August 17 (Friday) - midnight

I visited Rich this afternoon and ran into Doug and Sam and we all had a nice conversation.  Doug had RIch and I laughing--he can be so funny when he starts talking about medical stuff.  As for Rich I was stunned at how great he looked!  He's eating well, getting up and down, and walking now with a cane!   He's even talking about "getting out of here" ---- sorting out the logistics of how to go home, get the care he needs, and still be able to get back to visit with Jeannette.   One indicator of how well he is doing is he told me that he wasn't on ANY pain killers today!  WOW.    I also noticed that he had his laptop in his room so I am guessing he's reading this, and all of the posts you guys are leaving!  (HI RICH!)  

I did not get by to see Jeannette today, as she is in a new location at the St Elias ICU.  But Sam was there much of the day, and reports mostly good news.   They are upping the food intake they have been feeding her and if she tolerates that well then they will be able to discontinue the IV feeding line--another little step in the long road of healing that must be traveled.  I want her to jump out of bed and be healed NOW of course, and yet I know it will be a while before that happens.   Rich knows it too.  He said to me that the doctors told him that on the average before a person is fully recovered they will need approximately 3 days of recovery time at home for every day they spend in the hospital.  Umm.  OK...so this may be a little while.

There were a few really good things to report.   Jeannette got another MRI to check on her all important "gut" and it all looked great, which is a big relief to everyone.   Her medical team are balancing a number of things, sorting out changes with her antibiotics, tweaking the pain meds and changing the dosage of the blood thinners.   There are still decisions being made, and Sam is on top of all of them but we are all looking forward to a getting her out of the ICU, where the decisions are fewer and things move at a slower pace.  

I'm amazed at Sam--she's really incredible and to me it seems she's learning to be a nurse, and an insurance expert, and a patient advocate all at the same time!   There are still concerns of course, but the big roller coaster rides that have been a part of the ICU are still there, but the ups and downs are much smaller, and the real truth to report tonight is that she continues to surprise her doctors and seems to be gaining strength each day.  

I will close this post by saying Sam again expressed her appreciation for the TREMENDOUS support she feels from everyone; the cards, the prayers, the little things, the emails and the posts are all oh so special to her.   She can literally FEEL the support, and it's extremely gratifying to know so many people are wanting to help. -- John