Janis update

[JudyR]

Well, I spoke with both Pat and Janis today... not like I have anything else to do with my time! Janis is getting positively twitchy; she's now been housebound for 2 1/2 weeks, not allowed to drive or do anything that might strain her neck.
Pat took off early yesterday (Friday) as a surprise for her, and took Janis to the opening of the new Nashville Whole Foods market. Apparently, Janis spent two hours walking around the store in a daze, looking at the fruit and vegetables and salad bars. Then she announced she was never going to cook again!
Seriously, the recovery appears to be going as expected. When I hunted around on line for acdf (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion), most of the sites said it would really be a three month convalescence. From what I'm hearing, that's about right. Janis may be ready to party on down, but Pat tells me they went out to dinner Friday night and Janis was completely worn out after just an hour. (Apparently it's easy to tell when she's worn out - she goes completely white around the lips.)
She's complaining a lot about the cervical collar, and apparently whatever's left of the anesthesia in her body - plus the drug she's taking to control spasms in her neck - are giving her serious hot flashes. (Like I don't know what that feels like...!)
I keep telling Janis, there's nothing to do at this point but wait for time to take its time, as a 12 year old budding songwriter once said so eloquently.
Looks like she'll be seeing the neurosurgeon for follow up on the 15th of this month. She's hoping to be out of the collar then, though I'm actually thinking she'll be in it for a couple of weeks more. I'll keep you all posted.

[hoops]

JudyR,
thank you so much for the update. Janis is a toughie huh. :) i can relate. when i woke up from my unconscious state last may the fist thing i did was try to get up and walk. i guess my caretakers had seen this coming because i was strapped into the bed...yes full restraints( and this was before i got to the nut ward) then when i was released from the hospital about a month later or so, i wanted to take a simple walk, well, i did, then i slept the rest of the day. staying in rested and relaxed isn't easy when you're not used to it. but then...after a while, you get to like it lololol. ( that would have to be after about 5 or 6 years i imagine) anyway, enough of my babble, thank you for the news send our love
peace
hoops

[Ginny]

Yes, thank you for your update on Janis's health. My Mom had surgery similar to what Janis had, and she had a full recovery. At the time Mom was 67 years old. After her recovery she was riding her bike, swimming, dancing, etc.

Tell Janis we're "pulling" for her! - Ginny

[Darlene]

Thanks for the update Judy! It sounds like our Janis is going to have something to write a song about (like she needs this experience for something to write about). Tell her we are all pulling for her and to keep her behind and neck still until the doctor tells her she can move them.

Peace, Darlene

[Roady]

Thanks Judy for the progress report! Glad to hear Janis is on the mend. The collar might be annoying but at least she doesn't have to wear one of those Elizabethan collars that the pooches wear. Tell Pat to keep her on a tight lead. ;)

Barb

[Chet]

Thanks for the update, Judy. This is a bonus, in addition to the monthly news updates we get!

[kiwi mike]

.........."Thanks for the update Judy! It sounds like our Janis is going to have something to write a song about (like she needs this experience for something to write about). Tell her we are all pulling for her and to keep her behind and neck still until the doctor tells her she can move them.
....peace, Darlene"

Hi there, JudyR. I found it much easier to write the note from Darlane etc, but please let her know that i am thinking about you, and that you are recoving well, and that i am rooting for your health! :p
Kiwi Mike

[Agnes]

Thanks, Judy! Sounds like recovery alright..! Big (but gentle) hug to Janis and Good Luck to Pat with keeping Janis in line :D

[Dee]

Thanks for the update on Janis’ progress, Judy. Much appreciated.

[Rickster]

Judy, Thanks for the update. Hope Janis feels better soon. I'm sure having that collar on is very uncomfortable.

[david uk]

Judy thank you so much for taking the time to update us on how Janis is doing :)

[aabram]

More echos from across The Pond thanking you for the update. Seems like everything's going OK and that the patient is being dutifully impatient :p Sending lots of love and rudie prayers for a speedy recovery (again)

Annabel

[Mimi]

Thanks, Judy! Sounds like recovery alright..! Big (but gentle) hug to Janis and Good Luck to Pat with keeping Janis in line :D

You are steeling the words from my lips, Agnes!

Obviously our Janis is one of those impatient patients like I am... :D

Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery and lots and lots of RUDIE VIBES coming your way, Janis! Rachel and I are thinking of you daily!

MIMI

[gisli]

Best is to hear that recovery is as it should be, take care and be patient.

[Mimi]

Hey Gisli,
tell me about the cover you're using as your new avatar!

MIMI

[gisli]

Sure thing Mimi, it is a really nice cover.

http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=55846

[Marcia Drummergal]

Just back in town from a wonderful percussion extravaganza and saw this Janis health update. Please send her our love and healing Rudie vibes!

Marcia and Bat

[hoops]

welcome back marcia and bat

[Elliott]

I may be repeating myself, but my sister had a very similiar surgery in July last year. Best doctor, best hospital, etc... The only thing the docs told her to do was walk as much as she could when she could. Just walk. Very painful after surgery, several weeks to feel good enough and strong enough to walk any distance. Result after six months was amazing pain relief and a back to normal feeling. After one year she has enjoyed a complete recovery and is back to golfing, fishing, diving and world travel pain free. Neck and back surgery is not what it was ten years ago. It's not for sissys, but I don't think anything is going to slow Janis down for very long. All my best to you, and always, thank you for the music. Elliott

[lucille]

Keep on improving and doing as you're told by the Docs and Physios - don't be a hero.


back to golfing, fishing, diving and world travel

...but can she play the violin. :D

(Bad joke)

[DaveM]

Golfing, fishing, diving, horseback riding....you can do all those things if you wear a tampon, can't you? I seem to recall it said something of the sort on the box at one time.

[Anna from Dublin]

Thanks for the update Judy. Give Janis our love and good wishes. I wish her patience!

[hoops]

lucille,
i'm glad you said it first (the violin) cause i was gonna.
davem,
maybe you should try it just in case you might need to know someday...where you are going to wear it is another question...lol
peace
hoops

[Elliott]

As a matter of fact she did play the violin, very badly. I think I still have it.