Dear friends and family,

First let me day what a wonderful Mother’s Day it is. Friday Rowan and Encsi brought cards they made at daycare with their handprints on them. This morning, Rowan went outside and picked some flowers for me. Then some of our wonderful neighbors came all dressed up before church to bring some tulips and wish me a Happy Mothers day. Really a lovely surprise (I hope they can forgive my bedhead!). Then I went outside with the kids for a bit but it started raining so we moved our play inside.  After lunch when Encsi went for a nap, Rowan and I snuggled in bed, ate popcorn, watched some cartoons, and read a story.  We talked to my mom, Jani’s mom, and Auntie Mervie too and wished all mothers lots of love. Anyway, it is only a little after 3pm and so I’ll let you how the rest of the day goes!

Most of this next part was written earlier in the week…..

I can hardly see the screen through my tears. I am working at home today (Monday) and I decided to take a break to go back to the blog. You might recall that a month ago I got through some but didn’t finish reading past posts before I started writing. I read some of the initial posting that Bob wrote and then read up to my birthday.  The words, descriptions, and thoughts from Bob, Kal, and Jani are truly heart wrenching.  I have always had great admiration for these men for a huge range of reasons but there are no words to express my intense appreciation now.  I am so incredibly fortunate to have such amazing people in my corner. I balled like crazy when I read what Jani wrote about his mom in mid December.  I was glad to laugh though when I read what my brother wrote about ending up at PCMH because of nearly falling out of my chair – the eyes rolling. Bets on when that will be? And I cried my heart out when I read how Khaled described his view of me watching my kids as my first sunrise. So true. Everyday is really a gift with them. Seeing Rowan’s sleeping face next to me and the gorgeous smile on his face when he wakes up to daddy’s voice before he even opens his eyes. When we were outside this weekend it was beautiful and so I was wearing shorts. Encsi (now 21 months) came over to me and looked at the graft donor site scar on my right thigh, pointed at it and contorted her face into a concerned visage and said “ow”. I said yup that mommy’s ouchie and then she leaned in, kissed it, and toddled away to play.  This is the attitude – be tender briefly and then get on with the important things in life!

Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I cry and I get frustrated. Not because I can’t reach something (that has always been an issue being married to a very tall Hungarian!) but because there is so much I want to and need to do and everything either takes forever, is very difficult, or seems impossible….but not for long. I was outside cutting watermelon for the kids recently and found it to be pretty tough, not because of my hands and arms but because of my torso – no abdominal muscle control to balance.  So many of you have commented on my strength and my positive attitude and I thank you because I am working at that and so I am glad to know that it is paying off. It is real. Laughter is incredible medicine. I am so very happy to know that there are so many great people around me and the genuine support and care you all share with me is indescribable.  However, this is a new mode and I am not made of steel (well, except for the stuff I don’t like to think about like the Greenfield filter that I didn’t know about until I saw the foreign object in an x-ray I was looking at with my brother at Shepherd and he explained it to me).  I want to get up and run in the yard after Rowan. I want to go over to the pretty little fig tree Jani planted in the yard for the third time – it came from Houston as a Christmas present in 2004 to 1231 Forest Acres in 2006 and now 1259 Forest Acres in 2008). I want to feel my feet in the sand as Ensci digs around in the sandbox. I want to go pick strawberries and blueberries together (most of you know how nuts my kids are about berries). I want to smell the beautiful jasmine plants that are starting to flower (Mother’s Day gifts from my wonderful husband when we lived in Houston).  I want to go camping with my family like we did last summer – listen to the water over the dunes and fall asleep under the stars….  BUT, I am determined not waste too much energy feeling sorry for myself because I have it pretty good. To be alive for one thing but the life I have is pretty darn good. I try not to think that things could always be worse or better but it is human nature to place ourselves on a continuum.  So what I aim for each day is to slide toward the “better” end of the continuum.  Laps in the pool and propelling myself down Forest Acres will replace running and biking.  I will find other activities to substitute for ones I can’t do anymore.  Suggestions are welcome! As much as I have tried, crafts are not my forté but eventually I will attempt to make more soap and candles. I guess the boxes of photos I have could be put into albums….I am so glad to be digital now!

I got to host Bunko on Cinco de Mayo and that was very special to me. Thanks to my mom for making lots of food when she was here because I pulled out a yummy lasagna to share (I didn’t tell everyone that mom is the chef at the General Wolfe but they said it was very good!), I made some salad, and when we were at Panera on Sunday we bought some of their death by chocolate and caramel chocolate brownies (me and baking have never been close).  It was nice to see those women again and they were all very kind and helpful. For example, Karen fixed me a plate, Marion reinforced my strength (although she won in my house and I didn’t!) and we had a really good talk about coping with adversity, Teresa brought her sunny personality to sub for Barbara and put all the dishes in the dishwasher, Terri and Cheryl made sure that the game proceeded, and Frankie is taking care of the Powerball ticket (keep your fingers crossed!).  Thanks ladies!

I got a wonderful surprise e-mail from a dear old friend, Cathleen O’Malley this week (she has posted comments on this site too) and so I am really very happy to restablish contact.

The middle of the week was just plain busy - between work and therapy, things are moving along!

Friday was interesting. It started off fine, until I got to work. There was a thunderstorm in the morning and so I waited until that passed before I headed to work. When I got to the parking lot, there were only a few spots available and none of them were spots I have used before. So I pulled in, not thinking that the hatched blue areas would vary in size between spots. Well, I tested the lift and it looked close but I thought I would be able to make it out. No such luck. I tried and managed to get myself stuck between the lip of the lift and the car parked to the right. Well, luckily I had me cell phone on me and so I called Laura and told her I was “good but stuck” and asked if she could find someone that might be physically capable of helping me out. So she and Dr. Ray came an rescued me. Not only that, Dr. Ray reparked the van so that I would be able to get in when I had to leave.  Also, as all this was happening, Dr. Lust arrived and said he thought we might be having a meeting outside. Then Dr. Iams arrived and saw us all out there and so he came over to join us.  So much for not drawing attention!  Fortunately it wasn’t pouring anymore. One can only laugh about something like this. It makes for a good story!

Emily and Jason were in town visiting from Boston for graduation and we got to spend some time sitting out on the patio with them on Saturday too.

Healthwise, the intranasal stuff works alright but as I get more physically active, the dose frequency doesn’t seem to cut it so I’m going to work on that this week. My physical strength is responding (well, a little more slowly than I would like but it is aging too!) and so hopefully by the end of the summer I will be independent.  People seem to be surprised that I have been going back to work part time since March and driving since mid-April.  I will continue to strive for physical and mental strength!

Have a great Mother’s Day Sunday afternoon and a wonderful week everyone!

Dear all,

I have to warn you that these posts are probably going to be long for a while.  Partly because I like to think about what to write and how and partly because I write some and then I don’t get back to it for a day or sometimes more.  So I hope you’ll bear with me!

I have to tell you about this week because lots of things have changed around the Virag house. Then I will go back in time for a spell and lastly I will update you on my health.

Wow it has been a busy week but pretty good all in all. Monday morning we rose early so Jani could make sure all of us were ready for the day without him. Rowan and mommy were a bit grumpy because we don’t like to be woken up but daddy and Encsi’s energy is contagious and so we forget and move on quickly. Daddy took the kids to daycare. Rowan is going through separation issues but once he gets into things, he has lots of fun with his new friends. Encsi, well, she is like her daddy – she will talk to anyone, anytime, about anything and entertain herself and others with whatever is on hand.  Mommy stayed at home in the morning and took care of some things and then drove herself in the fancy van to therapy in the afternoon. I really enjoyed going to outpatient to work with Krista, Penny, Dave, and Joanne.  I got to go in the pool Mon, Wed, and Fri this week so me and my circulatory system are happy campers!

