Update - A Message From Julian

Hello everyone,

I know that this blog serves as the only source of information for a
lot of you and I apologize for not being more proactive in keeping
everyone up to date. The truth is (and as you might imagine) the days
are long and tiring and there is a seemingly endless list of
important things that need to be done. In fact, I have been thinking
about writing this update for at least a week now.

Karyn is progressing well and has a daily regime of physical, speech
and occupational therapy. We have all gotten to know the staff here
and they are continually telling us how well she is doing and how
much progress she is making. That said, Karyn still has a ways to go
before she is fully recovered from the effects of the surgery and it
will be a while before her normal functionality returns. But again,
the positive signs are all there. In fact, just today I witnessed her
left leg move for the first time (though this has been going on for a
few days now...I've just missed those sessions). There is still a
great deal of swelling due to the surgery (which is quite normal) and
this puts a lot of pressure on the brain, thus restricting movement.
The good news is, with every passing day this swelling subsides and
there will be more progress. She is in a stage now where she needs to
just hang in there and get through the next 10 days or so....and she
is weathering this well. I am so proud of her strength and
determination and it shines through despite all the medication and
fatigue.

As of now, the target release date for Karyn is February 27th, though
this is pending approval by the senior staff here. We had a home
evaluation on Monday where we, accompanied by Karyn and Hans (the
head physical therapist) visited our house to see what interim steps
needed to be taken. We were all pleasantly surprised to find that all
we needed to do was to add extra railings where there currently are
none. I know that once she gets home her spirits will be greatly
improved as she will be able to be with the children all the time,
something she dearly misses. We have been able to bring the kids by
for visits, but as you may imagine, hospitals are no place for
children....they are no place for adults either, and I am counting
the days to not having to come here any more. For now she is where
she needs to be though, and I am grateful for all the assistance we
get here.

One other reason I wanted to write this message was to simply say
thank you for all the help our friends and family have given us
during this ordeal. Between the food deliveries, the help with the
kids, the spreading of various loads, the financial contributions and
positive messages, we are simply left in awe of you all and truly
thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You never expect something
like this to happen to you... because these things only happen to
other people. All I can say is, we will be forever grateful to all of
you for helping us during this time of need.

Please keep the cards, emails and blog messages coming. Karyn gets
them all and every word makes her feel better. When she gets into her
radiation treatments, I lean down and whisper to her that I will be
right outside the door waiting, and to remember that there are many
many people thinking of her in that very moment. People all over the
world with hearts bigger than I could have ever imagined. People that
will help her gain the strength to beat this.

So as we head into another weekend, remember to appreciate all that
you have. Enjoy every moment you can. Don't let a single life moment
pass you by. Smell those flowers deeply. Tell that person how much
you love them. Then tell them again and again. It is these things
that make us human and it is these things that define our life
experience. Every single moment is a gift, so accept that gift every
time it comes your way, no matter what form it might take today.

Until next time.....

~Julian