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