What a treat to welcome Jeremy (brother) and future sister-in-law Katie today. They had both gone back to ABQ before Jilly's move to the Rehab floor, so were really seeing her conscious for the first time.
So many stories today, I don't know which to tell.
Occupational and physical therapy sessions wear Jilly out, but she is making her peace with them. Today she walked into the PT room, showed me to a seat, and headed straight for the treadmill. She set the machine for five minutes, with a slowly increasing speed, before the therapist had a chance to tell her what to do. Later she told a friend that the PT was "Ok, but you know..." with a gesture that said "way too athletic." She has promised (threatened?) to give the therapist a ballet barre next week.
Jilly's usual speech therapist was off today, and as all interesting students do, she gave the sub a run for her money. She found one of the exercises silly, and took her own therapeutic approach: "Well, I think if you want to say it that way, you should go for it." At the end of the session, she pretty much switched roles with the therapist, encouraging her to admit that she'd like to be a famous writer. They talked about good memoirists for awhile; then Jilly told her, "You need to get an MFA. You should go to Bard. Or Columbia. A friend of mine went there. She's amazing." The therapist walked out the door shaking her head.
Jilly still can't figure out why so many people are able to visit her in London. She is asking for some details about the accident, but doesn't want to know too much. Wise girl. Two of the wonderful nurses from the ICU came down to see her today, on the verge of tears over how great she looks. She does not remember them at all, of course, but enjoyed the stories of how every fifteen minutes they had to unwind the cords and cables she'd tangled herself in with all her movements.
If I'm this sleepy, it must be the end of another poignant day.
All my best,
Ingrid
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3 comments:
Jillian, Ingrid & Raymond,
It is so wonderful to read about Jillian's incredible progress. My mom and I just heard about her accident not too long ago through Ms. Karen and we have both been thinking of you all often. I am in Baltimore this weekend and would like to come up to the city to visit. I do not want to disrupt any of Jillian's therapy or anything else, so please let me know which would be a better time for a visit, Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning?
With love,
Ana
Hi Ana,
Good to hear from you. Hi to Jeannie too. Hospital visiting hours on weekdays are 4-8, and the Rehab floor is quite strict about them because of the rigorous therapy schedule. If you can come Mon after four we could be sure you have a chance to see her. If you stop at the desk in the gargantuan outer lobby of the hospital and ask for a pass. They only give out two at any given time, so if there aren't any there, call my number (505-507-8386) and follow the signs to the main hospital. You'll come to a large open area with orange & white sixties-vibe seating, and either Raymond or I will be down there. It'll be good to see you.
Ingrid
haha! she's life-coaching the therapist!
so jillian!
x
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