As Nick said, Chicago was quite a learning experience. We were able to stay with my brother Steve who lives on Lake Shore Drive and only a short 3 block walk to the facility. They had reviewed Jenny's records and are certainly able to help her but did stress the need for a strong support system as she works her way through rehabilitation. We are still talking about options but this will all become more clear in the coming weeks....
It has been so good to have Gaylin here...Jen really had a spa treatment yesterday and as I write this..Gaylin is on her way back to the hospital to see if Jen would like another "rub down". She will then head back to Wichita this afternoon. Randy and Ryan are coming tomorrow as well as Matt...Christy will be too.
I forgot to mention that last Sunday, Randy and Vicki Spence came to the hospital and spent several hours...they are so supportive and it was just what I needed! I know they will be back soon...as well as the rest of the DeVasto's.
Jen was able to read more of the blog yesterday...as well as her cards..and just shakes her head at the love that has come her way. Broadlane people have been amaziing...among other things have given her a portable DVD that she and Nick have enjoyed. Yesterday, Jen received a gift and card signed by people from the Pizza Hut legal department where whe worked several years ago..and was again moved to
tears. And then...when she hears from people on the blog that she hasn't talked to in years it gives her so much strength. Thank you all...over and over again.
It is so nice to have Marie here..she and I have become quite the pair as we try to find our way around Dallas. I know Nick shakes his head as we bumble along but somehow, we get where we need to be.
More later....it is another beautiful day here...lots of sun and hope in the air.
Love, Marilyn
Friday
Thursday
Rehabilitation Tour & Improvements
It has been a crazy week with a visit to Chicago, two bandage changes and Jen making lots of solid improvement. Tuesday we went to Chicago to visit the Rehabilitation Institute which is ranked one of the best in the country. It was a wonderful facility and we learnt many new things in relation to Jens journey of improvement. One recurring theme though, seems to be the importance of family and friends during the rehab process.
It is this theme that has proven to be an amazing factor in Jens recovery thus far and will continue to be so in the coming months as she works towards independence. The bandage changes have also been very good with no infections and good wound recovery. Her outlook is amazing and she really looks to be embracing the many challenges that lie ahead. Each day I see a little more laughter in that beautiful face.
Jen baby you are right, Chicago is a beautiful city and one that we will visit many times together over our lifetime. But the way I feel right now it was a lonely night away from you. I missed you very much, if only one night. I cant wait until we can lie together again.
I love you hottie biscotti, Hubby.
It is this theme that has proven to be an amazing factor in Jens recovery thus far and will continue to be so in the coming months as she works towards independence. The bandage changes have also been very good with no infections and good wound recovery. Her outlook is amazing and she really looks to be embracing the many challenges that lie ahead. Each day I see a little more laughter in that beautiful face.
Jen baby you are right, Chicago is a beautiful city and one that we will visit many times together over our lifetime. But the way I feel right now it was a lonely night away from you. I missed you very much, if only one night. I cant wait until we can lie together again.
I love you hottie biscotti, Hubby.
Monday
Sunny Monday
Good Morning! It is a sunny day in Dallas and we are hoping for a good week.
Jen had a very busy weekend...several of her friends from work dropped by as well as other friends of both Nick and Jen who have been so very loyal and so "there". There were several times when she was either busy in the room or sleeping but when told that someone had made the effort to visit, she would always smile. Thank to all of you who have made the drive to Medical City...it is one place I will look forward to seeing in the rear view mirror one day!
Friday, Doug and Nancy Blackman from Wichita, stopped by and we had a really great visit. The timing was perfect and I think we all felt energized by their kind words. Saturday, Jill and Shannon as well as Pam, Jill's mother came for several hours. The 3 "girls" spent some great time together and Marhta and I enjoyed having lunch with Pam. Jen loved it...wasn't quite strong enough to get a new "look" but enjoyed the massage the girls gave her and all of the wonderful laughs, tears and support. It was hard to see them leave...:>
Mother's Day was celebrated in her room..late in the day. Nick, Matthew, my brother Matt, Marie, Martha, Jen and I shared cards and gifts and love..when she whispered "happy mother's day mom" ..I told her that this time next year..we will be able to look back and see how far we've come! Wish we could just fast forward a bit but we are trying so hard to take each HOUR as it comes.
