Phone off the hook

Today I took the phone off the hook and slept for 2 hrs.The anxiety of it about to ring was too much. So when Tim came home from school I told him what I was going to do. For the first time I slept for 2 hrs. So if you try to reach me I just want to explain why you get busy signal. Being anxious is not fun when you lack sleep. I'm going to take ativan also.

I wish I could sleep

Yesterday, since I was not given a sleeping script, I called the pharmacist to see if ambien CR was covered by insurance. Continuous release was given to me in the hospital but not covered for home use. Plain generic ambien is covered by my insurance, and I was given 5 mg. for hospital use. I called my primary doctor and had him call in the script for me. Tim picked it up on way home from soccer.

I took it last night and it didn't work. My body aches, can't get comfortable. I literally was up since 3 a.m., finally got out of bed at 7:45 a.m. Yesterday p.m. I tried to sleep at 3 p.m. and was unable to sleep for the hour.

I wish I could sleep. I'll try again this afternoon.

Sister leaves today

Eileen left this a.m. to go home. I sure do appreciate all she did for us while she was here. A lot of company. And a good house cleaner!

Today I had a therapist stop by. She worked on my tense right arm. And gave me exercises to do. Boy, if dad would have just moved from my right leg up to my arm life would be good.

Tomorrow there will be another therapist stopping by at 9 a.m. Mark P. a neighbor of Beckster.

I'm back!

Thanks to all for your love support and friendship! Amazes me how far I've come in the past couple of weeks. Will take me awhile to catch up with all the blog. Prayer is very powerful.

Thank you very much. Heck, what a difference. I may type slowly, but it continues to be my therapy.

"She's on her way home!"

Good news everyone! Eileen just called to tell me that Barry is on his way to Shadyside to bring Jane home! Praise the Lord! She should be HOME this afternoon.

Yesterday evidently was a physically draining day. She had a horrendous drive to Shadyside due to the service deciding to take the "long way", and arrived an hour late for her scheduled appointment. She also had a killer headache for which she could not take anything to combat it, for fear that it would interfere with the results of the CT and MRI scans she had done.

So - today will be a much better day.

I have been asked to gently remind everyone to please call Jane first before visiting. She can't wait to see everyone, but does not want to be overwhelmed.

WELCOME HOME JANE! We all love you and are so glad you are home! We can't wait to hear from you here on your special space.

- JK

IMPORTANT: Request from Jane

(Jody reporting for Lisa reporting a request from Jane!):


Jane will be traveling to Pittsburgh tomorrow and therefore does not want any visitors tomorrow evening....too much.

Then on Friday after lunch she will be going home. She would like everyone not to visit until at least Saturday.

Maybe everyone can call first before they visit to see how she is.

Thanks.

Lisa

Update on Jane 4/29/08

Hello again everyone (Jody once again reporting):

I stopped in to visit Jane this morning, and she was enjoying a big tub of buttery popcorn! She said her appetite is not affected at all - she has lots of goodies to keep her tummy happy.

She was excited because this morning she rode the PT bicycle for the first time - at her request! She said her tush will be sore now as well as her muscles from all the exercises. She was to have PT again this afternoon, and Barry was to join her so that he could speak with the therapist and get an idea of what to expect when she returns home. She said it won't be before Thursday as she'd hoped; the doctors feel it would be better for her to stay at Greenville and rest and go directly from there to Pittsburgh for her cyberknife consult by ambulance on Thursday. They feel if she returned home Wednesday then traveled to Shadyside, she might be pretty exhausted. So she'll be staying so that she is good and rested.

She is a pro now at getting herself dressed and up and around - she even hung all of her clothes in her closet. She wanted to sit in the chair while we visited:



Barry arrived just as I was leaving. He and Jane are both excited about her new vehicle - a Honda Element. They're not sure which color yet - it'll be a surprise for the both of them.



She said yesterday the speech therapist had her work on counting backwards from 30 by 3s. She said it was somewhat difficult due to surrounding noise distractions, and joked that normally she'd need a calculator to do it anyway! I reminded her how far she's come in a week's time and how far she'll be a week from now.

She is really looking forward to getting home - to her friends, family and her 'own bed'.

- JK

Photo from Cousin Tim

"It was a memorable trip!" - Cousin Tim

Jane may be coming home soon!

Hello again everyone - this is Jody posting for Jane once again as Maureen enjoys her grandchildren and the warm Florida sunshine.

Jane said she may be going home this week! She is due to go to Shadyside hospital on Thursday, May 1st for the cyberknife consultation. She said that she will either go directly there from Greenville or possibly from HOME, if she gets released before Thursday! It truly is miraculous the progress she has made.

I posted three comments that were left by her friends and father on Jane's "front page", as all three of them were so moving and described the incredible progress Jane has made. For example, Lisa mentioned Jane tying her own shoes:



To God be the glory for the work He has done in Jane's life.

I was able to visit Jane Sunday evening and brought along Ann L., who is a breast cancer survivor and has been in touch with Jane for the last several years. They had never met face-to-face before, so it was a real treat for both of them!

Tim was also visiting Jane and brought along his new bike - a Kawasaki Ninja - so that she could see him ride it for the first time. He parked near her window so that when he left she could see him. He brought along some KFC for her to enjoy as well.

Jane described her physical therapy sessions to us. She said her muscles are sore from all the exercises but she didn't complain one bit. The strength in her arm and leg are proof that in just a few sessions, she is making progress by leaps and bounds (almost literally!)

