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This I.V. is made for walking
For those of you who have been with us since the beginning 5+ years ago, you know that it has been (and hopefully will be) quite a long journey. Yesterday was a very good day on that winding road.
Yesterday morning, I arrived at the hospital to find Jen walking around with her nurse and IV poll. Yes, it was a very slow walk, but just 1 day after major surgery, that's amazing! She is still itchy (I think from the anesthesia), in some pain (getting pain meds, but can't take too much since that would mask any issues we need to be aware of), and not able to eat or drink anything until her digestive system starts to wake up (hopefully in the next few days). But overall it was a very good day!
Please keep the good thoughts coming via comments on this blog, drawings from your kids, etc. Jen reads them all, and they give her a lot of strength. Voice mails and emails are good too, but please be specific that you're not expecting her to reply (she needs to focus on rest and recovery).
Some of you asked for a little more info about the surgery. They removed the main tumor and one other small nodule in the same general area as well. To do so, they removed about 12 inches of both her small intestine and large intestine, and then connected both back up. As you could tell from the pictures Jen posted of her belly before surgery, the tumor was very large. It was sort of in the shape of the top of a mushroom so one of the doctors said 2 footballs side-by-side is more accurate than the soccer ball I mentioned below. Said it probably weighed 5 to 10 pounds (you can imagine the discomfort Jen was feeling). He actually called it "ginormous" -- I didn't realize that was a medical term!
They sent the tissue off to the lab for analysis, which might give us some data to help determine where we go from here. But for now, we're psyched the surgery went well, and we're focused on getting a little stronger each day. Thanks for all your support! - DL
Comments
Dearest Jen,Recovery well,
Dearest Jen,
Recovery well, Darling, and stay well. If you could package and sell your and David's spirit and spunk you would change the world.
Love to you both,
Wendy Sands
You've been in my thoughts
You've been in my thoughts for a long time now... Given Dave's request for distractions, I'm passing along the links below, which I know you'll appreciate (they're all final four recaps!!).
Go Duke!
Jodi (Berlin) Ganz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrurx57Jlsk&feature;=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad03DNJzuPw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vNrhDPsosQ&feature;=channel
Jen,We are thinking of you
Jen,
We are thinking of you and are so thrilled to hear the surgery went well and that you are up and about. Thought of you today when I went to robert's spinning class...Perry and I were in the hospital area the past couple days finally getting her hearing aids (both ears) to make up for hearing loss caused by her chemo...and still thinking how all the crazy treatments are so worth it, side effects and all. She will post or e-mail you over the weekend. xoxo, Anne, Larry etc.
Jen,It's funny how certain
Jen,
It's funny how certain people are always hanging around in your consciousness. You're one of those people for me. I thought of you when I watched Duke in the Tourney last month. I thought of you when I was talking to someone who was thinking of working at Coke. I thought of you when I ate some of my mom's Mazel Mix. So yes, because I'm aware of your surgery, I'm thinking of you a lot at the moment -- but just so you know, even if all were "normal" I would have been thinking of you anyway. Be strong and get well soon.
Brian Stifel
Jen and Dave...We are
Jen and Dave...
We are checking back every day (at least once a day if not each hour) to see how the recovery is going. Dave, thank you for being so generous with your time to post here - means a lot.
Thinking about you both every second. So glad it is out...let the healing begin...You are so strong and you WILL conquer. We love you.
-The J Team
P.S. Spinning like crazy hoping it offers some karmic good...
Thanks so much for the posts
Thanks so much for the posts Dave I wish we coud all do more to help you both through this.
I'll keep sending my prayers and good thoughts...give 'em heck Jen!
De
Thanks for the update, DL.
Thanks for the update, DL. Our thoughts are with you guys and hoping for a speedy recovery and an end to this madness.
Love,
Mike & Kass
We know an amazing
We know an amazing contender
Whose insides went off on a bender...
But she fought like a winner
Killed whatever was in 'er
And that tumor was sent back to sender!
Way to go, we love you, Rachel
What?!? Pole dancing the day
What?!? Pole dancing the day after major surgery? Jen, honey it's ok, you can wait a while before you go back to work...
Oh. Wait.
I hope you're smiling...
