Like an Apollo moon shot, today is the scheduled Launch Day for Jeannette's all important left leg repair.   I will try and keep the updates coming as news becomes available, as I know everyone is keenly aware of the importance of this operation and is anxious for news.  As of 11am Jeannette had made the move to the pre-launch facility, i.e. she has changed hospitals and is now at Providence where the surgery is scheduled to take place.   The paperwork had a few glitches to be sorted out, non serious but each a frustration that had to be worked through.   But she is finally "admitted".  Now just like a NASA space flight, the med techs have to have their "say" -- rechecking the already checked blood counts, the on-scene anesthesiologist changing the original plan and "tweaking" how things will proceed.   The all important "mission commander", i.e. Dr Kavanaugh still due to arrive on scene, and once that happens things will pick up at a rapid pace.   Her leg is being "marked up" by the surgical artists, outlaying the planned repair spots.   Still, it's a waiting game of sorts, but things are still moving in the right direction toward launch, with all systems "go" and everyone eager to put things in motion.    I will update this again as more information becomes available.--John[...]

Ah...where to begin?   I've been out of town, and when I arrived in Anchorage the first stop was St Elias to visit with Jeannette.  Rich was there, keeping everything under control, and my first question was to him, i.e. "Have you reached the associate level of nursing yet?"   Erika was there too, and we were all in great spirits.    Boy Jeannette looked grand!   As I once said, as a layman without that medical specialist perspective, I measure progress by the things I can see that have been removed.   I used to count the tubes and IV lines as they slowly changed from a mess of spaghetti to none at all.   Well, on Friday night I could see Jeannette's right leg!   I mean, I got to see her RIGHT LEG!   Now, a leg might not seem like a BIG DEAL, but when its been bandaged up and in a removable cast for three months, seeing real skin was like WOW.   And it looked good.  No, it looked GREAT!  And then came the news that went with the view---she is "working it" in physical therapy!   Now, this has just started, but already its at 52% of range of motion, and that seemed to me an almost impossibility given that the PT nurse prediction was "we will probably only get a few degrees initially".    Jeannette is just so determined to get the heck out of there that she wants to do as much as they will let her, and then a little more.   She's wowed the nurses, wowed the doctors, and of course, wowed all of us too![...]

Jeannette should be sporting a Wonder Woman outfit today she said. I figure that is probably an everyday with her! Not just Halloween. Had to do the update today off of Face time as I may have the early onset of a cold and I am NOT going to be the cause of a delay in Monday's right leg surgery because of an in- person visit. All systems go at this point. Rich was there with breakfast treats for Jeannette. I think sometimes he has to finish them off himself but he certainly goes all out to try to find food that Jeannette will enjoy. Physical therapy yesterday included more work on the right knee. Jeannette seems happy with the progress. Still waiting on doctor to respond on more activity for the right arm. We all know that Jeannette is an over-achiever and she wants to give that right arm a quality workout! She seemed to be in great spirits. Looking forward to Sam's arrival on Saturday. Now, I am going to do as Dr Keida ordered and make tea with honey and lemon. Sully

Breaking news! Knee flexion hit 40 degrees. Amazing after 3+ months of immobilization.

Jeannette is excited to be working range of motion with her right leg today! All her blood work is good. Ahna, her physical therapist says double digits is great! Still looking good for surgery next Monday. Hoping for doctors orders on Wednesday to increase the work out for the right arm. Logan, a member of the move team, stopped by today and Jeannette was teasing him that her 3rd surgery would be on her forehead. A while back, a cord got loose and smacked Jeannette in the head. Poor Logan got all the credit. I can now report that Jeannette has good ankle flexion and circular motion. She can rotate her leg and was working her quadriceps. Ahna measured the knee flexion and Jeannette hit 30 degrees. Too bad we didn't place bets before hand, Sully would have scored! Jeannette is in good spirits with the great progress with her leg.

As I sit with Jeannette, Rich, Joyce, and Erika we are all smiling, as her doctor finally outlined the big plan to get the legs fixed so Jeannette can get out of here.   Her left leg is set for its operation on Monday, Nov 5th and the plan is to replace her knee with a new bionic one that she can start working on THE VERY NEXT DAY!   Dr Kavanaugh made it seem simple, and he indicated it was an hour to an hour and a half replacement.    Barring no complications, her right leg will get worked on a week later.   It already has a rod in place, which will stay, but they need to graft some additional bone to fill a gap area so she can put weight on it too.   [...]

Jeannette says "it takes a village " to give her a shower that is. Yesterday it was a 2.5 hour process that took 4 physical therapists and 2 nurses. But Jeannette loved it and the staff was thrilled that Jeannette is at the point where she can sit in there and enjoy the spray. She washed her own hair, too! Jeannette said it was a real party. Tonight, the briefing from the doctors takes place on what the plan is for surgery. Jeannette is anxiously awaiting this meeting, as are we all. More to follow. Sully

Jeannette has just finished therapy with Ty the TYrant. She is doing so well that tomorrow she upgrades to a 2 lbs weight on the right arm. Christmas is coming early as she gets a real shower tomorrow. She told the staff to lock her in there for 3 hours. Unfortunately, she did not get much sleep last night as her heel was bothering her. Still no word on when the doctor team will get together and plan the leg surgeries. Rich has made numerous calls but, as we experienced in the military, hurry up and wait. The sun is shining in Jeannette's room and she has a view of the mountains which she enjoys.

As I sit down this evening and reflect on the last few days, there is much to be covered, with some real news and some thoughts to ponder.    The good news is really good, and that is Jeannette is no longer in the ICU!  That's right--she is now out of the Intensive Care Unit and into a "regular" room, still at St Elias Hospital.   Of course, the bustle of the ICU is missing now, but the significance of the move is not lost on anyone.   This is REAL progress in every way progress can be measured!   [...]

Rich and Jeannette are having a good day.  Both were looking really good on the FaceTime camera.  Jeannette had the best physical therapy/occupational therapy ever ( hope that does not go to Ty's head).  She was doing some sit ups on her own and catching a ball.[...]