James Carter Cathcart | Bulbagarden
Good afternoon (NY time) everyone,
I want, first of all, to thank every single person who has visited Jimmy CartingBridge since my last post, even when there were no new posts, pix, or videos. If you're registered with CaringBridge, I know who you are. For the hundreds of you who haven't, thank you for your presence. Seeing the number of visitors speaks volumes to the love and support that each of you has for Jimmy/Carter/JCC, and it is sustaining for me, as well.
I've written rather vaguely over the last month; I can be a bit more specific now because the situation, while still "fluid," has changed a bit. Difficult as this last month has been, we remain hopeful! (GOOD!)
In the wake of the various complications that arose just prior to the completion of the course of curative treatment, the final few sessions are now permanently "on hold." Because of the length of the break in treatment, it is likely that Jimmy will go forward into treatment recovery without those last sessions. At about 1 month out from treatment (which is where we are now) most of the mouth sores are healing well and Jimmy's tongue and roof of mouth are pink again. It's so good to see! But swallowing is still seriously compromised and he will have inflammation and swelling impinging on his airway for some time yet. The possibility of accidental aspiration of secretions is serious and real, and likely has already happened on a couple of occasions.
In light of all of the above, Jimmy continues to be receiving some intensive and extensive out-of-home care. Medically, he is coming along well (GOOD!); emotionally (in what is sometimes called a "brain-wise" manner), he has been struggling from what became actual malnutrition, combined with disease and treatment processes, as well as pain and how this multi-factor situation affects anyone's brain/body system. The medical team has been working very hard to support Jimmy in achieving a place where he is calm enough to rebuild strength, but not so much so that he is too groggy to engage in the PT that he needs in order to come home. This is where medicine is truly art, attunement, and compassion as well as -- maybe even more so -- than science as we know it in the western world.
I am grateful for the real-time support and presence of so many: my pastoral colleagues Arden and Paul, Susan, Anne H, Mike B, Liz M, everyone in our IAA Zoom Reunion family -- and especially our combined set of kids & their partners, most of whom were able to get to NYC for about a week, and one of whom lives locally and comes to be/sit with us as much as she can.
So we continue day by day, moment by moment, resting in your love as a direct manifestation of God's love for all and for all.
Wishing you all peace and light; hold your loved ones close; give thanks for each moment of every day; and watch for gifts of grace that may surprise you, coming in the most unexpected places!
All the best,
Martha
