I will play again!

T is getting better each day. The nurse said today that he is more alert when I'm around. I'm the voice of authority, I suppose. :-D When I speak, Bob listens! ha...I'm a teacher; I wouldn't have it any other way. ;-)

"Asleep at the Wheel" was the cure again today. T was nodding his head to the beat of the music. You can tell he wants to sing and play his guitar in the worse way. He was tapping his fingers as though he was playing his guitar.

T was given a guardian bell from his cousin, Leslie, and her husband, Don. The bell is from Harley Davidson. The story behind the bell is that when hung from the bike, the bad demons are trapped in the bell, and when rung, the demons fall out. The biker is protected from bad things. If given by a friend, the protection is twice as strong. The bell is hung on the end of his bed; so, every time the bed is moved, the bell rings.

Prayer from Pastor Daryl:

God of grace and glory, holy comforter, healing Spirit, we give you thanks for Bob’s continuing recovery and renewal. Continue to reach out and bring him healing through the hands of those who care for him. Radiate through his life with the light of your presence, that renewed health and strength may be his. Grant to him and those dear to him the continuing assurance of your steadfast love and mercy that they may know the peace that comes from you; through Christ our healer. Amen.
email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com/
VIBRA Specialty Hospital: 10300 NE Hancock St., Portland, OR 97220 Rm

BIG BIG DAY

I am so excited. Bob was so interactive today! He was awake when I arrived around 2pm. He was smiling away. He gave us (Zachary, Kyle (Zachary's friend), Theresa (my friend, and me) a full belly laugh when we told him that we were going to take him out on the golf course. We painted a vivid picture for Bob...The boys (both 14 y.o.) are going to drive a golf cart, pulling Bob in his hospital bed behind them. At full speed, they'll attempt to go through the pond, but they get stuck in the middle. It so happens that the pond has a water fountain in the middle. So, there they are, golf cart, two teenage boys, and t in a hospital bed, in the lovely hospital gown, cracking up laughing while being showered by the pond' fountain. hahahaha....

T is mouthing some words. I asked him if he wanted talk with his parents. He mouthed, "sure". I gave him two beanie babies to hold (likes to hold things to feel the texture ). One was a puppy. I asked him if the beenie babies were better to hold, he mouthed, "I think so". He was holding a tube of lotion.

One of the best parts is that he can lift his arms far enough to give me a hug.

When I left tonight, I gave him a hug and kiss goodnight and slipped away as he listened to "Wide Load". I could tell he wanted to sing. It will come. Patience is a virtue. All who know me, I'm a very calm person.

**Hopefully, tomorrow, I will be able to post pictures from my phone onto the computer. I have one from today that shows Bob holding his guitar. He shook his head "no" when asked to play for us.

Prayer from Pastor Daryl:
God of grace and glory, holy comforter, healing Spirit, we give you thanks for Bob’s continuing recovery and renewal. Continue to reach out and bring him healing through the hands of those who care for him. Radiate through his life with the light of your presence, that renewed health and strength may be his. Grant to him and those dear to him the continuing assurance of your steadfast love and mercy that they may know the peace that comes from you; through Christ our healer. Amen.
email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com/
VIBRA Specialty Hospital: 10300 NE Hancock St., Portland, OR 97220 Rm 315

Lazy sunday

I talked with Bob's nurse again today. His vitals are good, he did physical therapy, he squeezed the nurse's hand on command, and the doctor said that he wants more neuro alertness before downsizing the trach.

I'm taking Bob's guitar with me tomorrow. It will be interesting to see his reaction. I hope I don't put him in a "tail-spin" of frustration.

Prayer from Pastor Daryl:
God of grace and glory, holy comforter, healing Spirit, we give you thanks for Bob’s continuing recovery and renewal. Continue to reach out and bring him healing through the hands of those who care for him. Radiate through his life with the light of your presence, that renewed health and strength may be his. Grant to him and those dear to him the continuing assurance of your steadfast love and mercy that they may know the peace that comes from you; through Christ our healer. Amen.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com/
VIBRA Specialty Hospital: 10300 NE Hancock St., Portland, OR 97220 Rm 315

Moving right along

I talked with Bob's nurse today on the phone. (Remember, I went to Zachary's band camp concert.) She said he was a little more alert today. Also, physical, speech, and occupational therapy worked with him.

