James is hiking through the woods in the NICU. As with all hikes, there are the easy stretches--taking long strides, laughing with companions, hushing to capture a glimpse of a dashing fox or stoic hawk--and then, there are the uphill climbs. James is taking the climb to the top of the hill today, in anticipation of the view.
He's less responsive but still managed to open his eyes for one of the doctors and of course, his expertise at toe-wiggling remains perfect. Chris and Jeff said their au revoirs and caught planes for home. Robert and my mother are holding base camp at the house and will make an delicious dinner for Imogen tonight. They are both ridiculously good cooks.
James's mother, Mary, had a lovely idea that Imogen should create a special get-well painting. Of course, Imogen made a card after his very first night at the hospital. I am keeping it safe in my bag for the moment when he is able to see it. I do think it's an inspired idea though--if everyone made a piece of artwork, music, poetry, dance, favorite food dish--whatever is your medium--and filled it with hope, love and passion, that would help to make James well again. He would like that, with that ego of his that he tries to keep hidden, if an explosion of creativity was released due to him! Even peeling an orange is a work of art if it is done with attention and intention--performance art for James!
The doctors have done their rounds for the day. James is on the same pathway, facing the same obstacles which are those terrible bacteria having a party in his brain. We are hoping the antibiotics and his strong immune system take down this persistent foe. They have positively unmasked the particular villain which is streptococcus but now, they must also identify the specific strain.
An extra monitor was placed on him today which is an EEG that monitors his brain waves. The doctors want to confirm that he his not having seizures. They removed the surgery bandage from his head and he still has that thick hair in place, albeit, with a few modest patches.
I wanted to thank Imogen's teachers at PS34 for their well wishes and a special shout out to Ms. Andrea Kubis for her angels which are keeping watch over James, Imogen and me every day.
James and I had a favorite hike in California on Mt. Tamalpais. The hike started in the mountain valley, weaved it's way through different environments--those thick with ferns, redwoods and running creeks up to golden flat grassland ridge tops striking a contrast to the blue sky--then, back downhill, past wild blackberry bushes to the Pacific's edge at Stinson Beach. I like to think that we are about half-way through the hike, knowing that the ocean is waiting for us.
Love out to you. Hoping for a more responsive James tomorrow morning.
Peace and love,
Jen
He's less responsive but still managed to open his eyes for one of the doctors and of course, his expertise at toe-wiggling remains perfect. Chris and Jeff said their au revoirs and caught planes for home. Robert and my mother are holding base camp at the house and will make an delicious dinner for Imogen tonight. They are both ridiculously good cooks.
James's mother, Mary, had a lovely idea that Imogen should create a special get-well painting. Of course, Imogen made a card after his very first night at the hospital. I am keeping it safe in my bag for the moment when he is able to see it. I do think it's an inspired idea though--if everyone made a piece of artwork, music, poetry, dance, favorite food dish--whatever is your medium--and filled it with hope, love and passion, that would help to make James well again. He would like that, with that ego of his that he tries to keep hidden, if an explosion of creativity was released due to him! Even peeling an orange is a work of art if it is done with attention and intention--performance art for James!
The doctors have done their rounds for the day. James is on the same pathway, facing the same obstacles which are those terrible bacteria having a party in his brain. We are hoping the antibiotics and his strong immune system take down this persistent foe. They have positively unmasked the particular villain which is streptococcus but now, they must also identify the specific strain.
An extra monitor was placed on him today which is an EEG that monitors his brain waves. The doctors want to confirm that he his not having seizures. They removed the surgery bandage from his head and he still has that thick hair in place, albeit, with a few modest patches.
I wanted to thank Imogen's teachers at PS34 for their well wishes and a special shout out to Ms. Andrea Kubis for her angels which are keeping watch over James, Imogen and me every day.
James and I had a favorite hike in California on Mt. Tamalpais. The hike started in the mountain valley, weaved it's way through different environments--those thick with ferns, redwoods and running creeks up to golden flat grassland ridge tops striking a contrast to the blue sky--then, back downhill, past wild blackberry bushes to the Pacific's edge at Stinson Beach. I like to think that we are about half-way through the hike, knowing that the ocean is waiting for us.
