He's back!

Well this may be the last update of this kind. I went down to the temple tonight and who drove up with Divyashakti but our very own Jatindra Mohan prabhu! Wearing a knit hat he is looking very thin but his face is free from anxiety and he is feeling very grateful to be back. He has a kind of glow about him.
Come and visit him when you can. He's in the brahmacari ashram and tomorrow is Baladev's Appearance Day.

Thank you all for your support of this e newsletter and your prayers and good wishes for our godbrother.

Swarnangii

From Lynn

Good afternoon,
Yes, he has said this many times over during our last few conversations. Although my way of nature is somewhat different from Jatindra's (John to me), they are very much alike. It warmed my spirit when John said,"Now I see what you mean. Life has challenges and we have to just face them and not let them make us feel bad". This is an insight that I have prayed for him to have. All things in life happen for reasons unknown to us at the time they occur. As I have said before, this challenge has occurred to teach us all something we needed to learn. I love my brother and would never wish harm come to him but since I was first notified I believed that he would come through. I just never realized how quickly and how much!! I know in my heart that his purpose has only begun. He has been given the grace by with to go forth, and I believe he will do so with love and devotion.
I am going to call the hospital now to see if I can find out his status. If I find anything out, I will write.
Be well.
Lynn

From Ramai:

Friday night:

Lilashakti and Anantarupa came and took me to see Jatindra Mohan this evening.
Lord Above! He's his old self once again. He spoke of life and how his had changed because of this. He seems to have made some major adjustments. He says, and seems to really have, become able to develop a healthy portion of humility and tolerance. He says he knows who his friends are now and that the outside world has always been a problem for him and he just wants to forget it now and do whatever little service he can. No longer saying to himself "what could Krsna want from me?" but just offering whatever he can. He feels like now he can raise his arms in kirtan without reservation. He demonstrated as he told me and quoted "sarva dharma parityaja mam ekam saranam vaja aham tvam eva papebhyo moksayisyami ma suchah" "Even if I don't understand all the words at least I can understand through my service what that means"

Surgery today

From Lilashakti:

Jatindra is having trouble with his phone.
His phone number is 408 793 4475 but the calls don't always go through.
His room number is 4K115A
The nurses station phone number is 408 885 5000. If you can't get through on the other number call this one ask the nurses to put the call through and let him know that a call is coming in for him.

He is scheduled for surgery after 2 p.m. today. He is nervous and is would be good for as many people as possible to call or visit him.

He is currently self sufficient, can manage all bodily functions by himself. He is off all medication except blood pressure. His voice is strong and yet soft. They have not released him yet because of his skull flap and after the replacement surgery today he may be released as soon as 4 days from now if there are no complications!

Another update from Lynn

Update: The number below is no longer useful. At this time there is no new number. He is in a different room so one would need to ask admissions for his new room. He is currently being prepared for his surgery. It will take place mid to late afternoon on Friday. He is scheduled to be released approximately 4 days afterward.

A request from Lynn

I have just finished speaking to Jatindra. His new but temporary number is:408-793-4475. He is very, very nervous about his surgery and needs emotional support. His recovery to date has been astounding and he has been strong, but now needs someone near him. I checked the cost of a flight out there and it is just not possible to book one on short notice. The fares are unbelievable.
Please, if at all possible please someone visit with him tomorrow and offer him strength. If this is not possible, please call him.
Thank you.
Lynn

From Lynn

Good morning Everyone,

In my last update I mentioned that my brother, John, was recovering quickly and my belief was that this recovery would continue. At the time of that message I had no idea just how quickly John (Jatindra) would improve. Well folks, I had a 2 hour conversation with him last night! As mere words will never be sufficient to express my gratitude to those who visited him and prayed for him, there are no words that will express how my spirit soared while speaking with my brother. Although there are times when words do not readily come to him, he knows what it is he wishes to say and will try to re-phrase. As I write this I think of our conversation and it brings a smile to my face.

John has told me that the next step is to re-attach his bone flap. As he spoke of this procedure, he expressed that fact that he was nervous about it, but knows that he will be fine and I know he will be too.

Thank you all for your thoughts and continued prayer.

Lynn

Lots of visitors

Many people have gone to see Jatindra over the last few days all with good reports. He has been very coherant, very humble, introspective and apologetic. He is much more aware of his surroundings and circumstances, but he still suffers form short term memory loss.
He's been calling Divyashakti almost everyday! He really wants to leave the hospital and return to the ashram. He's pleading for that opportunity. He requested his japa beads which Divya took to him yesterday. Everyone who has gone to see him has been happily surprised to see his rapid improvement.