The hospital Bob is in now has only 20 patients. Most of the patients have trachs and are being weaned off of them. It seems to be a personable hospital. The staff seem to be caring. (I'll keep them on their toes if they demonstrate otherwise. :-D ) The address for VIBRA is at the end of this blog. Bob will be in this hospital for 2-4 weeks. Then, if all goes well, he'll be transferred to the Roseburg, VA.

One of the therapists told me yesterday that they'll work on getting his mid-torso stronger, then the arms and legs will follow.

Life lesson sent to me:

• accept each day as a gift from God and to live it fully , as no one knows what tomorrow will bring.

Prayer from Pastor Daryl:

God of grace and glory, holy comforter, healing Spirit, we give you thanks for Bob’s continuing recovery and renewal. Continue to reach out and bring him healing through the hands of those who care for him. Radiate through his life with the light of your presence, that renewed health and strength may be his. Grant to him and those dear to him the continuing assurance of your steadfast love and mercy that they may know the peace that comes from you; through Christ our healer. Amen.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com/

VIBRA Specialty Hospital: 10300 NE Hancock St., Portland, OR 97220 Rm 315

New digs

Hello. Bob has been discharged from OHSU. Woo-hoo! He will be in a place called VIBRA located in Portland. They are a long-term acute care hospital. (They don't have wifi. That's why I'm late blogging. Sorry) The plan at this hospital is to wean him off of the trach. They will also do physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. He is still being tube feed. The speech therapist is working on getting his swallowing back to an automatic motion. Right now, he has to think about swallowing before he swallows.

I will be going to Zachary's band camp concert tomorrow at Seaside, OR, then to Roseburg for the weekend. I feel better about being away from Bob for a short time now that he's out of OHSU. I already miss him terribly though; it's only been two hours. :-(

Life lesson: Life's too short. Evaluate what is important and give the rest to someone else to worry about.

Have a good weekend.

email: jiachini
stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org
new address: www.vibra.com (I'll get the mailing address for you in tomorrow's blog.)

Woo-hoo! Bob had a good night.

Good morning. Since last night was the two week anniversary of Bob's second admission to the ICU, I stayed the night in his hospital room. Accomodations were lovely! I was like a brand new mother. I was awake with every little sound. Unlike me, t slept so quietly.

I think he was glad to hear my voice first thing in the morning. I got a smile and a good morning kiss. I turned on CNN for news and the stock market quotes. Maybe if I put the laptop on his belly, he'd feel right at home. :-D

I'll give an update later today.

email: jiachini@msn.com
brain info: http://www.birf.info/home/bi-tools/tests/lcfs.html
OHSU: Robert Pirie, OHSU 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 10K room 8

do ta-do ta-do

Bob is good today. He is listening to music all day. Physical Therapy tuckers him out. When this is all said and done, Bob will be the poster child for health.

Today is a high stress day for me. It was two weeks ago, tonight, that he went back to the ICU for the second time. Two weeks ago, he was moved from ICU to 10K on a Monday; admitted to room 8, had physical therapy on a Tuesday, slept on Wednesday, and back to the ICU at 2am. And now, he was moved from ICU on Monday, admitted to room 8, had physical therapy on tuesday and wednesday...I'm sleeping here tonight!

I feel, this time, he looks better than before. During physical therapy today, he was mouthing words a mile a minute. His trach is preventing him from making any sound, but that will change soon. I told him he can ride his Harley tomorrow. He just shook his head and had a look of disappointment. The physical therapist explained to him what happened to him. He seemed to undertstand. He had a look of "Oh shit!"

He's lost about 70 pounds. I guess, he can vouch for the liquid diet; but, I'm sure a big steak would taste good right now.

If I haven't said it already, thank you everyone for your prayers, love, and support. Even if I did, I can't say it enough. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org
brain info: http://www.birf.info/home/bi-tools/tests/lcfs.html
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 10K room 8

Is that a trick question?

Bob is doing great. His personality is coming to the forefront. He even had a little silent belly giggle today. He's knodding "yes", wrinkling his face for "no", and tapping his foot in perfect rhythm to Asleep at the Wheel.

Oh my goodness. As I write this, t is making girgling sounds with his trach on purpose and smiling as though to say, "Bet you can't do this!"

I was looking at some papers from speech therapy. One section lists a bunch of things after "I want" like, food, drink, wife, husband, sleep, bathroom, walk, and many more. One item is suction. Now, I know what that means for those who have trachs, but really folks, Bob is a male through and through. Don't all men want suction. hahahaha... (Sorry...see what sleep deprivation can do. My mind is in the gutter!)

