Tuesday, October 23, 2012

New Home

I'm sorry that last nights blog didn't get published till this morning. I tried to blame it on the blog, but I'm now convinced it was user error. Of course shortly after I finished that post yesterday everything changed. Around 6:00pm last night we were asked if we wanted to go home or stay another night. This caught us by surprise because we were under the impression that we would be at the hospital throughout the evening. We all agreed that it would be better to get Jess to a place where her medication will be administered with the punctuality necessary to maintain the desired level of pain tolerance. With a ratio of 3 nurses (Bob, Bonnie, and myself) to one patient (Jess), as compared to UCLA with a ratio of 1 nurse to 5+ patients, we knew Jess would get her medication on time and consistently. We are in our rental home now and Jess is doing extremely well. Her pain has gone up and down but not anywhere close to what was happening at the hospital. I was forced to relinquish my nursing duties, and although I tried to convince everyone I wasn't tired, apparently I snored throughout my entire shift off. I'm only mentioning this to beat Jess to the punch, as i'm sure she was going to tell on me later, and with utter delight.

She is doing much much better than at the hospital now. This place is much more peaceful and relaxing then the hospital, and she is thriving from it. Walking to and from the bathroom unassisted, eating real meals, teasing her father, and generally being a happy person. Every half hour or so she wants me to continually check and see if there are new comments from the blog. They bring a smile to her face every time. I truly can't thank everyone enough.

35 comments:

  1. Dear Jess:
    I've been a loyal reader of your blog since the cherry selling event. Since comments make you happy, I'm glad to discover something I can do for you, even though we've never met. I'm so, so glad you have come through this second surgery so well. You are a brave and courageous woman with such powerful inner strength. Your "Jess Try" entry read like a wonderful poem. It was beautiful, just like your smile. Keep healing and be gentle with yourself. Let your loving team cradle you in their love while you heal. And Dan: take some naps, too. Don't neglect yourself. Hurrah for getting out of the hospital!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, this is wonderful news. There is nothing like the peace and quiet of home (even a temporary one). Wishing you and yours a smooth transition, good pain control and laughter! You are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ha ha (evil tone) you should have published it last night Dan, she beat you to the punch via text. I must say, I was stoked to hear you were sleeping so soundly. That patient needs a well-rested nurse.

    Jess, what is the address for care packages? I know just what I am sending you!

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my gosh, that is such great news! I usually check in on your blog from work and I can't tell you how many times I have tears running down my face, both happy and sad! So delighted with your progress. Jess is one special lady. And Dan is one special guy. Big hug to all. Debbie C.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hip Hip Hooray!!! Was so happy to hear the good news and the move has been a good one for all involved it sounds like. Was so excited to see Jess post - even if it wasn't exactly what she wanted. It was her voice back and it's so wonderful to hear - or rather read. I have never heard her voice but I have it in my mind everytime I read her posts. You are doing a great job filling in for her Dan, you definitely have big shoes to fill. I would also love the care package address.

    Thinking of you and checking for updates continually - you are truly inspiring Jess. Rest up, let them wait on you while you heal and get back into the swing of things, but most of all congrats on all that you have done and are doing. You are incredible!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jess and family -
    I am so happy the surgery is over. I knew it would be ok. It was so moving to see the pics of your amazing smile after the surgery. I have been keeping my family up to date with the news from your blog. We held our breath waiting for the good news and let out 'cheers and tears' when the updates came through. Yeah!!! Keep up the good work and God bless you. Jim and family Pewaukee WI

    ReplyDelete
  7. So great to hear that you are out of the hospital and wonderful to see the photo of you standing and looking so healthy! Thinking of you all the time and sending you loads of love love love!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jess-
    you and your family are amazing. It is great to hear that you are feeling better. Thanks for keeping us updated on your progress.
    Joey & Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sending you healing thoughts, Jess.
    P.S. I'm a friend of Court's (one of the Ts).