From Sanatani and Jivana:

We visited him on Saturday and were astonished at his progress. He was very coherent - no real short-term memory, but he was aware that he didn't have it; and greeted everyone and pointed out to the nurse how long he had known us ... He had had a pretty bad day, feeling very depressed, and cheered up considerably with the company (Sanatani, Auntie, Neela, Tink, then Kumkum, Anantarupa, Lilashakti)

From Lilashakti didi and Anantarupa prabhu:

A short but informative visit today. They took him for a walk, he was tired so they cut it short and took him back to rest.

The nurses took out his feeding tube today and gave him soft foodstuffs like applesauce and he did well with that but he aspirates a little with water. Sooooo a new smaller tube will go in much to his dislike and they will reevaluate on Monday. They do not have a speech therapist on the weekends to help with all of his swallowing stuff etc, so he has to go through this again for the weekend.

The therapists are working on getting him physically strong. Besides getting more physically fit and he also has trouble with his short term memory. When he can function pretty much self sufficiently , without assistance, they will discharge him from this rehab unit and check him back into the surgery unit to replace the skull flap. Then they will discharge him! They do not know how long this will take to get to that point.

He is very anxious to come back to the ashram. He never wants to leave again and just wants to attend the programs and hear, chant and do his service.
He feels sad that he cannot offer his dandavats.

He is getting better and looks forward to seeing the devotees who visit so if you can go and see him.

From his sister, Lynn,

To All,
I wish to thank all of those who remembered my brother in their thoughts and prayers. There were many denominations from around the world praying for him. It is my belief that it is these prayers that have provided the strength for my brothers healing. Please continue to remember him. We thank you all so very, very much.

I would like to share with you the recent good news that I have received concerning my brother John.
He is currently showing great progress. He has been placed in the Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center in San Jose, California. This site is equipped with the therapeutic staff John will require to continue progressing neurologically. His room is designed to allow him the freedom to move about independently without concern of injury. He requires a helmet as his skull flap has not been replaced as yet. This is due to the possibility of brain swelling during the healing process. It is not as bad as it sounds. He receives 24 hour therapeutic services. Although he continues to require a feeding tube, he has shown great promise in re-learning to swallow.

Hopefully, on my return visit, John and myself can walk around the hospital campus and enjoy the sights and sounds of the day.

Blessed day.

Lynn Kelly

From Anantarupa prabhu and Lilashakti didi,

as reported to Swarnangii

What a wonderful visit.
He is in the E building ( across from the Wendy's, Taco Bell and Subway) second floor room 47. This building is the only entrance facing Bascom avenue. The best parking is either on Bascom itself or in the parking lot by Enborg Lane and Bascom. This unit has a much more positive and optimistic environment. Everyone is friendly and greets him when he is "out and about"

When they arrived he introduced them to his speech therapist! He speaks with a hoarse whisper but if you stand beside him you can understand his words. He receives very good therapy at this new site. Twice a day sessions with a physical therapist and other times with an occupational and the speech therapist.

He had some Sprite and chocolate pudding today but he aspirated a little so the tube remains. They will try again tomorrow. They expect to remove the tube soon. He has learned the technique to swallow but doesn't uniformly use it. Once it is removed he can take prasadam as long as it is soft, pureed, no solids and no chewing for a while yet.

He desperately wants to get out of there and he is being very cooperative. He seems to understand when you explain to him that he needs to cooperate in order to get better. No more thrashing around and he is working with the therapists, following their instructions etc. not fighting them. He asked if he still has service. Can he still come back to the ashram? He doesn't want to be around maya anymore :0)

They took him for a "stroll" in his wheelchair with an orderly nearby. At one point he got up and walked a little and asked if he could walk back to his room but he was told that the physical therapist needed to be there for that to happen so he sat back down and buckled himself back to his chair. He has good use of both legs and arms.

He has no memory of the accident and his short term memory is foggy.He reads the guest book and sees who has been there to visit him so please sign it if you go.

If you go to visit they have his daily schedule with his therapists posted. You can view that and see what is a good time. They did suggest the evenings are better as he has no therapy then. The visiting hours are 11-8.

From Lilashakti

Here is a link to the unit Jatindra was transferred to. His room number is 2E047. On the 2nd floor of the hospital at the far end from the ER. They said to use the entrance that faces Bascom.

in order to place the entire link on this blog I had to shorten it so take out the #signs,there are three and any spaces, and cut and paste away

http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/vmc/vmcarticle?path=%2Fv7%2F
#
Santa%20Clara%20Valley%20Medical%20Center%20%28DEP%29%2F
#
Contact%20Us&contentId=4e6a5ab116c34010VgnVCMP230004adc4a92____

OMG!

Thanks to Jagadananda prabhu, I got a phone call form Jatindra Mohan himself today! He has moved into a new padded room in a Rehab section of the hospital in a different building. All I know is second floor room 37.
He was very talkative, calling everyone, dialing the numbers himself. He really wants to get out of there. He still has the feeding tube but he can get around by himself. Jagadananda asked him to tell him his name and he said "Say please." He talks in a whisper but he's definitely talking and very conscious and responsive.

