17th of May

7.10pm Sunday evening. This weekend we had an old friend of ours here, Hakan Malmros. He guarded Jaana from the first our when she got ill in Singapore, but has not seen her since December 2007. It was great to hear his comments about Jaanas progress. When you only see one small step at a time, it is hard to see all the progress made. Anyway, Hakan was very happy to see Jaana and she to see him. Hakan was so glaf to see her smile, laugh and enjoy every day of life when he was here. It was a superb thing for all of us.
The kids have a few weeks left then there is a half term break and at the beginning of July they are off school. I might be traveling to Italy in the middle of June to prepare stuff. We are all very much looking forward to spend time in the "new" house.
Camille had a busy weekend with birthday parties and play dates. Jonathan went surfing and Ludwig had a lot of homework to do.

26th of April

9.11pm Sunday evening. As you can see from the picture Jaana was quite happy of our return home to Barbados. During the Easter trip the kids and I did, Jaana was very busy with her usual stuff, but also with extra yoga and different outings. She has slowly improved and is now very capable of holding her own weight when she is walking. Her balance is still not very good, but again improving. Verbal communication is still a tough spot and we have to get by with other means for the time being.
As it looks right now, we will be spending our entire summer vacation in Italy. The house is almost finished and I am working hard on the logistics to get it ready for end of June. This would allow us to spend all summer until beginning of September with our dear and very close friends, the Chiaritos.

30th of March

6.01am Monday morning. This weekend I had the two professors from Miami flown in to meet Jaana again. They were both quite pleased with her improved posture, her continued strength and glad to see that her mood had improved some what. They further concluded, as all the therapist and I have written before, that the major obstacle is the lack of initiation. There are some stimulating medication we will try, but it will take some time before we can certify any difference. Furthermore, Jaana got 300 units of Botox to ease up her left arm and shoulder. This should take full effect in a couple of weeks and last for 3 months again. This really does wonders for her as she can really work with her whole boddy during this time. Even Jaana's rehab has changed some what. She is now going to the therapist's office where they have special equipment twice a week. She seem to like to get out of the house a bit and see other views. Therapy is still on in her prepared room at home twice a week and then on Wednesdays she goes to a a 'Women Inspirational Groups' with the occupational therapist. In addition there is yoga and some other activities.
On Thursday I will travel with the children to Sweden. The boys will stay in Stockholm and Camille will go with me to Italy for 5 days to check out the house project. After that we shall return to Stockholm, pick up the boys and spend two days in London on our way back to Barbados. I think all the kids are looking forward to this.

10th of March

6.50pm Tuesday evening. As I just returned after a week in Europe, I can report that all is fine over here. Jaana has been working as usual and on Thursday, her neurophsycologist is coming in from the US. She is still on the same dose of Zoloft, which seem to help, even though she was noticeably more upset when I was gone. Anyway, all back to normal now until the kids to go Europe for a week around Easter.
My father left today after spending just under 2 weeks here when I was gone. He met many of our friends who all were very kind to pop by and make the period as short as possible for the Molen family. Jonathan had been surfing with one of his buddies and Ludwig joined in as well.
Finally, I have to as a proud father, express my delight that Ludwig has been doing extraordinarily good in school lately with some fantastic grades through superb attitude. I know if has nothing immediately to with Jaanas recovery, but most of you have written to me to get a family update. So there it is.

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.