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

Positive Tuesday

Hello all...it is 11 pm and Randy and I are getting ready for bed. We had the most interesting conversation with a lady named Karen Shoutz, from Waconia, MN...outside by the pool at the Residence Inn. She is here with her daughter for a week and when we explained why we were here, she was so kind and so uplifting..gave us lots to think about and encouraged us to keep the faith we have in God. She also told us to be thankful each day for one thing positive that has happened with Jen..and that really spoke to me. God does use people in mysterious ways..Karen is one of those ways.

Today Jenny was able to sit up for a bit longer and ate a bit more. Her spirits were good and she actually watched American Idol with me...and liked the Beat Boxer guy the best! :>

Nick's mom Marie comes in tomorrow and I am sure that will lift all of our spirits! Australia is such a long flight..but we are so appreciative of her being able to come.

Cecile and Ann from Bent Tree visited for a long time and that was so much fun. They have really adopted our family and it is such a comfort to have them near.

Jenny's goal is to be able to sit up long enough on Saturday when Jill and Shannon
come so that Jill can "fix" her hair. What a treat that will be!

Randy has rented a car and will go back to Wichita tomorrow for a bit. He is leaving me our car to I will try and tackle the Dallas traffic until my sister Martha gets here on Saturday..wish me luck..it is brutal!

Good night dear friends..I will fill you in tomorrow..thanks over and over for hanging with us..I just can't wait to print everything for her to read one day..real soon!

Marilyn

Matthew's Review

Hello everyone. I'm in Jens room with her while writing this. Dad is helping her enjoy some strawberrt yogurt. She is really on a strawberry kick lately. Nothing wrong with that! Friday, 5/4/07 I was in the room when she had her first meal in six weeks. She would have made a good spokesperson for a chicken salad sandwich, which Dad enjoyed a half of. :) Last night when I got into Dallas I came in to hang out with her and we talked for about an hour before she started to get sleepy. She wanted to hear the cd that uncle Richard got her. I sampled it before she listened to it. It's a meditative soothing disc. Really good stuff. It helped her sleep. Early this morning she woke up and had trouble getting back to sleep. She is in pretty good spirits this morning. She amazes me every second. Just sitting next to her is a very inspiring feeling. I went to Wichita this weekend, friday night and returned Sunday evening. I was with Christy and her family. We said prayers for her and talked about how life can change so quickly. This change has been scary and frustrating yet she and everyone around her will prosper from it. She is really chily so I just had the staff bring her a heated blanket and Jen loved it. Well, I'm signing off for now. I want to thank everyone for the cards and gifts. Jen is so appreciative and wants to tell everyone how much it means to her. Bye for now.....

Bent Tree Fund

A number of people have asked about ways to contribute or start a fund to help Jenny and Nick offset some of the current and future medical expenses. Nick's employer, Bent Tree County Club has one established. To make a donation, checks should be payable to Nick Griffin % Bent Tree Couty Club 5201 Westgrove Drive Dallas, Texas 75248-2026 Att: Linda Moseley Administrative Assistant.

Marilyn

Sunday Evening

Nick just said it all...I missed the big outing..had just returned to the hotel for a few minutes when they all decided to take a field trip! Wow...what a deal..the nurses were so kind and Jen loved the feeling of fresh air for a bit..we all look forward to trying it again soon.

Margene and Judy left today..so wonderful to have them for a couple of days. Terri and Richard were here too..they brought her some healing music C.D.'s that we are going to try..Jenny has always loved music so much so we are hopful that this will give her some peace. She is going to have another surgery tomorrow to change her dressings again...we are all anticipating that she will be able to stay off the vent during this ordeal...and keep moving forward.

We are all looking forward to the arrival of Nick's mom, Marie, from Australia, on Wednesday. She will be a great help to all of us and I am sure will lift Jenny'spirits.

Many thanks again my friends for all of the love...we have met the most wonderful people here that have all lifted us up and continually rely on our friends from home..what a journey..we know we aren't making it alone.

Goodnite..look so forward to hearing from you all..Love, Marilyn

PS..keep Sharon Ringler in your prayers..she is back in Houston at MD Anderson..and needs us.