He said that he wants to go back to the Seva Ashram and see Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It was suggested to have a kirtan and Jatindra wanted to lead! Pretty amazing.
If anyone can give better specifics about his room and which building I will post that, Thanks

AND FROM LYNN
Morning,
I am pleased to read that my brother is continuing to heal. I am in the process of filing for benefits. I was told that this may expedite his medi-cal and hopefully get him into a facility where he can receive the care he needs.
Please understand that John has family. Unfortunately, we all live on the east coast and can not physically be there as much as we would like. I am going to try and come back out there by the end of August maybe mid-September. Money and time are factors that have caused much heartache in this situation.
I remember the nurse that you speak of. She is kind. During my visit I became aware that most of the staff had been curious. I think the out show of devotion to John has caused them to inquire. This is good.
Please remind John that I love him. There is no way to contact him other than through your eyes, ears and tongues.
Thank you for sharing your time with him.
Lynn

THEN
Wonderful evening,

Please pass these good words along! I just received a call from Jaga who was visiting Jatindra. He put us on speakerphone. It was fantastic. Since Jatindra's voice is still weakened, he translated. It was wonderful to hear him talking. He is progressing at a blessed rate! As I have said before, I believe that it is all of the giving spirits that come to him through his many visitors that have brought him through at such a pace. Those of you who share your time and devotion are truly the healers for John.
More good news! I just received a call from Susan to verify that he is being moved to a room which will aid with his rehab!
I just wanted to share all of this joy with all of you who have touched my heart and spirit.
Lynn

From Diksavati

Sunday
Dandavats to all the devotees reading this,

I went to Valley Medical Hospital to see Jatindra Mohan P. I was so surprisingly shocked at his progress since my last visit. I think it's only been a month, but he is doing soooo much better. There is a very wonderful Indian nurse tending to him. Her name is Meena and she said she will come to our temple in SJ. When I told JM that his nurse liked Krsna he very lovingly took her apron and placed it on his head. We were so surprised by this. I took him on a spin in a wheel chair which he liked very much. He wanted to get out and go outside, but I insisted it wasn't time yet. We even went up in the elevator.

He'll meet with a speech doctor tomorrow. As of now he can only whisper very slowly. If he can speak something and swallow his food they'll remove his feeding tube and he can start eating on his own. He tries to pull it out and the staff do not want that. They can't feed him solids through the mouth cause he will get pneumonia. He does have phlegm and he very thin.

He is still very confused about what has happened to him. I told him many times, but it does not register yet. He is getting so much better and I kept reassuring him that he is going to be OK and all his friends have come to see him and miss him very much. He's so anxious to get out of the hospital. He can walk with a walker and supervision. He has to wear a helmet to protect the fragile part of his head which has not healed yet. He is much more coherant. I mentioned a lot of devotees' names and he became so happy remembering you all. I am begging on behalf of Jatindra Mohan, please give up some time to go visit him. He is so alone and in a very sad and lonely situation. He loves to hear from our books. He needs some interaction with other people, beside the hospital staff. Meena asked me today if he had any family close by. So family, please take one hour and drive on over. You will feel so glad you did. I did!!!!!!!

Sincerely with affection,
Diksavati

A note from his sister Lynn

Good Afternoon,
Again, I am pleased to see that he has so many caring friends around him. His "rolling eyes" are an indication of, "ok look, I know you care and I appreciate that, but let us not get carried away!". This is his independence. He is a brilliant man and is in a position of tolerance. I believe that this all may have happened to teach him tolerance and show him unconditional love really exists for him. I may be hurt by his current state but know in my heart, it is temporary. Each of us touched by his life has something to learn from this.
I am pleased to read that my brother is sitting more. I do believe this is a prevention for his lungs filling with phlegm. I have written a letter to the hospital customer service office and am awaiting a reply. I plan on a follow-up on Tuesday. If possible, I need to know the physical and mental processes that you see him initiate. I was told by his doctor that patients with his condition may never heal. I know the medical staff may see this everyday, but John's spirit is not ready to give in. I pray for him and his healing.
Thank you.
Lynn