Tuesday morning mommy went to work for a bit to greet Sailly, the new addition to our lab.  It is good to welcome a kind woman with great capabilities. In the afternoon, Teresa came with me in the van to help me pick up Rowan from daycare and we took him to his orientation at Falkland, the school he will be attending in the Fall. I got to do the parent part and Teresa accompanied Rowan to the classroom with some of his future classmates to play and learn some of the school policies and practices. Anyway, it was a good day.

Wednesday I scared Jani a bit because I charged my phone and popped it into the bag underneath me, not realizing that it had turned off. So he couldn’t reach me and I was busy all day and didn’t use it so I didn’t know. It was a productive day though! Working at home on a manuscript and then therapy (pool again!)

Thursday, I saw the family off, had some coffee, got myself together, worked on the computer for a bit and then drove to work and parked with my new accessible parking pass. Got the best spot possible – my lucky day!

Friday, I went to work in the morning. In the afternoon, I went to therapy to work with Penny in the pool (hurrah! On both counts!).  Then I went to an appointment to meet with Dr. Reeg only to find out that it was supposed to be the day before. I was pretty disappointed because I was very much looking forward to seeing him again (this is the man who operated on my spine).  Now I have to wait until May 27^th.  After that I went to pick up the kids for the first time. There was a girl there who was kind enough to put Encsi in her seat and away we went in mommy’s new van! When we got home, both kids were able to get out through the front passenger door and then they waited for mommy to come out in her chair.  

So all in all, it was a busy week, full of “first tries” but fortunately, without incident!

A few things I was thinking about recently that I want to share and when I was at Shepherd:

Jani gave me a few of his shirts to wear, mostly because I didn’t have the arm mobility to pull many of mine over my head. I was glad about that especially when he wasn’t around because it gave me strength and peace of mind.

When the family would leave the room at the ends of visiting hours and go to the elevator, Rowan would always run back to give me extra kisses. One time, he looked at me with those big tearful brown eyes and whispered “mommy, if you move over just a little I could fit into bed with you.”  Obviously there was not one single time I didn’t cry for hours after they left to drive back to Greenville.

When Mandy and Lori (from Wolfe Island/Kingston, Ontario) came to visit me in January, their flights got messed up because of inclement weather and so, because of my therapy schedule, I really only got to spend a few hours with them. However, it was really good quality time. Being with them, talking about life stuff, laughing and crying with them, and seeing pictures of Mandy’s little Rosyln…all of it really made me feel so lucky to have such great friends and still be integrated into their lives. I think you all know about the benefit they held for me at St. Margaret’s on Wolfe Island. There were so many people there and the money raised is so much appreciated I can’t begin to tell you. I look forward to getting up there one of these days and I was thinking that maybe I should just sit on the ferry all day one day and hug everyone I can get to!

There were lots of people who visited me there and I met some really nice people while I was there so I will come back to it often.

My health: Things are better with this intranasal stuff but I still have to watch things pretty closely. My right shoulder has its good and bad days. The therapists want to keep me for 4 more weeks (my discharge date was May 9^th) to see if they can help with that and work more on strengthening and mobility.  This would be good. I am getting better at transferring by myself but for some things (like the pool and my shower chair) I still need help. They tell me that one day I will be able to just pop myself over instead of using my sliding board. Yikes.

One last thing. You know what I am really glad about? That when people I know see me, they aren’t afraid to bend down and hug me.  It means a lot.

Hope you’re having a great weekend everyone! Today is my youngest nephew Kellan’s first birthday. Even though I can’t be with him to celebrate, I am so glad to be here to see the day!

Dear friends and family,

There are so many things I want to say! This site was not only a great way to keep people apprised of my progress (thanks so much to Bob, Khaled, and Jani) but now I find it soothing to be able to communicate my appreciation for all of you, memories, feelings, and coping strategies. I thought of more people I want to thank and there are two stories I will tell now (but that doesn’t mean that I won’t talk about other things irrespective of chronology at some point!). I want to tell you about Christmas with my family in Atlanta, how I spent the day of the 6^th month anniversary of this accident, then I will update you on my health.

Thanks so much for staying with us. I have heard from many people that they managed to get through my essay (that’s what my dad called it) and I know there are so many people that I missed… like my family in the Czech Republic, including my aunt Jitka who is looking after my health and telling my mother to relay useful information to me and the others who locked down intense thoughts for my well-being and supported my mom through all this insanity… my sister-in-law’s family (all 300+ of them who pulled for me), and friend’s of Khaled’s and the thoughtful people who know him through work and have continued to inquire about my well-being, the Meades in Ionia, MI, and the wonderful flight crew that flew me from PCMH to Atlanta. I reserve the right to keep adding to this list as time goes on but please don’t hesitate to send me a note if you think I will miss someone!

Christmas story: My dear friends Todd and Megan McDevitt were going to be in Texas to spend Christmas with family and so they loaned their house and one of their cars to us. Not only that, they put up a lovely Christmas tree for us. Did I mention that I have a unbelievably fabulous group of friends? So on Christmas I got a day pass (well, closer to half a day in real time) from Shepherd to be able to spend some quality non-hospital time with my parents, Jani, and the kids. It was wonderful. Jani put me onto the loveseat so people could take turns coming to sit by me. I so enjoyed watching them open presents – we all got spoiled by so many people! When the adults were in the kitchen cooking, Rowan came to me with the Dr. Suess’s book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, (courtesy of Neil and Lou who visited me at Shepherd first and came all the way from Chicago). As we were reading, Encsi came and wanted to get up onto the couch with us but I couldn’t quite lift her since I don’t have control of my abdominal muscles. So, without hesitation, Rowan hopped off the couch and lifted her up as much as he could….which turned out to be just enough for me to get enough leverage to bring her up all the way. So, even though it only lasted a few minutes (as most of you know children this age don’t sit for too long!), it was an incredible moment for me. I missed them so much it ached.

6 months:

Friday night April 18^th late in the evening, 4 Bettys came (this was the name of our soccer team in Seattle for those of you who don’t know) – Julie from Austin, Megan and Melissa from Atlanta, and Marsha from Worschester, MA.  I got to spend the whole day with them Saturday April 19^th. It was a beautiful day to sit on the patio and talk. As Marsha said, it hit the “Reset” button. I also got a lot of Megan love. Melissa has always been a calming presence. And Julie made me feel like I haven’t missed a beat. We all laughed a lot together and of course, there were a few tears. To say that I am grateful for their friendship is a huge understatement.

So an update:

Healthwise, we are changing things a bit (intranasal – yuck!) to manage my fluid imbalance issues so I’ll let you know in a couple of days how this goes.  My shoulder is still bugging me but my PT did some deep pressure therapy on it and so it is better today.  I caught a bit of a cold – had a sore throat for a couple days and have a little cough but nothing like what I went through the last couple of times. Immune function creeping back! 

You all have inquired about the van that we got Thursday April 17^th, so here are a couple of pix. I will tell you that I drove Jani to therapy with me last Friday April 18^th and he came in the pool with me. Saturday April 19^th was my first time out without Jani (I’ll bet this felt pretty good for him too!). Where did the Bettys go – why, downtown to the 4^th street wineshop of course! We also wandered around in Jefferson’s for a while (I just found a bag in the study/dining room last night – a couple of those cool square candles and holders).  Then we came home and sat on the patio more. Jani took care of the beautiful steaks on the BBQ and made a yummy salad for us! Sunday April 20^th, we went to visit some friends and I drove the whole family there. It was a great feeling to be able to do that and to spend time with good people.

So Jani and I were talking the other day and he came up with this idea (mostly to humor me I think). He suggested that I write a list of things that I won’t be able to do for a while. So we have come up with five…

1. Line dancing.

2. Sit-ups

3. Karate

4. Bull riding

5. Squats

Otherwise I am working on my arm strength and endurance and so I hope to be moving around faster soon so I can bother more of you in person!!

In other news, most of you know that Jani is going to begin his firefighter training today and the kids are going to daycare for the first time. Soon I’ll let you know how all that goes!

