Michael was moved yesterday to room 507, still on 5A.  In room 503 Mike had a roommate with family members that didn’t always get along and a fussy baby that added to the almost constant, negative noise.  Not the best environment for healing.  We shared our concern with his nurse and with great relief found, that they were one-step ahead of us.  The move was already in the planning stages.

Room 507 has a good aura, reflecting a mood that will promote healing.  When we arrived, Mike was dressed in his own clothes, his catheter had been removed, and the IV stand was hidden from view behind the curtain. Mike seemed so at peace as he looked through his first and new window to the outside.  From his bed, he sees the skyline and the spectacular display of fall color.  Patches of orange, red and yellow, all representing change.  What poetic irony.

Lunch came soon after we arrived.  Grilled cheese, tomato soup, fries and vanilla pudding for dessert.  Beginning the meal, I fed him a few bites and then asked him to help.  With soup and a piece of the sandwich together in a spoon, I placed the spoon between his thumb and fingers.  He held on to the spoon and supporting his elbow, I guided his arm upward.  He opened his mouth and was able to complete the bite with success.  A few more bites from me and then we repeated the sequence with the right arm.

Michael’s right side is not as comfortable with movement as the left, so it didn’t run quite as smooth but he was able to complete the task.  Again, with support and guidance on the elbow, with his left hand he held a cup and drank ginger ale from a straw.  Not as fluid, but was still able to hold the cup and drink using the right hand and arm.  Mike finished the entire tray of food and both drinks but seemed to have his eye on Emily’s bottled water.  I asked him if he would like a drink of her water.  Mike looked at Emily and then back to the bottle.  Although he didn’t respond, I took the extended gaze as a “yes”.

As I put the bottle of water in his right hand, he took his left hand and placed it over his right hand.  This motion seemed a knowing acknowledgement from Michael that his right arm and hand needed the support.  This was a purposeful movement folks.  As purposeful as the night before when he took his left hand and with his pointer finger rubbed and scratched an itchy nose.  Purposeful movements.  A connection of mind and body.  This is huge.

Today is the first full day of therapy.  Occupational therapy at 10am. Speech therapy at 1pm and physical therapy at 3pm.  He will be exhausted.

If you plan to visit him today, the therapists have asked that visitors wait until after 5pm and to keep visits no longer than 15 minutes with 30 minutes between visitors.  Two visitors at a time, one person speaking at a time.  They don’t want and we don’t want to compromise his success.