he is better than he was last night, he needed to get respiratory treatments and an oxygen mask this evening, but when I left the respiratory therapist thought he would be off the mask and just back on the smaller supplemental O2 to the nose (what is that called?) which is MUCH less annoying to him.

Sorry for all the yucky details.

Some friends have asked about bringing DVDs or music for him, so I wanted to mention that at this point he is not really watching TV, listening to music or reading. I asked him about visitors today and at first he shook his head no, then reconsidered, and said, "Just short. Just for 5 minutes."

Thank you for your encouraging emails, prayers and visits. I have printed some of the emails sent by friends, but he was not up to having them read to him today. Judi