by Allison Moore | Aug 10, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized |
Every once in awhile, since Vernon has been upstairs in the Stroke unit (PCSU), I notice little additions to the wall that seem to have shown up overnight.
This Ska (music) logo has been stuck to the frame above Vernon’s bed for a few weeks.
At first I thought one of his visiting buddies might have stuck it up there when I wasn’t around.
Then I started to hear about his sometimes-night-nurse, Mike, who was into Ska music, and had apparently been plugging his playlist into Vernon’s speakers, hoping to get a rise out of him.
This was about the time I noticed little embellishments showing up on the TV as well…
I always go to the hospital in the day, never nights, as I am home with Justine. Last night, however, I was driving back from a photo job and was finally able to drop by after hours.
It was so quiet up there, and Vernon was fast asleep. (I couldn’t resist waking him to get a little more interaction, there had been so much earlier in the day. This time I even got the workings of a blown-kiss out of him—that alone was worth the visit.)
Anyway, several of the night nurses came over to introduce themselves, as they had been caring for him for three weeks without meeting “the wife.” They obviously don’t get as many visitors in the evening hours and it was probably nice to put another face to Vernon’s story. I was touched that they cared enough to go out of their way to say hello…as if he was someone special. (Which he is, of course.)
And then I met the notorious Mike.
Somehow he had realized that he and Vernon were about the same age and might be more-or-less into the same kind of music—since Vernon is British and into old Italian scooters (or maybe just from talking to Chris Adams, who visits in the evenings from time to time?) He admitted he was the one who put the Ska and Mod logos around the room. And he when there isn’t much to do in the ward, around 2 am, he goes in and hangs out with Vernon, if he is awake. He puts on his Specials (Ska music) Pandora Station for a few songs…then he will play a few songs on “The Jam” (Mod) station. He banters with him the whole time, trying to get an expression or a smile out of him.
He told me he got a clear grin out of him the other evening, when he said: “Ok, Vern, how about we close the night with some Joy Division?” (This is one of Vernon’s earliest favorite bands.)
Mike also told me he thought Vernon was ready to be moved to a place where he can get some real physical therapy. But of course, there is the rub. We haven’t been placed anywhere due to his complications. So if you pray, I ask you to remember this situation. I don’t know where we will go. I don’t want to go far away, especially as I need t to be home for the children in the afternoons. But he still has his trach and dialysis, which limits the nearer options. I also recognize he will soon need more aggressive therapy than what he can get in the hospital. It’s an awkward situation. But we have seen miracle after miracle happen in Vernon’s case. Why not a couple more in a row? 🙂
I’ll finish this post with a Battle of the Bands for Mike and Vernon. THE SPECIALS vs. THE JAM .
by Allison Moore | Aug 9, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Today was a good day.
Forget Hollywood’s ideas of waking from a coma. They have to fit a short scene into 90 minutes. Who wants to watch a 3-month movie, really? Forget what you thought you knew. (At least I have had to.)
Every case is different, but this is what Vernon’s looks like….today.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152231015491491&set=vb.535626490&type=2&theater
by Allison Moore | Aug 8, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Vernon has been in isolation all week, which means people (friends as well as hospital staff) must ‘suit up’ in a paper gown, mask, and gloves in order not to spread the staff infection elsewhere. Vernon is being treated with antibiotics, that seem to be working very well. The hospital staff takes this all in stride,as it is typical of patients who have been in the hospital for an extended time. So though he always needs your prayers, please do not panic.
He has been stable all week, but today he is fighting a bladder infection and is feverish. With all the medication they immediately give him, it will pass, but I hope he isn’t feeling too bad.
Regardless of all this, he still has wonderful visitors. Today I arrived to this scene.
This is Paul Jackson, who brought his ministry of guitar and voice to the bedside today, and who is not afraid of germs. And beside him is Dorothy (one of my mentors in life….who has been by my side since before this season even started.) Thank you to all the visitors this week, Vernon and I both appreciate it, even though you have had to wear such ridiculous gear.
This too shall pass. And I expect it will be soon. It is a part of hospital life. Vernon continues to improve in the midst of it. In some ways the infections have allowed him to stay in the hospital longer before being transferred further away, but he still needs your prayers.