I know so many of you have been asking why we haven’t updated the blog – I am very sorry to keep you waiting and so I hope some of this makes up for the delay! We are coming up on the 6 month anniversary (4/19) of the accident. Since I got home 1/22 things have been crazy.  Jani has effectively been a single parent for so long and now he has had to take care of me in addition to that, juggle fixing up both houses, and manage a ton of other things in order to keep things moving forward. This blog was turned over to me but among other things, it took time to put my thoughts down.  I hope you’ll stay with me!

I keep saying this but I really feel that I am so lucky to be alive and to have so many amazingly beautiful people as family and friends! Thank you so much for being with me through all this. The support I have received is truly more than overwhelming and I know that the thoughts and energy you have all invested is the major contributing factor to my well-being. There are so many people to thank - I hope to reach everyone in person one day but there is not a day that goes by when I don’t think about so many of you. For example, here in Greenville there are a great bunch – Teresa and Dave, Walker and his family, Bob, Dick, Jess, and the whole Physiology department and BSOM, Chad, Steve, the other early response folks, Drs. Reeg and Newell, as well as Omar, Frankie and all the nurses - the whole ICU and beyond including the outpatient rehab folks I work with now – Joanne, Krista, Dave, Penny, Sarah, Megan – as well as my Bunco group; some of the folks at Shepherd in Atlanta – Erica, Jeanette, Paul, Marlene, Sheila, Robert, Blair, Marion…; my friends from Seattle - Marsha, Megan, Melissa, Julie, Cathy, the Murry family and lab, Bardia, Hans, Sandi, and all those who went to the party held for me there; my friends in Kingston/Wolfe Island – Mandy, Lori, Hope, Jen, Robert, Sherry, the Soule family, Wolfe Islanders, and everyone who attended the event at St. Margaret’s to honor my 38th birthday; the boys in Chicago – Neil and Lou and their families; Loree in Vancouver; Vince in Winnipeg, the boys in DC – Jude and Drew; the Ponthiers in Perth Australia; Dr.McDonough and the pholks in the Physiology department at LSU in New Orleans; in Houston - Rachel, Bill, Susan, Kevin, Valerie and her family and all the people who attended the auction held for me there; my husband’s family in Hungary – Margit, Edit, Ibolya, Peter, Sanyi, their kids, and so many relatives who have extended so much support to me and to Jani; and of course my absoSmurfly phenomenal husband Jani, beautiful children Rowan and Encsi, my loving and selfless parents, and my devoted and brilliant brother Kal and my sweet sister-in-law Mervie and their 3 handsome boys Kaden, Kyan, and Kellan. If you are reading this and weren’t mentioned, please know that I feel so incredibly grateful to have you in my life. I have been thinking about this website for some time and have been avoiding it because I wanted to start from the beginning and see how things evolved and do as much as possible to let people know how much they mean to me. Well, my dear husband placed the computer with the blog site in front of me one night in early April and so I had no choice but to read. So I made it through October. What a nightmare. Everyone tells me that it is all in the past but in some respects (emotional), it is hard to pick up on life from a given point. Physically, I still don’t care to know much detail. I know what I need to know and am working on building my strength. This is very different from my normal level of activity but give me a year. You all know this is not my style. I’ll figure something out. Plus I believe in the power of science! Self-assembling nanofibers injected into the spinal cords….And Jani, my wonderful soldier Rowan (this is what he told me he was when I was in the Rehab hospital in Atlanta – no question he went through a lot and I am thrilled to have the handsome ball of energy to guard me!), our little social beauty Encsi, and all of our family and friends are my motivation to make my life even more grand. I knew I was lucky before all this but now I know my fortune is extreme! “Thanks” doesn’t even begin to express my sentiments.

This letter has taken me a few weeks to write. I really am sorry to keep you all waiting. I will keep you apprised of developments as long as there is progress and you are all interested!

So to catch you up on what has been going on: I arrived home on Tuesday 3 days before my 38th birthday. Jani threw a party for me in the new house and my brother arrived on my birthday to help me celebrate. Kal and Jani each took a few of the rings I always wore and kept them on strings around their neck. On my birthday weekend, I was happy to reclaim them. So many people came to that party and it was great to see everyone…some I did not remember but I was glad to have the opportunity to meet them and thank them for helping out. Everything everyone who was there did saved my life and not to be cheesy but I am eternally grateful. As I have told my friends, there are so many more people in life I need to aggravate! Oh and speaking of cheesy, Cheesy was well looked after mostly by Teresa and Dave and they brought him home when I arrived. He is 12 now but still getting his lumpy self (he has dozens of lipomas all over but they are all benign) around well and I am very happy for his company.

The move took place on Feb 2 and again, lots of people showed up to help out. It was amazing and we appreciate it immensely. Then my parents arrived and continued to move things over from the other house for the better part of their month stay with us. In addition, they bonded with their grandkids, cooked yummy food for us, and for those of you who know my dad, you know that he went shopping all the time and not only for good things for mom to cook but also, he found a lot of great things to help make life easier. Then my brother and his family came for the week of Valentine’s Day. The kids played together and we all enjoyed each other’s company. Drew came down from DC in March to help Jani paint in the kitchen of the old house. Jani’s mom and sister Edit came at the end of March to stay with us for 2 weeks. They were tremendous is helping to look after the kids, cook, clean, and help Jani work on the other house too. Plus they were good company for Jani. His sister Edit has such as fabulously contagious laugh that I would laugh not even being able to understand what was so funny in the first place!

So, now we are moved in to this beautiful home that so many of you helped to fix up, paint, and move us into. It is a great place.

I have been going back to work as much as I can and I am very happy to be back. I missed many things about it and as hard as it is to get caught up on things, I am happy and grateful for the chance to do so.

I am in outpatient therapy 3 times/week and they are helping to conquer the mobility issues. Good folks there. I am getting stronger and more educated about how to cope with more than mobility issues and I am actually happy to go there. I get to use the pool (you all know how I love the water) a couple times per week and so that is a huge treat to get out of the chair and do some cardiovascular exercise!

Medically, most of you know more than I do about what happened but I’ll tell you where I am now. My dexterity is good in both hands. My left hand is always colder than my right – probably some vessels got messed up so my circulation isn’t the same. My right shoulder causes me pain but since I depend on my arms and shoulders for everything, I think that this will be a constant battle. My hormones are still awry and so I am taking an ADH analogue to keep from dumping fluid abnormally (well, too abnormally in that I don’t become severely dehydrated like I did 5 months ago). They say there is nothing wrong with my pituitary and that what is wrong will right itself over time. My physiology says different but hopefully with time the problem will get fixed. I have no sensation below my chest level but I might be getting some ability to contract my upper abs a little bit. The rest of my muscles spasm when I change posture but this doesn’t get in the way of most things and so I am glad that they contract to retain some tone. As I understand it, the first 18 months are the critical healing time and so I have another year in which anything can happen….although there are reports of people getting up and walking 5 years later and so on and so we hang on to the hope that my body will also perform such great feats!!

Van Products just called that my van is ready and so we’re going to get it 4/17. This van is possible because of all the generous contributions you have all made. It has a lift that operates by remote, I will be able to strap my chair in behind me, transfer to the driver’s seat, and off I go! Not having to have Jani hoist me into the Armada will be a good thing for his back and I will be happy not to have to ask him to take me to work and therapy. Plus, obviously it is another step toward independence so THANKS!!! And for any who may question it or wonder how such a thing works, I have passed my driver’s evaluation which involved using my left hand to push a lever for gas (down) and brake (forward) and my right hand to steer using a bracket (attached to the steering wheel) with a knob on it so I don’t have to do hand over hand. Something to get used to for sure but hopefully I’ll be the soccer mom extraordinaire when that time comes! At any rate, I am so glad to be here to see my sweet nugget Rowan be his wonderful 4.5 year old self and have his first day at school which will be this fall. (He has slept next to me nearly every night since I have been home and even though this age brings curiosity and defiance that is well…. let me say confusing to reasonable people, he is a good soul). Who knows what Encsi will want to try but I am happy to be here to watch her grow. Her smile and her gorgeous chubby thighs (she’ll be so mad about this10 years from now!) are simply addictive. And then there is Jani, my loving, wise, seriously silly but wonderfully sexy fireman (to be - starting 4/28!) husband…well, my heart is too full for words.

