Hello Dear Friends....I can't believe it has been 5 days since we last posted. As I have said before, the days just seem to speed by...I am beginning my 10th week in Dallas and more important, Jen's 10th week in CICU.
She has seemed to do well since the skin grafts. The bandage change on Friday was a bit rough but as usual, Jenny handled it with courage. The plastic surgeon will be looking at the wounds tomorrow and we are hopful that the grafts are "doing their job". She is so ready to move on to rehab and at least we now feel we are truly getting closer to that day.
Speaking of which, Nick, Marie, Martha and I are visiting the Zale Lipshy Inpatient Rehab Unit on Tuesday. This is a smaller facility than Baylor but also located in Dallas and we have been encouraged to tour. It is my feeling that following this, Jen and Nick will make a final decision as to where she will go...but it does look as if either way, we will be staying in Dallas.
Martha came back yesterday and will be here several days. Matt came through Dallas on his way to meet Christy and her family for the long holiday weekend and as usual, he and Jen had a great talk. Margene has spent several days with me and she, Marie and I had quite an adventure trying to find our way back to the hospital from Target and ending up in a downpour in Garland, Texas. LONG story but one that Jen just laughed at...and shook her head.
Jenny has really taken a interest in the blog and looks forward to reading it every morning. Thanks to you all for the notes and words of encouragement. We will write again soon and update you all on the clinic tour.
Marilyn
Sunday
Wednesday
Successful Surgery!
Jen had surgery today to cover up her wounds. It went very well with skin grafts being taken from her thighs to do the trick. One early concern was the possibility of not being able to graft enough skin to cover the wounds and having to do another surgery in a couple of weeks but luckily this is not needed.
In the areas that skin was taken from will remain very sore for a few days and feel very much like a gravel burn you receive when falling from a bike. We have both just finished a milkshake with Jen being very upbeat and relieved that there will be no more grafting. With her outlook being so positive we both felt it important to keep the momentum going.
We are missing each others touch very much. Jen is starting to really enjoy me standing leaning my head on her chest listening to her heart while she rubs my head. I miss this togetherness and so does she but we are getting closer and closer each day.
Babe you have jumped another hurdle with flying colors. You never cease to amaze me with your strength and passion. We are almost there Jen and I cant wait until we are home.
Love forever, Hubby.
In the areas that skin was taken from will remain very sore for a few days and feel very much like a gravel burn you receive when falling from a bike. We have both just finished a milkshake with Jen being very upbeat and relieved that there will be no more grafting. With her outlook being so positive we both felt it important to keep the momentum going.
We are missing each others touch very much. Jen is starting to really enjoy me standing leaning my head on her chest listening to her heart while she rubs my head. I miss this togetherness and so does she but we are getting closer and closer each day.
Babe you have jumped another hurdle with flying colors. You never cease to amaze me with your strength and passion. We are almost there Jen and I cant wait until we are home.
Love forever, Hubby.
Tuesday
From Me to You
Hi everyone, this is Jen! I am with Nick and Ryan in my room and have recruited Ryan to be my secretary (he looks great in his skirt, ha!). I've been able to read the blog every other day and I'm blown away by all the love and support that I've been given. Thank you so much for providing me with the much needed inspiration and positive comments.
I never thought that when I went to the hospital I would end up in the situation that I'm dealing with today. However, I am taking everything day by day and understanding that God chose me for a purpose that is unknown. My spirit remains strong and my desire to live life to the fullest still remains. I know I have a long journey ahead of me but I'm motivated to start rehab and learn some new tricks!
I have learned to drink by myself and read magazines. I am also so happy to be able to go outside in my wheelchair the past few weeks, which is very refreshing after being cooped up in here for more than two months. I should be in here another two or three weeks, and then I'm off into the real world! Love, Jen.
P.S. I will post again soon! :)
I never thought that when I went to the hospital I would end up in the situation that I'm dealing with today. However, I am taking everything day by day and understanding that God chose me for a purpose that is unknown. My spirit remains strong and my desire to live life to the fullest still remains. I know I have a long journey ahead of me but I'm motivated to start rehab and learn some new tricks!
