A Journey for Jona

Wonderful News! Jona received almost 3 millions viable stem cells (CD34 cells) with 99 percent viability (80 percent is the minimum). We already see noticeable changes in Jona. Hours after the procedure when she began experiencing terrible back and leg pain, she yelled out “can’t move”! This may seem like nothing, but Jona has never been able to really express to us when she was sick/pain or what was wrong. Two days later, while holding her hand, I noticed her arm wasn’t stiff (increase muscle tone). It was painful before to hold her hand because her arm was always fully extended and stiff. This morning, while helping her get dressed, I notice her legs weren’t as stiff and I wasn’t fighting to get her knees to bend. Her muscle tone has relaxed. Her use of words in sentences to express herself seems to have improved as well. Bottom line, the trip was worth it and many thanks to each of you for the donations, your support, the well wishes, and especially the prayers! Joanne

Jona’s Journey has begun and the Ghelli’s have arrived safely in Dusseldorf. It began with a long flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Using a wheelchair to assist Jona in navigating the airport they were quickly ushered through customs. From there they drove to Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in St. Avold, France where more than 16,000 American soldiers are buried. They stayed overnight in a small village in France and slept for thirteen hours! On Sunday they drove to Paris and saw the Eiffel Tower and The Arc de Triomphe before travelling to their hotel in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Today they spent almost five hours at the hospital for neuro stimulation training through X-cell Center. Tomorrow will be the the stem cell extraction. During this procedure, bone marrow will be extracted from Jona’s hip bone by a physician. It normally takes around 30 minutes. First, local anesthetic is administered to the area of skin where the puncture will be made. Then, a thin needle is used to extract around 150-200 ml of bone marrow. Once the bone marrow has been extracted, the patient may return to his or her hotel.
As I hear more I will update this site. Continue to pray for all of them that the procedures go smoothly and they are soon home safely in the U.S.! ~ Jeanne

Well, here we are just a few days away from embarking on Jona's journey of hope. The Ghelli's are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our wonderful community of Holliston and far beyond!

We wish to thank so many wonderful supporters whose generosity enabled us to net $1,160.00 from the Journey for Jona booth at Celebrate Holliston! Without their donations of goods that would not have been possible.
Donated Gifts:
Pejamajo Cafe, Jeff Kinney, Herb Connolly Acura of Framingham, Out Post Farms, Coffee Haven, Doug Sent Me Dry Cleaning, Studio D, Elegante Nails, Holliston Jewelers, Highland Farms, Casey's Pub, Holliston Superette, Ya Ya Originals, Central Cafe, Table Top Pizza, The Candy Cottage, Fiske's General Store, The Cosmic Sister, Kim Givens, and Michelle Cordani

Additional baskets donated by:
Kamala Boutique
Salon Gina Cho
Kennedy Stovall

And our wonderful baked goods table would not have been possible without the winning culinary talents of the following individuals:
Pamela O'Sullivan, Sandy Mauro, Jennifer Shaefer, Gloria DiGiacoma, Judy Moran, Jeanne Aurthor, Christen Olson, Kristen Roberto, Carey Takach, Tina Stovall, Elsye Banak, Tina Perry, Lynn Iarussi, and Paula Mazzeo

"A very special thanks (from Joanne) to a good friend, Tina Stoval, for planning, organizing , putting the baskets together, and baking. She worked really hard and knew exactly how to set up that morning. I (Joanne) was asking her what to do next. Paul and her made a great team."

Thanks to all of you for helping Jona and her family take flight on this journey. Keep them in your prayers as they journey to Germany. And watch here for updates of their progress and journey of hope for Jona. ~ Jeanne

Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.
- Andre Gide