24th of February 2009

5.40pm Tuesday afternoon. It has been a month since the last post, and life in the Caribbean is going through a busy season. Jaana has been working on her therapy every day and has since she started with 100mg of Zoloft per day been less likely to cry. Saying that, she does have her bad moments, but in a more normal proportion. Her progress is still very slow, but small improvements can still be seen. She is much better in walking with someone supporting her and she is (another effect of the medication) initiating more actions.
Last week was mid term break, so the kids had the week of. The beginning of the week, we did some sports at home (golf, diving, tennis etc), Jonathan had a sleep over for a few days. On the Thursday we flew to Canouan with some friends and with their families. A fantastic, picture perfect paradise only 45 min away by plane. Some more sports and a trip with a catamaran in the Tabago Keys were all great. Jaana enjoyed the trip very much and so did Parmi and Anna, who neither of them had left Barbados for over a year. One can get a bit of island fever if one does not leave every so often.
Yesterday school started and things are getting back to normal. Next week I will be gone on a short trip, but my father is coming on Friday to stay during the week.
And for all of you following cricket, it is a big week starting Thursday. West Indies is hosting the England test cricket team and the Kensington Oval. After a huge win and a draw the WI are looking good.

25th of January

9.19am Sunday morning. So, now a few new things. Since a week back Jaana has tried a new form of medicine to get her a bit happier and for her to engage a bit more. It is still early days, but the result has been all positive. She has only cried a couple of times last week (before it could be a lot) and she is more willing to participate in the rehab. Hopefully this will be the right medicine for her as they all effect everyone a bit different.
The kids are chipping along in school, and Ludde is turning more and more into being a true teenager... Jonathan is the sporty one of all of us and Camille is still the little princess who is also letting us know what she wants. She complain that she has to do a lot of hard work in school. Her birthday is on Tuesday and the list is long with left over wishes from Christmas with some new things added. I have a feeling this list will haunt me for some time.
I got back from a very short trip from Miami yesterday, and today we are all heading out for Sunday lunch.
As promised, here is a photo of Jaana with her mother Ritva from just over a week ago. I will try to post a bit more photos for all of you, but you are also welcome to contact us for live Skype video and say hello to Jaana. For better quality and reliability, use Parmis Skype address (name: Parmi Partawiyana).

14th of January

6.30pm Wednesday evening. Well back in her routine, Jaana is starting her 2nd calendar year of rehabilitation. To get more out of the sessions, she will be given Wednesdays off, so that she can rest for one day. We did this in December as well, and she seem to like that idea. Jaana has expressed a bit concern over her short term memory, which she realizes is not up to par. There are some memory games and exercises to do, which we are, but only time will tell.
Kids are back to school. They will have a week off in February, when we will go to Canouan. It is only a very short flight, so I hope to be able to bring Jaana, Parmi and Anna as well. The kids are already looking forward to it. i have promised them to explore the nearby islands a bit more this year. It is so easy just for a weekend, and it does feel like you have been on a vacation.
Parmi and Anna are doing fine as well. They seem to run out and about on Sundays when they usually seem to go to 'The Boatyard'.
Nothing more to report really, but I will put up some of Ritvas pictures from when she was here in the next posting.

1st of January

12.17pm Thursday afternoon. Today we are all heading for the beach to meet up with two other families on the east coast of Barbados. Over there, the sea is quite rough so it is not advisable to swim, but are bringing some food and wine. Jaana is obviously coming along and so is her mother. It is a bit of an exercise for both of them; Jaana sitting up for a long time and Jaana's mother picking up the English. She is doing quite well actually, and by know Parmi understands Swedish.

With this we would all like to wish everyone of you a very Happy New Year with many smiles, good health and prosperity.

The Molens + Ritva

21st of December

4.13pm Sunday afternoon. Sunday is a rest day for Jaana, so she right now recharging for next week. Even though it is Christmas, she has more work to do, all until Christmas eve. After that a few days holiday before a New Year begin again. She has been okay lately, putting in some effort. She is still working a lot on coordination and hip balance. A rocking horse we gave Camille for Christmas a few years ago has been dusted off and has now come of use again.
Kids are great and Camille is counting days until Christmas. Her wish list included a computer, iPod and a mobile phone and last time I checked with Santa, she might be a bit sort on all those... Instead I know she will be very happy with all the other nice things she will get. The Christmas tree is all inside and ready with artificial snow bought in London. I put the lights and the kids put up all the ornaments.
Ludde has a friend for a sleep over tonight and we might all go diving tomorrow morning.
My dad came over from Sweden yesterday and Jaanas mother will come on the 29th and stay until the 12th. Weather wise, I will not bother to make you jealous...

9th of Decmber

1.24pm Tuesday afternoon. Sorry for the long intervals between new postings, but there really has not been too much to write about. Jaana is working along and the Neuropsychiatrist is coming down on Friday from the US. Last week Jaana did a great job and all the therapist were very happy with what she did. She participated and actually wanted to do the exercises. Hope that it last for a while since we still have a long road in front of us.
Kids are doing fine. This is the last week in school before their three week Christmas holiday. We will stay here for the festive season and maybe travel a bit during the winter break in February instead.
Parmi got her new passport without having to travel, which made us all very happy. I have applied for a new passport for Jaana over the mail, so let us see how that goes.

18th of November

11.56am Tuesday midday. It has been some time since the last post, due to a busy time with school holidays and other travels. Jaana has been working, but sometimes her motivation is a bit low. I think she is looking forward to a bit of slower time over Christmas, even though there will be some exercises then as well. She is talking weekly with the neuropsychologist after which she puts in a bit more effort. She still is quite depressed and such, but we all try to keep her spirit up. Yesterday during her speech session, she was asked how she was feeling and she spelled out: 'S', 'H', 'I', 'T', and smiled! The humour is no problem.
Kids are fine. Three more weeks and it is Christmas holidays! It is a bit hard to imagine with 31 degrees, sun and no real extravagance retail. In the US, I passed IKEA to pick up some herring, ginger cookie dough, julmust etc so I guess we will be getting the atmosphere soon. There will be quite a few families staying around for Christmas so we have decided to have a Christmas day bbq at our home on xmas day. Should be fun.
Parmi is doing fine, and again I need to reiterate her fantastic character and her energy. She is doing so much for Jaana, that you could not believe! Without her, Jaana's, my and the kids life would look very much different.