More life lessons:

• sometimes bad things happen to good people. In this case, to a really good and special person.
• I have also learned to NEVER underestimate the power of prayer, nor the extraordinary healing power of a loved one who is willing to spend endless hours at the bedside of an extremely ill soul mate.

What's your life lesson? email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org

OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 10K, Rm#8.

Out of ICU today

We're going to break out of this joint today! Bob is bright eyed and bushy-tailed again. His room will be #8 (same as before) on floor 10K. (I wish the 10K meant the amount of weekly salary we'd get).

I have mixed emotions about leaving the ICU. I'm happy that my t is making progress, but then, I'm scared. I fear because of what happened a few weeks ago when he was on floor 10K; a second stroke and back to the ICU. However, I think he's at a better place health-wise to move out of ICU this time. In my opinion, he needed a few more days of rest before physical therapy and occupational therapy started the last time.

Michele and Dean, helped him put his arm around me while I gave him a hug this morning. He didn't want to let go! Hugging me put a big smile on his face!

Here are a few life lessons that were sent to me:

• I have learned that love can conquer all, that everything happens for a reason and God puts us where we need to be when we are faced with the reality of daily living.
• As for life lesson, this is a reminder that life is short, and that we dare not take our health for granted. Also, on the totally positive side for us God-fearing Christians - God is always in control, and this life is but a fleeting moment of preparation for the best to come.
• I think one should live each day as if it is your last day on earth and not to have any regrets.

Email me your life lesson: jiachini@msn.com
New website I found helpful: http://www.birf.info/index.shtml
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 10K rm#14

Bob is emerging again

Happy Father's Day to all dads. This Father's Day is a great Father's Day. Bob is waving hi, smooching with me, smiling, giving thumbs up, raising his eyebrows to talk, and helping the lift team move his body. He was trying to mouth words. I'm so excited to see him progress.
He is still in the ICU. The doctors want him to be able to cough the gook out of his trach more on his own before sending him to a floor that doesn't have one-on-one nursing contact.

Thank you for your continued recovery prayers and your support to me. Have you thought of your life lesson yet? Email it to me.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 NeuroICU

Day, umm...37?

Today was another quiet day. Bob sat in a chair/bed for two hours. That tuckered him out. One thing that happened and was funny was when I entered the room this morning. Michele, his sister, and Dean, her husband, entered the room before me. Bob's eyes were wide opened and looking at them. When he saw me, he wouldn't take his eyes off of me, and he had a look on his face that he wanted a kiss. The way he was looking so anxiously, I couldn't move fast enough; I am very slow moving. It was so funny to see his excitement even though, he can't move. After his kiss, I gave him a hug. He moved his arm as though he wanted to hug me back but, he's not strong enough to lift his arm to touch me. I know what he wanted to do.

He may not have much arm strength, but he has very strong grip strength. I gave him a rolled up washcloth to hold. I tried to take it from him, because his arm muscles were beginning to twitch. It took three of us to pry it from his hand. He was holding it so tight. He must have been thinking about whipping cattle around or bailing hay.

The catheter was taken out of his head. Now the only thing attached to him is his trach and a mist blower tube.

Have you figured out your life's lesson from this event yet? Email it to me. I'm going to list them anonymously, of course.
email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: www.strokeassociation.com
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 NeuroICU

Big smiles!

Slowly, t's personality is emerging. He was wide awake this afternoon. He was smiling hugely (is that a word?). Also, when my daughter asked him if he was ready to go home, he shook his head no. That's ok, I'll give him a few more days.

I had a successful day too. I was able to get Bob registered into the VA system! Looking like you are at your wits end, tired, and sitting in a wheelchair makes some people be very helpful. So, there's one advantage of being in a wheelchair. (only one!) With a little more luck, when he's ready to bust out of this joint, he will transfer to Roseburg VA hospital. We live in Roseburg. My kids are missing us terribly. My dog, Bentley, is missing us too.

Pray for a great recovery. Bob's "on the road again".

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: www.strokeassciation.org
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239, neuroICU

Quiet day

Today was a quiet day. Bob slept all day. He was more awake this afternoon. The CT scan showed that one clot broke up; there is still one more to go.



