Hi everyone, I am trying hard to get to sleep and not doing very well. It has been several days since I checked in and thought it was time.
We have had another busy week. Jen continues to work hard in rehabilitation. She has had another appointment with a "hand specialist" in Ft. Worth and she is weighing all of the pros and cons of the options that are available to her.
I continue to be amazed at her strength and determination. Our friends, Sharon and Glenn Ringler are coming tomorrow as Sharon has another appointment with her doctors at MD Anderson on Monday. They have known Jen since she was 3 months old, so we have lots to talk about. Pray for her, as she has been working with chemotherapy for several months and has lots to tackle in the months ahead.
Little Matthew will be with us tomorrow night, and Jen is looking forward to that...he is so upbeat and fun and helpful.
Tomorrow morning our friend and "makeup artist", Cecile, is coming to help Jen with her makeup..she and Ann will start the day off right!
I miss you all so much but am so thankful that I have the ability and support from my work to be here. Randy and Martha will be back next weekend and we are really looking forward to that.
Don, the wonderful methodist minister that has befriended Jen and our family, gave us a CD of a sermon he preached about her...it was such a gift, as is he.
Our dear friend Taylor Hess will be leaving for Japan soon. He came to visit Jenny a couple of weeks ago and really made her week. Another special person, among so many we all are thankful for.
All for now. Just wanted to touch base and let you know we are so appreciative of all of the cards and notes and support. The days get awfully long and there are some pretty rough moments, but we just keep on going one step at a time.
Love,
Marilyn
Tuesday
Ditched My Crutches!
Since my last post, I have decided to walk without my crutches. I feel like a little kid but it feels so good. I walked on my own with Nick and my Dad and watching their faces made me soooo happy. I am starting to see so much that is out there and what I can do but...it's what I make of it.
Life is always a journey but, we can create an environment to make the journey special. I have learned patience, love and a little engineering, ha. :) Make everyday special and take note in the inherent beauty of all things simple.
I had a great weekend with my family. My grandmother came down with my aunt along with my uncle Steve from Chicago. I also had a special visit from from my beautiful friend Jill and her husband. I have been so lucky to have reunited with so many friends - I thank all of you for the love and support and know that I have a smile each time I hear from you.
I am also down to 3 days a week for rehab. This is great for me as I have time to get back into life and run errands with mom and Nick. I don't know what I would do without them.
I am going swimming this weekend - wish me luck as I may sink. :) I'll write again soon. Love, Jen.
Life is always a journey but, we can create an environment to make the journey special. I have learned patience, love and a little engineering, ha. :) Make everyday special and take note in the inherent beauty of all things simple.
I had a great weekend with my family. My grandmother came down with my aunt along with my uncle Steve from Chicago. I also had a special visit from from my beautiful friend Jill and her husband. I have been so lucky to have reunited with so many friends - I thank all of you for the love and support and know that I have a smile each time I hear from you.
I am also down to 3 days a week for rehab. This is great for me as I have time to get back into life and run errands with mom and Nick. I don't know what I would do without them.
I am going swimming this weekend - wish me luck as I may sink. :) I'll write again soon. Love, Jen.
Thursday
The Life of Fred and Ginger
Hi everyone!! I finally have an afternoon to "relax" and catch up on a few things (i.e. the blog). One major news story is that of my two new friends...Fred and Ginger. Being as though I am now an amputee, I have found that there is an area that needs to be tapped into and it's called HUMOR.
I no longer have prosthetics or legs, I am proudly walking with Fred and Ginger. Fred gets out of line from time to time but I pivot and Ginger takes control (the female of course).
As mom said, I have gone to the movie this week, had a wonderful haircut with a great friend, visited my nurses in ICU - great treat for all and...I am going to practice driving today. Nick and Dad were both a little slow to say they would help me, Ha. So, if you are reading this and live within 5 miles....this is your warning.
Because I am learning something everyday, I realize just how fortunate I am. I would not have the desire, motivation, want or curiosity for life without the love that my parents and family have shown me while growing up. I know this must be one of the most difficult things as a parent but just know that I will make you proud.
Nick is a bonus that god brought to me as well and for that I am grateful. Miss and love you all. Love, Jen.
I no longer have prosthetics or legs, I am proudly walking with Fred and Ginger. Fred gets out of line from time to time but I pivot and Ginger takes control (the female of course).
As mom said, I have gone to the movie this week, had a wonderful haircut with a great friend, visited my nurses in ICU - great treat for all and...I am going to practice driving today. Nick and Dad were both a little slow to say they would help me, Ha. So, if you are reading this and live within 5 miles....this is your warning.
Because I am learning something everyday, I realize just how fortunate I am. I would not have the desire, motivation, want or curiosity for life without the love that my parents and family have shown me while growing up. I know this must be one of the most difficult things as a parent but just know that I will make you proud.
Nick is a bonus that god brought to me as well and for that I am grateful. Miss and love you all. Love, Jen.
Tuesday
Five More Days
I can't believe it has been 5 days since we last posted. The days just seem to melt away and before we know it we are all getting ready for bed. I know Jen and Nick plan to write again soon and that will happen when they can find a few minutes to sit down together.