So as things progress from here, I will let you know how things are going. Thanks so much for sticking with me through all this. There is no question that this situation is traumatic in many ways but I have a great life to live in many ways too and I will continue to do so……so stay tuned!

Dear all who still bother to look this blog up,

I am so grateful and happy to know you care about us.  I tried my best to keep this blog up.  Recently I had my mother and my sister visiting here.  They have been a great help for sure.  I am home with Jitka and the kids until the end of April.  Then I will start my job with the Greemville Fire Department.  I though it will be a great thing to do for me, and hopefully for all whom involved……

Jitka has to find the mind to keep this going. 

Thank you so so so very much!

Love

Jani

Today Jitka was back in her office. She thinks of it as the first official day back on the job.  She was so proud of herself.  In a few weeks I hope she will be able to drive herself, as she is trying to learn a manually operated HC vehicle at the rehab facility.  We are going to find a minivan that is already equipped with chair lift and controls.

Her parents were with us for over a month. Today they are driving up to the freezing cold weather.  It was great to have some help for sure!  Now I am back in the laundry room….  

A few days ago we had the Red Oak Fire Department’s Chief Singleton here visiting with the EMS man who were the first responders at the accident.  They are so nice.  I hope we will be able to keep in touch with them.  At this time we owe so many letters and phone calls to people that it seems crazy to think any of will be able to keep in touch - not even with our own self sometimes.  I am sure a time will come when this chaos subsides and life will be less of a scramble. 

Tomorrow I am starting to paint the “old” house.  Hope fully it will be rented out or sold in a short time.  

Well, I am too tired again to write, so good night

I hope you are all well!  Eat lots and sleep more!

Jani 

Wow, we had an eventful morning.  As I first stepped into the kitchen this morning I noticed a massive “lake” accumulated on the floor.  I got so scared.  Just yesterday we had a service man here to try to repair our heating system, which has not worked since we moved in.  The house has a non-functioning floor heat system.  Yesterday the repairman said he gave the pumps a temporary fix, so the pipes would be under circulated pressure.  I thought there was a leak somewhere and that caused the flooding.  (Need to mention I had to break up the concrete floor in a bedroom already to repair a busted pipe.) But I was very happy to find that the freezer was causing the trouble.  It is just a busted water supply for the ice-maker.  Then a few hours of mopping and we were all happy again:):):):)

As you can see I uploaded some photos here.  I am hoping to get some more on - especially form Wolfe Island very soon.  By the way, if someone could send me telephone umber or email address of the weekly magazine published there that would be great!

Started looking around for a vehicle that can be driven by Jitka when she can easily transfer to and drive a modified car.  I really dislike shopping, especially for cars.  So it will be a very hard thing to do.  Of course need to be done.  I hope she will be able to get around by herself in a few months.   For the time being I lift her out of the wheelchair and place her in our car when we need to drive to her rehab.  I am getting so strong my friends!  Except when it comes to midnight and I need to update this site…..than I feel sleepy. 

Tomorrow I am going to write about our friend Bardia.  Be prepared! 

Back on line!!!  This is Jitka here…..I am ready to take this over now….    Just kidding, she is not ready yet.  She is not ready to read this site for some strange reason. 

Jitka has started her therapy.  She is really gaining strength.  There are some health issues to deal with of course, but generally she is in OK spirit.  I am putting in a concrete walkway for her to get access to the “outside” world.  Working on a few things at the same time to make our new home enjoyable.  Trying to fix up our old home in order to rent it or sell it.  Any buyers?

Days are going very fast.  Getting everybody ready takes a long time!  Kids have no mercy on  me because of the situation!  Absolutely heartless kids!:)  Actually, they are so lovely!  Encsi is a great humorist.  Rowan is a great helper!  He puts his working boots on and helps me a lot!  We installed a drainpipe together.  He managed to get stuck in the mud with his rubber-boots at least once a day.

Well, that is it for today.  Sorry for the short entry.

Night-night! 

Hi,

We are going to have internet connection from the 20th of February.  Jitka will be able to log on and read/write to you.

At this time the move is taking up all our time.  PLEASE don’t ever think I will stop this blog!  I have pictures to share, stories to tell, people to thank!   

With love,

Jani

hello

I am so happy to say that we are moving into our wheelchair accessible place tomorrow.  Finally the floor is done and we can move on one more step.  It has been a challenge for both of us to manage here at our “old” house.  We have some more wonderful people coming tomorrow to help with the move.  It is our 4th move in 3yrs.  Not too bed even for Gypsies, eh?  I think I should have installed wheels on all furniture 3yrs ago. 

Jitka still has her beautiful flowers and cards displayed.  We will move all of those.  If the kids are behaving fine we will take them too.  They sure keep us busy.  I am still looking for a nanny!  Just to keep me loving them, instead of being their ref all the time.

Jit had a rehab appointment yesterday.  She is going to be doing therapies for a few weeks.  Of course she needs to get stronger and develop new skills.  I will be taking her back to the wonderful people of our local hospital.  She had an appointment today with the endocrinologist.  Kal will write in detail about some of the medical issues as soon as he is done with his grammar classes.  (As a new requirement Michigan doctors need to pass a writing skill test.) 

So tomorrow we will move some of our gear into the new place.  Then I will start working on a walkway that wold allow Jit to go out to the street - the gravel is to hard to ride on with the wheelchair.  I guess when that is done, our place will be functional, (or “functionable”, as our leader would say:).  The rest will be a pleasure.  

You won’t believe this, but I was told today I am running low on energy.  But I am certainly not low on help received and offered.  Thank you so so so very much. 

You guys on WOLFE ISLAND do ROCK!!!!!!!!!

Koszi szepen! 

Jani

 A lot of fun! More pics are coming!

Jitka is going to be forced to take this update over!  I have asked her aready, but you must know, she haven’t had the courage to even read into it.  She has not seen her own photos either. 

We had a short and sweet party on Saturday.  We were so happy to see  40-50 wonderful people.  Thank you for coming! I am going to upload a lot of photos very soon, just waiting for some more pictures from the party on Wolfe Island, Canada. 

We are so ready to move into the wheelchair accessible house!  It will be great.  Need a few more days to finish the floor and then we are in. 

This time I just wanted to say thanks to all of you!  (I will do it many more times!) Also, wanted to bring your attention to a wonderfully written article -or to at least the on-line version of it - that was in the Greenville paper:  It is under “homecoming” on Sunday’s  01/27/08 of www.reflector.com 

All the best to you!

Jani

Hello everyone!  I went to see Jitka, this weekend, and it was extraordinarily eventful!

First, I would like to thank Jitka’s dear friends Mandy and Lori on Wolfe Island who arranged a very successful party for Jitka’s birthday (Jan. 25th).  My parents went and were so so touched to see everyone there to support Jitka.  Thank you to the entire community on Wolfe Island!

Then, on Saturday, Jani threw a welcoming home party for Jitka at the new house.  It was heartwarming to meet all of the people from whom we have received e-mails of well wishes and support as well as those that have been helping out with the work on the new house.  I also had my first opportunity to meet Walker, the young man who arrived on the scene moments after the accident.  He stablized Jitkas spine and airway, and somehow managed to slow the bleeding from her gaping leg wound until EMS arrived.  Teresa had initially described him as a “trained paramedic”, as he had performed so calmly and skillfully under pressure-it seemed that he had done it a thousand times before.  We were all shocked to later discover that he is only 15 years old and was trained as a boyscout.  Fifteen going on 25.  He is a very mature young man.  I tried to thank him, but the words just don’t capture how deep our gratitude runs. 

