Taylor has tried talking several times, but has not been able to get enough air volume out to do it. There is a Passy-Muir valve that can be put in his Trach that permits him to inhale through the valve, then it closes, forcing him to exhale out of his mouth and allowing him to talk. In the past, he felt like he couldn't get enough air and didn't want to try it very long.
Last night, his mother and sister left rehab at 8pm, and I was going to stay until he went to sleep. Last night was his first night alone at FINR, and since he's at a new place with new people a county away I wanted to make sure he was resting well before I left.
I was talking to him at about 8:30pm (me talking, he listening) when he suddenly said "I wish this had never happened." He just said it. No valve, no help....just said it. Then....he started talking. I immediately called his mother and told her to put her phone on speaker and he said "I love you, Mom.....I love you, Lauren" They immediately turned around and headed back.
It was the strangest thing. He just suddenly started talking and talked until he got tired and wanted to go to sleep. Before he did, we called his Grandmother, Aunt and Uncle, and a couple of his friends so he could talk to them for a few minutes.
His voice is a little gravely. He said "I sound like a robot". But, it's a beautiful sound, no matter how it comes out. We waited 59 days for last night to happen. It was the next major accomplishment we were waiting for, and one of the most important. I'll be with him within the hour - today is going to be a great day. I've missed hearing his voice for so long, I may have him read the newspaper to me if he runs out of something to say.
Last night, his mother and sister left rehab at 8pm, and I was going to stay until he went to sleep. Last night was his first night alone at FINR, and since he's at a new place with new people a county away I wanted to make sure he was resting well before I left.
I was talking to him at about 8:30pm (me talking, he listening) when he suddenly said "I wish this had never happened." He just said it. No valve, no help....just said it. Then....he started talking. I immediately called his mother and told her to put her phone on speaker and he said "I love you, Mom.....I love you, Lauren" They immediately turned around and headed back.
It was the strangest thing. He just suddenly started talking and talked until he got tired and wanted to go to sleep. Before he did, we called his Grandmother, Aunt and Uncle, and a couple of his friends so he could talk to them for a few minutes.
His voice is a little gravely. He said "I sound like a robot". But, it's a beautiful sound, no matter how it comes out. We waited 59 days for last night to happen. It was the next major accomplishment we were waiting for, and one of the most important. I'll be with him within the hour - today is going to be a great day. I've missed hearing his voice for so long, I may have him read the newspaper to me if he runs out of something to say.
6:02pm
Today I asked today if it would be OK to post a picture of him on the blog. I told him that I had cropped him out of previous photos, and would never post a photo without talking to him about it. I told him I knew everyone would be interested to see how great he looks....even with short hair. So, here's the official photo approved by Taylor!
