Update: 08/16/05

Just Words

I still miss Jordan terribly. The Jordan who made me laugh so hard I cried. The Jordan who, without a word, would get out of bed and drive two blocks to pick me up from class because it was snowing. The Jordan who would go to Red Lobster at 3 p.m. and stuff his face full of Calamari with me. The Jordan who made friends quicker than anyone I’ve ever seen. The Jordan who would sing along with me to every classic rock song known to man. My family and I consider ourselves tremendously lucky and blessed to still have Jordan and to have this second chance with him. It is easy for people to forget what a miracle it is that Jordan is alive. Still, I miss my running buddy and confidant.

I am so glad he and mom are finally back in Tennessee.

Life Care

After nine productive months and A LOT of therapy in Lufkin, Texas, Jordan and mom returned to Cookeville at the end of June. While we wanted to bring Jordan home to mom and dad’s and continue working with him there, we found a wonderful facility in Sparta called Life Care that has one of the best therapy teams in the region. Life Care is a very warm place with professional and caring people. Upon our arrival there, everyone on staff came out and greeted us and welcomed our family. They had read Jordan’s story online before he arrived so that they would be more familiar with his situation. They, like most people who meet Jordan, have adopted him as their own and take care of him accordingly. We have been so blessed to find places for Jordan to stay where the people are positive and truly care about him. Life Care is no exception. After being there for a month and a half, we couldn’t be more pleased with the people who help take care of Jordan. Although we know they will say they are just doing their jobs, these are the people who make it a little easier for my family and I to sleep at night. We know Jordan is getting the best care possible and there is really just no way to thank them or dote on them enough.

How is Jordan now?

Jordan did very well in Texas. His health is great and he is still more and more alert everyday. He is still trying so hard to talk, he will move his mouth like crazy when you ask him questions or talk to him, but the voice hasn’t caught up yet. That is the day I pray for every night, the day I can hear that voice again and Jordan can tell us how he feels and what he needs. His focus and eye contact are also improving every day. At Life Care he is receiving physical, occupational and speech therapies. While he still has the tube for feedings in his stomach, mom has begun feeding him pureed food as well as yogurt and chocolate pudding.

Something really cool we have started doing is bringing Jordan home to mom and dad’s house on the weekends. We fixed up his old room and got him the kind of bed he needed. We have begun decorating but continue to add pictures and things that Jordan loves. Jordan gets to hang out at home with us, and Daisy, his 13 year old Yorkie, gets to sit on his lap (just a warning-if said old dog is on Jordan’s lap, make no sudden movements toward Jordan or said old dog will attack you. And yes, I do speak from experience). He gets to sleep in his own room and wake up to the usual smell of mom making her coffee in the morning. We believe that it is good to surround him with as many familiar things as possible. And yes, ultimately we want Jordan to be home for good, but he receives such great therapy and care at Life Care. Until we can bring him home we know he is in the right place.

Leaving Lufkin

Mom knew it was time to come home and she was happy about it, but it meant leaving behind some great friends and some really special people she had met in Texas. I told her it just meant we had another vacation spot and so did they. Mitzi, who works at the Hyperbaric clinic in Lufkin, and her family have already been here to visit us. Mom and Tammy Carrington, who with her husband owns Lufkin Hyperbaric Center where Jordan treated, have become the best of friends and still speak on the phone nightly. Even Gil Hanke, Jordan’s speech therapist from Texas has called to check on him. It is amazing, the people we have met and the things we have learned during this journey. It still humbles my family and I tremendously, the gratitude of others has been so overwhelming and something I will never forget.

Lessons

Jordan’s recovery has inevitably taught me a great deal about patience. Since his heart-attack we have learned a lot about brain injury and one of the things I read over and over again is that the healing of the brain is gradual, given time it will heal, but it just takes time. Sometimes the wait (weight) is unbearable and I do still get upset but I have to be okay for Jordan right now. I have to keep trying to help him, have to keep talking to him and telling him how much he is loved and missed by so many people—above all his family and me. I have to be there for him and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know, without a doubt, that Jordan would do the same for me.