WEDNESDAY UPDATE – HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM JULIA! (11/21, 5pm)

Julia has made more progress today.  In the picture above she is enjoying quiet time watching the movie Cars.  She took her first bath and her hair is looking nice again.  Dr. Campion and his assistant Dr. Alexander visited us earlier this afternoon and they like her progress.  She has been cleared to try real food now.  She had her first bite of mashed potatoes and gravy at 4pm and ate about 5 spoonfuls.  She followed this with 4 mini vanilla wafers (one of her favorite snacks).

Julia had some therapy mid-afternoon and she walked maybe 30 feet with assistance using a walker.  Father Michael and Presbytera Varvarelis came to visit Julia at the same time, and they witnessed her walking.  Father Michael and Presbytera joined Julia on a walk to the teen playroom and then we returned back to the room for Dr. Campion’s visit.  Strength is coming back little by little.  If she keeps making progress we hope that we can be in Charlotte by Monday.  We will enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday here at the hospital.  The hospital has a nice Thanksgiving meal for patients and their families.  Our Thanksgiving has continued each day since last Wednesday.

Julia is looking forward to seeing how much spine correction she has from the surgery and how much height she may have picked up.  We will have a followup visit with Dr. Campion in about 3 weeks to check on all of this.

Mom and the boys took a walk to Franklin Street right after 4 this afternoon for some Tarheel shopping for Julia and to allow Mom to eat her first non-hospital meal in a week.  Mom has been vigilant and has not left Julia’s bedside since the surgery.  Dad convinced Mom he could handle watching Julia on his own and that Mom needed to get outside and enjoy the warm weather.  And you know Dad handled Julia’s digestive system waking up all by himself.  This was good for Julia.

The boys are planning to watch a few movies this evening here at the hospital.  Christina got a ride home from NC State and will be getting her wash caught up and spend Thanksgiving with Uncle Kevin and Aunt Lisa before catching a ride up to the hospital.  Dad plans to put his new Zorba the Greek dvd on the TV in Julia’s room and dance along with Zorba for Julia’s entertainment.

We have much to be thankful for Julia’s recovery and continued progress and her many friends praying for her and cheering her on.  This likely will be the only update today.  We will update again tomorrow.  If Julia is up to it she will post her own message.  I believe she will have the strength to type something on the laptop.  Cheers to all!    DAD