R & R

 The move from the trauma hospital to the rehab hospital took a lot out of Jim. The prep of backup oxygen, the poking and prodding, lots of chatter, the transfer to the ambulance gurney, the jostling of the ride. The mental stress of wondering what is going on. When you have zero control of your body, situation and safety... It would seem you either have to completely surrender to the point of don't care, or there has to be some level of internal concern or stress.

I believe he was glad to leave the surgical wing where he has been for the last week and a half. And, I believe he will realize that the rehab hospital is a good place to be. But honestly, he is just exhausted. 

He is busy healing. That's what the general care physician said this morning when he came in to see him and introduce himself. At the same time, waiting in the wings of the room was the physical therapist. He did a nice smooth, controlled and careful series of stretches and movements, and also sat Jim up on the edge of the bed. That's when his eyes finally popped open, and he supported himself to sit. He got settled back in bed with little time, when the Pulmonologist came in to change the trach to a non-cuff style. Same size diameter, but since he is not on the ventilator there is no reason or need for the cuffed style of trach. The non-cuffed style takes up less space in the throat, causes less throat irritation and will prepare him for swallowing again. Logical. It's one thing I have been waiting for.

It wasn't long before the speech therapist came in. He did do a couple of finger squeezes for her, but they weren't enthusiastic....eyes closed the entire time. In fact, he really did not want to see much of anything today. The big treat.... Ice!! Yep. For the first time in two weeks, he was offered ice again. He was given the opportunity to chew and swallow and show someone what he could do. 1..2..3..4..5 Pieces of ice. Chewed up....with some enthusiasm and swallowed. He made some tired and mumbled words with the speech valve on, but more sounds of discomfort and exhaustion.

There was not much of a break, And the occupational therapist arrived, with the side event of chest x rays to be sure all is well with those huge lungs of his.

The dietian also came in to discuss his body weight, significant weight loss, and additional nutrition and calories for him to work with as he becomes more physically involved with his own healing.

The attention he is getting his phenomenal. But, it is attention that also needs his personal involvement. He hasn't had much of that in the last month. So, there is rest and restoration going on here, most definitely, but much more interaction. And, it's going to be a lot more work along with that R and R.

It's early in the recovery. It's early in the rehabilitation. I believe he is still going to surprise everybody.