I again thank you all for the cards and comments on the blog and prayers and friendship..we are looking forward to learning on our trip to Chicago tomorrow..and then to keep exploring other options as we more toward rehab...it just can't come quicly enough. Jen continues to try and keep her calories up and work at PT..lets pray she turns a corner with that this week.
Finally...Glenn and Sharon Ringler came from MD Anderson Saturday evening and spent the night here..after seeing Jen for while. Sharon and Jen both shared some tears and dicussed the shared experience of "chest tubes" but all in all gave each other strength. Sharon will learn her course of treatment today in Houston then head back to Kansas to work on getting well. She is in our prayers...
I will check in on Wednesday after we return...Love, Marilyn
Jen had a very busy weekend...several of her friends from work dropped by as well as other friends of both Nick and Jen who have been so very loyal and so "there". There were several times when she was either busy in the room or sleeping but when told that someone had made the effort to visit, she would always smile. Thank to all of you who have made the drive to Medical City...it is one place I will look forward to seeing in the rear view mirror one day!
Friday, Doug and Nancy Blackman from Wichita, stopped by and we had a really great visit. The timing was perfect and I think we all felt energized by their kind words. Saturday, Jill and Shannon as well as Pam, Jill's mother came for several hours. The 3 "girls" spent some great time together and Marhta and I enjoyed having lunch with Pam. Jen loved it...wasn't quite strong enough to get a new "look" but enjoyed the massage the girls gave her and all of the wonderful laughs, tears and support. It was hard to see them leave...:>
Mother's Day was celebrated in her room..late in the day. Nick, Matthew, my brother Matt, Marie, Martha, Jen and I shared cards and gifts and love..when she whispered "happy mother's day mom" ..I told her that this time next year..we will be able to look back and see how far we've come! Wish we could just fast forward a bit but we are trying so hard to take each HOUR as it comes.
I again thank you all for the cards and comments on the blog and prayers and friendship..we are looking forward to learning on our trip to Chicago tomorrow..and then to keep exploring other options as we more toward rehab...it just can't come quicly enough. Jen continues to try and keep her calories up and work at PT..lets pray she turns a corner with that this week.
Finally...Glenn and Sharon Ringler came from MD Anderson Saturday evening and spent the night here..after seeing Jen for while. Sharon and Jen both shared some tears and dicussed the shared experience of "chest tubes" but all in all gave each other strength. Sharon will learn her course of treatment today in Houston then head back to Kansas to work on getting well. She is in our prayers...
I will check in on Wednesday after we return...Love, Marilyn
Friday
Busy Days
As Jen gets stronger each day so does the intensity of her physical therapy. This is leaving her exhausted in the evenings but as her physical therapist explained it is important that she feels the sense of doing something new towards independence each day. Today she went outside in a wheelchair to enjoy the lovely weather.
Tonight she will get the last of her chest tubes out which is one more notch in ladder of her steady improvement, with most of her internal problems almost conquered.
Our girl has got a very busy weekend install with friends coming in town, mothers day and physical therapy. All of which will make for a happy but tiring weekend.
Baby, its great to see you smile so much, its also been great to see you cry a little and it makes me feel so close when we cry together. Your vision for our future is so positive you are the ultimate wife.
Love Hubby.
Tonight she will get the last of her chest tubes out which is one more notch in ladder of her steady improvement, with most of her internal problems almost conquered.
Our girl has got a very busy weekend install with friends coming in town, mothers day and physical therapy. All of which will make for a happy but tiring weekend.
Baby, its great to see you smile so much, its also been great to see you cry a little and it makes me feel so close when we cry together. Your vision for our future is so positive you are the ultimate wife.
Love Hubby.
Thursday
Thursday Evening
I just returned to the room after taking Marie, Nick's mom, back to Jen and Nick's for the night. She flew in from Australia late last night and we spent the day visiting Jenny together. What a great woman she is..Nick, Jen and Matthew as well as the rest of the family are so glad she was able to come.
Jen had a second surgical procedure today involving the changing of the bandages on her hands and legs..it went well. No infection and the doctor continues to be hopful that he will be able to "close" in about 10 more days. This is a complicated situation but one that we are praing will result in the best outcome for her long term. We pray that God will continue to give the surgeon the skills he will need.
