A Little Good News

Earlier in the week, I talked about my professor ending up in the hospital with a concussion here. Last night, Mr. Jimmy’s wife posted some very good news about his health.

The doctors have started lowering his sedation doses every few hours to wake him up a little bit. During one of the times, as his wife told him to wake up, he opened his eyes and turned towards her. The doctor said this was a good sign that because it indicates that his brain’s struggling to wake up on its own. With that being said, the doctors are optimistic about his progress.

It’s a relief to know that Mr. Jimmy is turning around for the better. I continue to pray that his health will continue to grow until he’s 100% back on his feet. Wouldn’t it be great for his students that he’ll be back up teaching by the middle of August?

I was talking to a co-worker at work who knew Jimmy. At the pond where Jimmy was walking, there is one small patch in the walkway that is very slick and at a slight downgrade. He reckons this is where he took a slip and fell. What a horrible way to fall, but I suppose it could happen to anyone. I know I go hiking in the woods in (almost) the same area and there’s a few places where it’s easy to trip and fall.

In any case, what’s done and done. Now the only way up and out is foreword. God willing, it’ll be quick. Many prayers for his recovery is welcome.

The News Not Quite Expected

I feel like all I’ve been hearing these days is bad news. Babies dying, meds not working, epileptic seizures, no job opportunities, and many other headlines from the Bad News Travel Department. This morning was the icing on the rotten cake.

Yesterday afternoon while walking his dog, an older man by the name of Jimmy was out walking his dog. In one horrible moment, he fell and hit his head really hard on the ground and received a concussion. He was flown into intensive care to reduce swelling in his brain and remove a blood clot. He’s now currently in a medical induced coma and will be for several days. He’ll be fine, it was said, but he’ll be expected to be on the long road to recovery.

I tell this story because Mr. Jimmy was one of my professors during my undergrad years. While I wasn’t a creative writing major, I took four of his classes anyway and audited another one. He was one of those people that made you feel comfortable immediately as if you’d known him forever. He made the class so that you got to know your classmates and even became good friends with them. If you ever had any problems or needed to talk, he was there to listen without giving any unwanted advice or telling others your business.

I took advantage of this on several occasions, often staying after class or emailing him my thoughts. He was always there for me to listen, quickly becoming my friend and mentor.

When I heard that he was in the hospital this morning, I was naturally devastated. Of all people, Mr. Jimmy deserved to be in the hospital the least. He alway sseemed healthy, vibrant, full of energy and life. What a cruel trick of nature that he would fall and crack his head on the ground, that he had to be in the hospital just because he wanted to enjoy a walk with his lovable dog.

I saw many posts today about him (mine included when I found out) sending thoughts and prayers his way. I, too, hope for the best and pray fervently that my beloved professor will be healed and back on his feet as soon as possible. The world cannot afford to lose such a great man so soon.