Thursday

I was down at the breakfast cafe at 6:30 am when it opened.  I had an omelette bowl.  Interesting way of cooking an omelette.

View from my window.  See the little sliver of the moon with the sunrise.

Jay picked me up at 7 am.  It is so cold that my pants feel frozen just walking to the car.  It is cold!!  

This is the view from Jeanne's room.  

They had the respirator turned off for about 10 hours today!!  She kept her breathing levels up to where they were supposed to be.  The big test is how well she can cough.  Can't do that very well yet. They are still talking about putting the trach in.  She made a lot of progress in the movement of her arms today.  Baby steps but every little thing seems like a giant step.  She can almost bend her elbows.  Shoulder shrugs are getting stronger and finger movements in both hands.  No movement in her legs and still minimal feeling.  In a way it is a good thing, since she normally can't stand for people to touch her feet.  We had some frustrating times of trying to figure out what she needed.  I am getting a little better at guessing and learning the signals. A lot of repeated blinks means she wants the communication board, rolling her eyes 3 times means she wants the nurse - usually to be suctioned.  There are others.   

The nursing staff seems to be friendly and they are responsive to Jeanne's requests. There seem to be a high percentage of male nurses in the Neurotrauma ICU. I felt for the guy in the room next to Jeanne.  I don't know what his problem was but he kept shouting "Come help me, I need a drink ... NOW!"  

Jay and I went to the cafeteria for lunch. They had a nice salad bar.  That is what I had.  In the afternoon Jay played an audio recoding he had downloaded.  It was a historical fiction story about Amelia Earhart.  It was very enjoyable.  

For dinner Jay and I went to Bellisio's Italian Restauranat.  It was close to the hospital.  It was delicious.  

Chicken Marsala with brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes.  

Creme Brulee

It had a Tuscan feel to it.  

We went back to Jeanne's room for about an hour.  Then it was time to get her situated for the night, so we left.  Jay dropped me off back at the hotel.  There is no way that I could walk, even though it is only 0.8 miles.  My only exercise is that we are doing the stairs whenever possible.  

Ben's flight has been delayed.  He had gone to Tampa to present a paper today (well he flew there on Wednesday) and then is flying here via Chicago.  He was supposed to arrive at midnight.  I don't know when he will make it.  Then Laura will come on Saturday.  It will be a nice family reunion.  Weird to be together with no kids.  I am not sure how we will all fit in that room.

This their motto.