We talked with Jenn and the PC today, and have a ticket for her to leave Pretoria on Monday, and will land in Atlanta on Tuesday morning. We are driving down Monday night to meet her at the airport Tuesday morning.
She asked "will you bring Rascal (her dog)? Yep.
If everything goes as planned, we will have her back here Tuesday afternoon, and start the long road back to recovery.
She was given a Pnuemonia shot today, and said "it's really wierd not to be able to use either one of my arms".
Later, I will post (with permission) an e-mail from Brian Conners, Acting Head of Country, Malawi, that details just how heroic their evacuation from Malawi was, and the very large number of people involved.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
JENN'S COMING HOME
Jenn has had her medical exit physical in Pretoria, and the doctors feel she will be well enough to possibly fly home over the weekend - home Sunday or Monday morning. We are still working on the details, the time difference makes it challenging.
She is very disappointed to have to leave Africa, knowing she can never return - but most glad to be leaving the Guest House and coming home. There's just no place like home!!
She is still in a lot of pain, especially her back, shoulder and teeth, and will take a long time to heal - but at least she will be here where we can help.
Brenda is off the next two weeks, so the timing is great - and only flys 9 days in February.
Thanks again for all of your thoughts, prayers and well wishes!! I know Jenn will be anxious to communicate with each of you as soon as she is able.
She is very disappointed to have to leave Africa, knowing she can never return - but most glad to be leaving the Guest House and coming home. There's just no place like home!!
She is still in a lot of pain, especially her back, shoulder and teeth, and will take a long time to heal - but at least she will be here where we can help.
Brenda is off the next two weeks, so the timing is great - and only flys 9 days in February.
Thanks again for all of your thoughts, prayers and well wishes!! I know Jenn will be anxious to communicate with each of you as soon as she is able.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
1/20/09 Update from Pretoria
I am sorry to be tardy in updating Jenn's blog - Brenda and I are both back at work now, and things are pretty hectic with work, running a household, keeping in touch with Jenn and the PC.
Jenn is doing ok, her voice is getting stronger, but she is still in a lot of pain - particularly in her back (where her ribs are broken) and her shoulders - they have not done anything yet for either of these, and are deciding whether or not to take care of them there, or send her back to the states.
She did have more sutures taken out from around her eye today, that the nurse missed, and they are looking back at her shoulder x-rays to see where the problem is.
Sunday, the "invalids" in the guest house went to the zoo for awhile - Jenn said the most interesting thing was a zebra-giraffe, and that it was good to get outdoors for awhile. They also get shuttled to the mall some, but Jenn can't stay long, and she is sleeping alot.
She still has not resolved her problem with outbound cell calls, but can receive incoming ones - the phone store is at the opposite end of the mall from where they are dropped off, and she is not strong enough to walk that far yet. She also has e-mail access, and is responding as she can to e-mails - I know she really enjoys receiving them.
Tomorrow she believes "Washington" will decide on her and Tim's fate - with his head injury, they may bring him back to the states, and they will decide on whether they will do Jenn's "medical separation" from the PC in Pretoria, or fly her back here and do the paperwork. She is pulling for back here, because she will be on the way three days more quickly, at least.
Jenn is doing ok, her voice is getting stronger, but she is still in a lot of pain - particularly in her back (where her ribs are broken) and her shoulders - they have not done anything yet for either of these, and are deciding whether or not to take care of them there, or send her back to the states.
She did have more sutures taken out from around her eye today, that the nurse missed, and they are looking back at her shoulder x-rays to see where the problem is.
Sunday, the "invalids" in the guest house went to the zoo for awhile - Jenn said the most interesting thing was a zebra-giraffe, and that it was good to get outdoors for awhile. They also get shuttled to the mall some, but Jenn can't stay long, and she is sleeping alot.
She still has not resolved her problem with outbound cell calls, but can receive incoming ones - the phone store is at the opposite end of the mall from where they are dropped off, and she is not strong enough to walk that far yet. She also has e-mail access, and is responding as she can to e-mails - I know she really enjoys receiving them.
Tomorrow she believes "Washington" will decide on her and Tim's fate - with his head injury, they may bring him back to the states, and they will decide on whether they will do Jenn's "medical separation" from the PC in Pretoria, or fly her back here and do the paperwork. She is pulling for back here, because she will be on the way three days more quickly, at least.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Update 1/17/09
We talked to Jenn today, she is still in Pretoria in the guest house. She has had a pretty rough week, a couple of bad days (from pain and discomfort) and a couple of good ones. After stitches, staples, and everything was removed, she was very uncomfortable, her stomach where her spleen was removed hurts a lot, she can't sleep on her stomach, left side (because of her shoulder) and it is uncomfortable to lay on her back (where her four broken ribs are).
She is still very hoarse, and her voice is weak - she says it doesn't hurt to talk, but it does take some effort. The docs say her voice should come back in a month or so. The biggest problem she has is clearing her throat - coughing hurts her stomach and her ribs, so it is a real effort. That could become a problem because of her lung injuries.
Jenn has been able to check e-mails, but hasn't written much, because it is hard to do so. She also is limited in how long she can sit at a computer - she is still very weak, and can't go very long without resting. She spends most of her time sleeping - which is a good thing.
Looks like Tim will be discharged back to Malawi on Monday, the other girl in the house that was in a wreck has already been discharged. We don't have any idea how long it will be before she can come home - she says that Tuesday was the earliest possible date, but doesn't think that is going to happen.
