Good morning faithful family and friends, your steadfast support, care, and compassion for Joy continues to bless us beyond words. I also want to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude for your generosity on Joy’s GoFundMe account which will provide resources for us to eventually transport Joy to Minnesota and focus on the best rehabilitation services we can find.
Joy was already up in the “chair” when I arrived this morning and was able to greet me with a smile. She apparently had a restful night and her cough seems to have lessened. Seeing her attempt a weak smile this morning was encouraging because yesterday she seemed to slip into a distinctly melancholy mood that lasted until I left when visiting hours ended.
Up to this point we’ve sought your prayers for miraculous healing of Joy’s brain injuries, return of feeling/sensation/movement to her right side, overall healing of her many physical and cognitive wounds, and progress in moving toward her cranioplasty. Today I want to add special attention to prayers for Joy’s emotional healing and well-being.
Since Joy regained consciousness after the accident and surgery, it has been hard to assess how much she is comprehending of her situation and condition. At the direction of her physicians, we have repeatedly shared basic elements of what happened to try and help her have some context as to where she is and why. She will listen but often has little response to the explanations. But today, something seemed to shift. When Alyx and I first arrived yesterday morning we were greeted with smiles and what appeared to be a peaceful although not overly responsive demeanor. We listened to some music and I shared a couple of audio messages sent from a friend. Then, I begin to do some passive range of motion exercises with her right foot and leg and right hand and arm which we do at the encouragement of PT and OT. Unlike previous days, this time she seemed to be watching me more closely and when I was done moving her right foot and leg, she began to rub her left foot on her right foot and leg like she was trying to feel them.
While certainly subjective, I felt like I observed her make a connection with the fact that she was not moving or feeling the right side of body and it appeared to me that she slipped into a melancholy place. She would not smile and would not grip my hand when I gripped hers. She did not want music played or for me to read to her or play audio from friends. It was so hard to leave her when visiting hours ended. In the ICU I could stay round the clock, but here at Select Specialty, they have strict 8 - 8 visiting hours.
So I was very glad to be greeted with a smile this morning when I arrived, however, she still does not want music or friend messages played, she’ll grip my hand, but keeps indicating yes, when I ask her if she just wants quiet. She seems peaceful, but just stares blankly straight ahead only making eye contact occasionally.
So I would ask for you to please pray that despite the unbelievably difficult place Joy finds herself in, she may have a “peace that passes understanding” and a supernatural sense of calm as her healing continues. Thank you also for your ongoing prayers for the many needs of our Joy’s body, mind, and spirit.