Seriously, rock star, I am SO SO pleased to hear (but frankly not surprised!) that you're up and trying your best to move and start to heal.
I'm racing my bike (in a real road race--eek!) this weekend and you will be there with me up every hill and 'round every dodgy corner.
Keep up the good work and Dave, thanks so much again for keeping us all informed and taking such good care of Jen.
Love,
Em x
Jen you are a super star!!
Jen you are a super star!! Walking on Post op Day 1 is incredible!! Keep it up my friend and in no time your tummy will be waking up and saying I am hungry!
Carol
You know, not many women can
You know, not many women can boast about dropping 5-10 lbs in one day- that's like, three dress sizes! I'm impressed! I'm fist pumping for a speedy recovery.
-Marissa from Cycle
Jen, it has got to be all
Jen, it has got to be all that cycling that gets you up on your feet after two side by side FOOTBALLS were removed from you--weighing almost 10 pounds, no less. I'm thinking of you every day!
xo
Paula
Jen and Dave, I admire your
Jen and Dave, I admire your bravery and determination so much! So glad to hear you are up and walking around so soon. I hope my "power of positive thinking" makes it all the way to the East Coast ;-) Best wishes for a continued speedy recovery.
Love, Lynda
Of course you were up walking
Of course you were up walking around! It's out Jen and yes, as Dave said, you were probably so uncomfortable given the size of that thing. Can I try to make you laugh and say good news is you just lost 5-10 pounds? Keep going as you always do. Lots and lots of love.
Jen, you continue to amaze!
Jen, you continue to amaze! Up and about the day after surgery!! Way to go! We are far away but you are in our thoughts and prayers constantly! Continue to improve. Love from the CA contingent.
Michele and Dan
Way to go Champ! Up and at
Way to go Champ! Up and at 'em already. Your in our thoughts and prayers every moment.
Love, Macy, Kevin, Henry & Eliza
Fabulous, fabulous. Knowing
Fabulous, fabulous. Knowing Jen, by tomorrow you will post that she is spinning... Love and Hugs, Lisa and Jason
Hi Dave and Jen:Tell Jen that
Hi Dave and Jen:
Tell Jen that I am mortified that I am sitting here on my fat tuchus, while she's running the halls with her IV pole!!! Also, Jen doesn't do anything 'small' so am I surprised by ginormous coming out of Jen? Nope! She can kick a ginormous ass that's for sure!
Love to you both!
Judy (aka the Chicago work buddy)
Dave, Lots of sunshine
Dave,
Lots of sunshine spreading all around. Thank you for your update! It made all of our mornings to hear jen is up and about.
You are both superstars-to so many! And I love you both. I am sending hugs, kisses and good karma your way. I can't wait til I can give a kiss live and sing, " we have watched that tumor right out of its' place" to Jen....
Love NINI-Aka-Aline
Mi amor.....I'm soooo proud
Mi amor.....I'm soooo proud of you, your courage & determination, I'm sure I will see you very very soon, I can picture you dancing like a crazy on my party in Cartagena.
Besos
G
Dave-Thanks so much for
Dave-
Thanks so much for posting the news - we so appreciate it. It wouldn't surprise us if you arrived at the hospital tomorrow and found Jen running laps or on a bike that she'd convinced some doctor to bring in overnight. We all know your wife is a superstar!!!
Keep on healing.
Sending lots of love, good wishes and prayer to you both
Jax & Nini
Great news...keep this pole
Great news...keep this pole walking and nature will take care of the healing.
Jen is like a "cat" with beautiful eyes..she has 9 lives and lots of love coming her way
Sherri and larry Freeman
Great to hear!
Great to hear!
Jen & Dave - it was great to
Jen & Dave - it was great to read the good news this morning. We're pulling for you! Can't wait to hear the news continue to get better and better.
Take care,
Cindy & Jay
It made my morning to hear
It made my morning to hear that Jen was already up walking yesterday - yay! Thanks for posting that, Dave, when you must be completely exhausted yourself!
Jen - you've had lots of people in Boston - me and friends I shared you story with - praying and sending goods vibes your way the past few days, and we will continue to do so. I am so glad the evil mushroom has been uprooted!
Love,
Gail M.