I was out of town during the week last week and didn't get out to see Ron until Saturday 8/30. He was wide awake watching CNN, a program about JFK and Lee Harvey Oswald. He was mumbling a bunch of things about the government. I was surprised to see that he no longer really mumbles quietly. I can catch most of what he is saying, however much of it is not accurate information (this was hard to catch in the beginning because he couldn't talk well).
My aunt Joyce and cousin Stacie went to see him during the week while I was gone and texted me a report of how the visit went. "Ron thinks it is 1995, he is still confused about many things."
I ask Ron lots of questions while I visit him. He too told me it was 1995, and that the month was August. He also told me that he was 18. I like to joke with Ron, as it makes the situation a little easier for me to handle. I joked with him that if he is 18, that makes me 20!
He talked more about his cravings, for tobacco etc. I told him that he had quit everything before his accident (I lied), and it shouldn't be a problem. "Don't you remember that you quit all of that?" He said "yes" (thanks Diane for the awesome advice!).
I took Randi and Joe (my daughter and son-in-law) with me this visit. I have been going by myself and I usually cry on my drive home. It was nice to have them to talk to and keep me in high spirits.
While watching the program on CNN, his thoughts were deep into those events. He told me I needed to go "bomb" everyone. I replied that I don't really want to be in prison the rest of my life. He talked of some aliens that were the size of our dad. Hmmmm. Interestingly enough, he knew exactly how long it had been since Jim, my brother visited him and my aunt Joyce and Stacie had been there 2-3 days ago. A week before I had visited Ron, Jim thought Ron was about 50/50 as far as his cognitive ability. After my visit on Saturday, I would asses more like 25/75. He knows about 25% of what is going on, 75% no clue. I asked him how many kids I have, he responded "a lot" and could not remember any of their names. However on another visit, he did remember that Randi was married and asked me what her last name was.
Good news on his body, he was lifting his right leg up into the air! he could move that leg as well as right arm in the beginning, mostly wiggling and sliding. Those had improved a bunch. Also, he was able to barely move his left hand and arm, which I have not seen him do at all! Good Job Ron!!! I had a conversation with his nurse the prior week and the nurse mentioned that his body was in great shape because of the bike riding he was doing prior to the accident. I think this is what made his organs and body get through the accident better than expected.
He bites off his mitten that is placed on his left arm to keep him from picking scabs and pulling at things he shouldn't be! Silly Ron. When we arrived he had the mitten off, and pulled off his catheter he he. The nurses said that he does that all the time! It's that rebellious sole that makes Ron who he is.
Jim was informed while I was away that Ron would be moved from the specialty hospital in Provo on Sept. 15. We have to figure out where he will be going next, otherwise he will be put in an adult care facility where they will feed him and take care of his basic needs. Nothing more than that. It will now be our responsibility to find a care center with intense physical therapy. I will be searching and working with the case worker at the specialty hospital the next two weeks to find the best place for Ron.
When we said goodbye to Ron, he waved and gave us the "hang loose" sign with his right hand. "See you next time Ron, I love you!!"
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