8/17 More conversation, reading, jokes and angst

Speech therapist holds up name tag
S.T. What does this say?
C: Katherine
S.T. (places plastic cup in his hand) What's this?
C: Cuh cuh cuh cup.
Auburn: It's a good thing you got that doctorate
Chuck breaks up laughing

Auburn holds up meditation books
A: What does this say?
C: Yeesus Calling
A: What does this say?
C: Upper Room
A: What does this say?
C: The Best American Short Stories
A: Dude, you can read. That makes me pretty damn happy.
Chuck beams.

A: Where did you got to college
C: Fredonia
A: Who am I
C: Auburn
A: How old am I?
C: 25 (I laugh)
A: Oh yeah?
C: You like that?
A: Yeah that's all right. How old are you?
C: 25
A: Nope. Wrong. Seventeen.
C: Seventeen
I hold up a picture of Lauren and Allie
A: Who is this?
C: My little daughters
Hold up picture of Lauren in dancing outfit
C: That's Lauren
I hold up picture of brother Bill as a child
C: Billie
Hold up sister Rebecca
C: Reh reh reh
S.T. Is that Becky?
C: Yes
S.T. Say "Becky" and use your lips
C: Becky

C: Suh Suh Reh Reh Reh Files
A: I didn't understand
C: Suh Reh Files
A: Files?
C: I want reh buh suh buh
A: I can't understand you sweetheart. Use your lips.
C: (look of concern and agitation)
A: Chuck, don't worry.
C: Don't tell me that
A: Okay. Worry if you want to but I don't recommend it. Do you know where you are?
C: When reh reh reh home?
A: In a few weeks.
C: I want reh reh home.
C: Home.
A: Do you know where you are?
C: (Troubled look.)
A: We're in Barberton
Chuck continues to look troubled.
A: Okay. You can be sad if you want to be but only for 20 seconds, okay.
C: Okay.
A: It's okay. But you're going to be well. It's going to take a few months.
I hold up picture of Shelley and Stacey
C: Shelley and Stacey
Picture of Mandela
A: Who is that?
C: (very clearly) Mandela
A: What school does he go to
C: Findlay (in picture M is wearing Findlay jersey)
A: Who's the preacher in Steinbeck who says "I ain't a preacher no more."
C: (Thinks it over)
A: Casey. Do you remember.
C: Yes, I remember
Holding up picture of us on Glendale
A: Where was this picture taken?
C: Parents
A: What are our parents' names?
C: Honey and Bob
A: Bob?!
Chuck laughs for a full 20 seconds
A: Okay. Honey and Bob. Dad will love that. (Bob who?)
A: Who is Honey?
C: My wife.
A: No she's not, I'm your wife.
C: (disappointed?) Oh, not my wife.
A: Who is your favorite band (I hum "Color my World")
C: Chicago
A: What instrument do you play?
C: Trombone
A: What's your mother's name?
No answer
A: Where were you born?
No answer
A: Is it boring answering all these questions?
C: Yes
A: Do you want me to stop?
C: Yes

There were "why" questions and other statements I couldn't decipher and he said his throat hurt but that talking did NOT hurt. He woke up the second I left at 1:30 am last night and stayed up all night. Didn't sleep until 8 or so in the morning (Either he gets a night's sleep or I do) so this interferes with his mood and his tolerance for therapy. He's dead tired.

More unnecessary delays on the trach (wrong size cap; no cap to be found; fenestrated canula idea abandoned for unknown reason; no answers; no action) and some conversation about moving on to rehab this week.

I'm going back now for physical therapy. We'll have to wake him up again. More later.