This week has brought many challenges, needless to say, but also many rewards and much progress. When Dad arrived at the hospital almost a week ago, he was almost entirely paralyzed on his right side, and he had lost his speech altogether. Tonight, he is alert, talking, and able to move his right side with ever-increasing strength and ease. We don't always know what he's saying, but it's clear that Jackie is present; his smiles and sense of humor come through with increasing frequency. And he's often able to answer questions with entirely lucid responses, which makes us all very hopeful for a full recovery of his considerable cognitive abilities.
Today he also passed another essential landmark: he was able to take his first food by mouth.
Meanwhile, Mom is carrying on through this very difficult time with incredible strength and tenacity. In typical Judy fashion, she is riding herd on the hospital staff, advocating for Dad at every moment and making sure that he receives the best care possible.
We hope to be able to transport Dad to Wake Med in Raleigh on Sunday. The plans are for Dad to travel by a Lear jet air ambulance service, which has room for two passengers, so Mom and I will be able to fly with him. It's a short flight--about 75 minutes--and the service includes transportation from hospital bed to hospital bed.
We are very grateful for everyone who has visited here at the hospital--thanks to Uncle George, Andrea, Dolores, and Sandy, and especially to Aunt Jean, who spent two nights with Mom this week when I returned to work in Princeton. More than anyone else, though, we have relied on Matt H. for his wise counsel, for his sense of humor, and for being the Voice of Reason during the most difficult moments. And of course we are also thankful to everyone who has called and emailed, and offered their kind words and prayers.
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