Until Then. . .

Since the fall and subsequent surgery on 8/9 July, Paul has worn a collar to stabilize his upper spine. The neurosurgeon who performed the surgery allowed its removal on Monday. The new motion will bring with it muscle ache, but Paul seems more perturbed when you ask him how his neck is feeling than he does by the muscle ache. At that appointment on Monday, the neurosurgeon told Paul that he might find gradual signs of improvement in feeling and motion over the next two years, or so. With that hope in mind, Paul continues his two sessions of physical therapy each day, and he says the sessions are the most challenging yet.

It seems unfair to mention my phone conversations with Paul when so many who care about him are longing to connect. That longing through messages and letters is palpable, if not explicit. What you should know is that Paul’s social worker is working on it. As it is, Paul has to have staff or visitors hold the phone. His breathing continues to be shallow, so conversations are work for him. Lately, his spirits don’t lend themselves to phone chat. Lighting the spark that encourages him to talk can be difficult. Often, the spark does not happen. When it does, it might be the result of a beautiful letter read to him, the news of a particularly good Indians game (last nights rout over the Orioles will give him glee), or hearing that Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews may have been demoted. (That last one really got his goat.) Part of Paul’s therapy and something that seems to give him hope is the reconnecting with the people he loves. So he will begin to reconnect when he can. Until then. . .