Songs and Secret Gifts

"Many times we may find ourselves asking God to ease our burdens, eliminate the things that scare us most, and clear the path before us. We may wish He could bring the finish line just a little closer, or extend an upcoming deadline, or maybe even turn back time to rescue a loved one from an early grave. I KNOW He can do all of those things and much more. But how would we ever walk the road to perfection if we were always cradled in the arms of a Perfect Parent?

Rather than break Nephi's bands, He gave him strength. Rather than build an ark for Noah, He gave him wisdom. Rather than slay Helaman's enemies, He gave him 2,000 valiant warriors. God is a God of miracles. But rather than just do miracles around us, He does them THROUGH us. Therein lies the greatest miracle of all--the miracle to become."

- Benjamin Smith, friend of Becky Johnston

Friday, Day 10 (according to ICU reckoning):

Timothy is moving out of the ICU!  They would have moved him Friday night, but they had a staffing problem.  We'll let you know what room he'll be in when we get word.  ROOM 106! (11:00 am)

Timothy had this song stuck in his head and randomly started singing it.  I got a bit of it on video.  Tobuscus on Youtube: Sideburns Song.

We tried the lotion to ease his discomfort from the IVs.  It worked pretty well, although he only has one pick line in now.  Instead, he was complaining about his legs.  Apparently they have been cramping.  So I took the lotion and massaged his calves.  He was very appreciative about that.  

 Timothy's book and his water bottle that he had been looking for ever since the accident.  Dad got them from the wreckage.  Also on the table to the left of his water bottle is one of his breathing exercises.  He breathes in to see how many mL his lungs are capable of holding.  The nurse said he can't do that exercise enough.  It hurts his ribs when he tries really hard.  A normal person should be able to do 2500 mL easily and Tim is working on getting 1000 mL.  He's made it there, but not consistently.

 The poster from Monte, Lisa, and family.  Tim swears he has seen multiple posters like this in the other rooms of the ICU (he hasn't left his room :) ).

Warning: Creeper photo to follow - This nurse had just relinquished care of Timothy to an Intermediate Care nurse who came in to help the understaffed ICU. So she wasn't coming in the room anymore and I thought Tim would like a picture of her, just so he could remember.

 Chai, one of Tim's nurses, who Tim thinks is his age.  She told us she's 32 but that when she was 25, people thought she was 12.  Tim thinks his nurses are "crankily." Chai is very matter of fact and doesn't sugar coat anything and let's Tim know when he's done something wrong, like pull another line out.  He's been grumpy the past few days, at least when I see him.

"I've never heard you be so grumpy like this with anyone but family."
"That's because I've never had painful, broken bones... It's just family and broken bones."

 Timothy eating the only thing he orders for meals: a chocolate shake. "It's convenient." Picky buster.  He's on a regular diet.  So he's back to being the picky eater he is normally.  Before all of his chocolate shake meals today, Dad got him a Kit Kat from the gift shop.  He ate it gradually, but enjoyed it.  I had a chocolate bar from IKEA in my purse and gave him some in the evening.  He didn't want any more because it made it more difficult to swallow because it was so creamy. :)

Tim with his Yoda mug that Jake and Kelci Cowdin brought for him one of the first days in was in the ICU.

This bag of peaches and basket of toys and candy were left for Tim and we have no clue who his benefactor is.  Timothy gave a couple of the peaches to nurses.  Dad says Timothy gave one to Christina, the really nice nurse who Tim thought was out to get him when had had that terrible night.

Mom has been doing pretty well.  We had the home care nurse come in.  Her collar bone is swollen around the break.  We are going to need to remind her that she isn't allowed to use her left arm.  Her sling shifts around and sometimes falls off of her elbow and arm and she starts using her arm to support herself getting into and out of bed and chairs.  We need to keep reminding her.  The physical and occupational therapist should come today (Saturday) to see Mom.

Mom has been a bit disoriented still.  I can tell she's frustrated because she doesn't know what to do, or what is going on, or what she can do about her pain, and she's never liked to be an imposition to anyone.  She has asked several times what her job is.  Daniel and Ben have jobs around the house, Dad was at the hospital, and I was taking care of Mom.  She doesn't like feeling useless.  So we told her that her job was to heal and get better.  "I can do that." :)