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

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

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

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

Morning rounds...

Bob is focusing more with his eyes and moving his hands nad feet. He still isn't doing the hands and feet on command, but he's doing it "on Bob's command".

Today's nurse said he needs to do things more on command before they move him from ICU. He also needs to be able to clear his trach better on his own before moving him.

Today, is Sunday, and I'm sure he's having a "bird" not being able to sing and do "his" thing in church. Pray an extra prayer for him today. Also, ponder about the lesson you have learned from God because of this incident.


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

singing..."Here he comes...Mr. Robert" 5/30/09

I spoke to the night nurse. She said Bob had a good day. His eyes are open, he's moving his hands and feet, and he breathed all day long by himself. There is talk of moving him out of ICU soon. She said the day staff commented that his personality is beginning to show.

God is using a good person to teach us all a lesson. Let's hope we can figure out the lesson that pertains to each one of us individually. I can come up with several. One is that those who are important in my life can be gone in a split second, so treat every second as though it is your last with them. What is your lesson from this?

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org

OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239