Time & Space

 When you look forward to something or want something to stop, time can be multiplied and never ending. Then there are times, we all have them, when you wonder where the time went?

It's almost 3 months since the incident. And, in this journey, we experience both manipulations of time. It keeps you off balance a little. Fast. Slow. Left. Faster. Right turn. Brake. A girl could get a whiplash. From Jim's perspective, as he rewires and reboots, is it any wonder it can be 1966, 1997 and 2023 in the same day? That seems logical to me, but medically it's considered confused.

Just like all opinions, medical opinions seem to be in their own time warp. Major studies continue to widen the knowledge base specific to TBI patients, while some physicians still put limits on Jim's likeliness to improve. We just had that experience this week. But...that information from a higher up physician was completely wrong. His quoted baseline for likely recovery and expectations is for stroke victims. Not TBI. Very different. But, when you hear the information coming from that level of professional who has power in this situation, it's hard not to take it as biblical truth... even for a little bit until you do your own research. It can topsy turvy your world until you bob upright again with the help of better information and faith.

Not to leave you wondering, the studies show that TBI patients can show improvements all the way to 24 months after incident. Previous studies can limit your hopefulness  to 3 months, 6 months or at best 12 months, depending on the study.

All that aside, if you make the mistake and lump all patients and studies together, and don't look at Jim's actual progress, you can get hung up on the so called stages of progress, etc. Instead... look at the bottom line. Where he is now. What he is already accomplished makes it all part of the bigger miracle, and makes some predictions nothing but noise.

Jim's progress is now more visible and accelerating. He walked with a walker about one hundred feet, the length of the hall yesterday! He was on the bike machine for upper and lower body movement for a solid twenty minutes...without any help from the machine. He's playing more chords and longer segments on the piano... by memory and by ear. "Fly me to the Moon",  was last night's concert. He's staying awake a little longer and coming out of deep sleep a little sharper. He is eating some things that would normally make him wrinkle his nose, because his appetite is so good. As of last Monday, he gained 18 pounds. He still has a G-tube, but it is not used. It is there for precaution at this time. (and,  insurance doesn't want to pay another $2, 000 for another one it if he should need it later. ) He sang "Amazing Grace" in harmony with another patient. He's funny. Quick to make a joke. His expressions have really expanded and took over his previously expressionless face. He has become aware of the camera...and poses. ...Ham. Yes, there is still some confusion and other physical issues to regain. Yes, he is still learning words, but he starts reading them without prompt. Sometimes accurately, sometimes not.

But, God has no limitations. And, setting aside the limitations others put on him... given proper support......and the space to expand... Jim will continue to repair, restore and return. Period.