vicariously chris

Chris was brighter today and one of his sisters was there when I arrived. Chris is now on 24 hour watch to ensure that he doesn't yank out the feeding tube in his nose again..unfortunately they had to restrain his left arm because he keeps sliding his head down just enough to pull it out...little bugger. So if family members are not present there is always hospital staff present.

Chris squeezed my hand firmly when I leaned over and told him that I brought the BIG ASS headphones for the ipod. I played We Are The People by Empire of the Sun and he grinned as much as he could with the left side of his mouth..it was fantastic!
His sister and I both laughed. Chris wiggled the fingers and foot on his left side to the music.

I played a few songs so that his sister and I could compare notes while he couldn't hear us. She thought that Chris was brighter today and hopefully there won't be any more mishaps with monitoring his catheter...he is now on antibiotics to rectify the situation. His sister said that their father is still stable and that Chris doesn't know and we'll leave it at that.

After a few tunes I got in his face and read Chris a few cards and letters from well wishers and recited a list of co-workers, college chums, and blogmates who have either sent emails or left comments here. Chris seemed to be following along and patted my hand when I had finished. I asked Chris if there was anyone that he needed to see right now and he said "no".

He then dozed off for a little while and when he opened his eyes, I asked him if he wanted his glasses on..."yes"..and then he tried to focus on the TV.. the weather channel was on but the picture was fuzzy..and I told him not to worry because it was fuzzy. I told him what day it was and he looked puzzled..I have no idea what his time reference is right now but he was in the now...he told his sister something about not being here on Thursday..I think that he was trying to make a joke.

He slept for a while and then he said (as best as he could manage) "how are you doing?" Well I nearly lost it but I just replied that we were all doing great as long as he kept feeling better everyday. He said " feels weird".

We just hung out for about another hour..he slips in and out but looked at me with what appears to be much more certainty..at least that's what I thought.

I told Chris about a few things that happened in the news, tried to reassure him that everything was being taken care of by his family and that all he had to do was to get better. He just squeezed my hand..moved his left leg up and down..he must be so tired of being in bed...I wish that he could move his right side but still no sign of that happening.

All in all a better day..still sleepy..I wish that I could tell you more hard Medical information but there doesn't seem to be anything new...just more waiting and today was positive.
So way to go Chris..just keep doing a little better everyday..whatever it takes.