It's Just Too Soon to Tell

A lot of you have been asking how Judi is doing.  It's just too soon for me to tell.  There are a lot of differences this time, but Judi was in a much different mental condition this time as well.  She has been sleeping a lot and her energy level is still very low.  The weather has been up and down as well, so it could be the culprit.  She is eating reasonably well, but her appetite is still off the norm for her.  I am giving her some additional food supplements through her PEG to help get her energy up and maintain her nutrition.  So, I am going to hold off on any judgements of the impact of surgery until we have a little longer to get her bearings.

I talked to the doctors on Friday and nothing has grown out of the cultures taken inside of her head.  That was great news.  We have passed the point where the traditional "do-bads" grow out.  They are going to keep them and monitor for an extended period of time to see if something shows up later.  Although it will be a long while before we can go back and repair Judi's head, we are already working on the options.  I want to get some other opinions before we commit to a path.  This is really a plastic surgery issue and there seems to be limited experience in the area with what we are facing.  I have to believe that with all of the terrible injuries our troops have sustained, there is a procedure that would work well for Judi.  If any of you have a plastic surgeon connection, we could use your help.  I am trying to figure out how to find that specialist.  Searching on the internet does not have the granularity to find the right one and I suspect that success will be when someone in that field has heard of someone working miracles in this area.

We are getting the facebook page up and running.  For those that are facebook challenged (like me), the blog will be updated as well after we make the transition.  I can't thank all of you enough for the numerous cards and well wishes for Judi.  Your thoughts and prayers are priceless to us and have more power than you can imagine.  Without them, I know that I would not have the strength to go on.  I have to give a special thanx to Mike and Tracy Borders (mainly Tracy) for the awesome vittles they brought by this weekend and a belated birthday cake for Judi as well (which she has thoroughly enjoyed).  I continue to be humbled by the kindness and compassion so many of you have shown us.

Thank you again,
Steve & Judi