Update #5, October 28th, 2007

Okay, sorry everyone, but yesterday was a busy day for us.  Jitka went to the operating room yesterday and had a fusion of her thoracic vertebrae with placement of harrington rods (rods that hold the vertebrae in line while the bone grafts heal and fuse the actual vertebrae).   Dr. Reeg, the surgeon, (whom, by the way, we were told by many that if they required surgery like this-he would be the man) told us that there is little hope that her spinal cord will recover function.  We have decided to plan for the worst and hope for the best.  With prayer, anything is possible.  She made it through the operation quickly and without complication.  Thank God. 

Jitka chooses something to test my coronary arteries daily. Today, she just did not want to wake up.  She was completely off sedation, but we could not get her to open her eyes and respond.  A CT scan of the head was repeated and we were very anxiously awaiting those results all day.  It showed only some mild interval improvement in the subarachnoid bleed.  Thank God again.  Finally, at the 4:30pm visitation she started to open her eyes a bit and respond to our voices by lifting her arms a bit and moving her face.  What a profound relief!

I would like to take a moment to describe her setting.  She is at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, a 750 bed, state of the art medical institution that serves more than 30 counties.  Both the facility and the care are world class.  Dr. Newell, the attending physician on the trauma team has been amazing.  Not only is he an excellent physician, but an outstanding human being.  Dr. Joe Goodwin is the trauma fellow.  He has kept his eye on Jitka and comforted me when my mind was riddled with countless, horrible scenarios.  There is a team of nurses, the names of whom I cannot mention because there are so many!  They are top notch, one after the other.  Simply said, there is nowhere else that I would rather my dear sister be.

Jani has been a rock for my sister.  I can’t imagine anyone else at her side.  He has been loving and compassionate and has the spirit to help her through this, and lift her when she may falter.  He has been an inspiration with his children, from whom they will both gain strength.  I find myself dreaming of the day when she will look on her babies again.  Just a few days ago, that was a dream that may not have come true. 

Finally, I would like to thank all of you again.  We have had friends who have displayed kindness and generosity that is beyond conceivable to me.  I dare not mention names, for fear of accidentally excluding someone. We are overwhelmed by the love and prayers that have come forth.