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jess - we've never met...but I just had to write to let you know that I'm elated that you are doing so well and that your amazing family is with you to support, buffer, advocate and love you. You are truly amazing and it is so good to know this surgery is behind you and you can now get on with the process of healing and regaining your strength and well-being. Take good care of yourself and Dan, keep the blogs coming!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yeah for being out of the hospital! You continue to inspire me. I am sending all kinds of positive thoughts your way. ~Nicole

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey Jess & Co.,

    I tried to post after your post from this morning, but hit some button and it deleted everything, of course. I just went back in to send a message and I can't believe the great news! You are out and surrounded by the ones you love! You are such an inspiration for anyone who has ever had the opportunity to meet you, and even though our paths were only on the same route for a short time, you have left a permanent glow in my heart and I think about you all the time. God does answer prayers, and I started crying when I saw that it was a total resection! Hooray! I am glad you had Danny add that cuz it was pretty important information. Just for kicks, I googled glioma yesterday and couldn't believe how short the life expectancy was. You kicked some Hermie ass and althogh he's no longer part of you, I think he will understand that his time on earth had to be cut short so yours can continue for decades to come as you share your life with Danny and hopefully can start a family of your own, as I know you so long to do. You have been through so much in the last 10 years...and especially in the last 2, but you are one of the best motivators around and have made me stop and think about what I take for granted as well as trying my best to be good to myself and my body since you never know what is in store in the future. I am crying tears of joy to know you are home (even if it's not your real home, it beats that hospital bed and the overworked nurses) and out, and already blogging (much quicker than after the first surgery, I might add). It's a long road but you love the outdoors, so I know that it's only gonna' get better from here. We love you tons!!! Love, Winnie, Joe, & Stella

    PS: Next time you are bored, try googling "brain tumor jokes." I thought I would give you a laugh, but the first site I clicked on was some stupid Mr. Bean joke (not funny enough), the next one said "Brain tumors and cancer are not funny" (okay, a given, but come on I want Jess to laugh and she won't be offended), and the third was another lady in California who wrote her own jokes as a way to cope after she had a surgery similar to yours with complications much worse than with your first surgery...let's just say that all of her jokes contained four letter to five letter expletives that I will not write in the same post where I praised God for answering prayers :b You are a blessing and I'll keep checking in!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love you Jota. You have got to be one of the toughest people I know. You blogging last night = so very Jota of you. I can't wait to play WWF again soon :)
    (Btw - according to WWF, it says that we "have equal playing ability" - & I HIGHLY disagree. You are WAY better than me! Always have been & always will be :))

    <3,

    Kelly :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jess, this is great news, and was delighted to see a picture of you standing w/ that huge smile of yours! Thanks to Danny for keeping us updated.

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are one amazing and beautiful woman. And tough! Such a rockstar. :) I am so happy for you all that you are out of the hospital and relaxing at your home away from home. It is great to see your smiling face and thanks to Dan for keeping us so well updated. Thinking of you all constantly. You can do it girlfriend, go Team Jess! Lots of love, strength and healing vibes. Sara

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey Jess and Team Jess,

    It's beyond wonderful to hear that you are making progress! I wanted to share a quick little blurb that a good friend's mom used to always say:

    "Mile by mile life's a trial.
    Yard by yard life is hard.
    But, inch by inch, life's a cinch!"

    Anyway, one inch at a time, my friend. You have an ever growing army of warm thoughts and love behind you. You are incredibly easy to cheer for as your spirit/being is nothing short of amazing and inspiring. Keep it up!

    Much love, Byron

    ReplyDelete
  17. WOW! It is amazing and heartwarming to see that picture of you all so few days after surgery! All looking happy and strong! Jess is beautiful and loved by so many and with your continued love and support she will bounce back better than before! I had the pleasure of talking to her on the phone a few times and she was a joy and inspiration to me! Please give her a big hug from "So Cal" Patti!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. SO HAPPY! Glad you are doing better. It is always easier to get better out of the hospital where you can have those closest to you caring for your needs and not be stuck in a sterile, bland environment. I started doing so much better once at a hotel and even better at home! You will start picking up momentum, especially once the swelling goes down which can take awhile, and once your brain recovers from that awful intrusion! Wow, this is taking me forever to write--brain tumor brain is effecting me as it's getting close to my bedtime! Take care. Hugs to you. Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  19. So great to see you out of the hospital. You and you're entire extended family / network of friends is astounding. Blesses be God Forever! All my love, Paula

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thinking of you all the time! So glad you doing well, and are settled into your "home away from home". Loved seeing the pictures of you and your radiating smile. You are truly an amazing woman.
    -Kim