Since today was quiet, I think this would be a good time to write what is on my mind. One doesn't know how they would handle themselves in this type of situation. My career choices have always been working with a well-person by being an educator or designing employee wellness programs. The thought of adult body fluids always made my stomach turn up-side-down. But, you know what, when you love someone as much as Bob and I do , the tasks of clipping fingernail and toenails and wiping the boogers from a nose or eyes are not difficult at all.



A few weeks ago, I posed a question, "What lesson is God trying to each of us individually?" One of my lessons is that I'm being shown what true love really is. I think there are many different levels of love. This love that I feel for Bob can't be described in words; it is a gut and flirting heart feeling. I also think it's true love when I look at my t with a half shaved head, tubes coming out of every orifice, and a limp body with googly eyes and still thinking he's so cute.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke information: strokeassociation.org mail: OHSU, Robert Pirie, 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 NeuroICU

T is going to crap his pants when....

Hi all. Since t becomes more alert when I play "Asleep at the Wheel" CDs, I decided to email the band's manager. The band will be at The Dalles (a town within minutes of Portland, OR). I asked if Ray Bensen could visit his #1 fan at OHSU. I received an email back saying Ray couldn't do a physical visit, but he could talk with Bob on the phone. I thanked them for the suggestion, but Bob can only move his eyes right now, so that wouldn't be good. Asleep at the Wheel is going to do one step better! When Ray Bensen returns to the studio in Texas, he is going to record a message to Bob and send me the CD. That way, I can play it for Bob when he wakes up more. www.asleepatthewheel.com

Now tell me (those of you who know Bob's musical side), is he going to crap his pants when he hears that message? Ya, you betcha!

Today, the nurse said that Bob would be out of the ICU, except for the fact, he has the drain in his head. The neurosurgeons gave him a drug in his head today that will break up the clot. The broken up clot will drain out. Then, the drain will be removed and we're back to 10K. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED AND PRAY that all goes well.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke information: strokeassociation.org
mail: OHSU, Robert Pirie, 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 NeuroICU

Day 34

Bob had a quiet day today. He was awake most of the day. He's moving his hands and feet when he wants not when asked.


Bob just made my day! As I was typing this, I glanced up at him, he moved his head and eyes to look directly at me, then he pursed his lips like he wanted a kiss. Of course, I granted his wish immediately. I washed his face with a warm washcloth too, now, he's fast to sleep.


I told him that he's going to be a chapter in a textbook for aneurysm recovery. He's going to be a survivor who doesn't fit in the textbook recovery (or lack of recovery) scores. He'll be in a scale all his own. It's the scale best suited for hard-working people who are farmers at heart. :o)


I can feel all of your prayers being said. Please continue praying. Bob has a loooonnnng way to go. But, with your help, he'll be predicting the grain and cattle market in no time.
email: jiachini@msn.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm OHSU address: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 NeuroICU

Day...too many

I have received so many encouraging comments from friends all over the country. Thank you. It's not too difficult taking care of someone you love so much. My kids have been wonderful by adding weekly trips to Portland to their schedule to make sure I'm able to get in and out of the hospital. Zachary can be a tour guide for visitors to Portland. He's taken the bus to the mall. He took the wrong one time. I think the four-hour walk back to the hospital cured that mishap from happening again. :0) He has been downtown to the Rose festival; he's taken the tram; he's been to the movies. While he's off on his journeys, I'm able to spend all day with my t, Bob

Bob was taken completely off of the ventilator. He's breathing all on his own. Also, the nurse said he's back to his baseline that he was the first time around. Now, he goes forward with progress. He stepped back to do it better this time, the second time.

email: jiachini@msn.com
aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm OHSU address: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 NeuroICU

"Asleep at the Wheel" is the cure

T is back on the road to recovery. I guess he didn't feel like he did it very good the first time; he wanted a second chance! He is a bit of a perfectionist. I don't think he'd agree.


Bob became more awake yesterday afternoon. Playing the CD "Asleep At The Wheel", seemed to be a shot of adrenalin for him. "Miles and miles of TX" came on (a song he sings with Wide Load). I told him to tap his foot. He wiggled his foot back and forth a few times.


Later, I asked him if he wanted a kiss. His heartrate shot up to 110. I told him he had to wait until the nurse came so she could adjust the bed. His heartrate came back down. Five minutes later, the nurse adjusted the bed, and I leaned over him to give him a kiss. He puckered. The kiss he gave me was better than last week's. So, I gave him another. The nurse's reaction could have torn my heart out. She said, "Awe, that is so sweet. Look at how he's looking at you. I just got goosebumps. You can tell he's really in there."


