Thursday

Another Crazy Week

It is Thursday evening and HOT in Dallas. We have had quite a week. Jenny has been in OKC working with Scott Sabolich and his team this week on a new pair of legs. She will go back in 10 days or so for adjustments but she is excited with the progress thus far.

I have been in Abilene as Randy's mother and Jenny's "Mimi" suffered a large stroke and is in the hospital there. Randy left today from Wichita to be with her and his brother Richard and sister Rae Jean. I am hoping to go back tomorrow until Sunday. She is such a kind hearted, sweet woman and it is hard to understand why things like this happen when they do. We will have many decisions to make as it looks as if she won't be able to return to her home. A lot to think about and do and figure out. Please say an extra prayer for her tonight.

Sharon and Glenn Ringler are on their way to MD Anderson tomorrow for her surgery. They were coming through Dallas but with this newest development, won't make that stop this time. She is so positive and things will be okay for her I just know it.

Jen has a busy week ahead and I will be here to help her and Nick. Jen continues to fight the fight and work hard at making her life matter. She wants so much to give back and support other people who have had the challenges she has. As she continues to get stronger and find her way, she keeps her sense of humor and humility. I am so proud of her as I know all of you who are walking with her are.

My sister Martha is staying at our house in Wichita having a slumber party with Sneakers..she said they might even have a Black Russian as a nightcap! Sneak will love that; as a 14 1/2 year old Golden Retriever she is entitled, don't you think?

All for now. I miss you all so much and thanks for all the comments. Ann, I saw Matt's apartment when I was in Abilene and he does have the perfect place for plants. He is going to take your good advice and find the right ones. Tell Walt I said hi!

Love,
Marilyn

Saturday

Family and Fun

I wanted to thank my wonderful friend Cecile and mom for making yesterday such a special treat. I had an awesome facial and a massage that made me feel like a "girl" again. I have to admit that I was a little nervous on the massage due to body image (but who doesn't have those thoughts).

However, once I got in my mind that it was going to feel good to me no matter what, it became the best massage ever. Girls, God created us the way we should be and we need to forget about our thighs, cottage cheese, etc. and just live life to the fullest, ha. :)

We also had a really fun evening at my aunt's house last night. My dad's sister lives about an hour from here so we all (mom, dad, both Matt's, Nick and Ryan) went there for dinner. We had not been together like that in a while. The evening was one laugh after another.

I am truly at a place of moving forward with my life. To do that, I started with a phone call this morning to the local United Nations group that I am a part of and had a great conversation about getting back into the volunteer role. I'm looking forward to getting back with my friends.

It was great talking to Judy, Gaylin and Mart yesterday. I miss you all and can't wait to see you soon.

We are going out to dinner tonight with the "usual suspects" for Italian. Should be fun.

Have a great day and I will talk to you soon.

Love,
Jen

Wednesday

New Developments

Hi all! I hope everyone has had a good week so far. I have had a really busy but positive week.

Nick and I have made our decision on prosthesis and we are going to Oklahoma City :) We are really happy to be moving forward and to see what is yet to come. We have an appointment this coming Monday for a new fitting and new socket. We really feel that this is a place that can provide us with the newest and best technology. :)

We also went to Fossil Rim this week in Glen Rose, TX. For those who aren't familiar, this is like a safari in Texas. We drive our car through a guided road and see animals from all over. The animals come up to the car and we feed them. It was such a great time. We saw giraffes, zebras, deer, eagles, water buffalo, ostrich, emus, and a lot of other roaming animals that actually stick their heads in passing cars to get their grub on!

Ryan and I have had a great time this week. Since he's 6'3" he can lift me with ease and can just toss me into the passenger seat! We've rented movies, eaten out, played chess, and Ryan even uses Matthew's electric scooter to zoom to CVS for my scripts!

Charlotte and Beth at rehabilitation have really been pushing me to get my coordination and strength back. I've had to learn how to balance on my knees while randomly pushing me at different directions to improve my reaction time.

They are really keeping me on my toes, no pun intended! I'll post more later this weekend.

Love,
Jen

Saturday

¡Amigos Felices De Sábado!

So happy it's Saturday. I just got back from a great ride with Nick to get breakfast and am looking forward to hanging out with my brother, Ryan, today.

As mom said below, I had lunch at Bentree this week and had such a great time. I was so happy to be able to thank everyone for the wonderful support they have given to Nick and I. I feel so blessed that we have such amazing people around us.

I had a great visit yesterday from my high school friend and college roomate, Kirsten. We chated for hours and swapped pictures of our families. Lots of fun and laughs.

My dad's sister has sent me copies of The Godfather movies as I have never seen them (can you believe that??). So I am getting caught up on them. What a great flick.

Little Matthew will be with us for 2 weeks, starting today, so we are really looking forward to that. He has been such a trooper through all of this and has always put a smile on my face.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and I'll write early next week.

Love,
Jen

Thursday

Thanks Once More

I can hardly believe it will be a week tomorrow since the Broadlane luncheon and auction for Jen. It was so wonderful to have the chance to meet many of the people she has talked about and very humbling to experience such generosity. We had such a fun day and are still talking about it all of the time!

The week has been busy as usual. We have continued to research the best options for Jen long term and it seems as if Nick and she are close to making the right decision. Ryan came yesterday for 10 days and will be filling in as her "personal assistant" as I have just returned to Wichita for a few days. I have already talked to them both and it seems as if they are doing fine without me! :) I plan to return early next week and am hopeful that we will be moving forward with the more permanent prosthetics.

Today, the ladies golf group at Bentree, invited Jen to lunch so they could all meet each other and it was a great time. Cecile and Ann were of course on hand and made sure all went smoothly.

Kirsten, another long time frind of Jen's will be coming by the house to spend time with her tomorrow. She brought some great meals to freeze and have for the days ahead. It is so thoughtful and Jen is excited to have the time with her to catch up.

All for now...just checking in, but I am sure we will have bigger news soon. Just wanted to say say thank you again for all of the selfless acts of love and kindness that have come our way. I wish there were the right words to express how we all feel and how truly grateful we are.

Look forward to all of the new posts...wasn't that amazing from Betty in Louisiana? How special!! Jen is going to keep posting at least once or twice a week to keep everyone updated on her progress.

Thank you to everyone!

Love,
Marilyn