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jess, you are amazing! It's great to see you out of the hospital and looking beautiful as ever. Sending my love to all of you...
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  22. You two are just the cutest couple ever! I am so impressed with all of your devotion and amazing love for one another! Jess, I am so happy to hear that you are "home" with Danny and your parents and out of the hospital. It makes such a difference to relax and feel safe and comfortable in your calmer surroundings!! I think of you every day and check you blog for updates all the time! -- Great work Danny! And Jess, your update was amazing! Sometimes I can't even put that many words together before a cup of coffee and you continue to amaze and persevere through every challenge!! You are incredible and such an inspiration!! Thank you for being you and sharing yourself with all of us!! Sending much love and healing!! Maleka

    ReplyDelete
  23. How many more YAYS can a girl handle!?!? YAY!!! Wonderful and awesome news!!! Jess you are doing amazing you little rockstar!! Could you possibly have better care right now!? Once again, a post that makes my heart happy!! So happy! Yay!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. WooHoo, so glad you are in the care of your loved ones! What an amazing support network you have! LOVE the updates, LOVE LOVE your smile!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh Jess! I have been reading your blog for some time now, commented sometimes. Your smile after your surgery was so wonderful. It's great to see you doing well with everything, you are incredibly strong and beautiful, so inspiring. I look forward to the updates every day, and the good news brings a smile to my face. Take good care and rest up! Thinking of you :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Jess! You look great and it sounds like you are recovering so well! This just brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. You are so brave and amazing; and your " nursing staff" are as well. Keep up the good work and try not to push too hard. I will keep the prayers coming because I know they are working!
    Hugs and love
    Sarah & Joey

    ReplyDelete
  27. who gets out of the hospital 5 days after a brain surgery?! Well members of team Jess are not surprised. In addition you have posted a blog...
    Jess you keep inspiring others and I will keep praying for a full recovery and Rainbows around every corner.YOU ROCK!!

    Hugs and Love,
    Rich and Andre'
    PS by the way good timing to go south...Weather has looked allot like winter lately.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dear Jess,

    It was so great to go to your blog to see so many new blogposts in the last 24 hours! Keep up the good work getting Danny to post! I am so overjoyed to hear how well you are doing. You have been in my thoughts so much since I read that you would be having another surgery. You are blowing us all away with your smiling face in the pictures! I am astonished at what a positive and upbeat attitude you are maintaining, you are amazing. You are absolutely the salt of the earth, Jess! Someday, when you are able to blog on your own, I would love you to write about how you are able to maintain so much patience and such a happy demeanor throughout all of life's uncertainties. If only we could all be like you. Great job. Happy Healing and God Bless. You are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Jess

    I'm so happy your doing so well and are out of the hospital. You look great but I thought you would. You are a beautiful soul and there is a lot most of us could learn from you. With your positive outlook & our payers you'll be home in no time.

    Carol Mueller

    ReplyDelete
  30. Well I am thrilled to ride this tidal wave of love coming your way!! And not only your way - but towards all of your family. You are all so deserving. You are all a true example of what love and strength are and what they look like when expressed in their purest form. Keep loving each other, keep rotating your "nurse" schedules so everyone gets rest, and keep smiling. Ok - that last part wasn't really necessary as I don't imagine you guys are going to be short on smiles with Jess there...I mean, who has a smile that big hours after brain surgery!?! Just beautiful to see :)

    Big love coming your way,

    John and Steph

    ReplyDelete
  31. I read your blog all the time to keep up with your grateful attitude and wonderful love of your husband and family! I am so pleased that you are doing well and feeling better. Keep on being awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Jess, you are amazing! I am so thrilled to hear how well the surgery went and how well you are doing now! Your post was amazing... like someone else said, it was like poetry. Please take it easy... baby steps!

    Dan, you are such an amazing husband and partner to her, it's inspiring to see your love and support shine through Jess' posts.

    Sending lots of love from Costa Rica.

    ReplyDelete
  33. So happy for you to be out of the hospital. Stay strong you..... have got a ton of people all over the world praying for you!
    Hugs from my part of the world....Lake Chelan

    ReplyDelete
  34. It's so great you are more comfortable and in a cozy place. I love to read about your progress and am excited to see it continue. Keep giving your Dad a hard time, I'm sure he enjoys every minute of it. Hugs and Love to you and your fam. Stay strong Jess!
    The Taylor/Eastmans

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sometimes as I read your posts, and other people's comments.... and happy tears run down my cheeks...I am continued to be reminded of how much you are saving people. You make my day. You remind me to have patience with January, and take each day at a time. You remind me to tell people that I love them, and to try to be less self serving. Thanks Jess. -Karen G.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Back to Top