Dad's update emails come to a close

The idea of this blog, noted in the very first entry, is to allow folks the opportunity to check in however frequently they like. Also, it relieves Dad of the task of sending email updates. Below is the last email update Dad sent, probably what guided you to this site...

From Dad:
This may well be the last update emailed to you, because Tricia Joy Johnson Arthur has made us a blog! (Address is below.) For awhile at least, Trish will compile and post information regarding Jan more frequently than did I, so you can stay more current. Too, you can visit any time you choose and as often as you like, and Trish can post pictures for a more visual update. Thanks again, Tricia.

Meanwhile, since the last update, Janet Denise McClain Johnson continues to do improve remarkably and has been feeling this good for the last four or five days! She still has no pain but now the old sharp mind we knew has returned! Jan also has enough more energy than before to much less tired and to help her stay awake during all or most of each day. We are certain that the main cause of Jan's welcome "rebirth" is her recent radiation treatments, which has reduced the swelling inside her skull.

We meet with Dr. Donald Miller, head of the Brown Cancer Center for U of L, tomorrow at 2:00. He will be pleased with the report, so I don't know if he will want Jan to take another brain MRI at this juncture.

Another piece of happy news is that we finally bit the bullet and installed a chair lift last Thursday leading to and from our second floor condominium! Also installed are ramps out the front door and down to the parking lot with enough pitch for Jan to use just her walker instead needing her wheel chair. She has fallen more on these concrete steps than any other place. Janet is thrilled to have this added freedom to get out and about!

Pictures are posted on the new blog, www.thelatestwiththejohnsons.blogspot.com. Trish said the name is so long because so many of the shorter names are already taken, especially those with "Johnson" in it.

And finally, Hospice offers a neat program to give full-time caregivers of terminal patients a break to recharge their batteries. In Jan's case, after lunch we went to Norton Pavilion (formerly Methodist Hospital on 315 East Broadway) and up to her room where she will be staying through Friday! The room number is 607 and her private room phone number is 629-3697. Note that, since she is not there for any medical treatment, there are no restrictions for phone calls and none for visitation! Both are available 24/7!