SMALL Follow-up Surgery on Wednesday

Kirstin here with another update...

The surgeons here in Greenville have decided that the right next step is to do a small surgery to tomorrow to go in and clean up more of the broken bone pieces that may be floating around Jonathan's spinal column. The surgery will be about an hour or so, not a big deal. The expectation is that this will help maxmize nerve recovery and promote increased mobility.

Also, after looking at Jonathan's films, they also said that they thought the surgical team in Lima did a good job. The surgeons here said that the Peruvians did just what they would have done here. This is comforting to hear. We had a generally good impression of the care we got there and had confidence in the surgeons, but who are we to judge? We're just stupid tourists.

COMFY NEW DIGS
He's been moved out of ICU and into a regular room here at Greenville Memorial Hospital (Room #2323). No phone in here yet, but better yet, a DVD player! So we'll be chilling out with movies in the coming days. While the hospital in Lima was new, clean and reasonably modern, it sure is great to be somewhere with ALL the modern medical amenities.

JONATHAN'S CONDITION
He is quite comfy, although he occasionally has pain requiring some medication. He is no longer wearing his "gladiator" torso brace, so he can breathe a little easier. They are already getting him on a physical therapy routine. This hospital has a great rehab center (Roger C. Peace) on the premises and in time he will be admitted there (maybe in a few days). A physical therapist was just here to look him over and work him out. With the brace on, he was able to sit up on the edge of the bed. That might not sound like a big deal, but to a guy who has been horizontal for over a week now, he said it felt great to get the blood flowing. In fact, he needs occasional butt massages to help keep it from falling asleep. His step cousin Scott Moore was lucky enough to be called on massage duty today!! For you eventual visitors who are in the nearby area, there will be plenty of opportunity to take part in this fun! hahahhaha.

For lunch Scott brought in BBQ from J's favorite place here in Greenville. He is currently getting a foot massage with eucalyptis, tea tree and Aveda #12 oil! Ginny Coykendall took me shopping for summer clothes (since I had packed for winter in Peru). And later this week I'll be getting a full massage and maybe a pedicure. So life is good here today, we're glad to be back.

I printed out the notes and pictures you've all sent, thanks so much! Keep them coming, it is so nice to hear from people. In the coming weeks, he will have many moments of needing company and hearing from folks.

We'll be uploading some pictures soon, when we get more time, then you can see for yoursleves how good he looks.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers while we get those legs back in action!! Pace yourselves, though, we'll need weeks of postive energy.