November 20 (Tuesday) - 1030am

Since the last update on Saturday Jeannette has had a tough couple of days.  The nausea that began over the weekend continued, making her weak and unable to eat, and that in turn prevented her from getting out of bed and working on the therapy that is one of the big keys to her going home.   As she said, "I can handle the pain, and the rest of it, but the sickness is just too much."   Of course, the liquid "contrast media" she had to drink for the CAT SCAN didn't help things, and after that all important "gut check" test, she spent the rest of that day giving it back to the hospital.

But there is some good news to report, and with the clear day outside things are looking brighter in more ways than one.    The results of that all important CAT scan came back and "everything there looks good" so that's a huge relief, and is a real positive.  The nausea too is under control today, and she's weak but "feeling better" and we are all hoping for a great day today.    She was able to eat some yesterday, and breakfast today as well, and so far she is "keeping it down" so the hope is we have turned that corner.   

My non-medical perspective is she's actually working in a solid direction on going home, and since they have determined that the right leg surgery can be postponed for a while, it's clear that the path home is a matter of being able to eat, move, and have enough strength to handle things without the hospital staff.  There are lots of logistics to figure out, and keeping her electrolytes balanced, and the calorie counts high are going to be important parts of home therapy.    Still, I think that goal is something Jeannette is focused on, and so the setbacks like she has had to endure over the last few days can be depressing for everyone.    She wants to go home now so bad!   And of course, who can blame her?   The real truth is that we all want the same thing too!

Although Sam has had to return home and to work, Rich is keeping things in check and doing his best to get anything that Jeannette needs or wants.   When I was last there he was out heading to McDonalds, getting Jeannette a fish sandwich with the hopes that a change in food would help things.   I have threatened to bring in some King Crab legs with melted butter, as soon as she can handle them.   Speaking of food, as Thanksgiving approaches, I will share with all of her friends that I personally think this is a good time for personal visits, as long as you are healthy, as a little "cheering up" and perhaps some more friendly smiling faces are certainly "what the doctor ordered" as the saying goes.     Having never spent a day in a hospital It's hard for me to imagine staying overnight, much less for 125 nights and still counting.  But I can tell you that the visits help bouy her spirits, and one of the keys to getting well and going home is keeping the right attitude to beat this thing.  Her inner strength and strong driving spirit is a real inspiration for all of us.--John