Sept 19 (Wednesday) - 514pm

I've been away, but now that I'm back in town I'm pleased to report that big progress has continued and Jeannette is continuting to improve.   She is currently off the antibiotics, and her stomach area seems to be healing well, and the doctors are all well-pleased in where she is and the direction her health is going.   The reports from those that have seen her most recently is that she is  "looking great" and Rich remarked to me just a little while ago that he is awed by her strength and her get-well attitude.  

Today of course marks her second month in a hospital bed, and it's been  a long tough trail--but she is getting stronger each day, and is clearly moving forward to the point where she should be able to tolerate the needed surgery she has in front of her.   The big repair to be done is still her left knee, along with the heal of her right foot, which was also some how smashed during the accident.   The reality is that she has been in a hospital bed for almost two months, and so it is a slow process to recover her strenth and appitite.    But the great news is that her diet is no longer specialized or restricted--she can eat pretty much anything she feels like eating.   The report I got from Rich was that this has recently included hamburgers, milkshakes, and all kinds of assorted goodies.    

Today Jeannette was at the hospital "gym" again, doing work out exercises and strength and "range of motion" repititive exercises to help in her recovery.   She can concentrate well, and has taken up some reading too, all good signs that she is progressing well.   And it is very exciting to see the progress!

There is not all that much else to report; the steady pace of recovery seems oh so slow to me, and yet it is steady and moving forward with each and every day.   As a pilot we like to be "in control" and to "fix" things when they need fixing, and yet with Jeannette we are out of our element, and have to trust her care to those who have the knowledge and expertise to do what has to be done.    It is tremendously comforting to know and to feel the professionalism in the care she has been getting.     As I end this note, I'd like to remark that Rich asked me once again to thank everyone, especially for the prayers.--John