August 7 (Tuesday) - As of 7pm

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.

There is more surgery for Jeannette this evening, if that's the right word, and it may be done as I am writing this but I have not heard.   It's not that they are doing anything radical, but more that they need to monitor her abdominal wound, make sure things are stable and "clean" and where they need them to be.   If things continue to improve then soon they may be able to close the incision once and for all, and that would be a real mark of progress in my way of thinking.    The overall assessment is that today was a quiet day, a "good day."

An important note is that reluctantly Sam has had to return to Seattle for a few days and so Maryann has come back into town to pickup the shifts and keep things on track.  We have found that asking the doctors the important questions, and keeping track of the treatment plan and how it is progressing day to day is an important family member role.   

As for Rich, he's making real progress in many ways, his body clearly continuing to heal.   He's still very weak, and although he has managed to stand a time or two, it has not been without help and he's not ready to try walking yet.   But progress is being made.  His new room and surroundings is different than the bustle of the ICU--and in many ways it is a good thing.   But the care is different too, and there is not the constant buzz of the nurses.  That has advantages for Rich, as it's easier to get some real sleep, and he is bothered less.   But the highly efficient medical team of the ICU is missing, and he is not as closely watched and that is apparent.   As for progress, today they removed the big splint on his repaired broken arm, and of course Rich wanted to "use" his arm right away.  Umm.   

For Rich, there are still some areas and times of confusion that are frustrating, and there are things he does not want to approach or talk about; the accident being one of them.   His nights are difficult too, and he gets restless and he has not been resting well.   But the healing process is slow, and so we have come to learn that the peaks and valleys are a part of it.   As for visitors, we are getting very close now to the time when it will benefit him if those that are very close to him want to visit.   Perhaps Thursday--I will check with Maryann and let you know.   He is not ready for an onslaught of visitors; but it may well be in the next few days that he will be able to handle visits from his closest friends.   I will let you know.    

For now, if you think you would like to visit him drop me an email, and let me know if the morning, afternoon, or early evening time frames would work for you.  I in turn will pass your request along to the family, and let you know when to pay your visit.    I'll leave that decision up to Maryann and Sam, as its a delicate matter and none of us want to overwhelm Rich.   For a contact, you can reach me directly at [email protected]

And that's the update for tonight. -- John