JOHN IS TALKING!
John was placed on his trac collar first thing this morning and soon after I arrived, the RT put the speaking cap on it. John's voice came out loud and clear! It was so amazing. He told each of the kids on the phone that he loved them - me, too, several times!
John's facial muscles still don't fully function and he is having to learn to speak all over again - really work on enunciation using his lips and tongue, but the therapists have plans. The Speech Therapist also gave him small bites of raspberry sherbet to test the swallowing. He loved it - the first thing he's swallowed since Nov. 2! Drinking water from a cup or sipping from a straw did not go so well.
John continued with the trac collar for 5 hours this morning and 4 this afternoon/evening - all with the speaking cap. He just loved saying hello to people and really thanking them for his excellent care. He also had an incredibly strenuous OT/PT workout again - followed by another PT putting him through exercises with his legs. All this was while sitting in the chair. It was an exhilarating and exhausting day. The returning nerve growth is quite painful, so I hope he can get a good night's sleep because there will be more work to do tomorrow.
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