Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My dear friends,
Two days after my 'good news', I started not to feel so well (on Saturday). At the moment I'm at the UW Hospital. Evidently, sometime on Saturday I went through a severe bowel perforation. I guess the chemo worked too well and burned a hole through my colon. I've never been through such extreme pain in my life, even after having two babies without even a Tylenol. In the middle of the night on Saturday, Dave insisted we go to the hospital, and he called 911 for an ambulance. It was snowing, but the ambulance got me to the UW Hospital early Sunday morning. I had to have emergency surgery, where they removed my nasty colon. I proably will have an ileostomy bag for the rest of my life, but since it got rid of what was the source of my constant discomfort and pain, I'm not so sure I'm terribly upset about this. What does upset me is how weak I seem to feel, but I guess its only 3 days from surgery, and I'm still in ICU. The good news from the CT/PET hasn't changed any, and in fact there was still a little 'hot spot' on my colon, but it's now gone! They got me up to walk today, which was painful but I walked across the room and the nurse promised me an M&M if I did it. She brought me a whole (small) package, not just one - 'I can't believe I ate the whole thing'!! This means I won't be on chemo until I recover from the surgery, which also may be a good thing, as I'm ready for a break from the chemo. But it may actually be eaiser for me to deal with the chemo in the future, since it bothered my colon the most, andits gone! My husband is a good writer, but I"m not sure I trust him (verbatim transcription!!!!!!)
I want to thank the people that have found out and visited me-- you are so wonderful! I'm praying for a speedy recovery because this is not very much fun. (The morphine they gave me gave me good dreams, but now they've taken it away! But the oxydodone also does the same thing. Then I wake up and realize I can't move very well and can't go home yet. I know Apolo misses me, but my Mom is here to help. But there is no way I could be at home right now).
So I hope to get back toTYPING MY OWN blog soon. What a journey this is.
18 Comments:
Janet, The word went out and I'm sure you must have felt the love and prayers from your PEO sisters as well as so many others. Positive energy, concern and positive thoughts are all around you. You are again, an amazing woman! thank you for taking the time to share even as you rest in ICU with your wonderful family and friends around you. God Bless You and Keep You. Consider yourself hugged! Lani
By 
, at
3:09 PM
Wow. If it's not one thing it's another. Good for you for looking at the good side. I have a friend who had to have such a bag for a few years due to some colon problems, and then was able to get rid of the bag. He was so much more comfortable WITH the bag that he went back to it voluntarily and has had that ever since -for many years now. Hopefully you'll be rid of a lot of your discomfort too. Prayers and hugs to you, love Leslie
By , at
4:04 PM
Janet you said you've had colon discomfort most of your life. This might be a break from that you know. What a great attitude you have dear. That's absolutely crucial in healing as well as in all of life. Thank you for that...it's a gift to share your journey. You are in my prayers daily.
By , at
4:35 PM
oh, Janet - you deserve lots of M&Ms for what you've been through the past few days. I've kept my people updated with your progress and they were "storming heaven" with many prayers for you.
I wanted to share this message from my mom in Florida (who volunteers once a week at a hospital library):
Good news about Janet. While working at the library today a girl (who I had never seen before) came in to buy some of our sale books and when she left she gave me a navy blue plastic bracelet saying that her sister had colon cancer. I put it on which pleased her, I'm sure, but I thought "I'll wear this for Janet."
By , at
4:43 PM
Thanks for taking time to let us know what's going on. Dave--you made it sound like Janet writing--well done. Janet, this journey has had some significant potholes and you continue to inspire us with your humor and candor. I hope you are more comfortable without that troublesome colon and a break from chemo may be welcome. Once again I believe you are in the hands of the Master Healer. I'm going to have a chat with Him right now.
Love you, Vida
By , at
8:26 PM
All my best, Janet.
By , at
8:34 PM
Janet,every day you are in my thoughts and prayers. I was getting concerned about the many days without a blog. It is amazing how blessings can come out of horrible situations. With good teaching and practice, you will take this in stride as a part of your daily routine. No one else will know unless you tell them. My prayer is that this will not only help with pain, but also help in the cancer treatment. Dave, I hope you are getting a lot of support from your colleagues and friends. "Heavy, Heavy" hangs over your head, too. Cherry
By , at
8:21 AM
Janet Dear, I hope you're feeling better by now! I'm glad that you've been able to find some positive things about this latest development. Does this mean that your colon tumor is gone?
How soon are you going home so Apolo can give you a thorough DOG scan? Love, hugs, and prayers, Doreen from church
By , at
10:33 AM
Dear Janet - All of us in Dave's lab are holding good thoughts and prayers for you, and we do hope you will be home soon.
Keep eating that chocolate!
All best,
Julia
By , at
12:08 PM
Wow, Janet, you are my hero. You too, Dave. You guys are in this thing together, and I think you're both strong and secure in your love of one another, and brave as you keep a positive attitude. We are praying for you both many times a day, as we hope you will soon be able to go home and come back to church too. As we said at my Cursillo, "Keep on keepin' on." Love in Christ, Mary Gates
By , at
4:00 PM
Janet - So glad to hear you are feeling up to blogging again. I'll bet you are as "addicted" to the writing as the rest of us are to the reading. Also glad to hear that the terrible colon pain is gone. You are in my prayers always, so good your Mom is there with you and Dave for awhile.
Debbie
By 
golfergurl, at
6:12 PM
Janet - I have been out of town and have not visited for a while and read the good and bad news all at once. Hope you recover from the surgery stronger and more comfortable than before. You have an amazing spirit and I admire it everyday. Thanks to Dave for helping keep us up to date with how Janet is doing. Love and Tons of good wishes, Susan/sonia
By , at
7:06 PM
Just keep up the attitude, Janet! I'm so glad you are up and about and having Dave transcribe this part of the journey. Hang in, stay strong, and diss the disease...
We are pulling for you!
You certainly remain in our thoughts and prayers!
Rose & Larry
By , at
10:40 PM
Our thoughts and prayers are with you continually. Keep fighting Janet!
By Brother Terry:, at
11:21 AM
Hi Janet, We are rooting for you and praying for you. Glad to hear the latest chemo is shrinking the tumors. Peace and love,
By , at
7:12 PM
Dear Janet,
You and Dave are in our thoughts every day, and we wish you all the best.
Love,
Anne and Harvey Checkoway
By , at
6:04 PM
Dear Janet we are all thinking of you and keeping you in prayer. Hopefully Dave or your minister can update your online friends.
By , at
12:07 PM
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