Love out to you. Hoping for a more responsive James tomorrow morning.
Peace and love,
Jen
Those Californian hikes in the Redwoods are magical. I swam a mile for James this morning and sent as much positivity and as many healing thoughts his way as possible. Your blogs are beautiful. Thank you for keeping us all informed.
ReplyDeleteI’m heartened to know that he’s been responding.
Big, huge love and hugs to you all.
Amanda xoxo
Thank you, Jennie for this update. It sounds like the doctors are doing their job and that James is surrounded by love. We are all holding James, Imogen and you in our hearts and willing James to recovery. Here’s hoping for more good news tomorrow. With love, Lisa Summa.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. You and James have forever had such a singular relationship. Everyone knows that of course. Using the hike as metaphor is so apt, and it works for the long years of a special relationship like yours, too. XO and love, Ann + Colin.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful description. Operation Orange Peel will be in effect!
ReplyDeleteXo-Angie
We know some of those trails well on Mount Tam and are right next to you rooting you both on. I absolutely LOVE the idea of a multitude of creative energy being unleashed in the name of James’ recovery! I will get right on it tomorrow morning. Much love, Deb and Matt
ReplyDeleteThank you for such an eloquent accounting of the experience. It brings to mind a conversation I had on Tuesday evening with a writer (of some renown) who I was lucky enough to be chatting with, and he was bringing up the idea of surplus beauty in nature. How there some species of birds that are so unnecessarily, over the top- beautiful, moreso than is necessary for the attraction of a mate and continuation of their species, for instance. This is a scientific conundrum. When I got home and read what he'd written in my catalog (I think I was the only person present at the talk to swallow the pride and get a catalog signed) he had written "nothing is too wonderful to be true. " And that's how I feel about you, James, and Imogen, and the incredible community of people who you have brought to you. I am in love with the idea of each of us making a thing of beauty for James, and at that point, there will a surplus of beauty and creative energy. I will begin mine right away. Sending you all love, and of course I am visualizing the healing. Much love, Barbara
ReplyDeleteI sent this post to Arlene to channel her considerable creative energy and I will perform all tasks with mindful awareness to send energy to James. Keeping all of you in our thoughts. Robert & Arlene
ReplyDeleteThat hike! sigh. So beautifully described. What a perfect and poetic metaphor for this journey. We are with you all the way.
ReplyDeleteGlad they have figured out the bacteria and are making progress on that front.
I like the idea of creating something for him, in honor of him. Will do.
Jennie, thanks for these beautiful updates-- we are sending lots of love your way, and are at work on creative projects to help James heal. XO
ReplyDeleteFinally had a chance to read all your posts, Jennie (Rachel Selekman here). Unlike your beautiful words during an immeasurably hard time, I don't know what to say, except that I love that pic of James and Imogen and look forward to his return to health. Strength and fortitude, James. We're all rooting for you.
ReplyDeleteJennie, thank you for your descriptions of this wild & soulful journey. We are all able to be there in the ICU with you & James.,and it's keeping all of us same. Yesterday, before reading your last entry, I imagined James ensconced on a billowy cushion of cloud floating in a cerulean sky as his body , below, is battling this terrible bacteria.
DeleteJen, make sure James has good pain management (pain management division) who must work in tandem with Neurology and Infectious Disease (who should come up with a cocktail of antibiotics specific to knock out the types of bacteria very soon). In my case, I had to monitor this closely ...threaten & cajole coordination amongst these 3 depts.
Mt Tam was one of my favorite places when I lived in Sausalito. There’s a cafe around the top that makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato bisque soup . We are going to a cabin in the snow up in Flagstaff this weekend with our dog , and will build a snowman with Jim in our hearts . Much love - Jules
ReplyDeleteDear James, my love and healing light to you and your family. Sweet Imogen. I have only learned today of the thick forest within which you are wrestling. Aaron was high on a ladder painting the ceiling in the back gallery when he shared with me why you were not here with us this week at The Drawing Center. Beaming you vibrational source energy from the universe-- you are brilliant.
ReplyDeleteMuch much love- may it continue to surround and hold you steady towards complete recovery.
Aimee Good.