As Day Forty-One ends, Jenny was talkative throughout the evening similar to yesterday. For the first time when I asked if Jenny could remember my name she said yes but stated the incorrect name. She said my name was Suki. As I tried to convince her my name was not Suki she would not budge. I tried to help her remember by giving hints such as saying the letters S was correct but eventually she laughed and said

“Oh my, you really don’t know your own name is Suki?”

and so, she insisted my name was Suki for the rest of the night.

Today was also the first time for something else – Jenny asked me if I could help her sit up. I was more than happy to oblige. I managed to assist her into a seated position with her legs over the side of the bed while I kept support on her back and neck but the process was quite a struggle. She then said she wanted to use the toilet on her own which she’s never done before and I was not sure how proceed so I hit the call button to ask the nurse for advice. Instead of allowing her on the toilet they brought in what’s called a “commode” which is a special made chair and portable toilet. At this point it’s no longer something I could help with and I was asked to step back to allow the staff to perform the next part without me.

I was so happy when Jenny asked me to help her sit up for the first time but that happiness came to a jarring halt. As I watched the staff assist her I could witness in detail how much of a struggle it was for Jenny to simply move from the side of the bed to the commode that was only a few inches away. Once they got her on her feet she nearly crumpled to the ground as if there was zero power in her legs and they essentially had to drag her entire body to the chair. Her resolve is there but it starkly reminded me that Jenny still has a very long journey ahead of her.