Teresa is now back to normal. Her vitals have been stable for the past few hours. The heavy duty drugs they gave her this morning have finally worn off and Werner said she is following people with her eyes. She is alert and attentive. They haven't received the final results from this evening's CT scan but that is probably good news that they aren't rushing the results. She is such a fighter. Teresa - we are so proud of you.

Josie has had a good day here in the desert. She has walked everywhere she needed to go with her walker. It is incredible to see her so stable and balanced. She walked with her canes tonight which was done with great success...there was no complaining!! We swam all morning with Luke and took a golf cart ride this afternoon with Great Grandpa. We will sleep easier tonight knowing that Teresa is stable. Blessings, Jenny and Josie

Teresa update

Thanks be to God that Teresa is currently stable. Her vitals have returned to normal levels. They did the CT scan and the brain and head are ok. We are still praying that she isn't as septic as once anticipated. The thing we worry about with her is how quickly she can turn. Thanks to Werner's call I was able to hear all consults while the doctors were in the room this morning from 6 - 7am. There were some breathing issues that they think they have worked out. Thanks for all your support for Teresa, Werner and Florie and family (whose hearts are aching at this time in worry) and Josie and I. Werner - you are doing an awesome job at helping her. Keep up your good work. You are her best chance at getting what she needs. Will update soon.

Please Pray for Teresa

Teresa is having a really hard time in the hospital. Her stomach is so distended showing signs of septic shock. They are running tests and getting a CT scan of her head. She just needs lots of prayers. She is a warrior and we need her to fight again. We love her so much. Please pray and send her good thoughts. Will update when I get more information. Love Jenny and Teresa's adoring sister, Josie

Back in LA...for a week

Operation Smile event


Susan and Josie




Josie and Teresa with Werner and Florie Cajas (Teresa's parents)




We are back in LA and enjoying the beautiful weather. Izabella's departing words to me in Michigan was, "darling you are not in Kansas any more. Please bring back some warmer clothes" as I was leaving in my capri pants and flip flops with a high of 50. We are looking forward to experiencing the fall weather...after a week of 90 degrees in the desert!!

On Friday we went to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to visit Teresa (Josie's sister). She is in there for 3 shunt revisions. Yikes. They had to externalize 3 of her 4 shunts because there is infection somewhere in there and they aren't working. The shunt in in the ventricle of the brain and drains the fluid from the brain into the stomach where it is passed through urine. (very layman's explanation). Josie only has one shunt and hasn't had to have a revision to date. Poor Teresa has had to have a couple revisions. This time they are going to be able to put back only 2. When we walked in yesterday, Teresa saw Josie and immediately started cooing, laughing and smiling. Werner (her Dad) said that is the first time she has smiled or talking in 2 weeks. The miracle of the sister's bond. Teresa was so happy to watch Josie and have Josie sit in bed with her. The nurse finally came by and made us leave because you are suppose to to be 16 to visit right now. If she only knew how much healing probably took place during the half hour we were there she would have thought differently.

Also during our visit to Childrens Hospital, we got to see Susan Knight Josie's PT. We were all so happy to see each other. I was happy for Susan to see Josie and the progress she has made. We were sorry to miss Jenn who is back east. Hi Jenn!!

Last night I got to go to the Operation Smile gala in Beverly Hills. We had the pleasure of meeting the founders, Bill and Kathy McGee. What an amazing organization that helps kids worldwide with cranial facial deformities mostly cleft lip and palate. Their son, Billy McGee, is a cranial facial/ plastic surgeon at CHLA with our surgeon Mark Urata. Thank you McGee's for a wonderful evening and all the time you have put into helping children.

Please keep our sweet Teresa in your prayers. She has a couple weeks ahead of her in the hospital and another surgery to endure during that time. She is such a warrior. You can't imagine what she has had to live through and is still so happy. We love you so much Sister!! Our love, Jenny and Josie

Packed and ready to go

We are packed and ready to go. The weather definitely turned here to fall. We are looking forward to a few days of California sun. Josie worked hard today and walked with only one break with her canes all the way across the room. We will have to really keep up the cane walking at home. I have to get to bed since we are going so early to therapy tomorrow and then off to the airport. I will post tomorrow when we get home...oh after my cards night with the girls -Can't wait to see you all!! Thanks for every ones support. We love it, Jenny and Josie

PS. Przemek and Sylvia- I promise to keep her strong and walking when we are home!! I know you are worried. Then I will turn her back over to you for 8 more weeks of miracle working. We will miss you guys.

Dinner with the Michigan Dream Team

Przemek, Sylvia, Holly, Max, Josie and I

After a great day of therapy, we got to go out and enjoy dinner with the team. We so rarely get to socialize because we are always "working". Josie enjoyed going with them so she could laugh and joke with them instead of just concentrating with them. Sylvia and Przemek son, Max, is one year older then Josie so she enjoyed the company of someone her own age. She is doing a good job in her adult world here but nice to have someone her age to play DS with and tell jokes. Holly was great to organize the evening. Next time we get to go to Przemek and Sylvia's for a home cooked authentic Polish dinner.

We officially accepted Pibb, Josie's dog, today. It looks like he will return to us November 19th. We will be trained for a few days and then fly home. This will delay our return home by a few days but will be worth it. Josie is overjoyed now that we have made the official decision. Bless Sarah and all at Cares Inc for making this such a wonderful thing for Josie. I look forward watching her make even bigger strides with the dog. The dog remains in Kansas until his arrival learning some "Josie" specific commands. We already miss you Mr. Pibb.

I just got word today that Teresa, Josie's twin sister, has been in the hospital the past week and a half. Apparently they thought she had meningitis again but the bacteria didn't grow out of the culture. From my understanding she is on IV antibiotics for her fever. We pray that she gets well soon. We love you Miss Teresa.

Two more days and then we return home for a week break. Josie needs to keep up the hard work for the next 2 days. Our best to all, Jenny and Josie

Monday, Week 5

Where has this time gone??? I can't believe we are in week 5 of this fall session. Josie had a good day walking with canes with Sylvia. It took a little encouraging to get her going but then she did well. It is hard to come back after a fun weekend and work hard. We only have 4 days this week so we need everything out of her we can get. This also means a lot more "walking homework"...not her favorite past time. We waited to do this until right before bed so it really took some encouraging. So much that we ended up doing it in the garage so we wouldn't wake up Aunt Harriet. I'll tell you what, when she makes up her mind to concentrate she is so good at the canes. My wish is for the next 8 weeks with Przemek the canes become 2nd nature and she can do them without so much concentration like she now does with her walker. If she can get really proficient on the canes then come April when we return for the month she can start learning independent steps and then become proficient with this all next summer. It is a good and obtainable goal.

It also turned into a cloudy, rainy, windy fall weather day here today. It is harder to motivate with this weather so I will give her a little break today!! We are having fun seeing the leaves just begin to change. I am looking forward to seeing the color here. What a treat. Love to all, Jenny and Josie