From Sanatani:

When she arrived with Jivana in Jatindra's room he looked at her with full recognition and happily said "Oh my God."

Also from New York his sisters Lynn and Kathy were there for the weekend to visit. He often gets into a state of discomfort and squirms around on the bed. He looks thin and week but he still maintains strength and muscle tone. It is hard to tell why he thrashes around so much, pain, uncomfortable, antsy?

When he started squirming while everyone was there, Lynn spoke to him and reminded him of an earlier conversation where they decided that when the pain gets too much he is to meditate on something else and calm himself down. That was how he was going to get better and not by taking more drugs or getting so agitated.

Well it worked, he calmed down and in a very focused way, said "Thank you" and then held her hand and kissed it. Everyone had tears in their eyes after that gesture.

Today he was very conscious and focused, he knew who was with him and tried to talk to them. His voice is very week and it's hard to make out what he's saying a lot of the time. But when Jivana said that she was leaving now he very clearly said "No."
All in all a good visit today.

A saffron envoy

Jatindra was blessed with the association of all of our saffron dignitaries from the Soquel Seva Ashram :
Janardan Maharaj, Parvat Maharaj, Ramai prabhu and our new brahmacari just back from India, Kamal Krsna prabhu.
They brought flowers and tried all kinds of stimulation but he seemed to be in another world. When he saw Ramai, he looked at him and said his name in recognition, he tried to say something to Parvat Majharaj but no one could make out what he was trying to say. The rest of the visit he pretty much non- responsive.

Then later that evening

Divyashakti didi went and she found him more focused. He looked at her and very faintly said "Help, help me. I'm very uncomfortable. Why have you come?"

She told him that he was uncomfortable because of the restraints and the feeding tube. She explained that the restraints were because he kept removing the tube and that was how he was getting his nourishment and that he really needs to learn to swallow. She offered to bring him caranamrta and mashed potatoes ( a favorite) and applesauce.

Then she had the nurses remove the restraints on his arms and loosen the ones on his feet so he could have some movement and she would stay with him. She made sure the pillow stayed in place protecting his injured side of his head and helped him raise his arms over his head giving him some movement. This lasted a little while and then he got too restless and squirmy. She then pushed the nurse button and they restrained him again.

She found him drifting in and out of an awareness of his surroundings. Sometimes focused and sometimes drifting. She wanted to encourage everyone that visits to encourage him to swallow by talking to him about it .

From Lilshakti didi:

Tuesday
Just a quick note, last night Sudarshan Prabhu (he had not even heard about the accident), Divya Shakti Didi, Ananta Rupa and I went for a late visit.
I called the nurses station and they said it was fine to come over (it was almost ten o'clock when I called). The nurse said he had been sleeping, but was awake and a little agitated. They caught him trying to pull the feeding tube out again that morning, so now it his taped up over his forhead and around the back of his head...

Jatindra was very excited to see Sudarshan! He also seemed a little embarrassed. Divya had visited him earlier that day and brought a bouquet of balloons. He seemed to enjoy those.

Divya was telling Jatindra that he needed to learn to swallow "tomorrow is Ekadasi - and I am going to make mashed potatoes - I know you love my mashed potatoes". He shook his head and said "YES!"

He kept trying to talk, but the sentences were not complete enough to understand.

Divya was holding his hand and telling him how much progress he has been making, and he drifted peacefully off to sleep.

Also, do you think it would be possible for visitors to bring a prasadam garland and/or flowers that have been on the altar? Sudarshan commented on how stark the room was - maybe that would brighten things up - he does have the picture of the Pancha Tattva and now the balloons..

Encouraging words from Goswami Maharaj:

I must admit that I am somewhat astonished and overwhelmed by the outpouring of affectionate care Jatindra Mohan Prabhu is receiving from all of the devotees.

Sometimes horrendous circumstances bring the most incredible good fortune to the surface. We hear from Srila Guru Maharaja that even Srila Saraswati Thakur used to say of his disciples,
"vipada uddharana bandhuâ gana":
"Oh my friends, who can give me relief from danger."
Jatindra Mohan Prabhu is discovering how many wonderful, lifesaving friends he has in the devotees.

From Lilashakti didi and Anantarupa prabhu

When Lilashakti arrived he was just returning from physical therapy. They had him help himself move in the wheelchair. He was able to move the wheels himself, the left arm was stronger than the right. At the entrance to his room the Physical Therapist helped him walk to his bed by guiding him walking backwards like a dance. He was able to get to his bed this way.

