James had a quiet day in the NICU. The infectious disease doctors have decided to narrow the antibiotic treatment to the specific trio that will have the most impact on the bacteria in his brain. The bacteria has spread a bit into the ventricles of his brain but that was to be expected.
He's a little less responsive today but still has enough feistiness that he bit down on the toothbrush as the nurse attempted to brush his teeth. I think James thought that the nurse was attempting to clear the tube to his lungs which he does not like one bit. I told him, "Hey, Jim, stop biting down for goodness sakes, she's trying to brush your teeth!" and he listened!
The NICU is a quiet place but there are many buzzes, beeps, and rhythmical tones. I think you may know that James is a member of noise band with his good friends Charles Goldman and Paul Benney. The are known as bndl. The name of the band has a somewhat physiological origin. The muscle fibers that maintain the rate of the heart are called the bundle of hiss. They thought it a perfect name for what they envisioned as their band but it ended up that an 80s grunge band had already taken it! Hence, the shortened bndl was born. James would find musical inspiration in all the sounds of the NICU. I have already heard a short series of tones (a gentle reminder or warning when a patient requires the attention of a nurse) that would make an excellent loop. James has given me the gift of hearing the constant hum of the NICU for hours at a time and experience it as music.
James has to endure the doctors and nurses constantly checking if he's still in there when he's less responsive. The doctors perform what I call the "spock pinch" which is pressure applied to his clavicle area while asking him to "open his eyes," "wiggle his toes," and "show two fingers." He does his best to obey their commands and I cannot express what relief I feel when he successfully performs these tasks. He does hear us!
It must be terribly frustrating for James, especially, since he is such a "doer" in his life. On our honeymoon, we did a very traditional holiday in Hana, Hawaii. I thought it would be great to relax, snorkel, lie on the beach but that was not enough for James. He wanted to explore every inch of the island. We had rented a car and he drove us out to the very limits of the roads--until they turned into dirt and you needed four wheel drive to go further. He's a natural explorer of all places and I know, that despite the fact that he is lying still in his bed, he's traveling as much as he can in the inner spaces of his mind.
Love out to all of you and do a bit of exploring today on James's behalf!
He's a little less responsive today but still has enough feistiness that he bit down on the toothbrush as the nurse attempted to brush his teeth. I think James thought that the nurse was attempting to clear the tube to his lungs which he does not like one bit. I told him, "Hey, Jim, stop biting down for goodness sakes, she's trying to brush your teeth!" and he listened!
The NICU is a quiet place but there are many buzzes, beeps, and rhythmical tones. I think you may know that James is a member of noise band with his good friends Charles Goldman and Paul Benney. The are known as bndl. The name of the band has a somewhat physiological origin. The muscle fibers that maintain the rate of the heart are called the bundle of hiss. They thought it a perfect name for what they envisioned as their band but it ended up that an 80s grunge band had already taken it! Hence, the shortened bndl was born. James would find musical inspiration in all the sounds of the NICU. I have already heard a short series of tones (a gentle reminder or warning when a patient requires the attention of a nurse) that would make an excellent loop. James has given me the gift of hearing the constant hum of the NICU for hours at a time and experience it as music.
James has to endure the doctors and nurses constantly checking if he's still in there when he's less responsive. The doctors perform what I call the "spock pinch" which is pressure applied to his clavicle area while asking him to "open his eyes," "wiggle his toes," and "show two fingers." He does his best to obey their commands and I cannot express what relief I feel when he successfully performs these tasks. He does hear us!
It must be terribly frustrating for James, especially, since he is such a "doer" in his life. On our honeymoon, we did a very traditional holiday in Hana, Hawaii. I thought it would be great to relax, snorkel, lie on the beach but that was not enough for James. He wanted to explore every inch of the island. We had rented a car and he drove us out to the very limits of the roads--until they turned into dirt and you needed four wheel drive to go further. He's a natural explorer of all places and I know, that despite the fact that he is lying still in his bed, he's traveling as much as he can in the inner spaces of his mind.
Love out to all of you and do a bit of exploring today on James's behalf!
Hi Jennie--Thank you for keeping us all in the loop regarding James's journey in the NICU. We are carrying you all in our hearts... Sophie, Vera & Tom
ReplyDeleteJennie, thank you so much for writing. I am thinking of the 3 of you many times every day. Kirsten
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear James is going through this! You all are in our thoughts! Sending love, Holly, Michael & Georgia
ReplyDeleteDear Jennie and Imogen:
ReplyDeleteI too am so sorry to hear James is going through this. I am sending healing thoughts for James’s full recovery - and return to the active life he shares with his family, friends and students who love him dearly -- from here in upstate-land. Thank-you so much for making this blog. xox Leona
Jennie, I am glad that James is still listening to you when you tell him what to do :) it sounds like he is doing some wild traveling in there while all those beeps and buzzes keep track of it all. We read your posts every day and think about you guys constantly. Give James our love. -Deb and Matt
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for strength, peace, and healing. Much love
ReplyDeleteYour entries are beautiful... we’re following James’ progress with more and more hope now. You’ve pulled us all in very close... thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove to you-
Dear Jennie, we are thinking of James, you, and Imogen every day. Thank you for all the beautiful words and photos. Sending all our love, hope, and healing energies, Linda, David & Nikko
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping us informed this way. We're so shocked to hear and are sending our best for continued healing. Go James! Jon, Heidi & Ivan
ReplyDeleteSending James and you all lots of love and healing. Thank you for sharing the updates and images. So many beautiful images and memories. Hoping today and tomorrow's hike in NICU is a much easier stretch and you see the light between the trees. Love to you all.
ReplyDeleteMusic, art, loving people, exploring and experiencing life; James is a master of all and no doubt will feel strength roaring back soon! Jen, we so appreciate you keeping us in the loop at this busy time and enabling us to help share our love and good wishes for James, you, Imogen and your family. We wish you all peace, love and best of health soon. Paula and Bill Hunnicutt
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this journal, Jennie.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to hear about James, this most beautiful and truly inspiring being,
and so important to know, how he's doing.
Sending good, healing vibes, and much love to all of you.
Michael and Lael
Sending lots of love and color. I've been working on a mural project and painting his spirit in every stroke.
ReplyDelete