There is no fear in love. This is how I mean to go on. I hope you join me.
by Allison Moore | Aug 7, 2014 | Uncategorized |
A friend of ours, Ryan Paul James, has written a play about the world of ART that runs this weekend through next in Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles.)
He is a great comedy writer and I’m sure this one will be a smash. Graciously offering to bring some attention to Vernon’s cause, he is putting some of our family artwork in the gallery-setting of the stage. Here are a few…
These are some of Vernon’s “works in progress.” I couldn’t tell they were not finished so I just put them up on the walls anyway. If you have a problem with this, Vern, you can complete them when you get home. Make it a goal.
A newly discovered Jean Michelle Basquiat. Er…I mean, Justine Harper Adams.
They have put a few on mine up in the show as well. Here is a blast from my past.
Maki is a fantastic painter too, but he was out of town so could not be reached for his contribution. I have seen some of his artwork made this summer in New Zealand, though. So good!
If you are interested in seeing the show, please click HERE for info. Half-price tickets are available for this weekend if you enter “008” at checkout.
ABSTRACTION Runs
Fri, Aug 08 – Sun, Aug 17
Friday & Saturdays 8PM
Sunday 2PM
As for Vernon today…he continues to show signs of improvement…lots of activity on his left side, more mini-smiles on request, and he even mouthed a couple of words (I think) which I may share later. Feels too close to the heart today. Bear with us.
by Allison Moore | Aug 6, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized |
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” —Phyllis Diller
Nurses have been brushing Vernon’s teeth for six weeks, ever since his jaw was un-wired. But he almost always resists, tightening his mouth to foreign objects like toothbrushes and dental suctions. I don’t blame him. I sometimes wonder if he thinks he is being experimented on by aliens disguised as humans. I wouldn’t want to be poked and prodded everyday by strangers in an unrecognizable environment either.
But today, when a nurse asked him to open up his mouth so she could brush his teeth, he immediately and trustingly opened. Then he did it again even though he new what was coming. He seemed to enjoy the experience, rather than fight it. I was astonished, as I hadn’t seen him so willing to take commands from any of the staff yet.
When she was done, she jokingly said: “Smile!”
And he did.
It’s not a very clear picture, but I’m glad I even caught this. It was such a joyous moment of surprise! Made my day.
Vernon’s light is beginning to shine once again.
by Allison Moore | Aug 5, 2014 | Day by Day, Uncategorized |
“When writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen.”
I know that Vernon has a way to communicate ‘Yes‘ to me, but we still haven’t figured out the ‘No.’ I imagine it’s pretty frustrating for him to only be able to actively answer in the affirmative. We have tried blinking and hand squeezing: once for yes, twice for no (a la the book/film, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.)
But we still aren’t reading each other enough to have more than a one-sided conversation. I talk so fast with so much energy and hope, and Vernon is still moving a few notches below his normal mellow self. Today when I first went in, he was trying to move his mouth to speak but I couldn’t understand. Hopefully speech therapy is just around the corner, or who knows? One of these days he may just start chatting—it’s been known to happen.
When I mentioned, “What if you try to write things down?” his face lit up. His eyes widened and an obvious brightening came over him. So I tracked down a clipboard, some paper, and a dry-erase marker that seemed like it would be easy to hold.
A little trickier than I’d anticipated, what with his finger-sensor. But the nurse came in to take it off and he did a little better.
Here is a video of one of his tries. He really was game for this…we worked for about an hour straight, which is a long time for a semi-comatose guy. He didn’t get far, but I could see he was responding with a real memory of (and maybe even a devotion to) writing or drawing.
Ultimately, he found the pencil to be the most comfortable…I think I’ll start with (that or a slimmer pen) next time.
Here are a few of Vernon’s results. I’m thinking of hanging them on the refrigerator door.
Actually, here is a funny story: on my way out, I showed these drawings off to the head nurse, as I crossed her path.
“Look!” I squealed, “Arent’ these great?”
She kind of smiled and nodded and said, “Oh yes. How old?”
I looked at her in disbelief. “Um…47.”
I’m not sure I’d be so braggy if these were from a two year old. Ahhhh…perspective.
10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer by Brian Clark:
Write.
Write more.
Write even more.
Write even more than that.
Write when you don’t want to.
Write when you do.
Write when you have something to say.
Write when you don’t.
Write every day.
Keep writing.
I think he there might be something to that. We will try again tomorrow.
