It is well passed time to make an update, and today there is certainly good news to put out and so I am.   Jeannette is home!    As I am writing this note, she has been home just a few hours, and as of my call with Rich is sitting comfortably at home, resting on her couch in her warm house, the heat from the oil stove burning blue, the outside view of the Alaskan winter, crystal, cold, and white.   The mercury isn't quite a "frozen ball" but at -22 deg F it is close enough!   But I don't think Rich or Jeannette care---it is just so wonderful for her to finally be home from the hospital, and in her own house and among her own things.  And I know from all of us praying and watching, it's sure welcome news and well passed time![...]

While in this medical adventure I have learned to never say anything for CERTAIN, but with that caveat it looks like Jeannette could be coming home early next week, perhaps as early as Monday.   Yeah!   The bone fix surgery seems to be progressing very rapidly, and she is up and walking stairs, moving without a walker and even her surgeon is very impressed.   They still have her on a regime of antibiotics and nutrient supplementation (TPN), but she can do that at home and every day she seems to be getting stronger and the getting about part of therapy seems to be going very well.  And, another big news item is she had gained some weight, which means that things are working!   Rich is making plans to get the house dug out, and make sure the place is ready for her arrival.  [...]

     Sully and I just got home from our visit with Jeannette and Rich, and I thought I would make an update, since when I last wrote "...More to follow when more is known…." I sort of left people hanging.   Still, as it stands, there is not a lot of news really, but to me, the layman in all of this, Jeannette looks good, and that's the bottom line on where things are.    Rich is still keeping the nurses on task.   The exciting news to me that I can report is that her leg continues to improve, and the post-surgical analysis appears to be that the bone fix has been a grand success.   She was even doing stairs the last couple of days, and walking some more, and I honestly think if there were no other issues she would already have been on her way home.    [...]

I'm sitting here with Sully, Rich, and Jeannette and thought I would take a minute to bring everyone up on the latest.    Yesterday was a great day, with Jeannette actually walking and even managing a few steps.   But today was a crisis of sorts, with Jeannette's stomach turning red and fluid accumulating.  Suddenly there were CAT scans, tubes being inserted and operating rooms being reserved.   Rich was in panic, of course, but Jeannette seems in great spirits, she's eating Corn Flakes and Grape Nuts and the new antibiotic drip is in full swing.   Still, it was a very scary day!  [...]

Jeannette has moved to the 3 rd floor, orthopedic ward, room 378. [...]

Jeannette finally got out of recovery and back to room 462 at 6:30pm. There were some issues with pain control. In fact she is making use of the little black button that dispenses the good feelings. Rich is being sent off to locate some ice cream. The watermelon from the cafeteria just did not cut it.  She is snacking, resting comfortably, and watching football. Her release will be coordinated by both Dr George and Dr Kavanaugh.  So for now, she is in good spirits and making plans for that first dance with Dr K. [...]

The short sweet message is that the surgery is over, Jeannette did well, and she will be recovering on the third floor at Providence.   The reports I've heard are all good, and good news is easy to share. -- John[...]

Sitting at home, very early in the morning, I find I am wide awake for a multitude of reasons.  At the top of the list is probably the jet lag from a recent trip to the orient, but also there is the news and anticipation of this day that I want to pass to those of you who come here to catch the latest.   When I saw Jeannette earlier today to me she looked like her trooper self--Rich was there watching everything, monitoring the doctors and the nurses as they go about their daily tasks.   [...]