8/6/09-Fins Up!

Executive Summary: Jenna ate a full cup of yogurt and a couple of Jello cups today. She had 3 therapies of different flavors with different degrees of success.

Here is the the possibly rambling commentary that goes with the progress:

For those of you that know Missy well, you know her to be a HUGE fan/follower of the often misunderstood, modern day prophet.....a Mr. James William Buffett. Rev. Buffett draws crowds that rival the Rev. Billy Graham most every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday throughout the American Summer. This revival is complete with wine, offerings of the sort some may find a bit tasteless and an "alter call " of sorts for those Protestants in the audience.

"What in the world does this have to do with the redhead?" you might ask. Well, the misunderstood part of Rev. Buffett's ministry is that some people falsely believe it is about excess (in most of the better forms of excess available). In fact, it is about Love and carving your own way (sometimes a different way than most) in a mixed up world. I think the redhead (and our relationship with her) is a lot about Love and carving a different path in a mixed up world.

Well, truth be told (confession...see this is spiritual..kind of) I am the more reverent follower of Rev. Buffett. Better known to most just as Jimmy. In fact, St. Missy and I had tickets to the annual revival/concert this evening. (She accompanies me to fend of the evil spirits.) Instead of attending the revival I find myself in the hospital keeping the redhead company and Missy is riding herd at 5 Barbara Circle. We are both very happy in our roles. Just a few days ago it was unclear if the redhead would continue with us in our orbit around the sun. When viewed with that perspective, I am actually ECSTATIC to have the opportunity to accompany the redhead through another night at this fine hospital (bad bed, noisy pipes and all).

If you are tired of seeing song lyrics as a source of inspiration quit reading now.....Ok for those of you still with me I really like the expert from Rev. Jimmy's "Coast of Carolina":

After one or two false starts
I believe we found our stride
And the walls that won't come down
We can decorate or climb
Or find some way to get around
Cause I'm still on your side

Well, in my view that is kind of the way we handle stuff with Jenna. Basically, we and Jenna will just "find a some way to get around" the obstacles or if that is not possible, we will "decorate" them and live as comfortably as possible with the obstacles in our mist.

Through the power prayer (mostly from you and some from us) and the hard work of the docs here Jenna continues to make progress! We have heard the first hints of "when will we get her out of here?" today. The powers that be are starting to say.....the middle of next week...perhaps. For those of you keeping score that is 4+ weeks in a hospital for the redhead. Geez....1/12 of a year+! When they do send her home she will still need to work extensively on rehab and finishing her withdrawal from narcotics. So..."it ain't over till it's over", but stepping away from the hospital will be a big step forward!

So, please continue to keep Jenna and all those kids here at Cincy Children's in your prayers. Please give God thanks for the remarkable progress and ask specifically ask him for a full, quick recovery for Jenna! Thank you for all the work you are doing on Jenna's (and our) behalf and we pray that God blesses each one of you! Thank you for your interest and continue to EXPECT GREAT THINGS!