Surgery Day (12/8/17)

Friday, December 8, 2017

Adam had driven over Thursday evening after work, so he could be with me before surgery.

Adam is so flippin awesome!!

As I was taken back into surgery, Adam was handed a paper with my patient ID number to track my progress through surgery.  He watched anxiously as my number flashed from "Pre Op" to "In OR" and then finally "Surgery Completed".

A blurry "surgical board"
 

Adam's best friend, Fred, put together a special "Treat-Yo-Self" package.  It was filled with random goodies and even a special t-shirt from Adam's wish list.  How thankful we are for such sweet and thoughtful friends.

Waking up after surgery to my sugar muffin...

 Before surgery medical staff explained to us how the stoma would make noises.  Because the stoma has no sphincter to "hold gas/poop" inside, waste is eliminated uncontrollably.  I needed a "scapegoat" for my bodily noise. Thus, "Marsha" the loop stoma was born.

Marsha's DOB: 12/8/17

Me and "Marsha"
(My Colostomy)

CAUTION!!!!!

 

 

 

Graphic Pictures are below.

 

 

Do NOT scroll down

 

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...gross things make you want to york...

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GRAPHIC IMAGES

BELOW

 

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GRAPHIC IMAGES

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GRAPHIC PICTURES 

BELOW

First picture with my poopie bag.

Close up of Marsha and the poopie bag

Meet Marsha, my loop colostomy

"Marsha" 

(Looking down view)

 Able to poop while laying down...

 Still learning how everything works.

I apologize if you "accidentally" scrolled over the pictures or if they offend anyone.  Tried to put lots of warnings and cautions.

As always, thanks for reading the blog.

We are always thankful for all the love, prayer and support!

THE END!!!

Spoonie Va-cay (Visitors from Home)

 Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Spoonie Va-cay...(Part VIII)

[Special Visitors...Christmas Decorations...Surprise Visitors]

[Ultrasound/Surgery--Yes or NO]

Special Visitors

I was blessed when my mom texted me to see if I'd be up for some special visitors (and one really cute li'l visitor).  Well, HECK YES!!! 

My "Special Visitors"...

So who were they?  (Did I keep you in suspense?)

It was Cindy (Mom) Lane, Rachel, and Collin.  They came bearing gifts...it was very humbling to receive so much love from home.  Rachel's kid-lets had all gotten me pictures, super sweet cards, and lots of Christmas decor for my hospital room.  Thanks everyone!!

Special "SHOUT OUT" to 

Bethany...William...Lydia...and Collin

 "Mom/Dad" ...Jake...Rachel

"Home" = "Happiness"

 (On our "long walk" to the gazebo)

 

 How could this not make me feel better?

Bethany's Letter.... 

"Hello, Bethany here!" -- My fav! 

This was such a sweet letter and it was very interesting to see Bethany's thoughtful spirit through this note. She explained thoroughly specific instructions for the care of her present (a bunny named, Snickers).  Snickers needs to eat...carrots, peanut butter, and strawberries.  

 Meet, Snickers the Bunny

William's Letter...

Super impressed with his "writing skills"...

Lydia's Letter...

This melts my heart

(Also, Rachel had to "decipher the inside message"!) 

Collin's Drawling... 

Well done staying inside the lines! (:

This Family + Star Wars drawling =

No Surprise!!!

Collin's present

(Snowmen are my FAVORITE!)

Room Decor...

(Made by the the Kid-lets!)

More Room Decor...

(Bobbi Jo/Gearhart Fam, Kid-lets, and Mom/Dad Finnegan!)

My SURPRISE Visitors

 As the special visitors were gathering their belongings and we were wrapping up with last minute pictures and tons of hugs, in walked MORE visitors from home.

WHAT?!?!?!  Who in the world could it be?!?!

Any Guesses?

The Gearharts!!!

Yup, you can tell we are besties!

 Apparently, Neil and Bobbi Jo had been texting Adam so they could plan a sneak-attack visit.  It was so surprising when they walked in!!  Their son had a game out in Pittsburgh, so they decided to leave early, come surprise me, and then finish their day watching his basketball game.

