Small Signs of Progress

When there are a long series of experiences that build hope and then squash it again and this happens over and over there is a tendency to look for small signs of progress, reasons to keep hoping, reasons to keep trying, reasons not to give in to discouragement or fear or pain or suffering. Today was such a day!

This afternoon and this evening there were some of those "small signs of progress." The first was when Tolan arrived from work. Jodi responded immediatley to his presence. See the picture below. Tolan is, as most of you know, a little bit crazy. He thought Jodi would be better off if he jumped onto the hospital bed to keep her company. He did! She said, "Wait! Wait! WAIT!!! You are on my IV's!" That got fixed and then she said, "Wait! Wait! WAIT!!! You are squishing me!" That got fixed then she said, "That's good!" That is when I snapped the picture.

The next was Jodi asking Tolan and me (her Dad) for another blessing. It was beautiful and encouraging. Tolan was the mouthpiece and spoke under inspiration.

The next was Jodi saying she was hungry...even though she wanted to be very cautious given all the nausea and vomiting of the past several days. She's now had two cans of Ensure, some fresh raspberries, some grape juice, some apple sauce, some water, and some Rachel's Exotic Cherry and Black Currant yogurt. Not a lot, but she's kept it all down. She has had enough to drink that they are going to take her off of the IV, because they think she is hydrating herself sufficiently.

The next was the willingness to try to go to the bathroom...that is to get up out of bed and walk (for the first time in a week). She did. It hurt her head and she was a little dizzy, but she did it and she was glad she did.

The next was when Jodi wanted me to read the comments that had been posted to the blog since yesterday. I read them all to her...dozens...trying as best I could to imagine the way the authors might have wanted to say the words themselves if they had been standing next to Jodi. She smiled. She laughed. She cried good tears. Then she said, "This is always the best part of my day...hearing the comments from the blog! I love these people, even the ones I don't know! It's all so amazing!"

The next was Jodi saying, "I think I need to rest. I need to sleep." That's what she has been doing for several hours now...peaceful sleep...not like the past several days where the expression on her face was one of pain...but rather a look of peaceful, quiet, comfortable sleep. We pray she enjoys that type of sleep through the night.

So yes, with the many ups and downs, we look for small signs of progress and they are there. We are grateful! We continue to be grateful that each of you have been, for so long, part of those signs of progress. You see, it is true. Hearing what you say is the favorite part of each day! Thank you again...from Jodi, from Tolan, from all of us!

Tolan keeping Jodi company and Jodi loving it!