Tuesday pm (Wednesday), November 27-(28), 2007

11 PM P.S.T.

Today, during physical therapy in the gym, David stood for 15 minutes (with assistance) at a table while a recreational therapist worked with David. He was testing David with different objects, and David responded appropriately most of the time, but not all. It was a little hectic at the time, and they say that TBI patients can have trouble concentrating when there is a lot going on around them.

He did not have his trachea ‘capped’ so he could not talk today. The doctor told us that perhaps by Saturday his feeding would be under control and he could be ‘capped’ again. Persistent Patty wasn’t content, and made the doctor add to the nursing orders that, with supervision, David could be ‘capped’ briefly between feedings to allow him to talk.

After we left the gym David wheeled (with some steering help) into a multipurpose room where they have computers and video games. They have a ‘Wii’ video game system that has a one handed controller and a bowling game (among others) that seemed perfect for David to try. The coordination required was tricky for him, but he sort of got the hang of it after a few tries. It might turn out to be a favorite. As we were leaving we asked David “where to next” and we tried to get him to write on paper what he felt like doing. He can write legibly sometimes, but often it is a chore to decipher what he has scribbled. He finally wrote “my room”, “relax”. He was pooped.

Tonight they got David into a wheel chair again and took him into the hallway for a ‘walk’. Patty “talked” to the nurses for a long time before they agreed to ‘cap’ his tracea. Back in his room she asked if he wanted to call Kelli Manning and he nodded. David listened for a long, long time to Kelli talking before he said (so quietly that we had to strain to hear him and interpret to Kelli some of what he was saying) “I’m in the hospital”. “I can’t talk or walk”, “I can’t do anything”. He said “I want to go to Riverside” and “I have to stay a while”. (Steve's narration ends here and Patty's romance novel begins). He told Kelli that she was what got him through the day. We asked Kelli to tell David when she was coming up, she said, “Thursday! Then we asked David, “Can you wait three days to see Kelli?” He replied, “I’ll try to wait.” When we told Kelli to hurry up, but drive safe, David nodded yes and said, “Drive safe!” That’s another miracle if you know David’s driving history!!!!!
PS from Patty: It was like straight from a romantic movie, maybe better than Officer and a Gentleman! The nurse, nurse’s aide, Christa and I were all in tears! On the other end of the private conversation, Kelli and (her mom) Rose were in tears at the new library by their house waiting for a meeting to start! It was GREAT! OK, so we’re off to see the romanticist for another exciting day. PRAISE GOD! Thanks again for your prayers and don’t stop! This is AMAZING! How great is our God!