Couldn't have dreamed my day could've gotten any better.

Love you, Bestie!

Since I've already touched on the "Home Visitors", thought I'd throw in my letter from Ruth Coleman.  She is from my home church (Calvary Independent Baptist Church), and just recently, she reached her support to be a missionary to Honduras.  YAY for Honduras/Huntingdon Happy Thoughts!!!

Thanks, Ruthie Coleman!

"Get Well Wish Jar"

What is a Get Well Wish Jar?  My sweet friends, Amy and Cindy, had an idea.  They emailed/messaged/texted/snapped as many people as they could.  People that knew me...They sent a note to them saying...

"Jill is in the hospital, and we want to send some cheer by way of encouraging notes.  Would you be willing to sent me a message/text/email/snap a note back to us.  We will write it and stick it in the jar."

So friends and family from all over sent Amy and Cindy many notes for the Well Wish Jar. I had specific instructions that I was to only read TWO notes a day.  Unless it's a bad day, then I am allowed another note! This was something that really encouraged me daily.  There were so many amazing messages that melted my heart, and many hilarious messages with jokes that made me laugh.

To everyone that took part in this project, know how much it meant!!  Thanks for taking the time to send me those messages.  Today (December 30, 2017), I will occasionally grab a note or two when I'm struggling or feeling sad.

Jill's Jar of Well Wishes
(& Snickers...)



Notes from Church Friends...
Voorhis, Diane, Marianne, Cindy Lane, Pap,
Bobbi Jo, Neil

 Pap's version of a "Jill Card"



 Friends, Family, and Gymnasts
Shout out too...
Clyde and Donna Lane

 Pap wasn't the only one who attempted "Jill-Card Style"
Shout out to...Amy, Billy, Zane,
Bunny, Walt (new neighbors) and
Robby Bobby, Paula, Hunter, Hayden

Gymnasts, Neighbors, Friends...
Special shout out to...
My li'l Mags, Rea Rea, Chelsea, Nick 
Patty, Cooks, Michia 

Shout out to...
Tiara, Jackie & Cody, Jess, Heather
Betty, Tom, Amy, Nick, Rea Rea, "coolest neighbors"
Natalie, Patty, Amy, Cooks, Michia
Billy, Amy Zane
 Thanks Guys!!

 I have the best friends ever.  To everyone who wrote these notes, they still bring a smile to my face.  (Yes, I still will read them if I'm having a bad day.) Love you all!!

Thanks Again!! (:

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Surgery Decision

Today was the day that would determine if I would be having my surgery in two days.  An ultrasound was scheduled early in the morning (to ensure that the knot of suspense in my stomach could continue to grow all day).  They took tons of pictures of my upper arm, shoulder, and chest...don't worry, I did a silly face in one of them. 

"Anticipation..."

As the visitors were getting ready to leave, there was a knock at the door...AHHH...it's time!  The hematologist/oncology on my case stopped by to deliver the final verdict...

Surgery or NO Surgery!

 "Winner!! WINNER!!  Chicken Dinner!!"

OR...

"GAME (well surgery) ON!"

As always, thanks for all the prayers. Even though this is how I close out my blog...a "Thanks" and "THE END!"... know that I seriously do thank you all!!!

THE END!!!

Spoonie Va-cay...(Part VII)

Tuesday, December 5th

Spoonie Va-cay...(Part VII)

[Colemans...Dressing Change...Twinsies...Mom's Bday]

Pastor and Becky Coleman

It was a very special day when Pastor and Becky Coleman drove the  entire way out to Pittsburgh to visit me.  My church family has been incredible and such a huge encouragent and support.  Many nurses, hospitalists, doctors, care nurses, medical assistance, even housekeeping commented on the many cards and overall "vibe" of my room.  There were many opportunities to share the Gospel by just sharing my twisty-turny-bumpy-lump and super-duper-cray-cray medical journey of how God has used my health to stretch me.  But more of that in another post...