Earlier that day, a very kind  reporter from “The Reflector” came by the house to interview Jitka.  She wrote a beautiful story that actually made the front page!  You can read it at www.reflector.com, and just search “Virag”.  The article is entitled “Homecoming”. 

Jitka is thrilled to be back home with her husband kids.  She watches them as though they were the first sunrise she had ever seen.  Jani lovingly carries her up the stairs and puts her in the bath tub, washes her hair and gets her dressed.  He helps her with her flexibility exercises.  That guy is a dynamo.  He embodies the vow “in sickness and in health”.  He is truly selfless. Jitka is moved to tears whenever we speak of what he has been through.

Finally, we went for a lovely walk on Sunday.  Jitka nearly made it down the street and back on her own.  Wasn’t lighting, but she did it.  She’s got grit.  As far as getting used to being at home-there were a couple of near misses.  When we got back home from the walk, she told me that the wheel on her chair was rubbing against her leg.  I held the side of her chair in one hand and tried to manipulate the wheel with my right.  To my surprise the d–n thing came off in my hand with one gentle tug!  It was hanging by a thread the entire time!  Fortunately I was able to knock it back on so that it was stable enough to hold her while I got her out of it!  Next, she decided to put her shoes on without putting her seatbelt on and nearly smooched the floor.  Managed to catch her that time too.  I can just see the people at Pitt County Memorial rolling their eye if she were to wind up back there again!

Ok.  Long-winded again!  But I will  sign off with one more expression of our sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your prayers, helping-hands, cards, donations, e-mails…the list is endless.  God bless you, and goodnight.

Kal

3 months and 4 days after being hit on the road Jitka is finally home.  It has been and will be a time when remembering that she is alive despite the injuries she suffered, and knowing that how much you care helped and will keep helping us to live with a grateful and hopeful mindset.  The road home has been very long for her.  Thank you for cheering on!  Thank you for putting wind in our sail, and for the hope in our hearts.  I keep promising, but one day I will have enough time and will do it too: I will write here your names (and your phone numbers…:)) who touched us by your kindness.  I just need to feel the right way of expressing myself.  And while I am thinking about all that, please be reminded: We will have a party to appreciate you all and to mark Jitka’s homecoming toward which we all looked forward so much.   This will take place on Saturday, 26th.  Please come by!

There are some pictures without comments bellow. there will be many more to come, but for now, this is what I have managed to upload here.  Some are from the house repair, and others are from Shepherd Center.  You can also see Jitka’s arrival home, and visiting her new home.  As I said, I will put on many more of them later!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jani

And just one quick posting from Lori Woodman:

Hi all .. just thought I would send a reminder to all who were invited about the Benefit Night for Jitka this Friday, January 25, 2008 at Saint Margaret’s Hall, Wolfe Island with the schedule of events to be as follows:

Wine & Cheese 6:30 – 8:30
Silent Auction 6:30 – 9:00
Dance starts at 9:00 with RWI
Cash Bar opens at 8:30

Entry is by donation only!

This event promises to be a great event with great food, unique and lovely auction items and great music.

The items for the silent auction include gift certificates to restaurants, clothing stores, hair salons/spa, the Cineplex Odeon, for fishing charter, horseback riding, etc. plus we have an assortment of artwork, jewellery, gift baskets and other wonderful items to auction off!

Look forward to seeing everyone there to send well wishes to Jitka on her road to recovery as well as wish her a Happy Happy Birthday!

Thanks a bunch.

To reply to this message, follow this link:
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Hi everyone, this is Kal again.  Haven’t written  in some time, but I got a phone call this morning that overwhelmed me with happiness.  Jitka called me from Jani’s cell phone from the car!!  On the way home!!  She was so thrilled that I cannot even explain it.  She is so excited to see everyone back in Greenville.  We also want to thank everyone who worked so hard fixing and painting the house.  God bless you all.  Jani tells me that it is coming along beautifully and he promised to update the blog with photos of the fruits of everyone’s labor as soon as they get home.  Meanwhile, Jitka is savoring the fresh air as though it were a silky Cabernet.  If only I could describe the tone of her voice when she said “I’m just so happy to be alive.”  And live she shall, reunited with her family after over three months in the hospital.  Thank God she is home.

 Thank you again and again, all of you.  I look forward to seeing many of you soon on my next trip to Greenville.  Have a great night!!

Thank you for the great help today!  We started working on the house.  There were 16 of us working today and had little Roro assisting all he could as well.  My friend Nina was looking after Encsi all day.  Thanks Nina!

Conductors Eris and Teresa got us into motion.  It was wonderful to see how clean the kitchen got, as masking tape was flying onto the walls, paint snaking after the brush and rollers.  Started repairing some plumbing problems as well.  Really trying hard to get ready by Monday evening as much as possible before the flooring guys need the space.  I did take some pictures, but I don’t have the energy to download them.  Sorry.   Will do tomorrow.

Jitka told me her skin graft got scraped again and is looking a little bit worse.  I guess she needs some good rest and attention.  She is really ready to come home.  It is hard to be separated, especially on the weekend when we could have time together.  But this house issue needs to be done.  We will try to get to Atlanta tomorrow. 

Hello!  It is time for me to write again - I promised I won’t write until I have good news, or something better to say than complains. 

Finally, today the paperwork for the purchase of a wheelchair accessible home got approved.  It has been a very difficult process to obtain a loan at this time.  The banks are being very careful…..  Hopefully we can close on it on Friday.  Mr. Brown the real estate attorney, David Lever, and Joey Barrows worked very hard to get us to this point.  Thank you gentlemen!  When we are ready with the repairs I will upload pictures of the work and house. 

Jitka’s birthday will be the date for a very nice event on Wolfe Island, Ontario that you can read about on Facebook, but here is an appetizer:

Everyone is invited to attend the Benefit Night for

Jitka Virag

Friday, January 25, 2008

at Saint Margaret’s Hall

Wine & Cheese 6:30 – 8:30

Silent Auction 6:30 – 9:00

Dance starts at 9:00 with RWI

In case you don’t remember, or haven’t had the opportunity to get to know Jitka, she moved to Wolfe Island with her brother Kalid and parents, Mustafa and Eliska Ismail when she was beginning high school. She lived with her family and worked for her grandparents, Miro and Hanna Zborovosky at the General Wolfe Hotel throughout high school and university. During those years, Jitka made many friends on the Island and in Kingston and those friendships have passed the test of time. We have put together a benefit night on Jitka’s birthday, January 25^th!  All proceeds and donations will go to the “Jitka Virag Recovery Fund” to help cover hospital, home, and family expenses. Please plan on stopping by Saint Margaret’s Hall to show your support and send your best wishes. If you would like to contribute something to the silent auction, please contact us, as we would really appreciate it! 

On October 19^th our dear friend, Jitka Virag was bicycling home from work, when a car travelling 50 mph near her home in Greenville, North Carolina hit her from behind.  Her extensive injuries included serious head and lung injuries and various broken bones and worst of all, numerous fractured vertebrae with a spinal cord injury at T4-5, which has caused her to be paraplegic. Jitka spent three weeks in ICU then a few more in intermediate care where she endured stomach tubes, ventilators, pneumonia, skin grafts, etc.  Her loving husband, Jani has been a pillar of strength, tending to Jitka as well as caring for their children: Rowan (4) and Ensci (1).  Jitka has astonished us and made us all proud with her bravery and strong will to recover. In December she was transferred to Shepherd Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, Georgia for intense rehabilitation. She is expected to return home to Greenville in late January.  

Their current home, which Jani had just recently renovated is a two story and no longer suitable. They have purchased another house that has been vacant for a few years and has had much water damage BUT this house is already wheel chair accessible and close to their current home! Renovating this house will be expensive as will the cost of a vehicle with a wheel chair lift. 