I have learned to drink by myself and read magazines. I am also so happy to be able to go outside in my wheelchair the past few weeks, which is very refreshing after being cooped up in here for more than two months. I should be in here another two or three weeks, and then I'm off into the real world! Love, Jen.
P.S. I will post again soon! :)
Sunday
Holding Pattern
The weekend has been good..we are in a holding pattern of sorts right now. Jen continues to be in ICU but in good spirits overall. She will have another bandage change tomorrow and we are hoping the doctor will be able to schedule the surgery to close later this week. Following this, we will have some weeks of healing and then off to rehab. As you have figured out by now, it is all day to day and very hard to make any definite plans but we keep trying to be patient and "stay in the moment" as the surgeon advised us to do.
Jen had a nice surprise when her friend Brenda Cook (from HS) sent a notebook with the blogs to this point printed...she had caught Randy before he left for Texas on Friday and Jen was very, very pleased. This is so neat and so ironical as Thy..a friend from here had done the same thing and now we both have copies! It was such a thoughtful thing to do and something we will both treasure. (The trick will be to keep printing them off but surely someone can teach me how to do it! :>) She loves to read them and to see all the encouragement that has been sent to her.
Matt and Christy were here this weekend and Randy and Ryan are still here but plan to get back to Wichita..and Ryan to Lawrence..tomorrow. Trina and Stephen Butler, good friends of Jenny and Nick, have offered us their home for a couple of weeks while they are on vacation. What wonderful people they are..She from Australia..and both of whom have been so helpful. They live near Jen and Nick and so this space will really help as we have more people come to visit. As I keep saying, it seems impossible to beleive I have been here since March 23...most of the time it seems like it has been months and then others, it feels like yesterday when Nick phoned to tell me how sick Jenny was.
We had a great evening with Marie and Nick's son Matthew last night..my "boys" jumped with him on the trampoline he received for his 9th birthday and tried to talk Marie and I into joining them but...we rightly refused. Randy cooked for us on the grill and we all shared laughs and stories. Jenny was with us in spirit..Nick left to be with her and show her some of the pictures we took.
As always, thanks to all of you for all you have done. We apprecite every single gesture of kindness and every single prayer and card and gift and call...I again need to thank Connie for the gift of this laptop..as Ryan told me today.."Wow Mom..You are so lucky"...and that I am.
All for now..we need to be to the hospital early..I will check in again soon.
Love, Marilyn
Jen had a nice surprise when her friend Brenda Cook (from HS) sent a notebook with the blogs to this point printed...she had caught Randy before he left for Texas on Friday and Jen was very, very pleased. This is so neat and so ironical as Thy..a friend from here had done the same thing and now we both have copies! It was such a thoughtful thing to do and something we will both treasure. (The trick will be to keep printing them off but surely someone can teach me how to do it! :>) She loves to read them and to see all the encouragement that has been sent to her.
Matt and Christy were here this weekend and Randy and Ryan are still here but plan to get back to Wichita..and Ryan to Lawrence..tomorrow. Trina and Stephen Butler, good friends of Jenny and Nick, have offered us their home for a couple of weeks while they are on vacation. What wonderful people they are..She from Australia..and both of whom have been so helpful. They live near Jen and Nick and so this space will really help as we have more people come to visit. As I keep saying, it seems impossible to beleive I have been here since March 23...most of the time it seems like it has been months and then others, it feels like yesterday when Nick phoned to tell me how sick Jenny was.
We had a great evening with Marie and Nick's son Matthew last night..my "boys" jumped with him on the trampoline he received for his 9th birthday and tried to talk Marie and I into joining them but...we rightly refused. Randy cooked for us on the grill and we all shared laughs and stories. Jenny was with us in spirit..Nick left to be with her and show her some of the pictures we took.
As always, thanks to all of you for all you have done. We apprecite every single gesture of kindness and every single prayer and card and gift and call...I again need to thank Connie for the gift of this laptop..as Ryan told me today.."Wow Mom..You are so lucky"...and that I am.
All for now..we need to be to the hospital early..I will check in again soon.
Love, Marilyn
Friday
Chicago Tour
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
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
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