Vernon is having a difficult transition back to our world. Basically he has been pumped up with drugs that have kept him in deep sedation and out of any pain. So now his body has to recover from what would be a massive Class A drug addiction.  He is showing signs of  “storming,” which includes physical agitation, sweating, fevers, shivering, etc. in response to the trauma as well as the withdrawal. He still has no control over any of his movement. I am told he probably feels as if a 10-ton truck is parked on his body. However, every single day he looks better than the day before.

Yesterday, for the first time I was able to look into his half-open eye  and try to connect. He blinked many times but held his gaze. It was really special. There was no responsive movement yet in his hand or his face.

Today, I had a few different interactions with him when his strong eye would open half-way, and I even noticed that his other eyelid was getting involved a bit more each time.  I would try to get my face into his view, bending down in order to get under his eyelashes, and he would hold my gaze.  I held his right hand (on the unbroken arm) and asked if he would try to squeeze.  He couldn’t really use his fingers but each time I asked him a question, I sensed he was trying to squeeze…if only able to move his shoulder and tense his arm.  Eventually, I was able to feel his fingers barely tightening. It must take a lot of effort.  My questions were basically: “Do you recognize me?” “Does it hurt?” “Do you want me to stay?”  “Do you hear the music?”  Nothing too intellectual at this point. But wow! I don’t know how much this registers in his head, but it certainly registered in mine.

photo (13)

 

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