Jenn is very aware of everyone's thoughts, wishes, prayers, e-mails and calls - she just doesn't have the strength to do much yet, and is still sorting things out. Your e-mails and calls are a lifeline to her. By the way, she is having problems making outbound calls, but inbound calls work well, and are very welcome.
She is still very hoarse, and her voice is weak - she says it doesn't hurt to talk, but it does take some effort. The docs say her voice should come back in a month or so. The biggest problem she has is clearing her throat - coughing hurts her stomach and her ribs, so it is a real effort. That could become a problem because of her lung injuries.
Jenn has been able to check e-mails, but hasn't written much, because it is hard to do so. She also is limited in how long she can sit at a computer - she is still very weak, and can't go very long without resting. She spends most of her time sleeping - which is a good thing.
Looks like Tim will be discharged back to Malawi on Monday, the other girl in the house that was in a wreck has already been discharged. We don't have any idea how long it will be before she can come home - she says that Tuesday was the earliest possible date, but doesn't think that is going to happen.
Jenn is very aware of everyone's thoughts, wishes, prayers, e-mails and calls - she just doesn't have the strength to do much yet, and is still sorting things out. Your e-mails and calls are a lifeline to her. By the way, she is having problems making outbound calls, but inbound calls work well, and are very welcome.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Pretoria Update 1-15-09
I received a brief e-mail from Jenn this morning - she had "everything removed" at the hospital yesterday, and, apparently, it was quite painful. Her e-mail was sent at about 8:30 am her time, and she stated "I am in quite a bit of pain. I am sorry that this is so short, but right now, all I want to do is go to bed".
She is very glad to be coming home - no date is set yet, but she indicated it would be "soon".
We will probably talk to her again on Saturday, will post an update then.
She is very glad to be coming home - no date is set yet, but she indicated it would be "soon".
We will probably talk to her again on Saturday, will post an update then.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
1/13 Quick update
No new news from Jenn today - and from what we understand, no news is good news.
I asked Jenn about mailing things to her, she said "I'm not going to be here that long. If anybody wants to mail me something, please send it to the house - I want to be sure I get everything"!!
If you want to mail Jenn a card, letter, etc., please send it to her at:
821 Coxboro Dr.
Brentwood, TN 37027
Thanks again for your thoughts, prayers and support. They have pulled us through.
I asked Jenn about mailing things to her, she said "I'm not going to be here that long. If anybody wants to mail me something, please send it to the house - I want to be sure I get everything"!!
If you want to mail Jenn a card, letter, etc., please send it to her at:
821 Coxboro Dr.
Brentwood, TN 37027
Thanks again for your thoughts, prayers and support. They have pulled us through.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Pretoria Update 1-12-09
Nothing new from Jenn today, talked to her late yesterday evening - she is in some discomfort, but healing, bored and ready to get on with things. She went back to the hospital today to have 35 staples removed, and I haven't heard how that went.
They are provided breakfast at the house, but have to provide other meals for themselves - they can either order in, or go to the mall - which they do usually, to get out of the house. Jenn still has a very strong sense of humor, the four in the house have all sustained injuries, and she said "we make quite a sight at the mall - one of us is using a walker, I scare them to death, and Tim doesn't know where he is".
As I hear stories from her and her mom, it seems more and more that what she has accomplished is remarkable. At the crash site, Tim and the driver were pulled out first, as they thought they were the most badly injured - when they pulled her out of the car, Jenn told her mom that Tim and the driver were laid out on the grass, and looked dead. As badly injured as she was, she said to herself "we are not going to die here - not here, not now" and went over to Tim and started screaming at him to wake up, knowing that sleeping with a head injury could be fatal. She kept after Tim to stay awake, and even in the ambulance on the way to Lilongwe, on oxygen, she helped the doctor with Tim.
Brenda believes that her dedication to helping Tim kept her adrenalin going, and gave her the strength and desire to save herself.
Great story, there is so much more but that will be up to Jenn to share at some future point.
She will be coming home in the next 2 - 4 weeks, don't have a definite date yet. She is quite anxious to come home, but dreading being "unemployed again at 24". She still needs your prayers and support to help her get through this.
They are provided breakfast at the house, but have to provide other meals for themselves - they can either order in, or go to the mall - which they do usually, to get out of the house. Jenn still has a very strong sense of humor, the four in the house have all sustained injuries, and she said "we make quite a sight at the mall - one of us is using a walker, I scare them to death, and Tim doesn't know where he is".
As I hear stories from her and her mom, it seems more and more that what she has accomplished is remarkable. At the crash site, Tim and the driver were pulled out first, as they thought they were the most badly injured - when they pulled her out of the car, Jenn told her mom that Tim and the driver were laid out on the grass, and looked dead. As badly injured as she was, she said to herself "we are not going to die here - not here, not now" and went over to Tim and started screaming at him to wake up, knowing that sleeping with a head injury could be fatal. She kept after Tim to stay awake, and even in the ambulance on the way to Lilongwe, on oxygen, she helped the doctor with Tim.
Brenda believes that her dedication to helping Tim kept her adrenalin going, and gave her the strength and desire to save herself.
Great story, there is so much more but that will be up to Jenn to share at some future point.
She will be coming home in the next 2 - 4 weeks, don't have a definite date yet. She is quite anxious to come home, but dreading being "unemployed again at 24". She still needs your prayers and support to help her get through this.
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