As I write the update this evening there are good things to report, and the bottom line is that today is seems was a great day filled with many positive signs.   Maryann, Rich's sister, is back in town, and she was able to meet with a slew of doctors, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, nurses and even a music therapist who comes to each room to play a harp.  Needless to say, she had a very busy day![...]

A short but quick update.   Sam spoke with both Dr. George and Trina, Jeannette's nurse.   Jeannette is doing just great. Dr. George said everything looked great in her gut when she did surgery last night but she wanted to be cautious and wait until Thursday to get that final look and, hopefully, begin the process of closing her up. They did remove her chest tube - another good sign.[...]

I talked with Sam around 7pm, and am writing this update at 9pm now that I have been able to get to my computer.   Today things have continued to creep forward, the healing process oh-so-slow, and yet clearly progress is being made.   Jeannette is getting stronger, and she raised her arm off of the bed for the first time.  A small thing in some ways perhaps, but bigger in others.     She is communicating too, the Sam-Mom communication link oh-so-special and at a level hard to describe.  She has not actually been able to "talk" yet -- the trick of using the trac vent requires practice and strength, and she has not mastered it yet.  Still, she is working on it.   But she can mouth words, and nod, and she is aware of where she is.     The all important numbers are there where the doctors want them, although there continue to be ups and downs.   It seems its all a  part of the ICU, and there is a familiarity with the place now that lets us feel that real progress is being made and she is getting better.[...]

Hi everyone.

This isn't the big daily update though Mom and Rich are continuing to work hard and heal-everything going the right direction. This is more to answer a question asked by many of you. Several people have asked how to get cards to them. Team Keida (love that moniker) have wonderful friends in Dan and Laura Thomas who are picking up their mail at their Willow PO box and bringing it to me. You can send cards to them at:[...]

Hi everyone. We have that rare mid afternoon lull. Mom is snoozing with Joyce quietly reading a book at her side. She is once again breathing without the ventilator today. She did this yesterday for 8 hours which is superlative by ICU standards. Depending on her strength they may try the speech valve this afternoon. Well we know her sense of humor is entirely intact. When I told her yesterday that, as part of my job to take care of their affairs, she is now a Democrat she made a face of horror then laughed until she started coughing. Maybe I should have waited to tell her that "good" news til later.[...]

After laboring for an hour to create an update worthy of John, who is in another time zone, the iPad burped and it all went away.  Too bad, as it was much funnier than this version and humor is a good thing.  Sam was last seen massaging the hand on Rich's broken arm. Jeannette was resting.  A pretty calm, good day.  Do not be alarmed if there is no further update today.  No news is good.[...]

For Jeannette, she continues to hold her own, and her all important numbers are hanging in there.   Still, there are moments of concern, a roller coaster of sorts that makes it still very clear its all a delicate balance where the art of medicine seems to drive the science.    In the midst of it all there is little rest for Sam, but she is on top of things, watching the doctors, asking the questions, and making sure that things said are not lost.    Still, the swings, the ups and downs of the ICU keep everyone on their toes.    It's not like there are big things to report.   But the small things catch your attention.   Jeannette's temperature went up, but then later came back down.   The blood tests and all important white cell counts look good, and to me her color is good and she seems to be resting well.   The staff is there, and if you watch them they will make changes, adjusting a medicine drip, or turning her oh-so-carefully.   Her blood pressure changes now and then, attuned to the drugs she is getting, and throughout the day small changes in the treatment plan are discussed by the doctors, and then acted on.      It's actually an amazing thing to watch, her dedicated medical team on top of it all, the doctors coming by regularly to check on her status and to see how their latest adjustments are working.    Its a fine choreographed team of experts who clearly seem to have a handle on things.   The professionalism of everyone gives me, the casual observer, the sense that she is in good hands.   Very good hands.[...]

Update to the noonish update--rewritten as of 2pm:

Before I get to the real news though, I'd like to cover one of the options for this website, so everyone is aware of a feature that some of you might not understand.   There is the option on the left side of the page to "FOLLOW" the website.  If you select that option, you list your name, and an email address and create a password.  What that does for you is it allows you to sign in with your user name, and then set notification options.   The family can see who is "following" the website, which is comforting,  so in that since your name does go on a list when you give it, but that list is for Sam and the family and its not going on some mailing list.  [...]

I know this update has been slow in coming, but hey, good things are worth waiting for.

Jeannette and Rich both had more surgeries, and the post-operative reports are all good and those all important "numbers" are hanging in there.   I was at the hospital in the afternoon, and Jeannette was being prepared for her operation and that room was abuzz with activity.   The "infection control doctor" came by and checked both of them, and was very pleased with where things are and how the antibiotic cocktails are working.   The bottom line for Jeannette is that her surgery was good....real good and in a non-medical lingo her gut is holding up well and the doctors are pleased.  As Sam put it so well, we aren't out of the woods yet, but there is definitely some light shining through the leaves today.   Jeannette is off of the ventilator she had and the trac was put in and is a tremendous relief for her.   As I'm writing this she is sleeping comfortably, and she is very stable and the numbers are all where they want them.[...]

Good Evening Everyone. It’s Sam here. We’re giving John a well deserved night off.

Let’s get right to the important information….Mom and Rich.[...]