Whaddup?

“What’s the best thing about being out of the hospital?” That got a quick grin from Wiley. “It’s all pretty good.”

What does he most want people to know about him? That’s easy: that visitors are welcome. (His mom stresses that she still wants them pre-arranged and limited to a couple of hours, though, just to keep him from getting worn out.)

As you can see from the latest picture, he’s started into his studies already (and his hair is starting to come back in; the staples, which were on the other side of his head, are already out). He’s met with his tutor twice so far, and reports that she told him he’s already – in two 1-hour sessions – gotten through the first two weeks of material he’s missed, leaving him just a week behind. He’s also working with her on history and English. He’ll be meeting with her for an hour each weekday, and doing homework assignments between. Today he’ll be going to his first session with his not-at-the-hospital speech therapist, the only outpatient therapy he’s got planned.

He has had one bass lesson since he’s been home, and said he pretty much felt like he had to re-learn standup bass; he spent the lesson doing scales. It might be because he’s been playing it so much less time than his electric bass, which he’s picked back up quite readily.

For an even better sense of how Wy’s doing, check out the top link at the left – video from this weekend of Wiley, Tyler, and Tim performing a song Wiley’s been working on, “To say the least.” (“Did you start it before or after you ate it?” “Before.”) There’s just a short glimpse of Tim on drums at the beginning, and then the camera had to be perched above Wiley at the piano to capture him and Tyler (on sax) in action. The piano is all Wy. Even one-handed when he turns to call his dad in on drums, though the camera angle sacrificed showing his hands at work in favor of keeping his face in view.

His grandmother Esther reports with a grin that he’s “getting ornerier,” certainly a sign that he’s all the more feeling himself and not shy about letting people know when he thinks they’re being stupid.

Did I mention that he loves having visitors? (Yes, but please call first!, says Nancy.)

Wiley’s goal with school is to get back to it by the end of September, or certainly by the time of the Homecoming Dance, October 6. (“Though he’s thinking he might not go,” says Nancy. “Why?” “Well,” says Wiley, “I don’t know who I’d ask.” “Yeah,” commiserates his mom, “it’s kind of hard to meet girls when you aren’t at school.” “Aaww,” replies grandma, “with Wiley, it’ll take all of 10 minutes!” That produced a slow, broad smile from Wy.) None of the folks orchestrating Wiley’s treatment have even hinted that such a rapid return to school is in the cards, but Wiley’s counting on it. And working hard on his homework in an effort to make it happen.

Visitors? Did I mention visitors? “Especially,” adds Wiley, “if they bring cookies or ice cream.” (Wiley has been the recipient of an astonishing assortment of cookie deliveries, including some from Aunt Barb in Michigan, Aunt Donna in the south Bay, and the very first batch of cookies ever, made by a friend’s 8-year old sister. He also got, from another friend, the largest container of heavenly chocolate Haagen-Daz ice cream that anyone has ever seen.)

Luckily, he’s pretty good about sharing.