Jitka was able to leave the hospital for a half day on Christmas. She spent it with her family at a friend’s home in Atlanta. Being out of hospital and surrounded by her loving family was overwhelming for Jitka, making her immensely more home sick if that is possible! If all goes well, Jitka will be able to go home in a few weeks, when she will begin the final challenge of adjusting to daily life with the reality of never using her legs. Jitka counts her blessings but it is difficult to imagine what this family has gone through and will continue to endure. It makes us stop and appreciate what we have, and cherish our loved ones. 

We hope to see you on the 25th!

Mandy Clark   Lori Woodman

•  
         613-549-8541           613-385-8545 

Please turn page over

Everyone is invited to attend the Benefit Night for

Jitka Virag

Friday, January 25, 2008

Saint Margaret’s Hall 

Wine & Cheese 6:30 – 8:30

Silent Auction 6:30 – 9:00

Dance starts at 9:00 with RWI

Cash Bar opens at 8:30

This event promises to be a great event with great food, unique and lovely auction items and great music. 

Thanks to the following folks who have contributed so far

      Active Orthopedic Solutions  Fargo’s General Store

      Agent 99     Frank’s Garage

      Atomica     Henry Saxe

      Blue Print     James Brett Salon

      Mosier’s Groceries & Convenience  Bruce Mellon

      Cathy Colwell & Joe McAllister   PC+NET Solutions

      at Corner Stone Farm, Kingston

      Chien Noir     Pyke Farms Landscaping

      Dennis and Corliss Piasetzki  Pyke View Meadows

      Wolfe Island Riverfront Golf Course RWI

      Brown’s Bay Inn    Cathy Greenlees

      Merry Family Foot Clinic   David Dossett

      Cineplex Odeon Theatre Kingston Woodman Machine

      Telus Communications

      and many more …

If you live in that area please go buy and have a good time!  It is organized by Mandy Clark, her mom, and Lori Woodman.  Thank you very much for every-one’s help there!  Please take lots of pictures!

Also, next week Wednesday I will be driving her home from Atlanta.  I still need to do some training in order to get the blessing of the hospital for her departure, but one thing is certain: Us too will celebrate here at our house on 26th of January, Saturday.  I think from 4:30PM till 7PM I will be thanking everyone who can come for ALL THAT WONDERFUL KINDNESS that has been given to us during this horrible time!  Please come, and let me thank you!  You ladies and gentlemen at PCMH ICU and rehab, employees and students at Brody School of Med., our attorneys and their secretaries, neighbors, friends, the State Troopers, the Fire Department, RBC employees, Susan A + fam, Keller Williams folks, KidzTown ladies, Eric Maas’ friends, all Jitka’s friends,and many more of you plus your families who live close enough to come by: PLEASE come and see us.  (1231 Forest Acres Dr.)  I hope we won’t fit in the house!!!   

Jitka was taken to the Atalanta airport today to experience the way boarding an aircraft is for a paraplegic.  She actually set on a Moscow bound Delta flight at the gate.  I think she had a good time.  I still need to hear about it from her. 

Her skin graft from two months ago still has to complete its healing.  It was ripped open by accident shortly after arriving to Atlanta.  However, she said finally today it seems like having the proper bandage on it for the last couple of days allowed it to start healing. 

Oh, I need to mention one more thing: Please don’t form too strong of an opinion when I express mine about whatever subject.  There are some truly wonderful nurses and people in other profession at Shepherd Center who are really caring about Jitka.  For example there is Jeanette and Erica who trained me a few times.  They are absolutely amazing.  And I know Jitka is very impressed by her PT.  I will get all the names right next time I am there and will have an e-toast to them!   Some of the issues that make her stay difficult come from having a room-mate who require an ICU type of care.  It is just really hard to get a few hours of sleep when people always talk laud next to her in the middle of the night.  Still, it would be unfair to take the praise from those very hard working individuals who have respect for my wife and truly care for her and for all their other patients.  It is a very busy place that needs more employees.  This is my business analysis for the night. 

Hi all!  Hope you are well!  Unfortunately we are a bit delayed in the closing on the house and so the repairs are cancelled for this weekend.  Sorry for the late notice!  Thank you again for everyones’ willingness to contribute their time to help us out.  We truly appreciate it!  Once things come through, we’ll let eveyone know.  Thanks again and have a great weekend!

http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/ucla-scientists-show-nervous-system-42656.aspx

Visitors Mandy and Lori

Surely, I will come across to some as a person that complains too much.  That is the way my coconut is these days. Doesn’t matter…..I promised I provide the most accurate info here, and when I don’t have better to report I need to report the bad news - CNN does it without a reason, and it is Atlanta based too:) Jitka’s infection #3 is the same as #1 was.  I really don’t know what to say. I just don’t.  I am just mad! For now, I FedEx a case of EasyOff to use around the toilet in her room, it seems to need it.

Jit had the opportunity to use an equipment that helps her to be up-right.  That sure made her happy.   She didn’t experience any dizziness.  Her blood pressure is still close to what it used to be.   I am going to try to find a few equipment for her to help with exercising after she comes home.  I am so determined to organize a little rehab on our own that is going to help her to stay healthy.  It is another three weeks from today when she is scheduled to leave that hospital, and I haven’t even been able to secure our new home.  I still hope it will be all ready to move in.  Some fast work will have to be done to it.  I am going to ask for all those wonderful offers to help painting, cleaning, moving, etc.  Her birthday is the 25th, and I am inviting all of you to come and celebrate with us. Will pick a day right around that date, most likely the Friday or Saturday of the same week.  I would like that party to be an appreciation to all of you for your help and kindness!   Neighbours, friends, coworkers, nurses, doctors, relatives are all invited! It is going to be a big one!  So write it in your calendars, and hope the house is ready!  Will finalize it and send you the address, date, and time. 

Tomorrow morning I will be driving back to Greenville again.  It is nice to go back in a way, but it is hard for all of us to part again. 

Jitka’s had an easy day.  One PT session for today only.  I gave her a little leg and foot rub.  I think a highly recommended place like the Shepherd Center should have someone on staff to provide massage to those who need it and benefit from it.  Don’t you agree?  I need a vote on this.

I am not happy with another thing - and I might get into trouble for this - but I feel like mentioning that she just finished the antibiotics yesterday for her second urinary tract infection.  Now, it seems she is getting her third one…..  In my own opinion, either she needs to be monitored how she takes care of herself, or she has to be taken care of.  It is just absolutely annoying.  I have more to say about it than Jitka has, but the spellcheck won’t know those words….  Is it like this in every hospital? I really don’t know and need a vote on this too.  Skin -, bladder -, and bowel care are possibly the most important to pay attention to at this time.  Also, patients can easily transmit bacteria/virus with the wheels of their chairs.  It runs on the floor and powers by the hand.  It won’t get any easier than that.  Well, I won’t go on about it, I am sure there are plenty I don’t know, and there are many wonderful, caring people whom I don’t want to hurt.

There are 365 days left in the year!  Make them count! Happy new year to you dear reader.

365 nap van hatra az evbol.  Szamitson minden nap!  Bodog Uj Evet!

It is time now to order THE wheelchair.  It will be a decision that no-one ever thinks about making.  How about a car, or a house….,but a wheelchair?  It takes a lot of consideration and expertise to decide on the size, material, shape, and -in case of a woman:) - the colour of a chair.  Someone along the way must make a pretty profit on a $5,000 chair…..  The insurance picks up a chunk of it in our case - BUT if you are looking for a sales position it must give you an idea of field:)   It is 4 wheels and a frame, nothing robotic.  I guess Wall-Mart didn’t get the right approach to it yet.

At this time the source of most problems actually comes from her room mate.  It is more and more clear to me now that Jitka suffers from sleep deprivation.  Between the regular 4hr interval of care (8PM, 12 and 4 AM) she has to wake to the sound breaking, barking snore of her neighbour.  Fortunately, it will make her appreciate my gentle, nightly “serenade”. chraa…..brrrrr

For two days we have Teresa and Jess visiting from Greenville, NC.  If you follow this blog you sure have had a chance to read about them.  They both have been a tremendous help to me personally, especially looking after Rowan and Encsi when I needed it. The children are the driving force of this process.  I feel guilty of the times when I thought they slow me down. I know it is actually I, and this horrible situation, that has slowing effect on them. I am looking very hard to find a caring, loving nanny for them.  They deserve more attention.  I think I am just a little bit worn out.  Fortunately, Jitka just absolutely adores having them around regardless the chaos we three carry along to her…..   It is wonderful to see.   

