December 5th, 2007

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 expected to heal quickly over the next week or two.  Yesterday, they removed her feeding tube which went directly into her stomach through the skin.  She was pleased with that-no doubt.

Jani is hanging in there.  He has come down with a little bit of a cold.  He blames it on me, jokingly, as I stood next to Rowan whose nose was running like the Mississippi.  Their friends Todd and Megan have been kind enough to give them the key to their home while Jitka is in Atlanta.  We are sincerely grateful for that too.  Not only that, but I am sure that many of you have received e-mails from them regarding what Jitka, Jani and the kids might need.  They have been instrumental in coordinating the efforts to help them out.  They’re awesome.

Okay.  I am long-winded again.  Sorry.  God bless everyone, and have a good night.  I hope everyone is looking forward to the holidays, and you will all certainly be in the prayers of the Virag and Ismail families.