Day 59 – Grayson’s Condition

Our dear family and friends,

What a wonderful day! In actuality they are all wonderful aren't they?

Grayson was the most alert and responsive that I have seen in eight weeks.

He slept well last night with no additional sleeping aids and the fever has not returned. The color is returned to his cheeks and the antibiotics seem to be winning over the infection. A great way to start the day.

In speech therapy Grayson was treated with applesauce, orange juice and the hospital favorite – red Jello for breakfast. Since he was much more alert this morning than yesterday, his swallow reflex showed improvement. Tomorrow – custard.

In physical therapy he enjoyed a Wii game that worked on core balance. He was actually able to improve his score by several points with the positive feedback the game provides. Three cheers for creative therapists who listened to our input about his love of computers. He still tries to reach for the keyboard at the nurse's charting stations on his walks.

Another first was that he was able to actively participate in two consecutive hours of various therapies this morning and about an hour and a half this afternoon. This is an important milestone that will help improve his progress in the coming months (years).

Early this evening we watched America's Funniest Videos together in the family lounge and he was actually belly laughing at the physical humor for the full half hour show.

When I told him that three friends were coming to visit him this evening, he smiled broadly at their names, put on clean clothes, brushed his teeth, insisted on shaving again and proudly donned his Indiana Jones hat. He stood up to greet them on arrival and walked right up to them with a big grin on his face. He even flashed them the USC "Victory" sign when they played the familiar tune on some kind of puzzle or game. These three friends stayed a good long time, sharing games they'd brought, making balloon animals out of examination gloves (batting them back and forth), and generally being silly. He thoroughly enjoyed the visit though he was visibly fatigued at the end.

During his friends' visit he leaned over and tried to whisper in my ear. Subtle body language made his message clear what his words did not and we retreated for a few minutes to the loo.

Just as Grayson was getting ready to retire, another dear friend of his arrived. Grayson was clearly moved and gave this longtime, well loved friend a big hug. The promise to return this weekend to read one of Grayson's favorite books brought an enthusiastic smile and a thumbs up.

As you can see, it was a day filled with progress, improved physical and cognitive health, and the joy of love freely given and received. A day that even worrisome news of insurance limitations couldn't dampen.

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Regina