Day 39 // Sitting Pretty

Hello all!

Today was a busy day for JoAnne...

MARY ANN- JoAnne's dear friend from Barcelona, Mary Ann, is in town for the next two weeks! She and JoAnne picked up with one another easy peasy, and we all feel so grateful that she's here to help hold down the fort, advocate for JoAnne, etc. She's a nurse, first off, and has also known JoAnne for years... suffice to say, we're really excited she's here.

ROUNDS- One of the original surgeons/doctors JoAnne had when she came in to the ICU is on duty this weekend. He brought the team by on rounds today and said that JoAnne's recovery has been "extraordinary". He told her that we all have been doing the heavy lifting, and that now she'll be taking a lot of that on in her recovery... He says that she's in the "upswing to recovery", and although there may be some dips on the way, things are looking good! We've heard this before, but it's always nice to hear it again... her stats have been stable, her breathing good, but there is still always the risk for infection. Fingers crossed she continues to heal!

SITTING- JoAnne's PT brought her a leaning chair today! They lifted her off the hospital bed using some fancy contraption attached to the ceiling and placed her in the chair... and off she went! They pushed her around the TRACU floor, by the nurse station, past other rooms, etc. She got the TRACU tour today, and will likely head to the first floor garden tomorrow for a little visit! She'll be attempting about an hour of time every day in the chair, as we've been told that the sooner she can sit, the sooner she can stand, and the sooner she'll get outta here. Woot!

ETC- Carol came by today to have lunch with JoAnne, and we dropped Jani off at the airport. This afternoon JoAnne got a full spa bath and hair wash, and really looks so much more like herself... she's even asked for a mirror and brushed her teeth herself today! She's talking just as much (but clearer) than before, is gesturing more naturally, and is just sounding and acting more like herself. My husband Alex's parents, Karin & Ed, brought a delicious dinner by tonight and paid a quick visit to JoAnne. She's not quite up for long visits just yet, but I think seeing some friendly faces did her good!

BLOGGING- We've been wondering if it'd be ok to do every other day reports for now... think that'd work? Now that there are fewer updates with JoAnne's health now that she's having fewer procedures, the need for detailed daily updates seems less critical. Granted, there is plenty of news regarding her improvements in rehab, but I think we may have more juicy details on an every-other-day basis. So expect a new post/email on Monday! And if anything out of the ordinary comes up, we'll go back to daily reports.

THANKS- I know we keep saying it, but thank you to everyone for your constant support, love and help. We've been ecstatic (exhausted, but ecstatic!) the last few days, now that JoAnne is improving and can communicate with us. We're slowly being able to step back and see how far she's come the last six weeks, and as overwhelming as that is, we can't help but feel so grateful for the extraordinary turn this journey has recently taken. Carol summed it up pretty well in the card she gave JoAnne (see below).

Much love to you all,

Team JoJo