Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 19 - 10:59 PM

Between cancer and a severe head injury it was a matter of time, but in the end to have so little!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Mar 19 - 10:03 PM

Amos has died.

I believe we will all be needing a little comfort and support.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 11:47 PM

Oh, that is good news about Amos!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 09:00 PM

March 13, 2019
Journal entry by Janie Endres — 4 hours ago

Hello All,

A bit of an update regarding Amos, provided with his permission. He says to say he would post himself but his 'puter is on the blink. He also won't know, until his computer is fixed, how well he can manage the keyboard as fine motor skills are still a work in progress.



He is at home and is continuing recovery efforts from his severe concussion. To those of us around him, he progresses by leaps and bounds. To Amos, the progress seems frustratingly slow. In-home speech, occupation and speech therapy have been discontinued and there is serious slogging through bureaucracies going on to get outpatient therapies scheduled. His speech is clear, and he has made very significant progress on syntax, inflection, etc. Struggles sometimes to find the right words to use - but this amazingly articulate human being is already more articulate than most of us, even if not back to his prodromal levels.



He is able to sing - pretty well in imho, but not up to his own standards, and working at making some strumable chords on the guitar. Still needs a walker because the internal gyroscope still ain't working right, but there definitely continues to be improvement. Fine motor skills have a ways to go, but again, definitely continuing to improve.

Although fatigue can be an issue, and rest and naps are very important to promote healing after brain injury, he enjoys company and outings. He thinks he is a pain to take somewhere because of the walker, but, believe me folks - that is his imagination. He needs the walker for balance, not because his legs are injured and can't bear full weight. It is a piece of cake to chauffeur him to a local restaurant or coffee shop for an outing, as long as the steps can either accomodate a walker, or there is a sturdy handrail - though, for local folks, I would not recommend lunch at the Saratoga Grill at this point, with their full flight of stairs.



In terms of the cancer, he had a full scan a few weeks ago, and the cancer is 'stable.' No new metastases. Of the already present metastatic lesions, half have shrunk a little and half have grown a little. At present, focus continues to be on recovering from the concussion. Any decisions regarding further experimental treatments or clinical trials are deferred.

There some ways that local friends can help support the family.



1. Take Amos or Daly out to lunch, breakfast or dinner. Separately, so they get a break from one another. If taking Daly out, good idea to make sure Tucker is home, or that some one is there to keep Amos company. My schedule is somewhat flexible, so feel to call me to see if I can come visit Amos if taking Daly out. 919-259-5079. I do work part time so some pre-planning is helpful. Amos doesn't generally need assistance, but he knows he is still physically vulnerable and it can be a bit nerve-wracking to him to be home alone. If staying with Amos, take a book, in case he decides a short nap is in order, and make clear you are perfectly comfortable not being entertained if he needs to nap.

2. Invite yourself over for a meal with the family, and either bring the meal with you, or fix it in their kitchen. Lunch or dinner, or even a brunch!

3. Bring a meal over that can be heated up. Check with them first so they don't get overloaded with brought in food. Most local folks know that Amos loves meat and potatoes, especially beef or buffalo, or ham, but is not averse to sauted chicken breasts with a savory glaze. No seafood for Amos, but Daly loves sushi!

4. Amos has a lot of doctor appointments right now. Check with Daly to see if you might be able to take him to an appointment so she can have some time at home alone.

Once outpatient therapies get scheduled, they will probably occur on a routine schedule, and I will set up the planner (see above links under ways to help) for folks who have time during the day who might be free to take him to PT/OT/ST.

5. Just go visit! If you are a musician, bring your instrument, hand Amos his guitar, and go to work!



6. I'll reiterate - get Daly out of the house, just make sure some one is staying back at the house.



Thanks for reading, and thanks for caring.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 08:31 PM

Just got off the phone with Amos. He sounds pretty good. Give him a call, eh? Maybe wait until later but... you can always ask Daly first... should ask first.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 07:51 PM

Amos' sister Deda started the thread, but the update was from Janie, who lives near Amos.

~S~

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 13 Mar 19 - 05:39 PM

And there has been an Amos update,
posted by his sister.
Amos is getting impatient with his progress however
those around him are not only supportive but pleased
at how well he is doing.
And a medical checkup
showed that the cancer
for which he initially had surgery
is stable, and until a change manifests
then his treatment can continue as it is.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Mar 19 - 12:14 PM

A thought for long-time Mudcat participant
akenaton. He can't post below the line these days.
But it's been less than a year
since he became a widower.
I keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 09:01 PM

Donuel, bless you, you didn't look at the name at the top.
The name at the top of gnu's post is the person who is recovering.
"Alan Moorhouse" is Mudcat member "alanabit."

Gnu was just the messenger ...

