Dec 8th

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!