I mention one more thing before calling it a night: Love and THANKS to my family. Thank you for your help.  Love to Jitka’s brother and his family. and to her parents, many thanks.  There are neighbours who turn into friends. There are friends who turn into family.  And there is family which becomes an ever closer and stronger entity. It is too bad Jitka has to pay the sacrifice for it, and I am so limited in sharing the burden.  With all my love, thank you ALL!  Jani

We had Bill and Rachel Anderson here for a quick visit.  I hope you all know them, so I won’t need to tell you how wonderful people they are:)  They were our friends/neighbours in Seabrook, TX.  I didn’t tell Jitka about their visit ahead of time.  It was really exciting to see her face drop when she noticed them!!!  I wish I had the camera there with me.  Under this Seabrook entry I would like to thank Susan and Kevin for the special event for Jitka.  And thank you all who visited us via them! (and helped Kevin emptying the keg)   

Jitka has no break from the hard work she is doing.  Her really wonderful nurses and caretakers are helping and doing a great job.  I will need to dedicate a very special page to mention the medical stuff at Pitt County Memorial Hospital and at the Shepherd Center for their “job well done”.  Will make a “Page of our heroes”! 

Magyarul a vegere forditottam

Arriving on a “day pass” to friends’ house - H-Megerkezes az ismerosok hazaba

Roro playing with the wheelchair - H -Roro jatszik a toloszekkel

The pretty smile is back - H - A visszatert mosoly

Colour matching what? - H - Meg a  szinvak is megdorzsoli a szemet ettol…

I was allowed to take Jitka from the hospital for the afternoon.  We used our newly learned chair-to-car transfer skills.  After a long struggle of moving her into the car we drove to our friends’ house.  Jitka’s biggest treat ever!  She loved sitting on the couch.  We had a wonderful afternoon with a great dinner.  Encsi and Roro were very happy to open their presents.  I think all this made Jitka a little more homesick if that is possible…..  I am so happy we are able to be together like this.  It was very special in many ways.  She cried through opening her cards and presents.  Thank you for your thoughts, gifts, and spirit! You help us all not to look at the past, but to look toward the future with greater hope and stronger courage.  What a wonderful feeling to have such a great support behind us.  It makes a GREAT difference.

Hungarian :

Megengedtek hogy kivigyem Jitkat a korhazbol ma delutan.  A nemreg tanult toloszekbol valo atmaszast az autoba most hasznaltuk.  Talan fel ora amig elkeszulunk az indulasra.  Utanna egy baratunk hazaba mentunk.  Jitka nagyon orult neki.  Kulonosen a heveron valo lazitasnak.  Gyonyoru delutanunk es vacsorank volt.  A gyerekek kibontottak az ajandekokat.  Ez az egesz nagy honvagyat ebresztett Jitkaban.  Boldog vagyok hogy igy ossze tudtunk jonni, nagyon kulonleges volt sok ertelemben.  Jitka sirt amikor a lapokat olvasta es az ajandekbontas kozben.

A sok szep gondolat es joakarat nagyon segit bennunket hogy ne a multat sajnaljuk, hanem a jovot nezzuk nagyobb remennyel es erosebb batorsaggal.  Ez nagyon jo erzes hogy ilyen sokfelol es ilyen nagy mertekben kapunk segitseget.  Ebbol tudunk a valtoztatashoz erot meriteni.

We would like to take this opportunity and wish you - the wonderful, caring people - a very merry Christmas!  We wish you get to hug those you love, and feel the love in and around you!  Thanks for being there when we needed you.  Thank you for caring about us.  Thank you for the hope.  Thanks for the love. 

Jitka, Janos, Rowan and Encsi

Here we are ganging up on Jitka for Christmas.  Her parents are here as well and she certainly has lots of attention.  Now we make our dinner time like a family should: We bring food to an area with tables and spend some nice time together.  Jitka has OK appetite - eats more than mouse, but less than a kitten….

She had her neuropsych testing done and it seems like everything is all right in the memory department. I am a little disappointed about it though: For a while I was hoping that some things I have done in the past she would be grateful enough not to recall:) 

Fortunately her fluid waisting problem has improved greatly as well.  She does not need a constant catheter any more.  This makes moving around more plesent.  As a great disappiontment, this morning the catheter had to be reinstalled because the of a likely new infection.

Jitka and I started to practice moving into a vehicle.  I need to learn how to help her transferring on a slide board.  If we get signed off on it we will have a chance to get a pass to leave the hospital for a few ours.  That would be just absolutely great!  I am planning to use the time to have a nice meal together at our friends house here in Atlanta, and to open presents by their Christmas tree.   

We had such a nice tine yesterday evening.  Jitka, Papa, Nana, a friend from Seattle Monja, Todd, Melissa, Charlie, Rowan, Encsi, and I were all together.  Had some great meal from Wholefoods - (thanks Kurt:)) - and took lots of pictures.

I was back at home in NC for a few days.  It is still absolutely amazing how much support we get from our friends there.  Someone is looking after our house, Niki at Kidstown is looking after the children if it is needed.  Neighbors gave us food/presents/offered help with work on the house.  We built a ramp with Jitka colleague Dr. Ray to the back of the house.  At this time we are waiting to get get our application approved to purchase a house with full wheelchair accessibility.  It is difficult because we can’t sell our current house before the purchase of the new one.  Too many details to mention here…  The ramp is needed to our current home for Jitka to go home to the house she knows is home.  She won’t be able to live there, but I think it is very important to take her home there first, even if it is for an hour.

I hope I get to update this site one more time before Christmas, but if you don’t get to read it for a while, Merry Christmas to you from us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I found out why my mother keeps cutting our conversations short when I call her. She abruptly says bye and rushes to end nearly every time we talk.  She still can’t talk about Jitka without crying.  Today, she didn’t hang up, but she could not keep her tears either.  I knew this tragedy has been wearing her thin, but have not heard her cry since I left Hungary two days after the accident happened.  She said she feels Jitka will stand up again, maybe she won’t walk well, but she will stand.  She also told me that her strong feelings sooner or later are always right.  It would be hard for me to say “yes, that is true” after years and years of disagreement.  And I need to say yes.  I need to say yes, because her big heart never failed us.  My mother is truly one who has suffered greatly and crossed hardship with the greatest strength I have ever seen.  I like to feel she is right again.  She said she cries as she prays every night for Jitka to walk again.  She said better times will come.  Mother, I hope so much you are right.

My wife wants to come home so much.  She says it now every day that she wants to come home with us.  Rowan said we all need to eat more now to be strong, and able to carry mummy.  I guess we all have opportunity to do our best now. This horrible accident has brought a tremendous amount of good out of family, friends, neighbours, colleagues.  Jitka cries when reminded of our 15 year old neighbour Walker who held her bleeding head up until the responders arrived.  Thank you Walker. From that moment on so many people helped to save her life.  I wish to thank you all. 

Hello all, we hope you are well.  It has been a little bit eventful for Jitka the past couple of days.  Jitka has had a real problem with the fluid restriction of 1500ml.  With her spinal cord injury she has to drain her bladder manually and this should not be done extremely frequently to avoid complications.  Therefore the patient should not drink excessively.  Unfortunately her urine output did not decrease much with the fluid restriction and therefore it looks like she has something called “diabetes insipidus”.  It is a condition that can happen with brain trauma that reduces the levels of “antidiuretic hormone” or “ADH”.  This hormone acts on the kidneys to allow them to reabsorb water so that it is not lost into the urine and is the reason we don’t drink and pee constantly.  In any case, Jitka is being treated for this, and actually the over production of another hormone called “prolactin”-I’ll let you figure out what that one does.  She had a pretty nasty response to one of the medications and was vomiting quite a bit.  I spoke with Dr. Beauman and it looks like they are going to stop or cut back significantly on the med that made her sick.  Hopefully that will do the trick and there is nothing else going on.  Dr. Beauman was extremely kind.  He even gave me his cell phone number! I promise not to abuse it!  It is just so hard to try to understand what is happening through little tidbits from Jitka.  She has enough on her mind.