From Krsnapriya devi dasi

My visit with Jatindra Mohan das. This was my first time seeing him since the day of his accident. That day he was in a very good mood and looking forward to going to town for an appointment. Next thing I hear he’s been airlifted to a hospital. Anyhow DivyaShakti dd went with me and if it weren’t for her I wouldn’t have made it through the visit. She is amazing and she just gets right in Jatindra’s face and tells him what he has to do. He is very encouraged by this.
When we arrived he was in the hallway in a wheelchair. He had a helmet on and his wrists were restrained so he wouldn’t pull out the nose tube. He recognized DivyaShakti right away and when Divya said “ Here’s KrsnaPriya come to see you”; he looked at me but it didn’t seem like he comprehended who I was. He started coughing a very rattled cough. Divya told him to keep coughing and get it out. He looked at her and said,” Can you teach me how?”
Divya said that was amazing. And Divya told him what to do and even demonstrated but he’s still having a hard time with anything to do with his throat: swallowing, coughing, talking, etc.
He actually talked a lot during our 3 hour visit but it was such a quiet whisper we couldn’t make out too much of what he said. I tried to see if he could write on paper but he could only scribble a little. Divya and I then rolled him around in the chair around the hallways to windows where he could look out and see the hospital grounds. The nurse took the foot rests off so that Jatindra could “walk” with his feet while being rolled around. The nurse, Mary Anna said he was in the chair the day before for 4 hours. He was enlivened to have us there but he was also pleading for us to get him out of there. In fact that’s when I realized he recognized me is when he looked at me in desperation and said “ KrsnaPriya get me the heck out of here”. That was heavy. Several more times he told us to take him downstairs.
He wanted to use the bathroom a lot. Two therapists, Terry and Rudy had told Divya and me that they had already walked him to the restroom 10 times that morning but nothing was happening. He was very conscious the entire time we were there but very, very restless and frustrated at being strapped in the chair. The nurse let us untie his wrists since we were with him and he actually unbuckled the waist belt and adjusted himself to be more comfortable. His back was bothering him so I brought him a pillow. He actually lifted himself up enough for me to put the pillow under him.
He really wanted to stand up and wanted us to help him but neither of us felt able to do that and didn’t want to risk him falling.
There was a cup of ice chips and Divya fed some to him. He wanted badly to drink and even reached for our water bottles and wanted to stop at the water fountains in the hallway. I could see that tube down his throat is so uncomfortable. The speech therapist is the only one supposed to feed him anything but we didn’t know and gave him some ice chips. We saw her just before we left and she said the last time she fed him it resulted in too much discomfort and didn’t want him to aspirate (that means to breath in stuff like food along with air). This could cause pneumonia.
We did ask the physical therapist Terry about removing the tube and allowing his throat to heal so he could swallow but he again said there was the worry of aspirating. I didn’t think of it until later but it seems like they could put him on an IV solution for a few days and get him swallowing.

Before DivyaShakti and I left Jatindra was moved form his chair back to his bed. He was very tired.

At one point two phlebotomists ladies came in to draw blood. One of them, Jasmindra, saw the Bhagavad Gita and Divya gave it to her in Jatindra’s name. I gave here an invitation and she was very happy.
The nurse asked who Jatindra was in the temple and Divya explained he is a bramacari. The nurse asked about Lila Shakti and AnantaRupa as they visit Jatindra in devotional clothes. Divya explained they are married householders. And then she explained about Janardan Maharaj, Parvat Maharaj and Ramai being celibate monks. The nurse appreciated that. Then when Jatindra became very frustrated at one point she told us to say prayers to him. Divya had brought her ipod and played Srila Guru Maharaj chanting bhajans. Jatindra really didn’t want to stay in his room so much so we wheeled him around the 4th floor for quite awhile.
Everyone commented on how much affection Jatindra is receiving and again encouraged visitors often.
In a lot of ways I felt Jatindra was very conscious and cognizant of all that was going on around him. I think he was tired of being talked to like a little kid because he’s shrug and say whatever or roll his eyes when someone would tell him not to fidget, etc. However that was necessary sometimes. I hope he gets that tube out of nose ASAP. I think that will help him progress a lot faster.
All glories to all the devotees and their auspicious association. Jaya Srila Gurudev!

From Lynn, his sister after visiting from NY

Good Afternoon,
What a pleasure meeting those of you my sister and myself were able to meet this visit. I can not express how comforting it is to know that my brother has such caring and warmth around him. As you both massaged his feet and comforted him, I felt your kindness and sincerity. Each friend I met had a gentleness about them. I would like to add that I believe this light has helped his healing process quicken. On Monday, the 30th, prior to my returning home, I spent the morning with John. He raised himself several times to a sitting position and "hugged" me by leaning his head against my chest. I kissed his head and knew that he will recover. I felt his need and determination to heal. My understanding after speaking with the doctor is that John is thought to be not as responsive as we all seem to see him. However, He is a strong spirit and needs to be reminded that not all are aware of his ability to overcome trauma. Please keep encouraging him. I hope to return as soon as I have accumulated enough leave. I am working behind the scene to get his benefits in order and hopefully a setting where his progress can be encouraged by staff as well.
I look forward to meeting everyone again.
Lynn