Something wonderful for devondancer!

Poststructural Pub
1

Something rather wonderful happened today. I went in to see Lesley as usual, and she was SITTING UP, for the first time, and WHISTLING - and not quietly, either!! Obviously she stopped when I went in, but then the music started again, but where from? Wow - hospital radio! Lesley’s consultant had been so impressed with her determination that he had told the radio buffs about her whistle, and they had come down and recorded her playing the slow air she wrote down when she first got hold of a pencil. (The one she called “Slow Air”, very originally, and I call “Devondancer’s Air”.) I was just so proud of her. Apparently they have been playing it on and off all day, and it was playing in the foyer as background music when I left. Shame she didn’t have much breath (!!) but it still sounds good to me.

She is continuing to progress slowly, but sitting up today is a big step for her, not least because it should mean she will be able to read, at last. She has missed that desperately these last few days. I know she wants to be up, to see whether she can still walk, (and of course dance), but she is not well enough yet for the physio to contemplate it. Even sitting up has worn her out - she just stayed there to show me she could, and was very glad to be helped back down! Her pain is still controlled quite well, but the monitor gives her away when she tries to convince everyone that she is fine!

Lesley was delighted with all your messages and I know will reply again as soon as she can. She is still enjoying the jokes: it must be great to forget them at once so that you can appreciate them all over again! (Having just re-read the nose hair thread, I forgot to tell you that I had to take that one away from her, as she was laughing so much I was afraid she would literally die laughing!) I think we are beginning to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now, although I immediately felt that I should not have tempted fate by saying that! She is still so frail.

Thank you all again and again, from both of us.

Roland

2

Wonderful! I love that they’re playing her tune.

Susan

3

That is great news. Whistle and flute music can be soothing, especially the slow pieces. Many hospitals are a cacophony of beeps, buzzes, intercom pages, and the babble of loud TV sets.

It is amazing to me, that the staff recorded her and played it back. Here in the U.S., they would be afraid that some grump would complain, and most wouldn’t dare do it.

4

I am so happy for you both, I am deffinately seeing light at the end of the tunnel for Lesely. I think it is wonderfull that the staff thought enough of her and her music to play it to the whole hospital. That’s a real spirit booster! :smiley:

5

Excellent! :slight_smile:

When better days and smoother sailing comes, please post her air…I’d love to hear it!!!

–James

6

Dancing for joy! And for Mr. & Mrs. DevonDancer! :slight_smile:

7

I knew it. Only sick people could find the nose hair thread funny. I had to quit reading it because my eyes kept watering.

8

That is great news.

9

Our work is clear, folks! We have to find another revolting topic to write about! :laughing: We need to keep this lady in health-inspiring laughter!

Roland, that IS good news! I’m glad to hear it!