All vitals are rock solid, sodium is still within range, and he is doing well with the PMV (Passy-Muir valve) which reroutes his exhalation breaths through his mouth. And yes, he’s starting to talk. The words are through a mostly closed-teeth mouth right now, but his words are pretty clear, and he’s stringing sentences together.
Physical therapy today was Taylor sitting on the edge of his bed, feet on the floor, holding the rails at either side of him. He could hold himself up pretty well (his hands were hanging on strongly) but if he sat up too straight and brought his chin up, he would cough. (possibly stress in the trache in that position). Good, strong coughs that with his voice back, were Taylor coughs. He was doing a lot of talking in between coughs that was tough to hear, but some of the phrases were clear and strong: “yes, I am tired” “okay” “yes, I do” when I asked if he remembered certain things. I told him I will be happy to hear his “hey mama mama what’s up!” and he immediately said “hey mama.” The PT and ST were dancing and high-fiving. He told the therapists again that he was tired, and that he wanted to lay back down.
Tears in my eyes just to type the words. So awesome.
He’s sleeping now. OT was postponed for four hours to let him rest.
He has also been hugging. Ron has asked for and received a couple over the past two days while I was gone, and my first true hug was today while he was sitting up. I was helping hold him up and rub his back with my arms kind of around him, and he closed his arms around me, tightly, holding my head in his right hand. Everybody was crying and hugging each other. I said “I love you” and he mumbled “I love you too” onto my shoulder.
Tears in my eyes just to type the words, again. Now I can imagine how it felt for Ron too. Him telling me about it didn’t do it justice, that’s for sure.
So many amazing moments.
Prayers are SO powerful. It’s working.
We are needing those pictures now!
Love and big hugs to all of you!