Things are looking up again. Keep the prayers coming, please.


email: jiachini@msn.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm OHSU address: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 NeuroICU

Beating the odds

Good morning everyone,


The doctor says that Bob is definitely beating the odds. You know, I have never seen the day that he has backed down from a fight! When this is all done, I can hear him apologizing for taking so long.


The doctor says his vital signs are good and he's breathing on his own; now we wait to see what Bob wants to do in the recovery process. His obstacles right now are redirecting his shunt, pneumonia, and waking up. He is still in ICU and is being monitored continuously.


Please pray for survival and recovery.
email: jiachini@msn.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm OHSU address: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 NeuroICU

Back to square one

After speaking with the ICU nurse, we are back to square one. Bob had a second bleed on the brain, so now we wait for the possibility of vasospasms, which can cause the brain's blood vessels to collapse. The bleed was caused by the shunt that was put in to treat the collection of "water on the brain". No matter the cause, there was still bleeding on the brain. If it's not one thing, it's another. It seems like you can't win no matter how you look at it.

Many of you are praying for him, please continue.

email: jiachini@msn.com
aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm
OHSU address: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 NeuroICU

Waiting waiting waiting

Bob was moved back to neuro ICU from trama ICU. I was told that was the plan. He has nurse Mary again. She is a great nurse and is very attentive. She gives me the "scoops" on what is happening. We all like nurse Mary.

All of Bob's vital sign are good. The vent was turned down low, so he is doing most the breathing. The vent is there for backup. Now we wait for him to wake up again.

Continue to send prayers his way.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239

Day 2 in ICU

t is more alert today. We are back to where we were two weeks ago. He will be getting a filter put into the blood vessel that leads to his lungs. He has blood clots in his legs, so should the blood clots break free, the filter will stop it from entering his lungs.

I forgot to mention yesterday, it was exactly one month ago at 2am that I found Bob on the bathroom floor at home. I received the call from the OHSU doctor at 2am that Bob was being readmitted to the ICU. (I found him on a Thursday at 2am; he was readmitted to the ICU on Thursday at 2am) Crazy.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org
OHSU: Robert Pirie, OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 TramaICU

Back to the ICU

Bob had a setback last night. Because of the blood thinners he was given after his surgery to put the shunt in, there was another bleed on his brain, not another aneurysm. He is back in ICU with an additional drain in his head. The doctor says that once this pressure is off of the brain, Bob will move forward again. He is on floor7trauma.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke information: www.strokeassociation.com
OHSU address: Robert Pirie, Floor 7A trauma, SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239

Day 28?

I've lost all track of what day and month it is. I believe my birthday is coming soon, but it doesn't really matter to me at this point. I'll celebrate with my t at my next birthday.

Today was a very quite day. The physical therapist came in to show me how he sits on the edge of the bed. He did. He held himself in place. He had a grin on his face; however, when she put him back down on the bed, his look at her could have shot daggers. She tuckered him out. He has been sleeping the entire day. So...all is quiet on the western front.

Woo-Hoo, the doctors are downsizing his trach as I type so speech therapy can work with him more.

Please continue to pray. I'm confident, without all of your prayers, Bob wouldn't be at this point.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: strokeassociation.com
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, Oregon, 97239 Floor 10K room 8

A quick check-in

The occupational therapist worked with t today. She helped him wash his face and brush his teeth. The motions were going in the right direction, just slow. He'll get there! Heck this is only week three after brain surgery. He's so cute; he's my t. :o)

Prayer for Bob by Paster Daryl:
Eternal God, you know us through and through, you know our needs even when we can’t speak them. Touch Bob with your grace and presence. As you give him your abiding care, assure him of our love and presence. Assure him that our communion together remains secure, and that your love for him is unfailing. In Christ, who came to us, we pray. Amen. adapted from UM Book of Worship
email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.org/
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 Floor 10K Rm #8

A little history

I'm in Roseburg today. I was detained today, but will be traveling to OHSU tomorrow with Zachary. He is such a wonderful help. He is also learning a life lesson from all of this that I'm sure would have been taight in school.


I talked with Bob's nurse today, who said, Bob was sitting on the edge of the bed today during his physical therapy session. The PT said Bob was doing 80% of the work himself. He was also moving on command. (Dance everyone!)


