You can see from my prior post that today started out on a very positive note. MJ made it to the chair with a surprisingly graceful maneuver. A milestone for sure. Then the thoracic surgeon appeared, with some disturbing news. Although the fluid in the left lung is draining well (making MJ's breathing much easier) additional fluid has accumulated around the lung on the opposite side. The thoracic surgeon raised the possibility that this fluid may not be a reaction to the surgery, as previously thought. It may be evidence of cancer moving to the lung. But we don't really know....we'll have to wait until tomorrow when we repeat the chest x-ray. Anyway, we are now out of ICU, and into a private room with a lovely view of the Pittsburgh Playhouse. MJ says the view reminds her of S.F. - there's a hill in the distance that definitely looks like the Castro.
When MJ and I gave up our respective legal and medical careers over a decade ago, we signed on for a high degree of uncertainty in life. This latest development propels us even farther along that road. No one can predict the future. You just have to roll with the punches. Kind of like a roller coaster, you know?
JR
Just know that you have lots of friends on that roller coaster with you. Glad you are making progress, can sit in the chair, and are out of ICU.
ReplyDeleteYou guys will roll with the punches and I hope you are optimistic that the x-rays tomorrow will bring positive news. Hurrah for the chair and the private room and the great imagination (Castro?!) We are all on this ride with you and are awaiting the next chug-a-lug UP the tracks. Let me know if you need a dog walker or anything else, please. Love you both - kristen
ReplyDeleteI remember the chair - ouch! If you can do that so soon after the surgery you had, you can do anything! (Which was always true of you, doll!) Hoping for good Xray results - it is just a little dip in the ride, soon to be followed by another rise. Sending all of you good thoughts and prayers. I will be dragging you up that hill in the Castro before you know it!! Love you all!
ReplyDeletelinda
MJ
ReplyDeleteWho knew back in 7th grade what joys and challenges we'd uncover in our lives. Guess a good sense of humor and ability to embrace the absurd goes a long way! Pulling with you as you ride the roller coaster.
This weekend I'm part of Madison's first Dragon Boat Festival, put on by TEAMSurvivor Madison, an organization that provides fitness and friendship to women surviving any cancer diagnosis. We're doing a Recognition Ceremony - and I've added your name to our event..so know theer are folks out here who've never met you who are pulling for you too. Not a club anyone wants to join, but I've found incredible support and hope through these other women. Hope you can feel the love!!
xoxo
Nancy
Just a reminder that we will be gathering at Rodef Shalom Friday night at 5:30pm to pray together & to kick some cancer ass with righteousness! Everyone is welcome. JR I'll be on the east end Friday afternoon so please let me know if there is anything I can do
ReplyDeleteAfter services, a group of us will be at Orient Kitchen for dinner.
ReplyDeleteJR, I'll be at Magee in the afternoon, but won't stop in unless invited to do so.
This part of the process always has good days and bad days, good hours and bad hours. The bad days/hours are the worst, but it's comforting to remember that a good—nay even a great—hour/day can be right around the corner. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteDon't think of this stuff as fluid in the lungs....You have always retained water, sweetheart, just try a little harder to get rid of it, OK? And while I know you long for food right now, think about some of the terrible diets you've been on, and be grateful for the opportunity to lose a pound. Thinking of you. Terre
ReplyDeleteZach's exactly right—a good stretch can't be far behind. So happy that you're out of the ICU. A room with a view indeed.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love—
Jody
This was "Quote of Day" in the reflection/meditation material I rely on in effort to remain grounded; thought perhaps it might be of some value in these parts...
ReplyDelete“It’s easy to have faith when things are going well. But there are times in everyone’s life when we have to fly on instruments, just like a pilot making a landing in low visibility. He knows the land is there, but he can’t see it. He must trust his instruments to navigate for him. And so it is with us, when things aren’t what we’d like them to be. We know that life is always in process, and always on its way to greater good. We just can’t see that. During those times, we rely on our spiritual radar to navigate for us. We trust there’s a happy ending. By our faith, through our trust, we invoke its proof.”
— Excerpted from A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”
With love and a 3 Breath Hug (hmmm, maybe a few good bear hugs could squeeze all that fluid out??)
Cheryl
Here in Hawaii we are spending time at the ocean sending a million alohas across the seas. Jono, don't forget we are 6 hours earlier if you can't sleep and feel like talking. We're on call. We love you very much.
ReplyDeleteJan and Marya
P.S. Please give our special love to Sam. We know he is a being a real hero right now!
Just want to say thank you for your amazing spirit! With all the ups and downs you give each of us a sense of joy and hope! Joining my prayers and spirit with all those at Rodef tonight!
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Roberta
Many times a day, vicariously riding this roller-coaster with you, I metaphorically throw my arms in the air and holler, "MMMMJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ!" as I think of you and pray that this scary drop quickly becomes the next upward climb. Know that you are being bombarded with love from so many different people and places as you move from bed to chair to home, MJ.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jon and MJ, for your openness and bravery - sharing the roller coaster ride tells me (and all your loving and caring relatives and friends, of whom there are thousands, I'm sure) when I have to pray and think and hope harder and when I can catch my breath, although I haven't really caught it yet since Sunday and haven't stopped praying, thinking and hoping since then either. I'll just redouble my efforts and hang in there with you - I'm right there on the roller coaster with you and I'm not afraid of heights or drops...let's roll!
ReplyDeleteAnd MJ, you go girl!!!!
With love to you two and Sammy and Zoe and all your brothers and sisters, Cousin Susie
Still holding the pink light, and your name is on the Buddhist prayer list as well. With love to you both and Sammy and Zoe, Pola
ReplyDeleteJust want to say that we're so appreciative of your blog. What grace you all possess. Even though a roller coater gives you an unpredictable, hair-raising ride, at the end, you get off exhilarated with big smiles and with your family and friends in those other seats. We love you.
ReplyDeleteAnita and Michael
M.J. thrives on challenges and since I've known her she has beaten them all, to date. This will happen here as well. My money is on you, Tocci, as it always is.
ReplyDeleteLove, Nicki!