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Donuel
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 08:53 PM

Holy Mega Moose gnu, your 'adjustment' goes way beyond massive.
Just the gall bladder removal is considered the deepest surgery you can have. You sound like your old self. Your activity will bypass adhesions and the like. Do what you gotta do to enjoy what you can as yu get better.
Chanty Lass you poor dear. I hope your exercise music will be fun.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 06:25 PM

Good for you, ChanteyLass!
Hang in there!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 07 Mar 19 - 06:21 PM

Saw the bone doc again today.
I no longer have to wear the sling for my broken shoulder. It's time to step up the physical therapy. He's pleased with my progress so far, though. I'll see the doc again in a month, and that might be my last time seeing him.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 27 Feb 19 - 09:02 AM

Alan Moorhouse
·
Time for an update for those of you who have been following this saga. It's been three weeks now since the massive operation, The Whipple Procedure, removed my pancreatic tumor, biliary duct, duodenum, gall bladder and some other bits. It has been just nine days since I got home and two weeks since I had to stop the painkillers, which my battered stomach just could not face any more.
I think I am getting better. I am able to eat now and although it is agony, my digestive system is starting to work again. The pain comes from three sources: The incision (still partly open and deep) the messing about with my insides (it feels as if a medieval battle has just taken place inside it) and the returning digestive process. The latter is by far the most painful and usually takes a chunk of at least two or three hours out of the middle of the night.
The CBD oil may be having some effect, but it is hard to gauge how much. It still bloody hurts! I am told that enhancing it with some THC will help it to work more effectively. I have nothing against that in principle, but I don't really want to spend my days stoned - and I seriously dislike smoking these days!
I do seem to be getting stronger though it's all about very small steps. The weather is lovely at the moment and I enjoyed sitting out in the sunshine in the hulk of my ancient Transit bus. I am hoping that in early summer I will be fit enough to resume work on it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if both owner and bus could come back from the dead in time for summer?!
Yesterday I completed four circuits of my sister's beautiful garden. It's not like proper training, but in this condition it's progress. I am surrounded by love and kindness and I thank all of you for your support!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Feb 19 - 11:52 AM

Elmore is in need of kind thoughts right now. His wife died yesterday.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Feb 19 - 11:25 AM

Thinking of all the Mudcatters, and loved ones,
who are trudging on through stormclouds and heavy rain.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Feb 19 - 08:44 AM

thinking of Amos & billybob & her family

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Feb 19 - 12:25 PM

Thinking of billybob's family during treatment.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 07:23 PM

Yay for Amos!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 07:04 PM

Good for you, Amos.

Good on you, Gnu.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 05:36 PM

[e-mail]
Journal entry by Daly Jessup — 4 hours ago

Amos Jessup asked me to et everyone know that he's doing well. He has improved at least 75% since the Big Fall, and continues in slowly get better every day. He wants to thank all the people who have so kindly expressed concern and encouragement. He just came back from an assisted walk up the block and back. He's started playing guitar and singing with friends. He feels that through time, he is going to recover 100%.

Love,
Daly

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 05:31 PM

YEEHAW!

From Facebook...

Amos Jessup shared a post.
4 hrs ·

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Feb 19 - 07:21 PM

Ah, Chanteylass, it is that time of year
of which I have indelible memories from
my undergraduate University years.
February, I called it "infirmary month."

The break between semesters was over,
and it was never long enough, as summer is,
for a nice bouncing-back.

The weather was frequently forbidding and inhospitable.

And there were colds and 'flu's galore.
And Spring Break was too far away yet!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 09 Feb 19 - 07:14 PM

Progress! I can now shower and drive, but I need to wear this bulky slingy thingy for at least another month. I will have a therapy evaluation next week. And now I have a cold!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Pete from seven stars link
Date: 09 Feb 19 - 04:08 PM

Hope your daughters chemo course will not be too hard on her Wendy , now that it has begun , and achieves the desired results          Blessings.   Pete

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Feb 19 - 05:49 PM

Wendy, best wishes to you& your daughter, & your brave smile.

chantylass, I hope your healing is progressing well

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 06 Feb 19 - 05:29 PM

Thank you Chanteylass,love to you too
Wendy,xxx
Feeling wobbly but have to put on brave face tomorrow and keep my daughter calm. (Good at holding hands at the right time, deep breath, smile, onward and upward :-) )

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 04 Feb 19 - 08:39 PM

Thank you, everyone, for your support and suggestions.
Wendy, I hope your daughter's chemo goes smoothly and yields positive results.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 03 Feb 19 - 08:58 PM

Have a care, ChanteyLass,
for someone housebound and alone
the Mudcat Recovery Ward could be especially tempting.