For the inquiring minds: Let me give you a little bit of how Bob and I came to be. Believe it or not, we are an internet success story. We met in an Al-anon (group for family and friends of alcoholics) chat room, http://www.stepchat.com/. We were working on improving ourselves mentally, spiritually, and physically. We knew each other by screen name only; his was t-bear; mine was mumski and sometimes sweetie-when I wanted to hide. We supported each other as alanon family members for months. Marriage separations happened on both parts and blah blah blah... We decided to meet each other in person. I flew to MN. Then, Bob came to Oregon. Then, Zachary and I drove to MN. Then, Bob came to Oregon. Finally, Bob moved to Oregon (Don't you think for one second that I should have moved to MN! I moved to OR from PA to get out of snow. I was not going to go back to subzero weather! I may have bumped my head once or twice, but I didn't bump it that hard...;o) )


While in the chat room, I referred to him as t (It took too long to type t-bear). After we met, I continued to call him t. He calls me sweetie. I don't think I've ever heard him say my name. He teases me about how I say Bob. I have a northern PA accent that sounds a little like a New Yorker. When I say Bob, it sounds like Baub. So...I call him t.


So there, you have the scoop on how t and I met.

Prayer for Bob by Paster Daryl:
Eternal God, you know us through and through, you know our needs even when we can’t speak them. Touch Bob with your grace and presence. As you give him your abiding care, assure him of our love and presence. Assure him that our communion together remains secure, and that your love for him is unfailing. In Christ, who came to us, we pray. Amen. adapted from UM Book of Worship
email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.org
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 Floor 10K Rm #8

I GOT A GRIN!

I knew I'd get a grin from t if I talked about sex! (close your ears Joe, Isaac, Aunika, and Zachary) I told Bob this morning that I was going to crawl in bed with him, but he had to promise me that he'd keep his hands off of me. He looked right at me and cracked a little smerk. He knew that it would be me who couldn't keep my hands off of him.

During the past couple of days, I've been holding the phone to his ear so Bob's mom and dad could talk to him. He listens very attentively. He's moving more and staying awake most of the day.

I'm back in Roseburg for 24 hours, then I'm off to Portland with my oldest son, Daniel, tomorrow. Daniel moved here from Pennsylvania on Tuesday, 6/2/09. He will be wonderful help, if I can keep him pinned down. That may be hard since he is 27 and already set in his ways.

Prayer for Bob by Paster Daryl:
Eternal God, you know us through and through, you know our needs even when we can’t speak them. Touch Bob with your grace and presence. As you give him your abiding care, assure him of our love and presence. Assure him that our communion together remains secure, and that your love for him is unfailing. In Christ, who came to us, we pray. Amen. adapted from UM Book of Worship

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.org/OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 Floor 10K Rm #8

What day is it?

Bob is better today than yesterday. He was a bit slow to respond today. Well...he was a bit slow to respond until I turned on the PGA tournament on TV. He wasn't looking around too much until, I said, "Here's some golf for you to watch." His head and eyes instantly moved toward the TV. Do you think I could get him to look at me for the next hour? Hell no!
After golf was done, he was moving to get my attention, gave the thumbs up, gave me kisses, and nodded to the nurse when asked if he was feeling ok.

Prayer for Bob by Paster Daryl:

Eternal God, you know us through and through, you know our needs even when we can’t speak them. Touch Bob with your grace and presence. As you give him your abiding care, assure him of our love and presence. Assure him that our communion together remains secure, and that your love for him is unfailing. In Christ, who came to us, we pray. Amen. adapted from UM Book of Worship
email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.org/

OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 Floor 10K Rm #8

The time is right to make new friends.

The time is right make new friends. That was my fortune in my fortune cookie during last night's dinner. Everytime I've gotten a fortune cookie with my chinese takeout, the clever fortune always seems to ring so-true.

Even though I wish the tragic event that happened to t (Bob) never happened, I have made so many friends across the country, most of whom I never met. Bob has told me a lot of stories. I feel like I have already met you, but actually have not. Some day, I'm sure I will meet each one of you personally on much nicer circumstances.

Today, t is on the up-swing. His shunt surgery went well. The swelling on his head has significantly decreased. He gave me a kiss again and when I wasn't holding his hand, he searched for it to hold. The nurse was happy to see this behavior, because he wasn't responding too much to her. She said she could tell he was happy to see me.