We have learned that although Jen loves being home, it is very busy not having the support of nursing and other staff. We are doing well though, and she is so relieved to be around her own things and in her own place. Each day is consumed with getting ready and driving to rehab. The schedule varies but we need to plan on at least 4 hours to get this accomplished. She is enjoying the new staff and has been her path up to now, is doing more than expected of her.
Today, she had an appointment with her plastic surgeon at Medical City. He was very pleased with her progress and following this visit, she was able to connect with some of her other doctors as well as visit CICU, which had been her home for so long. She missed some of the staff she wanted to see, so hopes to return soon to "show off".
This weekend, she is looking forward to her Uncle Steve and her Grammy coming to visit, as well as our friend Bill Hess on Friday. Her Aunt RaeJean came today for a bit from Ft. Worth area..Randy's sister...and brought a great dinner.
We had a great weekend with Matt and Christy..loved celebrating her birthday and being with them. They both are so much fun and Jen loves having them with her.
On Sunday, Jen had a chance to go to a movie and dinner with her friend Steph, which was such a wonderful treat...she was tired but had a ball.
We have a lot to tackle as a family and lots of challenges ahead but we know we aren't alone. You are all so precious and so valued...priceless really. We continually thank God for the love and support and friendships. I have been told people read this blog that we have never met and whom have never met Jen but still pray for her. How amazing is that?
As I always say...we will try to do better about posting in a more "timely" fashion. We count on each and every one of you. Love, Marilyn.
We have learned that although Jen loves being home, it is very busy not having the support of nursing and other staff. We are doing well though, and she is so relieved to be around her own things and in her own place. Each day is consumed with getting ready and driving to rehab. The schedule varies but we need to plan on at least 4 hours to get this accomplished. She is enjoying the new staff and has been her path up to now, is doing more than expected of her.
Today, she had an appointment with her plastic surgeon at Medical City. He was very pleased with her progress and following this visit, she was able to connect with some of her other doctors as well as visit CICU, which had been her home for so long. She missed some of the staff she wanted to see, so hopes to return soon to "show off".
This weekend, she is looking forward to her Uncle Steve and her Grammy coming to visit, as well as our friend Bill Hess on Friday. Her Aunt RaeJean came today for a bit from Ft. Worth area..Randy's sister...and brought a great dinner.
We had a great weekend with Matt and Christy..loved celebrating her birthday and being with them. They both are so much fun and Jen loves having them with her.
On Sunday, Jen had a chance to go to a movie and dinner with her friend Steph, which was such a wonderful treat...she was tired but had a ball.
We have a lot to tackle as a family and lots of challenges ahead but we know we aren't alone. You are all so precious and so valued...priceless really. We continually thank God for the love and support and friendships. I have been told people read this blog that we have never met and whom have never met Jen but still pray for her. How amazing is that?
As I always say...we will try to do better about posting in a more "timely" fashion. We count on each and every one of you. Love, Marilyn.
Friday
Friday Night
We have had quite a week.
Jenny has gone to outpatient rehab every day and has worked very hard. She has graduated to forearm crutches and is working dilegently at keeping her balance and walking more each day. Martha and Randy came on the 4th and today Martha and I took Jen to get her eyebrows waxed! It was so fun and she loved doing something normal for a change.
Wednesday night, Jen and Nick surprised Martha and I with tickets to the Clay Aiken concert and fireworks show in Frisco! It was so fun and really good..it had finally stopped raining for us to have a great night! The night before, we had a lovely evening at Cecile and Harry's with Ann and Walt. This was Jenny's first real "outing" since March and we had a wonderful meal and watched the fireworks from Cecile's backyard. We also got to meet Cecile's daughter which was fun as we had heard so much about her.
Matt is coming tonight and we are going to celebrate Christy's birtday tomorrow when she flies in from K.C. around noon.
Sorry it has been so long since we last wrote but the days fly by and time just gets away. We love to read what you all take the time to post and say so please hang in there with us...I will try to post again soon! Love to all, Marilyn.
Jenny has gone to outpatient rehab every day and has worked very hard. She has graduated to forearm crutches and is working dilegently at keeping her balance and walking more each day. Martha and Randy came on the 4th and today Martha and I took Jen to get her eyebrows waxed! It was so fun and she loved doing something normal for a change.
Wednesday night, Jen and Nick surprised Martha and I with tickets to the Clay Aiken concert and fireworks show in Frisco! It was so fun and really good..it had finally stopped raining for us to have a great night! The night before, we had a lovely evening at Cecile and Harry's with Ann and Walt. This was Jenny's first real "outing" since March and we had a wonderful meal and watched the fireworks from Cecile's backyard. We also got to meet Cecile's daughter which was fun as we had heard so much about her.
Matt is coming tonight and we are going to celebrate Christy's birtday tomorrow when she flies in from K.C. around noon.
Sorry it has been so long since we last wrote but the days fly by and time just gets away. We love to read what you all take the time to post and say so please hang in there with us...I will try to post again soon! Love to all, Marilyn.
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