And some of us in here [Ward] are trouble!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 03 Feb 19 - 06:35 AM

I have been away from here for too long, Too many worries to go into but, none of them mine, meaning I am well but just getting older. ChanteyLass sending love and lots of healing thoughts from sunny England, hope your shoulder heals quickly and you have support from friends, it must be horrid to be housebound and living alone.
My daughter has to start chemo on Thusday, a "new " treatment for crohnes desease, terribly expensive but after lots of meetings our wonderful NHS has got the funding. Might take a year but so much better tban more operations. A few prayers please, cannot tell you what a beautiful soul she has, the most kind giving and spiritual girl she is and a wonderful mother to her girls.
Fond love to all the crew,
Wendy xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Feb 19 - 04:09 AM

ChanteyLass, may your life continue to be good & your shoulder heal in good time.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 02 Feb 19 - 08:48 PM

Check on insurance coverage before, and instead of, suing. You're more likely to come away with at least the medical costs covered. This is advice my wife (my live-in attorney) gives/gave when asked about lawsuits in similar circumstances. She also said mediation is always better than litigation.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 02 Feb 19 - 01:52 PM

Broke my shoulder. Slipped on ice, Jan. 20. Shoulder surgery on Jan. 28. Housebound, can't drive, live alone. A waterproof substance was supposed to be applied so I could shower, but the hospital was out of it. Let's hear it for US healthcare! Sponge baths only until at least my post-op appointment on Thursday. Nerve blocks were used just before wheeling me into the OR. I wasn't sedated yet. Gasps of pain. A friend who'd had knee surgery said she was partially sedated when hers were administered and felt no pain. I'll ask about these things at the post-op appointment. Probably won't be able to go back to the Y for 3 months, and then I'll only be able to do chair yoga for a while until my upper body strength builds and I can rise from my yoga mat. At least yoga has given me the flexibility to dress myself!
Trying to decide if I should sue because the parking lot where I fell hadn't been sanded yet. The manager said she'd called for the sander but it hadn't arrived yet. I've never sued before even when I might have had cause.
Other than that, life is good.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Feb 19 - 11:47 AM

No Keb, it was probably me. Let's pump her out; she'll be floating in no time.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 02 Feb 19 - 10:19 AM

surely I have not sunk the Rainbow?

Mudcatter MMario has passed away,
there is an obit thread for him.

And Mudcatter Amos
was due to be discharged from
the hospital's rehab wing and sent home
with much outpatient continuing care.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jan 19 - 09:39 PM

Okay, I did. I'll mail it tomorrow, if the PO opens.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jan 19 - 08:20 PM

Amos Jessup
Room 7342
North Carolina Memorial Hospital
101 Manning Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jan 19 - 08:19 PM

Amos needs me to write him. I think I shall.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 13 Jan 19 - 05:02 PM

See the thread in the section above the line,
"Amos is ill,"
for a mailing address
in the rehab center portion
of the North Carolina Memorial Hospital,
where he will be spending some time.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Jan 19 - 04:15 PM

Everybody here must know by now that Amos went in hospital.
When word is sent updating his treatment and progress,
it may be to a thread different than this one.

It's been a few days since the last update. But then,
progress might be slow at this point.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Jan 19 - 04:35 PM

My last post here was full of stuff people probably misunderstood because as a former twin, I'm STILL forgetting that no one else is automatically reading my mind/heart.

I worried I or hubby would die and instead I loast two of the best friends I ever had, during this hardest time of the year.

:-(

~S~

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Jan 19 - 02:45 PM

'They' say no news is good news but no news is just no news.
'They' are optimistic in the dark and sing to salve no news worry wounds.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 10 Jan 19 - 04:05 PM

I like that, Mysha!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Mysha
Date: 08 Jan 19 - 12:33 PM

When days are short and travels seem too long
Our destination may seem out of reach
With storm and seas against us in the night
How hard it is see the merest light
Yet, hope can always be a guiding star

                                                                  Mysha

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 04 Dec 18 - 12:14 PM

how did your ocular surgery work out?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Rapparee
Date: 01 Dec 18 - 08:03 PM

I'm home. See MOAB for my last comment on the surgery.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 01 Dec 18 - 06:31 PM

This thread has a number of earlier posts
concerning Mudcatter Donuel's son.
There has been no update on that situation of late,
and hopefully the absence of recent posts
means that Donuel's son is in fact doing really well.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Nov 18 - 11:16 AM

This past month has had a difficult anniversary for Rapparee.
And he had to spend last night in hospital on top of that.
Hope we hear from him soon, and that 'B-9' is the verdict.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 01:51 PM

I'm just now entering that annual cycle. It peaks around Christmas and stays at the peak through February.

I'm SO tired of hearing why/how others struggle at that time each of year-- in their rush to be heard about their story, they dismiss and then exacerbate exactly what is too hard for me-- it's too much like the dead, rotting mess I can't escape, polluting my space. "Tell somebody ELSE" is how I feel, but never say.

~S~

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: keberoxu
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 11:10 AM

Funeral this week for Mudcatter Keith A of Hertford,
see obit thread in the upper section of forum threads.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 28 Nov 18 - 03:42 PM

I haven't even been lurking. Sometimes life (just busy with other things) gets in the way. In the meantime, you are all in my thoughts.