by ladyhawke » August 13th, 2005, 5:31 am
I can say how truly fortunate we are to have Jim with us.
Yesterday was a good day. Jim sat in a chair for the first time. Additionally, he walked a few steps! They removed the remaining two chest tubes, which was a source of great discomfort. No word on the ENT doctor, regarding the hearing in his right ear. While I was on the phone with Madelon, I could hear the doctor talking, advising them that they will probably start "downsizing" the trach in the next few days. Jim is still unable to talk at this time but is using a dry erase board to communicate. News keeps changing about how long Jim will be in Bethesda. It sounds as if he will spend more recovery time there than I last posted.
More details regarding the condition of his comrades from the humvee and the events from the day of the explosion, some from Jim and some from the other two survivors. Both Cordova and Turner are also in the Naval hospital. My sister had a chance to visit both men and their families. Tuner shared this story with Madelon:
When the humvee exploded, he and Jim were ejected in the same area. As he looked over and saw "the doc", his faced covered in blood, he dragged himself towards Jim. He thought Jim was dead or dying. He said he laid next to Jim because if he was going to die, he wanted to be with him in those last moments. Let me tell you what courage it took for him to crawl towards Jim. Tuner lost an eye, has extremely serious injuries to his arm and severe shrapnel wounds to his legs. Turner was overwhelmed with relief to know Jim was alive. What does it say about the courage, strength and friendship these men share? (Turner was riding in the front of the humvee with Grahm, the soldier that was killed)
The guys have not seen each other yet, all to unstable to move around at this point. I know they are anxious to meet again face to face. Jim had an unexpected visitor yesterday. In to his room hobbled Vic Lewis, another corpsman from Cleveland. Vic was injured a few weeks ago with a leg injury and has been recovering in Bethesda. Madelon said it was a special moment . . . she stepped out of the room allowing them to talk and catch up on their own. I know Jim found great comfort in seeing Vic. There is no way we can understand what these guys have been through and are going through, as they can with each other. I think being with each other is an important part of their recovery.
Also, Jim said that had it not been for his kevlar vest the soldiers have to buy with their own money, $1,000 he doesn't know how bad off he would have been.
Thanks, my dear friends for all your love and support for these guys.