Lilashakti told him Parvat Maharaj was coming soon to visit and he said "Parvat?"

Then he looked at her and said that he had to pee. Surprised, she told the nurses and they came and helped him. This was a major milestone recognizing the sensation, articulating it, getting help and then executing the task.

He is not ready for rehab yet and has a way to go before that but there is concern about him. The staff is encouraging visitors. Stimulation is good for him, the more the better. So everyone is encouraged to visit as you are able. Even if it is once a month it will be of great benefit to him

From Lilashakti and Anantarupa

Friday
When they got to Jatindra's room he had pulled out his feeding tube and was rubbing his head where the surgery was. Apparently the nurses gave him too much freedom of movement and he took advantage. It seemed to have happened in a very short period of time. After the nurses were notified they proceeded to clean him up and change him etc.

The nurses said that he is definately improving. Anantarupa said that he recognized them. He gave Lilashakti a smile, then Anantarupa a frown and when Ramai's name was mentioned another smile so he's gaining more control of his facial expressions :0)

From Ramai:

Thursday
Swaranangii took me to see Jatindra Mohan today. When we arrived she said "Look who's here Jatindra, it's Ramai!" His eyes opened wide and for that brief moment I'm sure he recognized me. I don't know how long that lasted but he did try to sit up in his bed and such. He looked around and moved about nervously. Then he gradually drifted into sleeping. The nurse came in and gave him some kind of juice. Later a man came in and asked me if Jatindra had a helmet and something like an"IV" I pointed to a helmet on the counter top under the television.

During this time I read from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, His life and precepts by Bhaktivinoda Thakur. How much he heard on this level I don't know but some where I'm sure he was relishing the words of Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Come to think of it how much was I understanding while I was reading? But again on some level we both must have been so happy to be sharing the "Gaura Katha" Soon a social worker came in and asked if he was a normal person before the accident and able to participate in the services at the temple and all. She recognized me as a "Hare Krsna" and is happy to see devotees come.

Soon the man returned to change Jatindra Mohan's clothes so I excused myself and came back to Soquel for the noon arati.

From Rasangi

Monday

Murali Mohan and I went to see Jatindra today and he seemed to light up when he saw Murali. They go way back and are good friends. He is thrashing around and was tethered to the bed for his own safety. Murali read to him out of Reality The Beautiful and preached to the nurses. They were very receptive and one of them said her nephew is a somewhat of a devotee! I'm really glad we went. It is such a wakeup call for all of us. This life is really precious and we have no idea what is coming next for any of us. I am blown away by all of the love and devotion being shown to Jatindra. He is fortunate indeed.
Hari Bol
Rasangi

From Lilashakti Didi and Anantarupa Prabhu:

Jatindra was really really restless today. So much so that his feet kept sliding off the end of the bed. He is so tall that his movements cause him to slip and it's not far until he's off the end. They asked the nurses to lower the bed and he seemed to relax. He did not seem to be in a lot of pain today, but not comfortable. The nurses said that if any of the visitors notice that he needs something to push the nurses call button or go to the nurses station. As per Parvat Maharaj's request they brought a fan for Jatindra and he seemed to enjoy that. He responded to requests to squeeze my hand etc.They are getting him up and walking.

He had several visitors today. They do not seem to be as strict in this ward as far as visiting hours go. If you get there by 8 they don't seem to mind if you stay a little later.

From Kumkum didi

Sunday

I got to see Jatindra Mohan Prabhu this evening for about a half hour. He was sleeping when I went around 6:30 and the nurse said that a while before, she'd given him something to help him relax, because he is so agitated when he's fully conscious that he sweats profusely. About 4 times, he did open his eyes and looked almost at me as I told him who I was, said "Hare Krishna, Srila Gurudev is coming", etc. He didn't acknowledge knowing me at all, but it seemed the reason for that was because of grogginess, like any sleepy person.

The nurse, Alice, also told me that a physical therapist works with him each morning, trying to get him to at least stand with a walker. She thinks that he does get to standing, with full support on each side, but can't say whether he seems aware of what he's doing because she isn't present for the sessions.

I read Chapter 9 of Sri Gita, and felt very grateful for his reminding us of the value and omnipresence of our guardians' mercy.

