The best mother’s day gift

Mom and dad had a really nice visit with Joe a couple days ago and it seems Joe is  getting stronger and is becoming a bit more mobile.  He is eating soft foods like pudding and oatmeal. Speech therapy has been working on getting Joe to project his voice and slowly enunciate. His progress with speech has been a bit slow and it seems he has plateaued for now.  His words are a very soft rapid whisper and at times they are not comprehensible, but, the other day when mom and dad where visiting, Mom said, ”hi Joe”, and Joe responded very clearly, “hi mom”…well if that isn’t the best mother’s day gift, I don’t know what is! We are thrilled to hear of any and all progress that Joe is making and we can’t wait to see him for ourselves.  Dave and I (jen) will be going out to Alabama in a couple weeks to see him and we can’t wait!  Our family remains so very grateful for the gift of your thoughts, prayers and support. Thanks again and may God bless you.

Exciting things have been happening in the Pascale household the past few weeks. As many of you know, Joe started speaking just a few weeks ago. While he is not much for conversation just yet, it is the greatest thing to hear his voice. I can only compare it to hearing a baby cry for the first time. It is relief and joy all mixed in one. He makes continuous progress every day. We are currently working on getting him to talk louder and slower since much of what he says now is in a hushed whisper that is so rapid you can hardly make out what he is asking for. Still it is a great relief to have him able to voice some of his own needs. Physical therapy has reassessed Joe again, they do this once a month, and are going to continue at home physical therapy for the next 4 weeks with 3 visits a week, then will reassess again. He is able to balance himself much better than before so he can sit up on his own with no assistance, which can be quiet strange because you will be watching him lying in bed one minute, turn around, then look back and he is sitting straight up. We continue to work on walking and while he is getting stronger, we still have a ways to go as far as that is concerned but he is standing up straighter and holding more of his own weight. He also went for his first family outing, with me, the boys, my dad and his wife, Sara on April 6th. We went to Sofia’s birthday party in Birmingham. He really enjoyed watching the kids run around. We laughed a lot that day.This would have never been possible without the van that we got and the generosity that has allowed this makes me truly speechless. This weekend, we have been working in the yard. Joe laughing as the boys throw dirt on me or spray me with the hose. He enjoys basking while I do all the work. I told him not to get too comfortable because his day was coming to take over the yard work again but he concurred that I was doing an ok job for now. Things are really looking up. I continue to ask for the prayers that I know are coming everyday and for the support given to my family during this trial.  It is very much appreciated more than any of you know.

That’s right, he spoke! Joe was recently admitted to the hospital for an infection that needed to be treated with IV antibiotics. While there, he underwent many tests which confirm that he is on his way to recovery. He also had a Passy-Muir valve added to his trach to enable him to speak.  Imagine the joy and relief at hearing your own voice for the first time in 3 months, and for those who love him… it’s just music to our ears.  The new van made it possible to transport Joe home from the hospital. What a blessing! Thanks again for all the continued prayers and support. We wish you many blessings during this Easter season. Here’s a few pics of the Ohio State mobile:

Ohio Stae Mobile..sorry to all you Alabama fans!

After a long search to find the best, safest and most economical way to transport Joe,  Leigh’s dad, “Slim” found a used van on eBay. It is in great condition and is fully equipped and wheelchair accessible. The van is necessary in order to transport Joe to medical appointments, tests and therapies.  With warmer weather coming, it will be so nice to take Joe on family outings. This will greatly enhance the quality of life for Joe and his family. We want to thank all of you for your faithful prayers and generous donations which have made this possible. God bless you!

If you were to stop by the Joe & Leigh Pascale residence you would probably say something along the lines of, ”Did I just step into a hospital?” and second, “Who keeps laughing?”  As Joe continues to progress he seems to continually find things funny and starts cracking up laughing.  The sound of laughter coming from someone you love is a beautiful thing.  Thank you for all your prayers and please keep them coming!

