A Steady Climb

Jordan has both his hands in front of his face; he stares at them for a moment as if deciding what they might be used for and then lowers the right hand to his mouth.  Moments later he bats away the nurses hand as she tries to put drops in his eyes.

Like yesterday, Jordan is awake and aware--perhaps too much so today as several of his medications keep him from sleeping.  Instead he watches and plays and pulls at every chord he can find, from his heart monitors to the IV in his head.  At one point last week the nurses gave up and pulled his head IV out saying, "either we do it or he will."  His downward turn required them to put the IV back in, however, and Jordan seems to like the challenge.  

With no ability to hear or speak, Jordan continues to communicate with his eyes and today his eyes are thoughtful and even playful.  As I stand next to him, he moves his gaze between me and the fish, turtle, star, and blue octopus that are circling above him.  It is good to see him doing so well.

Breathing in the moment, I can't help but wonder how long this will last and hoping this is less of a "peak" than the beginning to a steady climb.  Jordan still has a waiting game with his body and still needs to get his kidneys and lungs cooperating.  Next week the doctors will try Jordan on hemodialysis a few hours a day to see if his body can handle it.  From how he looks today, I think it can.