Encouraging words from Dr Pusta Krishna

A most encouraging report. The devotees visiting him are all very loving and kind, and that is the best medicine anyone can hope for at this point.
Pusta Krishna das

Several reports from Friday and Saturday

Friday July 13
From Jagandananda and Madhumati:

DANDAVATS, we had a good visit with Jatindra Mohan Prabhu and felt very hopeful for his recovery.He seemed very happy and surprised. Divyashakti DiDi was also there and her positive spiritual energy was very enlivening to him as always. She is one of his regular visitors,always trying to give Gurudeva's affection and mercy! He answers some questions with the nodding of his head and the squeezing of his hand. He seemed to understand some of what we were saying because he answered us with his eyebrows, hand squeezes or nodding yes or no some of the time. He was able to hold the Bhagavad-gita for some time in his hand and was looking at it.We read Gita and chanted and he seemed to understand. He seemed frustrated at not being able to talk and when the doctor came in he said the brain injury was in his speech center so his speech is affected, but he did try to talk and form words.The doctor said this was the best he had seen him and was very positive.He asked what we called him ,then the Dr. started to call him Jatindra, and was happy to hear his real name. And said "No wonder he hasn't been responding to me!" The nurse said his prognosis was good. He seemed grateful and cheered by our visit and We are hoping everybody can visit regularly so he feels your love and support, and has some company.
Jagadananda Das and Madhu Mati Devi Dasi

Later that day:
Lilashakti didi and Anantarupa prabhu went in the evening and were happily surprised to see that he was being moved out of ICU. He is now in the main building room M4M 107. That's the main building , 4th floor, room 107.

He is still receiving his blood pressure medicine, a feeding tube through which they are giving him Ensure, a catheter and they have reduced the amount of fluids that he is receiving intravenously.

They stayed until after 10 pm to see him settled in his new room and then went home.

July 14
Well I finally got to go see him today. That hospital is a maze. I think I parked in the farthest possible spot available. I ended up walking past all the back service entrances and finally found a person who directed me through emergency to the main hospital building. I took the wrong elevator and wandered some more and finally found another person who showed me where his room was. Just so you don't make the same mistake I did here's some directions:

Here is how to get to the online map of the hospital campus(the address for the map itself was way too long to copy and paste, half of it got lost when I uploaded it):
Go to
http://www.scvmed.org/portal/site/vmc/
Then
Go to Contact us on the left
Then scroll down to maps and directions click there,
Scroll down until you see campus map. There is an option to download this map if you like underneath it.
Anyway you want to go around the back of the main building park there and go through the lobby. Look for M1 elevator and go to the 4th floor. (Neuro Observation I think) room 107 . Take two rights and ask for room 107.
Please correct me if these instructions are not quite right.

Anyway he was awake when I got there. He seemed to recognize me. He was sweating a lot today and they had just changed his sheets and clothes before I got there to make him more comfortable. He cannot talk yet. They are trying to get him to swallow still but he chokes a little so he is still being fed with a feeding tube. He was very active tried to sit up several times and tried to rip off his restraints but that is why they have him restrained. The nurse gave him something to calm him down and for pain because he was grimacing earlier. I read two chapters of Bhagavad Gita to him. He calmed down and by the time I was finished he was sleeping peacefully.

Swarnangii

From Diksavati

I just had a very good visit with our Jatindra Mohan Prabhu. I had a clown gig in Menlo Park today so I decided since I was all dressed up silly I should pop in for a little tea and biscuits. He was sleeping soundly when I got there, but then a nurse wanted to wake him and try to stimulate his brain. He was awake to some extent and looking at me a lot. I talked to him face to face and very loudly. He did hear me. He cried a few times.(that was hard) I kept encouraging him that he was getting better and that we were all routing for him. I also told him Srila Govinda Maharaj would be coming soon. (I hope) He stared at me alot and even tried to talk, but couldn't. He kept putting his hand up to his head as to say, hey does anyone have a Tylenol. My head is killing me. He is no longer being sedated so I'm sure he's experiencing a lot of pain. He had a few ice chips and even a few spoonfuls of apple sauce. The nurse would put her hand on his throat to feel if he could swallow. She had to tell him to swallow and he did so. Good Sign!

