Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Surgery update

Surgery is scheduled for first thing Wednesday morning. Maya's Granny did an awesome job of prepping for it, getting her lungs ready, moving and preparing. I'm so proud of her determination to take this opportunity to turn her health around. Her honesty when talking to the doctors here has only helped them to understand all of her own issues and desires. She is going to get physical and occupational therapy after this surgery that she should have had after her hysterectomy a few years ago, but didn't receive because her insurance ran out right after the surgery. She is sad about leaving Juneau, but looking forward to the freedom of living somewhere where the streets aren't icy and dangerous, and she can enjoy long walks and yummy California produce. Spending time with her beloved 'little mama', her Aunt who shares her birthday, and her 'baby' brother, Forrest. And, of course, seeing that wonderful girl, Maya, who made her a Granny to begin with. :)

I'll keep you up to date when I can. I do know that many of her good friends, esp her online friends, are coming here to follow her progress. Just to let you know, I'll be leaving Alaska on Friday, having spent two weeks here and needing to get back to my job and my family. I'm miserable at the idea of leaving her alone here, and I wish I could afford to stay with her while she recuperates. With me will go the computer, as she will be moving rooms a few times as her recovery progresses, and we don't want to see it go missing in the transitions, and the hospital safes are not large enough to hold it. So you won't hear from her for awhile, probably not until she is in California, which may be a few weeks. I will come back here from time to time and let you know her progress, but leave most of it to her to tell in her own time, as this is her blog, not mine, and it should show her voice, not mine. Thank you all for the support you have shown to her, and to me. You have no idea how much it helps.

~J

UPDATE: One of the surgical team members came in a few minutes ago, and said that surgery started at just before 9 a.m. Alaska time, which is 10:00 Pacific time. It will be hours before we know more, but thus far all is going well. :) I probably won't update again until she's completely finished, which will be 3-5 more hours, I think.

Mom was downright chipper about the whole thing this morning, looking forward to a new chapter in her life, whatever the hell she has to do to get there, including bypass surgery. I think that attitude will take her far in her recovery and future.

14 comments:

joared said...

Thanks for the up date. When she reads this some future day, just want her to know I'm thinking of her as it is Weds. here in So. Cal. as I write this, though it's the wee hours of the morn and I expect her surgery is just a wee bit later in the day.

Expect I'll be reading her account of these experiences 'ere long. Her previous posts sound as though she's pretty well set to successfully take on this life challenge.

Anvilcloud said...

Good luck Granny. Get over this surgery soon and then enjoy being near family in California.

Anonymous said...

I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers today. I'm taken by the way she is facing what needs to be with such clarity. Please give her my love, and tell her I look forward to having her in California, where maybe we'll even be able to be real time friends! xoxoxo

Gina said...

We love you, Maya's Granny! You can do this!

Anonymous said...

thanks for the update Julie

I've sent your mom a pc communication the old fashioned way!

Mary in scotland

kenju said...

It is so good to have your updates! Thanks for letting us know what is happening; I hope you can continue to do that.

Tell MG that I am pulling for her to get healthy again soon!

Bugwalk said...

Hoping for the very best, MG and J. I wonder if surgery is now over. It's 10:15 a.m. in San Francisco.

DBB said...

All the best! I hope you recover soon and get back to what you enjoy! I'm sorry I missed seeing this earlier - been in the hospital myself, though for happier reasons - baby number two was born Feb 21!

Hope to hear from you soon, MG!

Mary Lou said...

THanks for the updates! keeping her in my thoughts today! She'll do fine, she is a tough ol' bird!

Joy Des Jardins said...

Thanks again Julie. These updates have been so great...so much better than just waiting and wondering. Your mom is one resilient lady....bless her beautiful soul. You've been blessed to have such an amazing example of such strong womanhood....I'm sure you know that already. My love and good wishes go to her for a speedy and complete recovery...and to be able to take each change as beautifully as she has handled everything else. Thinking of you all....

kerrdelune said...

I've been thinking of her and so want this to go well. She is in my thoughts and prayers, and here's hoping that she can return to us soon, well and strong. Cate

Uncivil said...

I agree with everyone at how nice these updates are J.
Hopefully granny will be California bound in a few weeks!

Susan B said...

Thanks for the update, Julie! Glad to hear she's in good spirits and will get the OT and PT afterward. I'll be checking back for news throughout the evening.

Tracy said...

Chipper, huh? Go MG! Love your attitude!