GIants and Barry!

Well it's evening and I'm here with Grandpa watching the Giants and Dodgers. Jerry was given a "high octane pain killing" cocktail and, well let's put it this way.....I'm watching the game by myself! He's going in and out of consciousness and is still feeling some pain in his right eye which has a scratched cornea. The nurse says he won't be feeling much of anything in an hour or so. He wants me to let him know if Bonds hits #755! Carol and Merle were here just a short time ago and I can't begin to tell you what great friends they are to Jerry. They love and care so much for him. One touching moment I was blessed to witness was when Merle was holding Jerry's hand and Jerry was in some serious pain. Merle looked deeply into Jerry's eyes and said "if I could change places with you Jerry you I would"! As I looked at Merle and the expression on his face I knew he meant every last word of what he said. What a "true" friend! Thank you Merle......and Carol, you are truly part of our family!
I read Jerry several of your comments and they lifted his spirits a great deal! Please use this blog to reach out and let him know you're thinking of him. I'll read every single word you write. Also, if you have the know how and would like to attach picture, I'm sure he'd love to see them.

Well he'll be asleep in a few and I'll stay just a little longer to make sure he's comfortable, then go home!

Thanks for your support and keep in touch!

ps,

Bonds popped up in the 7th and is being taken out of the game! And with that....I'm going home!

Jon

GIants and Barry!

Jerry's July 31st Update

Well if you read the blog from yesterday you'd see the comment I put in about tomorrow being better than today and so on and so on. Well today has definitely been better than yesterday (and yesterday was pretty good)! Jerry was able to swallow some thicken cranberry juice as well as more ice. THIS IS HUGE!!!! As he continues to get better at swallowing, that's one more step towards getting him home. As you know, one of the results of his stroke was that he lost use of a significant portion of his left side . He could not move his arm or leg on that side. However just a short time ago Uncle Don (Jerry's brother) was rubbing his lower back and "Bam" his foot started to move. Uncle Don asked him to move it again and he did! WOW! He's also sitting upright and speaking more clearly. One things very obvious......he is aware of what's going on and is fighting to get better! We're waiting for his doctor to get here an give us an "official update", once we have that, I'll post it here for you!

I asked Jerry is there anything he would like to say to you and he said "tell them all thanks for their thoughts and prayers"! So with that.......Thank You!

Jon 707-953-7000 (cell)

JERRY'S JULY 30TH UPDATE

Today was a "good" day! Jerry was able to see two therapist one physical and the other speech. Both went well. They put him through some rigorous exercises, but you could see the benefit immediately. He also received a visit from one of his best friends, Suzy (his dog). You could see by the expression on his face that he was glad to see her. She was able to love on him for a short while before she had to get back to the kennel. The biggest surprise of the day is when his speech therapist was able to get him to swallow a few small pieces of crushed ice. This is huge in that when and if he's able to swallow food.... the feeding tube can come out and we're one step closer to getting him home!Regarding communication, please try and contact Aunt Boo and myself if you need a verbal update and not the rehab center. They have been receiving calls from a lot of folks and it's becoming disruptive. I'm also trying to set up a voice mail for those of you who do not have email.All in all he's doing much better today than yesterday and hopefully tomorrow will be better than today. Either way..... I'll keep you posted!

All my love,Uncle Jon!

draft
by jon
7/30/07