He is so far stable in ICU, he still has a tube in his throat so he is not able to speak just yet. We are working with some elaborate eye blinking and eyebrow signals for responses, which are entertaining at best. I have gotten a few smiles as well, to help defrost my heart. I told him that I knew he would not die yesterday as sadly Nelson Mandela had passed away and I knew he would certainly not want to share the limelight. He liked that.
He has moved and can feel (so far) his right hand. He also shrugged his shoulders for me which he seemed quite pleased with himself for. Early days yet for that and the ICU doc seems quite hopeful. Pray, hope, pray.
He is very calm so far and seems to be getting some sleep which is magnificent. Again…pray, hope, pray that he can remain calm and endure the tedium of this next stage.
Each of us is dealing so differently with our stress responses;
My super power apparently, is to alternate between being calmly supportive and crying. But mostly i seem to be best at good old fashioned ugly crying. Should anyone here require any tears, I am your gal. I have all of them.
Trudy is excellent at getting it done. Doing the mountains of required paperwork, making arrangements, calls, planning. She is a rock of practicality and function. Waiting around is the worst for her I think and in true spirit of always needing to do something, she manages to immediately need to use the washroom once the stress creeps in through the barricade of love, prayers and blanketed hope we are all trying to hide under.
I cry and she toilets.
Kareen responds to each new element of this saga by being strong, practical and using her nursing background to compartmentalize and deal with each new hurdle. She is also still able to be a total mom, trying to have me sit on her lap when I stopped holding it together in the emergency waiting room. I am a 35 year old woman, currently sporting a rather frizzy humidity induced afro and permanent cry face. Its pretty much the scene for a Hallmark card.
The prayers, support and love are certainly felt. All we can do now is wait.
Everytime I think to myself “wonder how Jim is getting on” I quickly look at my email and there it is, an update, almost as if you can read my mind. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop Tracy, we’d be going crazy with worry if it were not for you and Trudy keeping us informed. Sending Jim PRAYERS PRAYERS and more PRAYERS that the surgery is a success and he is back at home as soon as possible. BIG HUGS to ALL the family, I feel your pain.
xxx
James Bond – I mean Craig – will come out of this episode looking dapper and cussing as normal!!! We are all sending you another spare blanket of Love, hope, hugs and prayers – just in case you needed an extra one to keep you all warm and snug while you wait.
So relieved to hear that Jim is holding his own…and keeping that keen sense of humour !!! I have followed every move from the beginning and you are all in my thoughts and prayers……Please give Kareen and Jim my love and hugs and let them know everybody is following his progress daily. Thanks soooooo very much for this blog….its wonderful to be “in touch” and up to the minute with all that is happening.
Hey….cry buckets…..its only one dad you have so you are entitled xoxox
Maggie (Abraham)
Your blog is a great source of comfort for everyone who has Jim and all of you in their thoughts. Have been checking in regularly. Sending lots of love and strength-giving hugs. Hang in there you lot.
We hold your hands and hearts from a far Tracy. We continue to pray for you. All of you . For healing, for strength, for courage. You are all amazingly stein each in your own ways. I am grateful for the updates. I know it’s probably b
Ok. Trying again. Just know a whole army of people from all walks of life are there with you in solidarity.
Dons
Went to a Xmas lunch today that Kareen would have attended and when they played ‘I will survive’ I knew in my heart that song was for Jim….my thoughts and prayers are with you all constantly and I am sending positive vibes to all of you tonight…this is a tough time but soon the sun will shine….love and prayers…Priggleton Mary….