Monday, February 09, 2009
[Janet speaking, dictated by Dave]:
I just want to wear pearls, and sweeters and get dressed fast! And have fun. I gave my family a scare- again. I guess I bled in my stomach on Saturday; the ordeal took the whole day, and everybody rushed around. I'm sorry. I woke up surprise to find everyone looking at me. And I asked them "Did I scare you?" Evidently I did, in a big way. I'm stabilized now, but I'm very, very weak, and I'm not quite sure how I'm going to pull myself through this. Its very, very hard. 'Mother' Cynthia told me that I didn't have to do a thing but let my body heal and let the Healer heal me.
I'll let Dave add his comments on it at this point.
From Dave:
First, let me thank all of Janet's many faithful friends and blog readers for the tremendous amount of support we have both received over these past trying weeks. Many of you know what we've been through the last few days, and Janet captured the essence of it above. It appears that the chemo she's been receiving for the past 7 months did a number on her insides-- and of course the trauma and stress of a ruptured colon and the surgery, procedures and drugs that followed added to that insult. For the past week she had been bleeding in her stomach somewhere, and it didn't want to stop. It increased dramatically sometime during late Friday night / early Saturday morning. Her hematocrit (% of blood that is red blood cells; normal is 35-45%) went from 27% to 11% overnight, and they had to rush her up to the ICU again. Although Saturday was nearly her last day with us, her spirit somehow pulled through, and late Saturday evening she 'came to', and they removed her 'breathing machine'. Soon thereafter came the 'Did I scare you?' comment. Undoubtedly the understatement of the year!!
But, due to prayer, good luck, obstenence and strong will, she has continued to improve - baby steps perhaps, but improve none-the-less-- for the past two days. She still has a long road to haul, but we are determined to get her home to her beloved Apolo and her Eagle protectors. Perhaps the Orcas will pay her a visit when she gets home.
Dave
26 Comments:
Janet and Dave - Thank you for writing and keeping us all up with the news. Yes, Janet, you definitely scared us! But your intrepid spirit is an inspiration and a great blessing to everyone who reads these pages. May the Great Spirit bless you both.
Hugs,
Julia
By 
, at
6:16 PM
Janet,
I've been thinking about you everyday, sending all my best wishes and healing thoughts and prayers. You are in my heart, always. Thank-you for sharing so much of yourself, here. You are such an amazing and strong person, and we are lucky to go on this journey with you.
Dave, thank-you too, and thanks for keeping us updated. I'll be thinking of you all.
Deanna has my number if there's anything I can do... even just to take Apolo on a walk, or you name it.
Much love to you all.
Janet--
I've been thinking about you all the time and wishing you a good recovery. You are one tough lady! Keep up the good work and you will hopefully be home soon.
Love, Lisa
By 
Lisa Eaton, at
8:00 PM
Janet I've been checking everyday for updates. Sorry to hear you went through another rough spot, but how special that one of the first things you asked was whether you gave your loved ones a scare. The spirit is half the battle and you are a champ. The rest - well you are in the best hands and with love and support all around you. Hang in there. I hope you will go home very soon.
Susan/Sonia
By , at
9:01 PM
Janet, Once again your spirit shines and you exemplify the inner strength that has nothing to do with physical strength. Your body is working to heal itself(with your doctors, family and friends help) and your spirit is part of the healing power. Many PEO sisters are asking about you and are lifting you up in prayer. There is much to be prayed about these days and you are in our hearts. You scared us all!
Do you remember the cartoon "Love Is". I'm sure there could be many new cartoons from this journey you are on. But here is one, "Love Is Your PEO Sisters Lifting you up in Prayer." Celebrate Life Lani
By , at
6:02 AM
Thank you so much for continuing to keep your online "family" updated. We think about you guys and pray for you all the time.
Keep fighting Janet!
We're praying for your family [Dave, Lucas and Kaley]... We know how hard this is on the caregivers as well. Stay strong guys!
All our love,
The Simmons Family
By Brother Terry:, at
6:24 AM
I too have been checking several times a day and sending up prayers with each visit to the site.
Please keep us posted. You are in my prayers daily.
