Oh, Yes: He's Back Alright

The white board is a complete success. I think our ability to establish communication is the result both of his increasing strength and alertness, plus our experiments with various tools finally led us to the right one. This morning he was asleep when I got there, and I know he hasn't been sleeping much. So I thought I would just sit there with him for a while. But after a few minutes one of the ICU staff came in and needed to wake him up. I talked for a little, thinking we could bring the board out after he had a chance to wake up a little. I told him that I was trying to think of things to bring in for him. Phyllis had suggested his iPod, which we found at his house and brought back here to Studio City. But I think the ventilator and other tubes makes that unfeasible just yet. I told him I could bring newspapers or magazines, but probably could leave things there, since elbow room is very tight. He motioned for the white board, and wrote f-i-d-d. I said "Fiddle?" and he smiled. For those of you who don't know, I took up the fiddle (as a complete beginner) about five years ago, and have been taking lessons from Richard Greene, who was Bill Monroe's fiddler in the late 60's and a world-class fiddler (you can take a look and listen at www.richardgreene.net). So Dad wants me to bring in the fiddle. I told him probably not yet -- the ICU is too busy and there are life-protecting activities going on. But as soon as he is out in the main ward I'll bring it in. My brother Rick wants to bring in his dogs to give him some dog kisses, and I told Dad that. He motioned for the marker and wrote "There is a cat" and pointed down as if to say "here". I said: there's a cat here, in the hospital? He nodded. I don't know if he is making that up. Then he wrote "get me up". I told him it is best is we wait for the trained physical therapists (the surgeon came in just then and agreed) and I asked Dad if it would be ok to wait for them -- they will be in sometime later today. He nodded.
Then he wrote "juice or coffee" and I laughed. I told him I was pretty sure that doesn't work with the hole in his throat. I went out and asked the nurses, and the concurred: he isn't able to drink right now.

Then he wrote "get me up" again, pointing to the surgeon, but I explained again that we need specialized people for that, not the surgeon.

I started telling him about the football playoffs. He motioned for the board and wrote "USC?". I had to think back, and I think I remember that they played Illinois, and that USC won handily.

I told him that Caitlin had gotten her first fiddle, and that I would be having my first lesson in three months tomorrow. I told him we would pick something out for me to learn for him. He motioned for the marker and wrote "B.G". I said "Be good?" He shook his head and wrote after the "G": r-a-s. I said bluegrass? Big smile.

So I need to pick out a bluegrass tune to learn for Dad.