The nurses told me he has a long way to go, but that he is showing some signs of improvement. They're still waiting for his brain to click on. The nurse said he gets frustrated cause he can't talk. But today she asked him to say Hi. He tried, but just a little ugh sound came out. But she said that was good. He found his voice. The nurse said he was up all night looking out the window and fussing with his straps and nose tube. Now they're trying to get him back on a normal sleeping schedule again.

I didn't see a lot of tubes so I asked the nurse. He gets some oxygen and feeding tubes, but he's almost on his own. I read to him from Golden Reflections and he liked that very much. I chanted to him also. The nurses asked me questions about him. Was he working, what did he do at the temple, how did he maintain himself, etc. I just told her I didn't know so much of those things, but that he was very loved at our temple. I think less is better. I felt very happy to see our old friend again and I feel very hopeful that he will be back to his funny, kidding and dedicated self.
Jatendra Mohan prabhu, Ki Jai!!!!!

From Divyashakti didi and Parvat Maharaj

Yesterday, Divyashakti didi went around 1 pm. He was awake and very active. She held his hand and told him to squeeze it if he recognized her. He squeezed hard but she's not sure if he just wanted to do that or he actually recognized her.

She noticed his head was throbbing which concerned her so she asked the nurse who said that they actually had to remove part of his skull to allow for the swelling in the brain, the removed portion is refrigerated and will be replaced at some future time.

She read the tenth chapter of Srimad Bhagavad Gita and sang Yasomati Nandana. She stayed for about an hour, singing, reading and giving as much comfort as she could.

Parvat Maharaj went to visit him around 4 pm but Jatindra was worn out and sleeping so Maharaj was asked not to disturb his rest.

Jivana didi also went around 8pm and read Chapters 8 and 9 Bhagavad Gita

From Madhumati didi and her son Ramananda prabhu:

The biggest change is they removed the intubation tube and he is now on a cpap machine which lets him breathe for himself and if he stops the machine kicks in to help. They have two tubes inserted through his nose and they shoot air if needed.
He is mostly breathing on his own.

He was awake and moving , listening and very active. They have him restrained because he is so active they are afraid he'll fall out of bed. He would follow their voices as they moved around the room or read two chapters of Bhagavad Gita. He had a puzzled look on his face and we can only guess what he is thinking. He doesn't yet respond to commands so well, although he was very antsy and the nurse told him to relax and he did.

If he continues to breathe on his own they will reduce his sedation medication, they do not know how long that will take.

His temperature was elevated slightly but no fever.

From Lynn, his sister

I just called the hospital and the nurse told me that John is no longer heavily medicated. He still does not respond to commands. His fever is erratic. I asked if there was an infection, but she didn't know.

From Anantarupa prabhu and Lilashakti didi:

All Glories to Sri Sri Guru & Gauranga!


Ananta Rupa and I visited with Jatindra last night. When we arrived
they were busy "cleaning him up" and asked us to come back in about 15
minutes. We spoke at great length to Rachid who was on duty. He
explained the milestones they are looking for in a neurological
recovery.

The first thing they look for is involuntary movement - Jatindra has
been displaying this for some time.

Next they look for response to stimulus (usually pain) - Jatindra does
not like to have his nail beds pinched hard! This also includes some
voluntary movement.

Next they look for tracking - responding to sounds by turning his head
and opening his eyes - Wow! last night we called his name loudly and he
opened his eyes and actually LOOKED at us! His eyes were focusing. He
also looked around the room with a very puzzled expression. We
explained where he was. When we moved to the right side of the bed and
called his name - he purposefully turned his head towards us and opened
his eyes again. Rachid explained that it was good for visitors to move
from one side of the bed to the other to help stimulate the tracking.
He also said it was good to ask Jatindra questions - even though he
cannot answer while still intubated. He said this will help the brain
start "digging" through the memory to search for information.

Next they look for response to commands. So far Jatindra has displayed
his stubborn streak and does not respond much. Rachid seems optimistic
about his progress - it is still very early in his recovery. When you
visit, you can ask him to move his arm or wiggle his toes.

Rachid also mentioned that they do not disturb Jatindra's "rest" to
check his responses or vital signs. They will wait until he seems a
little restless and moving around. This allows him to get the rest he
needs. He did say when visiting it is okay to talk, chant or read even
if he seems asleep, but it is best to try to engage him in responses
when he is a little active.

He is still being given CPAP - constant positive air pressure - to help
his lungs work properly and prevent fluid build up. Once he starts to
respond to commands, they will discuss extubation.

