MONDAY NIGHT UPDATE (11/19, 11pm)

Good evening from Julia.  She is trying to get some rest right now.  It has been a busy day and night.  A lot of movement, change this, move that, pull this, etc.  We have been able to stay on the nasal cannula oxygen and no big mask.  It looks as if respiratory is now on its way, and we will continue to work on breathing exercises and coughing.  The bladder catheter was removed tonight so more progress.  Julia cannot eat yet as the surgeon determined that her digestive system is not ready.  We learned that your digestive system takes a few days after surgery, and in Julia’s case up to one week, to recover and be ready to accept food.  If you eat too soon then it puts your system further behind.  So no mashed potatoes tonight.  Two bites of green jello was all Julia had.  We promised Julia mashed potatoes and pizza from her favorite place in Chapel Hill at Franklin Street Pizza.

Julia is definitely looking better and improving.  The doctors, nurses and therapists are good people.  They are always attentive to Julia and her needs.  They are willing to talk through options and progress.  Cannot say enough about this group.  Julia has a had a good bout with nausea that coupled with her surgical back pain is what keeps her from perking to her normal self.  We will continue to work with the pain management, nausea and make sure no fever sets in.  Her sense of humor has shown up a few times.  We had a few moments of funny discussion, although some of it is tied to Julia saying things that we believe is Ms. Morphine talking.

We are getting there folks.  Julia cannot believe that her blog site has had over 7,000 views.  She cannot quite comprehend this.  We told her it is Julia’s Army growing each day.  We do see each of your posts and read a few to Julia each day.  Julia will read them all in a few days.

Today will be remembered for much progress in Julia’s recovery but for Julia it will be Tarheel Day.  If anyone can help get tickets to a future game in the Dean Dome, Dad promised Julia he will get her to a game.  Good night from Julia.  She said to tell her blog visitors “thank you so much.”  Day 7 is fast approaching and Julia longs to get back to Charlotte.  Thank you Julia’s Army.      Harry & Regina

MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE – JULIA IMPROVING & EXCITED ABOUT TARHEEL BBALL GET WELL MESSAGE! (11/19, 5:30pm)

Julia has made much progress today.  She has been breathing with only the nasal cannula in her nostrils providing oxygen since about 1pm.  We hope this can continue and we do not need to go back to the BIPAP or CPAP machine.  The chest tube was taken out at 4pm and that was a big deal.  We are happy to see this tube gone.  Therapy has been by to work with her and although she is still weak, they were able to hold her as she took 2 or 3 steps and then they sat her in a chair.  Julia is sitting in the chair right now surrounded by 4 pillows, front, back and sides.  She drank a little more Coke.  She has taken a few hits of morphine for her back pain.  She is asking to eat something and her specific requests were BBQ chips (no, too spicy) and mashed potatoes with gravy.  We are waiting to get an okay on the mashed potatoes.

We sat down a short while ago to read a few of Julia’s blog entries to her and right now she is on cloud nine after hearing the get well message from the UNC Tarheels Basketball Team this afternoon.  We are not certain how word got to the UNC basketball team about Julia and her surgery but thank you to the person who helped.  Julia cannot believe that the Tarheel basketball team sent her a message on her blog.  The only thing that could top this now would be for Julia to meet Tyler Hansbrough or Coach Williams.  Julia is a fanatic Tarheel fan along with her brother John, and she brought her Tarheel slippers with her to the hospital.

We are so happy to see Julia’s improvement thus far today.  Definitely moving forward.  She is still weak as is expected but the strength will come back one day at a time.  Thank you all for your messages to Julia!  We know God’s hand is at work here and will continue.  We will write another update tonight after meeting with Julia’s surgeon and working on the mashed potatoes.

Thank you Coach Williams and UNC Basketball Team.  You cannot imagine how special you made our Julia feel today.

Harry & Regina

MONDAY MORNING UPDATE (11/19, 8:30am)

Julia had a good night’s rest.  She is continuing to rest now.  Several doctors, surgeons and specialists have dropped in to check on her.  We hope to make more progress on respiratory today and cross some hurdles.  Waiting on an update regarding Julia’s chest tube and when we might be able to get this out.  We understand that Dr. Campion will be by the room later today to change Julia’s surgical dressing on her back.  Julia spoke through her CPAP mask this morning and said she just wants to go home.  We told her that she is into Day 6, and we hope to get her home soon.  Please continue to think of Julia and pray for her.  We want to get her well enough to move out of ICU into a regular room so she can begin therapy and rehab.  Short week this week so everyone enjoy time off with your families.

Harry & Regina