Hunger To Recover

This morning Jackie woke up hungry. PTL I sense his hunger has a double meaning. I believe he is truly ready to start eating normal foods again and I also think he now has a noticeable hunger to get better. PTL He knows that the harder he works, the sooner he will get home; and that is the ultimate prize. That will most likely mean more than any other thing he has ever achieved in his life.

Dr. K stopped by and examined Jackie. So far the mix of drugs that he is taking is starting to take effect and is showing positive results in his therapy sessions. PTL Jackie spent a half hour with Becca and ate his entire bowl of oatmeal and drank some milk. His independent time was next, and on Wednesdays he will be spending them with Lori the art therapist. Jackie did not feel like painting or drawing so the pair sat in front of the big bay window in the dining room next door and just talked. I’m sure Lori in her quiet, calm demeanor lead the conversation, but Jackie participated more than he has in a while. PTL

PT was next. Jackie’s muscles were stretched and then he took some steps. Erin is still helping move his left leg, but even with her help the movement trains the brain to help reconnect to the natural movement of his legs.

Lunch with Becca was next and once again he ate a good amount of the food on his tray. After eating we helped Jackie get ready for a nap. As soon as he laid down there was a knock on the door. It was Nessie, a little Shelty that is one of the service dogs that frequents Magee every now and then. Jackie had seen her once before in the gym. She stayed for just a short while, but her visit brought a huge smile to Jackie’s face and her little bark made Jackie laugh.

Grandma and Grandpa were here and sat with Jackie as he rested. Jackie atypically fell asleep so Paula agreed to push back her therapy session a couple minutes to let him rest. The session was productive and included stretching, especially his left arm. He came back with his left arm brace on. It helps hold his left arm in a bent position so Jackie’s muscles don’t pull it upward.

Jackie’s busy day continued with a second get together with his mentor. Once again they had a great time and played table top corn hole. Jackie won and really enjoyed the session.

As you probably have guessed, the night ended with a Magnum bar for an appetizer, mashed potatoes for the main course and another magnum bar for dessert. Then it was a shower and bed.

Jackie is really tired by the time 7pm rolls around every night. I’m sure he hungers for the night he can once again sleep in his own bed, one without rails and movable parts.

“Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way.”
~Les Brown