July 30 (Monday) - 1130am

The weekend is behind us and the new week has started, and already there are some big things to report.  They have moved Rich!   Yes, operation "Bald Eagle Transport" occurred a little while ago, and Rich is now across town, two doors down from Jeannette, in his new ICU cubical at the Providence Trauma Center.   It's a good place to be.   This is a HUGE load off of Sam, as now she can monitor what is going on with both of them, instead of tearing up the highway between Palmer and Anchorage.   One of the things we have learned is that having a family member there, watching the staff, is a big help, and probably adds to the quality of care.   Perhaps its the old adage, "..the squeaky wheel gets the oil" but clearly, when Rich or Jeannette needs something, having a family member there to make sure the nurses are on task is useful.    

As I am writing this note Rich is waking up too--the ventilator is still in place and he's not all that happy with it, but he's able to look around, and knows he is in Providence now and is recognizing those around him.   His numbers are good still too; and right now his new team of doctors is catching up on his status and so there may be other things to report later today.   For now, one of the big worries is behind us, and both of them are in the same hospital and in the same ICU unit.   

I did not get a full report on Jeannette, partly because Sam was in Rich's room when I talked with her and we didn't want to go into any of the specific details in front of him right now.   But I got the impression she is holding OK today, and I'll be able to add more specifics later I imagine as Sam has more time to talk with the doctors and discuss her treatment plan.  For now, that's the news at 1130am.   - John