May 16, 2014
Posted by Naomi Harm
Today is Friday, May 16th. Jake has been at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, MN now for 5 days. During these five days he has had extra special attention and treatment by many specialists to care for his needs. All of the doctors and nurses are very kind, caring and extremely communicative.
As of yesterday- Jake had a change out in his trachea tube to make it one size smaller and add a voice box. This is the beginning stage to begin the speaking process and wean Jake off the trachea tube and close it to regain full speech and the talking process once again. He is beginning to make some moaning noises and he is hearing himself. This will eventually lead to allowing him to hear himself more clearly and speak words. He greeted me this morning with trying to communicate with the trachea talk box with a groan and even somewhat tried to smile- at least one side of his mouth- it was AWESOME!!!
They are working on OT and PT rehab with Jake in his hospital room to start with range of motion exercises. He is also on a Como Stim schedule, where he is up three times per day in a padded chair to stimulate his brain with room lighting, TV and audio, and to differentiate between days, nights and creating a pattern for normal sleep patterns. We are also interacting with him as normal conversation state and building a tolerance for sitting up for longer amounts of time and less time in the hospital bed. He is tolerating this scheudle in the AM about two hours of sitting in the padded chair at a time and staying awake, and then at about the two hour mark- Jake does become a little irritated and needs to rest with laying down to tolerate a new body position. Overall he is doing a great job with this schedule. Every day he is becoming more responsive and interactive with voice prompts and commands.
I picked up last evening some basketball shorts and dry wick t-shirts to also add to some normalcy and comfort to Jacob's clothing attire. This will lead to a more positive visual display for Jake instead of the drab hospital gown.
Jeff returned home last evening from Texas- we are ALL so happy! Jeff wrapped up and closed out all of Jacob's and Heather's personal matters and to gaurantee a shipment of their belongings to MN. The Army will be shipping back Jake's home goods to our home and we will store them for him until he is ready to start a new life and someday starting with a new home in Minnesota to begin a new life of independence.
Comments (11)
What wonderful news, Naomi! Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. I'm sure you are so relieved to have Jeff back together with you,too.
Yes, we are so happy and having Jeff back has eased the stress load. He will join me next week in St. Paul. He needs a physical break from the hospital setting for now and to tend to needs at our home and find normalcy for himself too to re-energize.
What amazing news! I love the part about normal clothes, what a wonderful idea that many people probably don't even think about. No wonder he's making such improvements, with such positive and caring people surrounding him!
That is so exciting to hear all of it. It is also fascinating to hear about the important details needed to bring the human body back to normal state. It makes me very, very thankful for the little things in life! I am so proud of Jake ... and YOU!
Wishing you the best Naomi and to Jeff also in the care and support of Jake. You also need to take time for yourself during this recovery period. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love to all of you.
You have all come back to a beautiful, green Midwestern spring, full of new life and new hope, as are all of us who love the Harm family.
Naomi, I can hear the positiveness in your voice kind friend. It is so good to read about the progress Jake is making. I am sure with each day you will see more and more of this! Take care kind friend.
Good to hear such a positive update, Naomi and good that you and Jeff are together again. It sounds like the medical team Jake has is doing such wonderful things for him and that you are seeing responses from him:-) Keep up the good work!!!! Each day brings new sunshine for all of you~
Such good news to hear! Those little steps do so help. Continuing prayers sent from us.
This is such wonderful news! It must be such a relief to have everyone back in Minn. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Wow! I just read the link to the Como Stim Schedule. How amazing and interesting. Thank you for sharing all of the updates and news. I'm so excited to hear that Jacob is getting the very best treatment from such knowledgeable specialists. It must have given you so much happiness to see that "half" smile. I was smiling from ear to ear just reading about it! ;) Love and hugs!