"Jill, a selfie stick would make this easier..." --Pastor

Weekly Dressing Changes

Every week, my PICC line needs cleaned and it is quite the procedure.  UPMC Pittsburgh put a new protocol on how to change a PICC dressing.  It is painstakingly specific, and it made me feel like I had some super contagious disease.

Alexis and Lindsay (favs)

 I felt very official...

Visit with my favorite Twins!

The biggest surprise was a visit from my gymnasts.  Back when we were all way younger and smaller, I had the privilege of coaching these two amazing girls... Alex and Tori Misitano.  Even though it had been ages since we've seen each other in real life, technology had kept us connected.  SO...yay for technology...snapchat...text messages...facebook...and the instagram!!  YAY for that too!!  They both live and work out in Pittsburgh, and when they found out that I was admitted, they insisted on coming to visit and cheer me up!! 

They won't be able to understand the huge impact their many visits, text, and snaps meant to me.  They have both grown into loving, cheerful, and thoughtful young ladies. *tear*  Tori, since she is basically a physical therapist, took me out for walks.  Oh, funny story...we didn't really know where to walk...so we got in the elevator and randomly chose a floor, got off and walked around on the floor, got back in the elevator, and picked another floor.  Sometimes I will loudly laugh thinking of us giggling on the elevators while we debated what floor to pick.  When the doctor asked us what floor we were going to, but we weren't ready because we were "still deciding" what floor to pick.  (I think he thought we were cray-cray).  We did stop on floor 12 to visit my nurses from my hospitalization a few months earlier.

It was incredible catching up with them and learning all about their "adulting" life.  *sniff*  I now know that I can visit Pittsburgh any time knowing there will always be a place for me!

Alex...Coach Jill...Tori

Feet Picture

Happy Birthday, Mom Finnegan

On Tuesday, December 5th, 2017, Mom Finnegan celebrated her birthday.  Although, it seems like the older you get, the less important birthday's mean.  Our traditional Adam and Jill birthday song was quite difficult since I was in Pittsburgh, Adam was in Huntingdon, and Mom Finnegan was in Ohio.  What pray tell was the fix?  Adam invited me to a video chat room (because Skype wouldn't work).  Next I recorded the video to my phone and then we would send Mom Finnegan the final result.  

[Please note the HUGE technological delay]

Again, thanks for all the support and prayers.

THE END!!!

Spoonie Va-cay...(Part VI)

Monday,December 4th

Spoonie Va-cay...(Part VI)

[Waiting...Reading...PTL]

  More E-cards 

It was special to see everyone's personalities through the e-cards.  So many to read and cheer me up.

Christmas Card...

These two I'm not sure who sent them...

 Yes, I even got a Happy Birthday Card.
Many people asked... "Is it your birthday!"
"No, I just have weird friends!"

 Try this one...

 


 True Story...if I was allowed to eat! (:

This one always made me laugh..

Ostomy Nurse

 As surgery day approached, it became real as various teams came to visit and give their advice and recommendations.  An ostomy nurse was one of those visitors.  Her job was to draw a polka dot where the ostomy would be placed. (Polka Dots are my absolute favorite thing in the world, so naturally, I was tickled to have a polka dot on my belly!) It sounds easy; however, it took a long time and I had to do various acrobatic skills.  The goal during this was to ensure that my ostomy wouldn't kink or rub on anything in particular and to trouble shoot different scenarios.

This is the last pre-ostomy picture of my belly...

 Lots of calculations and concentration...

 This makes it official, I guess...

My polka dot...

  This only means one step closer.



 When Heather, the ostomy nurse left, she gave me the skin marker, just in case the dot started to get lighter.  If it started to fade, I was to just color it in a bit.  You have NO IDEA how much I just wanted to write a message to Dr. Watson or draw a buttload of dots (polka dots) all over my belly.  (:  I think they would've enjoyed it, don't you?

Well, surgery was scheduled for December 8, 2017, I was on track for surgery.  Final thing to check off was a clear ultrasound of my blood clot.  They informed me, as long as the clot didn't get bigger or worse, the surgery would still take place. This felt like the longest 24 hours ever!!!

THE END!!!