Tuesday, July 1

Last week, on Monday evening, June 23, Tommy had a stroke and was taken to Beebe Hospital in Lewes in an ambulance. He is still there now, resting somewhat comfortably. For several days it appeared that he may have lost his ability to speak, but little by little it's coming back. First he said "uh-huh", then "yeah" and, when his son Steve was here this weekend, he said a sentence for the first time: "I've got to wake up." Steve and I jumped for joy at hearing that. Tommy's sister Elaine and her husband Alan, and his good friends from here in Millville, Irv and Brenda, and Patti, have also visited, which has given him a huge lift.

The stroke was moderate, hitting the front left-hand side of his brain, but because he had several mini-strokes in earlier years, the doctors say it is a complicated situation. He is able to move his left arm and to a lesser extent his left leg, but not his right arm and leg. So, he will need acute rehabilitation at the rehab center in Milford (about a fifteen minute drive north of Georgetown, De.) Patti's son, Daryl, has a sports-physical-therapy practice in the area, and he was a great source of advice regarding which facility would be best for Tommy. Sometime later this week, the doctor will transfer Tommy to that center.

Tommy's doctor, Dr. Raj (short for Rajshekar Narasimaiah, with whom Tommy has a very good relationship) says that it is impossible to predict how much function Tommy will regain, but that he has several things working in his favor--his heart is strong, his other problems are under control (except for his hernia, but it doesn't look like it will hinder the rehab effort), and also the fact that Tommy stopped drinking beer four months ago. The rehab on average takes three or four weeks. It'll be a big challenge for Tommy, but he knows that the more work he does the better he'll get. If it's too demanding, they will send him, temporarily, to a sub-acute center in Lewes for a short while to build up his strength, and then back to Milford.

I am spending the days at the hospital with Tommy, and in my absence Irv is giving the dogs a good afternoon run and feeding them. Tommy loves to listen to the "sea songs" CD that Richard custom-made for us and which we have listened to in the car for several years while doing our errands. It opens with "Sea Cruise" and includes Tommy's favorite, Donovan singing "Henry Martin" (which Tommy calls the nya-nya song, a reference you will understand if you've heard it). I also am reading to Tommy from his favorite childhood book (which, I don't have to tell any of you, he SAVED)--My Demon Motor Boat by George Fitch.

Tommy wasn't allowed to eat for several days because his swallowing wasn't kicking in properly. Yesterday, when they bundled him into a big chair and took him down to the x-ray department so they could check his swallowing ability, the technician, a young guy named Ray, asked Tommy if he could smile and Tommy just looked back at him. So Ray said, "I'm sure the only thing that would make you smile would be a giant steak in front of you!" And Tommy smiled at that. It was a weak smile, but it was definitely a smile.

To all of you who have called and sent notes, thank you so much on Tommy's behalf. Keep it up! For those of you who have asked what you can do, right now the best thing is to help get word to everyone, so please help with that. Also, send him a card (address it to him at P.O. Box 1427, Ocean View, De. 19970). Janis and I were thinking that if you can enclose a photograph or two that would be great--anything that brings his friends and family front-and-center to him is what we're looking for. Once he's settled in the rehab center (where he will be given a combination of therapies--physical, occupational, speech--for a total of three hours a day), we'll know what the visiting schedule will be. Also, once he's there and we know his schedule, we can arrange a way so you can say hi to him on the phone. I will post all of that information on this blog as we go forward. If the blog hasn't answered your questions, or you just want to contact me, call me at the house (302-539-8079; let it ring about ten times, and I'll return your call asap) or e-mail me at constancebond@earthlink.net. lv to all, ~c.