Jitka has been fortunate to have so many visitors from out of town.  It means alot to her that so many would come from so far.  I think that it is good for everyone.  I know that seeing her improvement at my last visit set my own heart at ease.  Hers too, I hope.

Otherwise, Jani is back in Greenville, trying to make arrangements for Jitka’s return.  We are still working on trying to buy that house next door-hopefully things will progress expeditiously as Jitka’s projected discharge is toward the end of January.  There’s alot of work to do between now and then.  Thank you to all that have offered help.  Right now, it is just a matter of waiting on the paper work.  Our friend, David Lever  is in real estate and has been working tirelessly with Jani to arrange the purchase and repair of the home.  David has done so much; I don’t know how to thank him.  God bless you, David, if you are reading this.

Well, I think I’ll stop there.  We’ll keep you posted on any new developments.  For now, I think that no news is good news.  I think that I have had all of the “news” that my coronary arteries can handle in the past two months.  I have been comforted by the tremendous outpouring of support.  We all have.  Thank you all so very, very much.

Have fun Christmas shopping!  Take care,

Kal

Hello Everyone,

I can’t log on with the lap top for the time being and the promised pictures are still to come….

Jitka is working on transfer form chair to bed moving.  She had craft class, and tomorrow she will be taken out of the hospital the first time.  Hopefully to the cinema.  Shepherd Center is making an excellent job making it available for people to do what they love doing. 

She is very seriously thinking having her hair cut very short.  The lock in her hair from the blood and being bed ridden just don’t want to go away.  That will be a different look for sure!

Rowan went to eat pizza today with his new friend Cali today.  Encsi is being looked after by Megan.  It has been a wonderful two hours with the children screaming around!

I will be back in Greenville to get some stuff done.  Will do a nice update with pictures here from there.  In the mean time, THANK YOU for everything!!!

I am tired of Kal’s bad English again.  So here I am sending out a quick update.  It is a such a happiness for me to see Jitka looking forward to things. She is so happy to hear friends coming to visit her. Today Marsha and Steve flew down from MA to visit. This was perfect timing for me since today I had to spend time in training to learn how to take care of daily activities that her injury requires tending to.  Also I had an opportunity to spend more time with her today since Megan and Melissa were looking after the kids. I need to mention here that Jitka’s water intake has been restricted again. She’s been taking in more than necessary fluids and we have to keep an eye on how much she drinks. Her appetite is fair, and she is happy to roll down to the cafeteria to spend lunchtime with us. I have a picture later for you of Rowan pushing her wheelchair (to be posted later). Her bones are nearly healed (with occasional pain still), but unfortunately there is a recurring wound from a skin graft on her leg that was accidently ripped open that continues to weep. Hopefully that will heal soon as well. Now we have to start thinking about what she will need once she leaves the hospital setting. It is amazing how many issues there are to think of. Soon we will need a to-do list. Jitka just realized today that she would need a wheelchair once she reaches Greenville. Part of her thought that she had time to shop around for awhile. She enjoys the attention and daily emails and cards she gets from people and she repeatedly asks me to thank you all for your kindness. I believe her memory is improving greatly now. She showed me how to erase pictures from our digital camera and we will have more pictures to upload soon.

 Please forgive me for the infrequent updates. At this point her progress is slower as she learns to power herself in a wheelchair and gains the strength to move her body with her upper arms. So medically we are not seeing the rapid improvement on a daily basis that we were seeing before, but important progress is still being made. She has made friends with many of the staff at the Shepherd Center.

She is very thankful of all the encouragement from her co-workers from the Brody School of Medicine. She is looking forward to being back on the job again. Today for the first time she had her contact lenses again so she can start typing more easily. Thanks to all of the medical school faculty and students for their support!

It will take a long time for us to thank everyone individually for all their acts of kindiness. I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to our neighborhood, MacGregor Downs, for their wonderful support. They have given us so much in these past weeks. Watch out I’m coming home for a few days soon! 

I would very much like to thank Susan and Kevin in Seabrook, TX for organizing a benefit concert/party for Jitka. They were our neighbors when Jitka worked at NASA. Please see below info if you are in the Houston area.

  A Christmas Charity Benefit for

Jitka Virag 

December 22, 2007  from 7 pm until …

2409 Duhon Place, Lake Cove

Seabrook, Texas

 281-326-0193       sukreag@yahoo.com 

 In October of the year, our dear friend Jitka was badly injured when she was struck by a car while bicycling.  She has suffered T4-5 spinal cord injury damage and is currently in Rehabilitation in Atlanta, Georgia. 

On December 22^nd we will be having our Third Annual Christmas Party.  As in the past we will have appetizers and cocktails, as well as live music, caroling and a hayride with Santa.  This year we request that you allow us to provide you with all of the festivities and in return we would like you to open your hearts and make a donation that we can send to the Jitka Virag Recovery Fund. 

We will be holding a Silent Auction from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. with donated items including a brand new Nintendo WII, original art work, and professional services.  Donations can also be made directly to : The Jitka Virag Recovery Fund Trust, RBC Centura Bank, 2390 Stantonsburg Road, Greenville, NC 27834.  Routing #053 100 850, Acct #0255412250. 

Please join us for an evening of Christmas Cheer and in the opportunity of helping the Virag family this Holiday Season!

Hello all, this is Kal again. 

Well, as soon as I finished writing the last update, I went back downstairs and spent some time with Jitka while she did her occupational therapy.  Essentially, they are teaching her to do all the things that she will need to do to survive at home.  Monday, it was “learn to put on pants day”.  They had an elastic band tied around her legs to simulate pants, and she had to pull it up from the ankles to her waste, and then back down.  She tried so, so hard.  Imagine doing that without the use of your abdominal or low back muscles-let alone your legs.  She struggled for about 15 minutes with it, and then tears welled up in her eyes.  She had the choice of balancing on a barely healed fractured left elbow, or wiggling around her healing right shoulder blade.  She blamed the tears on pain in those bones and her shoulders, but I  suspect they came from a deeper place.    I smiled and kissed her on the forehead and told her she was doing a magnificent job.  She truly was.  Inside, my heart was crinkling like a tin can.  Fortunately, her will is iron.

I would like to take a moment to talk about the “Beauman team”.  Headed by Dr. Brock Beauman, these folks at Shepherd know what they are doing.  More importantly, Jitka adores them.  They have her in therapy starting early in the morning and going straight through into the late afternoon.  They meticulously and compassionately address each and every need she may have for a successful and expeditious recovery.  In the beginning I wondered if we needed her to make the trip to Atlanta, but now I know there is no place any of us would rather she be.  Thank you to all of the wonderful doctors, nurses and physical and occupational therapists whom I had the pleasure of meeting this weekend.  Especially the “Tylenol girls” as Jitka has endearingly named them.  (She needs tylenol shortly after her sessions with them.)  Everyone at Shepherd Center is so skilled, and we were met at every corner with a smile. Thank you for taking care of our precious Jitka.  God bless you all.

I received an e-mail invitation to a benefit dance on Wolfe Island for Jitka.  It will take place on January 25th, which happens to be Jitka’s 38th birthday.  I would like to thank Jitka’s dear friends Mandy and Lori for organizing that. I am amazed at the wonderful things that everyone is doing to help out.  When something like this happens, it is overwhelming.  I honestly don’t know what we would do without everyone’s support.  We sincerely thank you.

Yesterday, the last remnants of the ICU were removed.  On monday, her ”button” was removed, and the wound in her neck from the tracheostomy is expec