Again, if any of you have any photos or would like to provide a synopsis of your visit with her, I encourage you to email them to me: gym_junkie@mac.com. I will be happy to post them for her sake.

Jane said she looks forward to the day soon when she herself will post. I think it will be sooner than all of us would have ever imagined! Until then, we all love you Jane and are praying for you!

- JK

Jane's comment from her friend Lisa, 4/27/08:

Hi everyone,

I don't know if this works, but here is a link to a description of a cyberknife. You know how Jane always keeps us so informed of her procedures. Well, I wasn't sure what a cyberknife was so I googled it and found this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberknife

Jane has continued to improve in leaps and bounds. I too, like Becky, hadn't seen her since she went to Greenville and when I got there on Sunday she put her own shoes on, tied them, (yes I did say tied them!) and then walked with her walker to the bathroom UNASSISTED!!! I know Jane is a fighter, but I have no doubt that God has performed a miracle! He has given all of us more time with our precious Jane. I have realized how much more important friends and family are than anything else. When I was telling my dad all about the past two weeks and all of the trips to Pittsburgh, the airport, and the hospital, he said that I was the best friend anyone could ever have. I told him all about all of the friends who have been right there for Jane too, and how we all rely on each other and therefore do not get overwhelmed with doing it all. I thank all of the great people who have been there for Jane and for each other as well as those who have prayed for her. Every time I have been in the hospital, Doug (Jane's Dad) has commented to someone how he can't believe the love that has been poured out by Jane's friends. I feel so lucky to have spent so much time with Doug, Kay, Eileen, and Mo. They are super! Jane, you keep up that therapy. Keep those therapists busy!! I love all of you.
Lisa

Jane's comment from her friend Becky, 4/27/08:

I was away Friday and Saturday and didn't get to see Jane. First thing this morning I went up to see her because her family had told me I wouldn't believe my eyes. Once again our girl astounds me!! When I left she had no use of her arm or leg. Today she was walking and using her right hand to eat!! There is nothng that girl won't try to tackle. It felt so good to see her doing so well, because I missed her when I was away. I was glad to be able to see her Mom and Dad before they left. Jane has made such great progress and I believe that it took a team of family, friends and her strength to get her to this point. I hope doug and kay are going home feeling like they can relax a little bit. Jane is ready to be a bit more independent right now. They have done such a wonderful job staying by her side all those days in the hospital and being away from their home. I am a little bit selfish in saying that I will sorely miss spending so much time with them. Doug gave me the best compliment today saying that he loved me like family. It is amazing how close we have all become pulling together all for one purpose in trying to help Jane. It is no surprise where Jane gets her great strength. She comes from great parents. I wish you a great trip doug and kay and we will be thinking about you often and sending you updates. Now stay out of trouble Doug!!!!!
love ya
becky

Jane's comment from her father, 4/27/08:

Dads Report Sunday Evening
Today is our last visit with Jane on this trip. We return to Cape Cod tomorrow AM
Kay Eileen and I spent almost 6 hrs with her today.
Once again I must say W H O W
her rapid progress toward recovery this week astonishs everyone. She is READY for the next day, next treatment.
Today she was able to "walk around the block" independent, with wheelchair, with attendant at her side. At lunch she was able to use her right hand feeding herself ! ! ! She developed a shoulder pain from the lifting of her right arm and treatments and got med for relief.
Her theropist is awed at her progress, and said at a Staff meeting Wednesday AM he woulnt be surprised to see her discharged to home care!
Jane has a very busy week having to return to Pittsburg on the lst and again on the 2nd at which time she is supposed to have CYBERKNIFE radiation treatment (non invasive)
Told Jane today WE expect to have her visit us on Cape Cod Memorial Day weekend. She already has tickets.
Today she contiinued to have those SPECAIL PEOPLE in snd out of her room, people who K and I are surprised to see and know (28 miles to this hospital from home)
She is "blessed" to have such loyal friends, even after both she and Barry have been battling this awful disease for over 3 years.
Again, Kay and I would like to THANK everyone help us around here, picking us up at airport, and delivering us back.
Thank you, THANK Y O U.
Kay and Doug Knotts

Jane & Tim 4/27/08

Jane got to see Tim ride his new Ninja for the first time today - he parked it near her window so she could see him leave.


Tim making fun of his mom!

Angels 4/27/08

Here is Jane with Alexis and Patti. Alexis is Patti's daughter.

FLAMES

Here Jane boogies with her walker. Her son Tim calls her FLAMES because she walks so fast!


It is miraculous how Jane walks - almost normally!

The Activity Center

The Physical Therapy Room

Here Jane gives a tour of the Physical Therapy department.


Here are the stairs that Jane uses for PT. She is a real 'Stair Master'!


Here are two devices used by Jane to strengthen her right arm and hand.

Bosom Buddies

Jane and the handmade Rosary, given to her by Ann.


The beautiful handmade Rosary.


Jane meets Ann for the first time.


Jane and Ann L., a fellow breast cancer survivor who has been a great source of support.

More gifts from friends. 4/27/08

Jane with "Bear", a gift from Michelle Z. She loves to feel its soft fur.


Here is a beautiful arrangement given to her by her son Tim's friend Joey C.

Jane and her favorite food! 4/27/08

Jane enjoying her sherbet!



Nothing beats being spoon fed your favorite food by one of your favorite pals!