Jen also was able to "loose" the feeding tube today and as long as she can eat enough to keep her calorie count up she won't need it again. It is amazing to see how much energy the simple act of eating can take but she tries hard to take more bites and we are hoping that every day will be easier for her. Don Bennett, a new friend we have met here..brought her a strawberry malt from the Highland Park Pharmacy..a local legend...and she was able to finish half of that. He has been such a wonderful, caring, spiritual person and we all are so blessed that he has made such efforts to help. Another one of those people that was heaven sent...
We still have one chest tube to get rid of and it appears she isn't quite ready to have that removed but once that is done...she will only have a few "tubes" left to shed...down significantly from the 16 Martha and I counted one long night several weeks ago.
We are continuing to investigate rehab facilities...having visited Baylor here. Randy, Nick and I are going to Chicago next Tuesday for the day to visit the Rehab Institue of Chicago and then Nick is going to a facility in Houston. This whole process is somehat overwhelming but as her situation is rare she will need the best facitliy to deal with her long term rehabilition. We are hoping that Baylor in Dallas will be the place she will go because of the support system that is already in place, but feel we need to investigate to be sure. We are all hoping...Jenny most of all..that she will be able to enter this phase soon but feel it will be several weeks down the road.
My sister Martha is returning on Saturday and will be able to stay for 4 days..she has been sorely missed. :>
I hooked up the computer for Jen to read some of the postings that are on the blog and she was almost speechless. I have promised to print everything and put them in a binder so that one day she will be able to read everything start to finish..and really see how many people were walking this journey with her. It will be something she can share with her grandkids someday...something to cherish.
Matt is coming back tomorrow and our dear friends Sharon and Glenn Ringler are coming from MD Anderson in Houston where Sharon has been having tests. She will also be facing a battle and as I said before, can use all of your prayers.
Good nite for now...we will see what tomorrow brings..I send my love and heartfelt thanks to all of you.
Marilyn
Jen had a second surgical procedure today involving the changing of the bandages on her hands and legs..it went well. No infection and the doctor continues to be hopful that he will be able to "close" in about 10 more days. This is a complicated situation but one that we are praing will result in the best outcome for her long term. We pray that God will continue to give the surgeon the skills he will need.
Jen also was able to "loose" the feeding tube today and as long as she can eat enough to keep her calorie count up she won't need it again. It is amazing to see how much energy the simple act of eating can take but she tries hard to take more bites and we are hoping that every day will be easier for her. Don Bennett, a new friend we have met here..brought her a strawberry malt from the Highland Park Pharmacy..a local legend...and she was able to finish half of that. He has been such a wonderful, caring, spiritual person and we all are so blessed that he has made such efforts to help. Another one of those people that was heaven sent...
We still have one chest tube to get rid of and it appears she isn't quite ready to have that removed but once that is done...she will only have a few "tubes" left to shed...down significantly from the 16 Martha and I counted one long night several weeks ago.
We are continuing to investigate rehab facilities...having visited Baylor here. Randy, Nick and I are going to Chicago next Tuesday for the day to visit the Rehab Institue of Chicago and then Nick is going to a facility in Houston. This whole process is somehat overwhelming but as her situation is rare she will need the best facitliy to deal with her long term rehabilition. We are hoping that Baylor in Dallas will be the place she will go because of the support system that is already in place, but feel we need to investigate to be sure. We are all hoping...Jenny most of all..that she will be able to enter this phase soon but feel it will be several weeks down the road.
My sister Martha is returning on Saturday and will be able to stay for 4 days..she has been sorely missed. :>
I hooked up the computer for Jen to read some of the postings that are on the blog and she was almost speechless. I have promised to print everything and put them in a binder so that one day she will be able to read everything start to finish..and really see how many people were walking this journey with her. It will be something she can share with her grandkids someday...something to cherish.
Matt is coming back tomorrow and our dear friends Sharon and Glenn Ringler are coming from MD Anderson in Houston where Sharon has been having tests. She will also be facing a battle and as I said before, can use all of your prayers.
Good nite for now...we will see what tomorrow brings..I send my love and heartfelt thanks to all of you.
Marilyn
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