The Power of Friendship

Hi all! It's Sunday night and it's been a great weekend. My weekend started on Thursday with my best friends Jill and Shannon (friends from 3rd and 4th grade) coming into town and staying up with me all night telling stories and laughing. My poor husband kept talking until he fell asleep but still managed to keep a smile on his face. :)

Friday I was surprised by my brother and uncle coming to Dallas for the luncheon at my work along with Brenda and Michelle from high school. My friends at Broadlane did such a great job with the auction and absolutely made our day. It was such a special thing to have been a part of and feel so lucky that I have been blessed with the generosity that has come my way. The effort and donations that were made will be forever in my thoughts.

Saturday morning was spent with my husband running errands and realizing how much we have missed doing these things. It was a great way to start my day. I spent the rest of the day with Jill and Shannon and realizing that without each others love and support we wouldn't be the same. How precious is that! I also had a great surprise visit from one of my nurses and it was such an emotional thing to have a conversation with a person who helped save my life, very rewarding for both of us.

My cousin Sarah turned 21 today! Happy birthday and can't wait to see you! My younger brother Ryan is coming on Wednesday and staying for 10 days and I am really looking forward to this.

We have an appointment in St. Louis tomorrow and will hopefully have a plan for prosthetics this week. Mom misses you all and I want to thank all of her friends for always being there. It means the world to her. Mother Muffy, I'm counting down the days. :)

Love,
Jen

Silent Online Auction

For those who aren't aware, the company that I work for, Broadloane, Inc. and all of the generous employees who work with me, have sponsored an online auction.

There are lots of wonderful items to bid on and they have worked so hard to put this together, so I wanted to share it with all of you!

http://stores.ebay.com/Jennifer-Griffin-Fundraiser-2007

We had a fun evening at Walt and Ann's last night. It was mom's birthday and Ann prepared a delicious meal! Cecile and Harry were also there and she brought a great dessert! It was so special and I am so appreciative.

We have learned about a new hand termed the iHand and are gathering information to see if I could possible be a candidate. I will keep you posted.

I am looking forward to the luncheon Friday at Broadlane and seeing all my co-workers who I miss so much. Shannon, Jill and Pam are coming from Kansas as well as other friends from here and some of my family so it promises to be a VERY special time.

Love,
Jen

Four Months Later

Hey! This is Jen and it's 8:15 on Sunday night. We jut finished a wonderful lasagna dinner to celebrate mom's birthday. I spent yesterday cooking the lasagna (in my own little way) with a friend and her family and it was really fun.

Last night I had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants with some great friends of the family. She has cancer and is such an inspiration for me and has such a beautiful spirit. Take time for friendships, because they keep your soul happy.

I have had so much fun reading the comments on the blog and am so thrilled that I have inspired "strangers" to comment. Whenever I have a tough moment I read these comments and realize how lucky I really am.

I have a few more appointments this week and hope to make a decision very soon. Miss you all and looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend.

Love,
Jen

Another Friday Night in Dallas

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

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.