Chris in Virginia
By , at
7:48 AM
You are all in my prayers too. Thank you for the blog update - it is greatly apppreciated and I know you have a million more important things than this right now. Janet, keep fighting - we are all praying for you and I'm sure you have angels surrounding you giving you additional strength so you can succeed at this battle and win this war. And the prayers are for Dave and Kaley and Lucas and, yes, even Apolo. You are all loved. Blessings to you all, Leslie
By , at
8:43 AM
Well,Janet, everyone has pretty much said what I've been doing too, except that I've been crying also...not huge tears, just a little leakage from my tear ducts every day at odd times, wanting you to be well and hoping Dave, Kaley and Lucas, and of course Apolo will have strength and courage to get through all of this with you. Our Lord has what we all need, but it's so difficult to get past the anger and pain, especially when a loved one suffers, to understand that. There are many people who love you guys, even if they can't show it as well as others. Know that you all have a "great cloud of witnesses" supporting you, some you can't even see. We are all praying for the best for all of you...long life, happiness, and good health, to name just a few things. Love in Christ, Mary Gates
By , at
3:07 PM
And we want to see you in those sweaters and pearls, sitting in your lovely home looking over the Sound and shouting, Hallelujah--I'm still here! Thanks for thinking to drop us a note. Like all these other dear friends I've been checking daily and crying out to God, please stay close to my friend Janet and heal her. I wish I were closer so I could see you, hug you, and pray with you. Consider this a virtual hug. I'll keep praying and I send my love to you, Dave, Lucas, Kaley, and Apolo. Your forever pal, Vida
By , at
3:33 PM
Janet, Dave, Kaley, Lucas, and Apolo (some of my favorite people)! My dad just forwarded me your blog. What a wonderful way to keep others up to date. Janet, we are praying our hardest for you here in Portland!! I am so sorry to hear about your recent trials in the hospital, but I am so glad to know you can feel our prayers. I pray that each day will get a little bit better for all of you, especially you Janet. Hang in there. I love you all dearly!! Love, Julie Mullavey
We too have been checking the blog and send you our daily thoughts and prayers!
The Goulets
By , at
9:35 AM
Dave thanks so much for filling me in when I called. Hope I wasn't intruding. You are so right....Janet's spirit is strong and she's just not ready to leave. Sending you both strength and courage and hope. Here's a verse from Psalms: "He will lift you up on eagles' wings..."
By , at
7:14 PM
I have been checking your blog everyday wondering about how you were doing, and when there was no update I was worried. I am so sorry to hear about what happened, but I know you will pull through this. My thoughts & prayers go out to you & your family.. and of course Apolo puppy.
SuzfromIll
By , at
7:53 PM
Hi Janet,
I didn't know I could leave a comment here - Kayla told me how - I feel so blogstupid. I just wanted you to know that our entire family is praying very hard for you and your family. You have always been an important part of our lives, and I hope you know how much we care. Bobby (a.k.a. Rob) wanted to get in touch, but didn't know how, so I'll let him know about this convenient way to touch base. I will be in Washington soon and hope to see your family. We love you and are sending strength, prayers and the wings of angels to lift you up. Love, D.
By , at
10:54 PM
The only thing we can say is "Thanks be to a gracious God" who answers our prayers. Thanks for keeping in touch and keep on hanging in there, Janet. Just rest and heal. With love, Ashby
By , at
12:57 PM
Janet,
I've been thinking of you and hoping for the best. I am keeping you & your family in my prayers and hoping you can get home soon to your beloved Apolo. You will wear pearls and sweaters again - you will pull through this. Remember Vancouver 2010 is only one year away!
Love,
Linda
To those of you who read Janet's blog and like me are anxiously awaiting any news, I am passing along what I know. Janet was moved to a nursing home (temporarily) for rehab and is improving. This info was accurate Feb 15 per email from Dave to her high school buddies. Dave, thank you and Janet keep up the good work. Prayers and good vibes to you and yours, and hope you are home soon! Much love, Leslie
By , at
11:49 AM
Thank you for the update, Leslie.
And to you, Janet, my heartfelt prayers and positive energy head your way daily that you'll be home soon, dressed in a twinset and pearls, with Apolo by your side.
Melanie
By , at
12:09 PM
Thanks Leslie. I too keep Janet and her family in prayer constantly. I believe in that power. We can do that!
By , at
4:10 PM
Thank you so much Leslie for the update on Janet.
Susan/sonia
By , at
6:18 PM
Hello Janet and family,
It's Anu from MotherTalkers... My family drove past Mukilteo on our way to a day trip to Whidbey and I thought of you. Healing thoughts. Keeping you all in the light...
By , at
7:25 PM
Hi Janet,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. You are strong and fighting the good fight. Please keep on going.
Peace and Love, Elisa from MotherTalkers
By , at
12:33 PM
Once agin, I am passing on an update - Janet is back in the hospital and is having a hard time recovering and getting her strength to return. Since she isn't able, I don't think she'd mind me asking on her behalf for your contiued prayers and strong thoughts - this is a hard hard road right now. Blessings and prayers to you Janet and Dave. Love, Leslie
By , at
12:59 AM
Leslie,
Thanks for your message. I have been thinking of how to get the message to all those who care about and pray for Janet, Dave, and their family. The news this morning is that she's "holding her own". What an amazing woman we all love!
Janet's sister-in-law Kathy
By , at
11:14 AM
Thank you Leslie. Prayers continue constantly.
By , at
3:22 PM
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