They do have him restrained, both arms, legs and a chest strap - mostly
for his safety - and to prevent him from pulling on any tubes.

It was a very encouraging visit and we stayed until 8:45 (because we
had to wait to get in to see him:) We also read Chapter 5 from the
Bhagavad Gita.

From Sanatani

Called this morning. His temperature is a bit elevated but not a fever, they took away the ice blanket. The chest tube is out, but he is still on the ventilator. Otherwise there is still some movement much the same in that area.

From Lilashakti did and Anantarupa prabhu:

Sunday afternoon
Fever is back, they are watching it carefully and have him on an ice blanket. Kind of like a huge gel pack that they can control the temperature. They have removed the bandages around his head and one more tube has been removed. The chest tube is still in place but they are not using it . He is still intubated and they would like to remove it but they do not see when that will happen however.
He is still twitching and opening his eyes sporadically but not responsively.
The nurses really encourage visitors. They even said that we can talk or read a little louder now. It is really good for him and they are really happy when people come.

From Sanatani:

Saturday am
Not really any change. He is still moving sporadically but not on command.
His fever is still gone and that is good news.
His sedation is still the same level, half of what is was in the beginning and his lungs are the same.

From Sanatani:

2pm
Small news. His fever is gone, no ice or fan. Sedation is the same and all other conditions are the same.

From Ananta Rupa prabhu , Lilashakti didi and Devapriya didi :

They inserted a filter in the vena cava (the chest cavity.) Blood from the legs goes to the lungs to be re-oxygenated; this filter is to prevent any clots that may develop in the legs due to his immobility, from reaching the lungs, heart or brain.

There is still a tube in his chest that was used to inflate his lung but they are no longer using it to remove fluid from his lung.

He is still intubated and they want to remove it soon but they need to test and see if he can still breathe on his own.

He seemed agitated and was moving a lot. He still moves his left arm and leg. He can move his right side but doesn't and they don't know why. The nurse pinched him on his right hand and he definitely reacted. They are restraining him because he keeps trying to rip out his tubes.

He has a 102 fever and they have ice bags around him to cool him. He doesn't seem to like that and that may be why he was so active, he may have been trying to move away from the ice. The nurse said that his fever had gone down though. They do not know what is causing the fever.

He is still sedated but not as heavily. He opens his eyes but doesn't focus them although he is reactive. They are keeping him sedated to keep the inter cranial pressure down, allowing the brain to heal. They want the brain to stay relaxed.

They are really happy that people are visiting him. They say that reading or talking is really good for him. Just not to over stimulate him. He can hear and some movement is a reaction to who is around him. He is taking drugs that will prevent him from remembering these visits though.

From Sanatani:

Just got off the phone with the nurse. There is no change but he continues to open his eyes at random times and lift his left hand. He doesn't track with his eyes but opens them at his own will.
His blood pressure remains stable and that is a very good sign.

more from Santani and Swarnangii

From Sanatani:
He is continuing to move areas of one side and they are very happy about this, good news!
The neurosurgeon is considering taking one of the brain catheters out soon,his swelling gets measured and not yet but soon they feel they can take one out, more good news.
In the last 48 hours they have seen visible improvements. The MRI was also to check his cervical spine area (the top of the spine to the neck) and although he has a neck brace on, they felt the MRI was good news.

From Swarnangii:
I talked to Officer Valdez, who filed the accident report. He said that there were no witnesses and no signs of another vehicle being involved. He did notice a dip beside the road and a scrape on the pavement which matched a scratch on the pedal of his bike. He thinks that he might have gone through that dip and his pedal hit the pavement and that caused him to fall.

From Sanatani

Just called and there is no change. He is completely off blood pressure medicine though and holding. Still classified as "critically stable".

Note from Pusta Krishna prabhu

Encouraging sign, to raise left hand. 
Right side of brain controls left side of body. 
Hare Krishna.
                                                                  
                            Pusta Krishna das

From Ramai prabhu

Dandavat pranams
This evening (Saturday) when Parvat Maharaja and I visited him, Jatindra opened his eyes, it's doubtful he saw us, and also raised his LEFT hand. The nurse said that was a very good sign since he hadn't done any of those things yet. We were only there fifteen or twenty minutes but he opened his eyes several times and at least twice raised his LEFT hand.