IMPORTANT: Jono

UPDATE:
Hey all-

Thanks for your concern. I've printed your messages and I will read them to Jono when I visit tomorrow. He's actually in a lot worse shape than I thought. He probably won't be able to walk or use his arms, and we're hoping that he'll be able to breathe without a respirator. I mean, he can breathe without one now, but his body will get tired out and he's going to have to go on one and then get trained off of it. There's a tiny chance he may be able to use his upper arms (no fingers or anything) but we're talking a year of rehab and that's still a tiny chance. To give you a better idea of where may be, I guess you could consider Christopher Reeve's injury.

His mind is fine, he can talk and everything, and he won't let us cut his hair. He's mostly pissed off and depressed right now. He know's what's happening but I don't think he realizes that he probably won't be able to move anything below his neck. Right now he's in surgery; they're trying to get his spine back in place. It'll be over by about 7 p.m. tonight. I believe you'll be able to visit him tomorrow, but I'll have to clear that with him and my parents first. I'll e-mail you or call (e-mail me your phone #s if you want) Meanwhile, you're welcome to give him messages through my e-mail account. Also, feel free to forward this to those who you think need to know. It'll do him a lot of good for him to hear from his friends right now.

Thanks,
Christine (and family)

1/22 Update:

Jono's surgery went well. That means his vertebrae is back where it belongs, with a little help (this is independent of all injuries to the spinal cord, of course). He should be able to have visitors starting Saturday, and I'll call those of you whose numbers I have as soon as I find out the details. Thanks again for your concern.

Update 1/22 (again):

Hey all- I read your e-mails to Jono today. I could tell they made him feel much better and he says hi. He is anxious to see everyone, but does not want any visitors until the respirator tubes are out. That could be tomorrow or Monday, we don't know. Anyhow, I'll contact those of you whose phone numbers I have, or who've e-mailed me, as to the earliest time you can visit. Please keep the messages coming if you can!

Update 1/23:

Hey- Jono just got permission to use a quasi-experimental drug called sygen. It may help regenerate the nerve cells (unlike most cells in the body, nerve cells don't regenerate beyond the embryo stage or something) but we're not sure. Also, we're concerned about the possible side effects. If you've got some spare time, please look for any RECENT info on the internet about sygen, please forward any info or web site address to my e-mail (tinnytintin@yahoo.com). That would help a whole lot. Again, your messages are greatly appreciated, and I'll keep you posted.

Update 1/25:

Jono really appreciates your letters; thanks so much. He says hi. Actually, he's pretty mad because they made him go back on the respirator. He'd been without it for about ten hours. Hopefully he'll come off it again soon. You'll have to wait til then to see him and I'll tell you as soon as I know.
The sygen (investigative drug) is supposed to come in today, but I don't know if it will, as it is bad outside. I think it's probably worse in Baltimore since it's further east. I'm very grateful to those of you who've sent me info from the net about sygen and other spinal cord sites. Now I've got something to keep me busy today while it's too dangerous to try and visit him. Thanks. I'll keep you updated.

Update 1/26

Jono's going to have a tracheotomy today, because his throat is swelling. His throat is swelling because of the respirator tubes. I don't know when he's going to want visitors after that, but I'll keep you updated. He appreciates your messages and says hi.

Update 1/28

Christine just called and Jono is ready for company, she said tomorrow,but she was rushing to work and probably didn't realize that you guys are all off today. He is at Balto. Shock Trauma, 5th Floor, room 17, visiting hours are 12-4 and 8-9. Please call The House (253-6809) and coordinate your visits so that you all don't show up at one time. I will be home until noon, Kait and Maggie are both here, too. ~Mom

Update 1/31

I want to thank those of you who have visited Jono. He's been a lot happier since you guys have been in. Thanks so much. If you would still like to visit, the hours are every day noon to 4 pm and then 8 pm to 9 pm. It looks he'll be at the hospital for quite a long time; I'm not sure how long, but definitely more than a month. After that he's going to a place at the end of route 70 for physical therapy. It should be about a half hour away from those of you in Damascus. He can move his forearm, and hopefully soon he'll be able to give his nurses the finger. :)

Update 2/5

Hey- Jono can talk and is now in room 8. That's the "less serious end" of the critical care unit, same floor. Thanks for visiting Jono and writing. He's feeling a lot better. Thanks for the info on sygen. Apparently they've discovered a protein called Nogo that inhibits the regrowth in spinal cord injuries. This discovery could help with Jono's recovery. However, this is so recent that I'm having trouble finding information about it. If you can help out with info or web pages, please e-mail them to me at tinnytintin@yahoo.com - thanks!

Update 2/10

Hey all! Jono is well enough to leave the Baltimore Shock- Trauma Hospital. He's now at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington D.C. (not at the institute next to Baltimore at the end of route 70, as I may have told some of you earlier). I haven't been there yet, so I don't know the visiting policy. I do know that it's on Irving street, and the nearest Metro stop is Brookland-CUA (Catholic University) on the red line. That's about 20 stops for those leaving from Shady Grove. Then you get on the shuttle to NRH (National Rehabilitation Hospital). When I know more about the visiting policy, I'll post it. :)

Update 2/11

Hey! Jono is now in Washington D.C. The visiting hours for the National Rehabilitation Hospital are every day from noon to 9 pm. Like I said, you can take the red line from Shady Grove to Brookland-CUA and then take the free shuttle (stops running at 7 pm) to the hospital. Or, you can take the red line from Shady Grove to the UDC stop, and then hop a metrobus (I think you can get a free transfer in the metro station) to the hospital. The bus number is H2, I think, but I could be wrong. Alternately, you could drive there. Take 270 down to 495 towards College Park and Silver Spring (not Bethesda/Virginia). Get off on Connecticut Avenue, turn left on Porter, until you see the signs for the Hospital (you'll turn right and, if you follow the signs, somehow end up on Irving street, which you follow until you get to the hospital). If my directions are too vague, try this address- Washington Rehabilitation Hospital 102 Irving Street NW Washington D.C. Jono can talk, and he can answer the phone if you call him. E-mail me for his phone number, if you want it. Again, thanks for all your support!

Update 2/17

Hey- All cards, notes, glow sticks, dead rats, or other things you want to send to my brother can be addressed to:
Jonathan Chun
Room 223
National Rehabilitation Hospital
102 Irving St. NW
Washington D.C 20010-2949
Also, here are better directions from 270:
270 south, merge left and get onto 495 towards College Park & Silver Spring (NOT Virginia) take exit 31B, Georgia Ave, south get in 2nd or 3rd lane, not the far right lane merge right onto 16th street take 16th street for a long time, and then turn left onto Irving street, follow until you see the big medical complex in front of you, turn left turn right and right again to get to the rehab hospital. he's in room 223 Also, e-mail me if you need his phone number. He should be there til mid April, at least. :)

Important: Jono was in a serious accident last night

Important: Jono was in a serious accident last night...

Important: Jono was in a serious accident last night...

IMPORTANT: Jono was in a serious accident last night... (UPDATED)

another update

sygen

IMPORTANT: Jono (UPDATED TODAY)

DIRECTIONS TO JONO

IMPORTANT: Jono

IMPORTANT: Jono

visiting jono