Prayer for Bob by Paster Daryl:
Eternal God, you know us through and through, you know our needs even when we can’t speak them. Touch Bob with your grace and presence. As you give him your abiding care, assure him of our love and presence. Assure him that our communion together remains secure, and that your love for him is unfailing. In Christ, who came to us, we pray. Amen.
adapted from UM Book of Worship

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.org/
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 Floor 10K rm#8

Shunt day

Bob was taken to surgery to have the shunt put in his head to drain the excess fluids into the cavity beside his stomach. I'm glad they are doing that because today he was not responsive at all. He would open his eyes to look at me quickly, then his eyes would stare at the ceiling. The nurse said that the doctors feel he'll become more responsive than he was a few days ago with this shunt.

My son has a band concert this evening. He plays the trumpet, bass guitar, and tuba. As musically talented that he is, you'd think he was one of Bob's own kids! Zachary has a good tutor. Anyway, my reason for telling you this is because, I am back in Roseburg for the night, then I'll be traveling to Portland tomorrow.


Prayer for Bob by Paster Daryl:
Eternal God, you know us through and through, you know our needs even when we can’t speak them. Touch Bob with your grace and presence. As you give him your abiding care, assure him of our love and presence. Assure him that our communion together remains secure, and that your love for him is unfailing. In Christ, who came to us, we pray. Amen. adapted from UM Book of Worship

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 Floor 10K rm#8

HE GAVE ME A KISS!

Good day all!



Bob was wide awake this morning. I leaned over the bed to give him a kiss, and he puckered to kiss me back. Then, he raised his arm for me to hold his hand. I was so excited. He kept his eyes glued on me.



I spent the day with him. The time goes too fast.



Tomorrow, he will have a shunt put in his head that will be under his skin. It will drain the extra fluid from his head into a space beside his stomach. He will have this for the rest of his life. The doctor says he is making good progress, and he feels that the shunt will make the progression even faster, even though Bob's recovery will be a long long time.



Paster Daryl from Bob's church sent me a prayer to be said for Bob.

Eternal God, you know us through and through, you know our needs even when we can’t speak them. Touch Bob with your grace and presence. As you give him your abiding care, assure him of our love and presence. Assure him that our communion together remains secure, and that your love for him is unfailing.
In Christ, who came to us, we pray. Amen.
adapted from UM Book of Worship

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: strokeassociation.org

OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 Floor 10K rm#8

Bob's so cute

Hi everyone. Many of you are sitting on pins and needles waiting for my post for the day.

I spent the entire day with my t. As the day went on, he became more aware. By the evening, he figured out that the "thumbs up" sign was the sign to say yes or ok. So, he flipped up his thumb as a response without the nurse having to ask him to do it.

While the nurse was brushing his teeth, she asked him to stick his tongue out, which he did. She asked him to smile for me, he tried hard and got a very small movement from the corners of his mouth. I told him to not get frustrated, it will come.

At one point, I told him that he had a lot of friends throughout the country wishing him well and that he has many many friends that love him. He raised his eyebrows as if to say, "Really?" or "No shit! I know". He was so cute. Finally, I was able to give him lots of hugs. I'll give him hugs from all of you tomorrow. Today's hugs were all from me. Sorry.

He nodded his head "yes", shrugged his shoulders, moved his arms and legs, squeezed my hand, gave me his hands to put lotion on, oh...and...and... you'll love this...after getting his teeth brushed, he mouthed the words "thank you" to the nurse.

He's going in the right direction. I can't wait until tomorrow. Today is another day I will thank God for his wonderful works.

email me: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.org/
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson, Portland, OR 97239 Floor 10K Rm#8

Bid farewell to the ICU

Bob was moved out of the ICU today! He's moving up in the ranks. He was given a room with a view of Portland's mountains and river. (floor 10K, rm 8)

A friend of ours, Jim, stopped by for a visit and said Bob seems happier and is more aware than last week's visit. (remember, I'm in Roseburg for the weekend) He also ask Bob if he could take his Harley for a ride. Bob was to blink twice if it was ok. Bob's slow blinks were taken as a yes. I think if I hand the keys over though, my head will be "on the chopping block" when t comes home.

Bob is giving the "thumbs up" sign, squeezing hands, scratching his belly, and wiggling his toes. I'm so excited to be going to see him tomorrow. I miss my t.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke awareness: strokeassociation.org
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam JacksonPark Rd., Portland OR 97239 Floor 10K-Rm 8