UPDATE 2/23

First of all it has been 20 days since Michele was placed back in the controlled come and I am happy to say she was awake with both eyes wide open and watching us move around the room in amazement. She is really awake not just an eye open from now and again but open all the time and looking at us. I asked her if she new who I was and she blinked. Then I asked if she loved me and she blinked. I brought out our Christmas picture and put it in front of her eyes and she looked at all our family and I told her that each of her children loved her and what they were currently doing. Her arms moved when they tried to suction fluid out of her mouth as it is very irritating to her.

She had her bone marrow test done and it came back perfect she is producing he own platelets but at a slower pace that her fighting her infection. She has fluid in her lungs that will be removed tonight as well as a tracheotomy right about now. They have waited all day to get her 100k in platelets to give her at the same time as the operation so she will not be in danger. Once this is done tonight we will wait 24 to 36 hours then she has been approved to me medivaced out of Mexico. Miami will probably be out destination but I will not know until tomorrow. The key to convince the insurance company was that she needs a team of infectious disease specialists that they do not have in Cancun then intense physical therapy. I am currently on a 2 hour notice to leave once she is stable after 24 hours after the operation. They will call me and we will be on a flight out of here.

Although this all sounds good please remember that we are far from over this horrible tragedy and Michele is not out of danger by any means. I take every day “Day by Day” in hopes we do not take any steps backwards. We will be going back to the hospital tonight to say good night and again in the early morning as Karen leaves at noon. Billy leaves on Thursday but I expect to be on a plane before him heading for Florida. Billy will return home to help take care of his siblings and get back to school. Amy has put her plans to fly to Cancun on hold and is ready for my instruction to fly to our new destination.

The pictures attached are of Dr Garcia, Michele and myself; some family pictures and Valentines roses; and the jar of Jelly beans being filled by Billy which each bean are a thank you to every person in the ICU that take part in Michele’s care and recovery.

I would love to get Michele back to Colorado but the flight is too long and her safety is first. We will make it home in due time.

Please continue your prayers as I truly believe they are working in Gods time

John