How Injured is Joe?

Joe was seriously injured in the war. He wakes up in the hospital to discover that he no longer has his arms, legs, and his face. All he can feel are the bandages covering his body. He is unable to communicate with doctors and nurses and feels as if he is an experiment to them. He thinks the doctors value their pride more than his well being. He is even unable to scream out loud when realizes that his arms are cut off, but he often cries out in his head. He goes in and out of consciousness, which he compares to drowning. Even though his body is in a poor condition, his mind is not. He has vivid memories of his past such as with Kareen, his father's death, his life before he went to war, and the war. Also, he has thoughts about his current state and at one point Trumbo writes, "He thought well kid you're deaf as a post but there isn't pain. You've got no arms but you don't hurt. You'll never burn your hand or cut your finger or smash a nail you lucky stiff." Shortly after he becomes bothered by his situation - "I can't. I can't stand it. Scream. Move. Shake something. Make a noise any noise. I can't stand it. Oh no no no...." Both these statements show that Joe is very much mentally alive. His physical state severely impacts his ability to communicate or do anything really, but his mind keeps him alive.