9 Nov (Friday) -800pm

I just spoke with Rich and he fed me "update info."   While I wasn't able to get by myself, I thought I"d take a few minutes and pass on this second hand report with all of the good news.   It seems when I am away things that happen are easier to spot; the day-to-day activities tend to blur together and often it's hard to see how much progress is going on.  And then, suddenly there is so much more to share.

The big news from my perspective is we have another couple of items that have been "removed," and as i've said more than once before, from the non-medical person's perspective less is better.   At the top of the "less list" is the neck brace---it's GONE!   Oh I KNOW from Jeannette's perspective that collar was something out of the middle ages.   But she was told it could come off on Nov 9th, and so at midnight plus 1 off it came!  YEAH!    Of course, it was important and she never really complained having to wear it, and being able to move your legs and arms and have "everything work" is a huge deal when you have broken your neck in multiple places.  So, we are all very happy the thing did its job, and now it's GREAT that it isn't needed anymore!   That part of the healing process is apparently done, and so she is FREE of that thing, and I'm sure that will improve her outlook, and her ability to eat and enjoy it, and to feel good again.    In the process of getting well, little things matter a lot.

Another thing that is GONE now is the right leg "immobilizer" which basically was a velcro cast that has had to be wrapped around her right leg for most of the last three months.   It apparently "isn't needed anymore" according to her doctors, so that's another positive step that is real and measurable.   She spent the day with the various medical team specialists, including a visit from Dr Kayanaugh, the surgeon who has had the most recent role in putting "Humpty Dumpty back together again."   He was very pleased with the outcome, and the healing process looks like it is going well and there were no major concerns according to Rich.   They also had both of her legs hooked up for therapy sessions with the CPM (Continuous Passive Motion) machine, getting flex counts of 40 degrees for her newly fixed left leg and 50 degrees motion for the right.   

Additionally, it was "sit up day" and Jeannette was able to sit up on the side of her bed for 20 minutes "unassisted."     She did 20 minutes on one side, and then after a rest, 20 minutes on the other side.   There was no dizziness, and she tolerated that exercise well, which is a prelude to being able to get OUT OF BED and to start putting some real weight on the legs that haven't been doing much since the accident.   

Tomorrow is a "moving day" and Jeannette will be changing hospitals back to St Elias, and will stay there through Thanksgiving.    She is set for surgery on the right leg, still needed to fix a gap of missing bone in her femur, for the Friday after turkey day.   There is a rod in place that is working perfectly, but the gap has to be repaired so the full healing process can occur.    Compared to the recent knee replacement this surgery is more straightforward from what the surgeon has said, but still it's one last operation that has to be done.     One good thing about St Elias from my perspective, is the internet is better, and so its easier to say "hello" electronically using their strong wifi connection. And the beds are in a world class--top of the line and apparently they are rated "second to none."

And so, that's the news as I know it.    Keep the prayers coming, and I can assure you that that they are very much appreciated.   For me, as Thanksgiving approaches, this year there is more to be thankful for.   The story of Rich and Jeannette and the friends they have is an inspiration for all of us.--John