WE HAVE A REQUEST: As Joe continues to improve another thing has become very evident (besides the spontaneous laughter).  Joe needs to start making regular trips to the doctors/hospital/physical therapist/rehab.  These regular trips require a VAN with a WHEELCHAIR LIFT.  Our prayer is that you or someone you know has a van with a wheelchair lift and you no longer need it or don’t need it at this time or would be willing to sell it cheaply.  Please ask around and keep this in your prayers!  THE VAN DOES NOT NEED TO BE IN ALABAMA.  WE CAN COME GET IT IF NEED BE.

Well, Joe has been home for 3 weeks and he continues to progress. He is becoming more aware of his surroundings and his facial expressions are more animated and appropriate. He looks in the direction of people talking and is more actively engaged in his environment. He looks toward the door when Eli comes home and literally tries to turn around to see him come in. He spends more time out of bed in his wheelchair and is repositioning himself in bed.  He does have some periods of restlessness or agitation, which are probably a normal part of coming out of coma, but, he is also smiling a lot. Joe has a long way to go, but with his family around him, loving and caring for him, he is well on his way to recovery. Thanks again for your continued prayers and support. God bless you.

Joe’s been home for 1 week and his demeanor is much more peaceful and pleasant. Being in familiar surroundings is definitely having a positive effect. Leigh was excited to report something that happened earlier this week. While she and the therapist were transferring Joe from the bed to the wheelchair, they were able to hold him briefly in a standing position. He has only minimal strength, but he began shuffling his feet as if to try to walk. Leigh was so proud of him, as we all are.  It’s obvious that Joe is in there and he is trying so hard to come back, and we are ever hopeful that he will. But it will be a long road and we are strengthened by all the prayers and support that we have recieved from so many of you. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts and may God bless you!

Just recieved exciting news from mom..Apparently Joe “laughed out loud” after seeing Leigh’s hair in a towel on top of her head after a shower. Leigh told mom that his laugh sounds breathy because his trach cuff is inflated. Hopefully the trach will be reversed soon. The boys are so happy to have him home and Leigh says that Ethan is “loving him up”!! I’m sure that seeing and hearing the boys running around, playing and laughing is having a positive effect on Joe’s recovery. We are so very blessed to have Leigh taking care of Joe. She is so loving and devoted. And we are also blessed to have found wonderful home health aides for round the clock care to assist Leigh with Joe’s extensive care needs. Mom and dad are home in Hilton Head preparing their home for rental. They will be back in Alabama later this week to remain indefinately to help in whatever way they can. Pray that their move goes smoothly. Thanks again so very much for all the prayers and support. God bless you!

Thank you so much for all your prayers!  Our Joe is home!  Leigh is ecstatic to have him home.  We pray this transition back to a familiar place will help to stimulate him to recovery faster!  He is home but is not awake yet, but is slowly showing signs of improvement.  So again a special thank you, to all who have prayed and supported us.  Your support has made this transition so much easier.  AND, to all those who have given so generously to the “Road To Recovery Campaign”, we thank you.  When we started this campaign two weeks ago, we  put our trust in God that he would provide.  Through all of you, He has!  Please continue to share the Campaign as there is no way for us to know, when all is said and done, how much this is all going to cost, but we put our trust in God.

As a reminder, we are encouraging anyone and everyone to email Joe & Leigh and note (if you like).  We plan on printing them all out into a sort of book that Joe & Leigh can read through as he recovers.  I know this will strengthen and encourage him as he fights to get back on his feet.  The email address is pascalerecovery@gmail.com – We will post some updated photos soon, but here is a little shot of my mom (Rose) and Leigh and Ethan taken last week as they were setting up the “Hospital at Home”.  Thanks for stopping by!

Well, just a quick update but it’s the one that has brough this whole, “Road to Recovery Campaign” about.  Our Joe is coming home.  Tomorrow Joe will have his PICC line removed and will head home.  Joe & Leigh’s house is all set up like a mini hospital.  Around the clock care will begin right away.  This possible for us because of the tremendous outpouring of donations that have come in!  We thank you all for your prayers and generosity!  Please continue to pray and Please continue to share the story and the updates with your family and friends.  We still have a very, very long way to go.  Thanks for stopping by!