11/18 - O/T: Overwhelmed with Gratitude & Thanks...

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Dear friends,

Twelve days ago our lives were turned upside down, inside out, and it remains to be seen if things will ever be the same. I'm sooooooooooooooooo overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and generosity shown from each and every one of you. I don't know where to begin or how to thank you. Your support has kept both DH and me going... given us the strength we've needed to carry on. I've read your posts to him every day. He's recognized many of your names... even in the last few days when he's been so confused and not making any sense at all. He'd make me smile when he'd remember some of the names of your kitties when he couldn't remember his own. I'm convinced your positive thoughts, prayers, healing vines, and white light have helped more than you'll ever know.

I still don't know how all this will play out. DH could not have craniotomy surgery to insert a shunt into the ventricles to drain cerebrospinal fluid today because his white cell count shot up. The doctors are concerned about infection at the site of the external ventricular drain (EVD). Ha! I'm learning a whole new language. They've re-scheduled surgery for Tuesday. The idea is to treat with antibiotics until then. With any luck, the infection will be gone. If everything goes well, he *might* be ready to either come home or go to a rehabilitation center the following day. I'll believe that one when I see it! :mrgreen:

Operation Covered Dish is simply awesome! I really don't know if I'll be able to leave DH alone much in the beginning. I'm sure it will be difficult to get out. Having meals made for us and delivered to us will help immensely! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

I also want you to know our families are so grateful for your support. We're scattered all over the country. They've been worried about not being close by to help. Your generosity has given them some peace of mind. They're blown away by the community spirit found here on the FDMB and in LL.

Saying thank you seems so inadequate because you've filled... overfilled... our hearts and souls with your kindness.


Thank you... from the bottom of my heart.

~ Jill


PS - Please, hold your dear ones close and don't take life for granted...

 

You have been with so many of us here through our own times of uncertainty, panic, indecision, and emotions that run the gamut. You have stayed up countless nights to help a cat that was in trouble. Waking up to a note that was posted in the wee hours of the night that offered support, help, or even a dish of noodles provided the guidance that was needed. There are people who are family based on blood and there is family by virtue of community. Being able to pay forward everything you have done for all of us in this community is the very least we can do.

 

((((Jill))))...it's so wonderful to see you back in LL just for a brief visit. I'm not sure I can put it any more eloquently than Sienne did. But we are all family and you are our mentor and our dear friend. You have sacrificed so much of your own life to help each and every one of us. You have cheered us on, cried with us, educated us, made us think on our own, and to coin a phrase..."given us roots and wings". Each of us has felt special to have your thoughts, your suggestions, observations, your time. We can never truly pay back all that you have done for each of us.

Our prayers stay with you and DH each and every step of the way. He's so lucky to have you by his side, learning the terminology, being his advocate....but I know he knows that. We have faith that he will soon come home and while his recovery may take a bit of time, it will be a full one.

Sending love, hugs, and prayers...

PS...if he really wants a laugh, I could send him Gracie's stink eye picture :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
(((((((Jill & DH))))))))

 

We are all praying for your DH to get better.

 

Jill, I've been blessed to read the messages of the many, many people that have wanted to chip in to help. You have touched so many here with your kindness, generous spirit and selfless caring for the kitties and beans that find themselves part of this family. While we cannot be there in person, please know that your entire Lantus Land family is, in spirit, sitting in the waiting room sending healing thoughts, prayers and well wishes for you and Mike both.

I am so happy to know that our gesture of thank you will make a difference for you and Mike both.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...((hugs))

 

Thinking of you.

 

Jill - you are such a generous wonderful person. Please know that we are praying hard for you and Mike and will continue until he is home where he belongs. ((((hugs))))

 

Jill and DH, we think Christie is brilliant for coming up with the idea and are glad that we can help out in some small way. Continuing to send healing energy to DH and support and strength to you.
Liz, Anne, Zener & Tillie

 

bump

 

Thank you, dear Jill, for always being here for us and know that we are here for you and Mike. Always.

Lots of love and hugs,

Ella & Edward and Rusty

 

Double Ditto on all of the above.

We love you, Jill.


Desi

 

I'm still pretty new here and your guidance and help has been invaluable to me. Trusting you to help me treat my kitty gave me much relief. You and yours are loved and cared about. All the prayers for a complete recovery for Mike go out now from us all.

Medical science is quite incredible and as this unfolds you will develop the patience you need to get to the light at the end of the tunnel. It is there just ahead of you. I have been in the tunnel more times than I can tell you and you will get there. Sending love, strength, healing white light and all the support you need.

 

Jill, we are thinking of you, praying for you, sending healing vines, white light, love and support each and every day to you and Mike (and Alex.)

 

Jill, so nice to see your message. The power of everyone praying, sending vines, and white light does work. Thinking of you and DH and holding you both close in my heart and prayers. Lots of hugs, too.

 

(((Jill)))

You are the heart and soul of Lantus Land for Old Timers and Newbies alike. I am continuing to send snowflakes and healing white light to you and DH.

 

So many of us feel that same amazing gratitude and thanks toward you for the help you give on the board with our kitties (especially this someone right here with an unpredictable kitty who doesn't always want to play by the rules). Fingers crossed any infection goes away and the shunt can be placed on Tuesday. Still keeping you and DH in our thoughts.

 

We all wish you the best. I cannot agree more with what has already been said. Positive thoughts, healing vines every moment of every day.

 

Still keeping you both in my thoughts, and hoping that each day brings progress in Mike's recovery. (((Jill and Mike)))

 

Jill,

You have given others so much strength, support, direction, and love that it is a given that we give it back to you. The togetherness of this board is amazing and it has always been a big part of my life as I know it is yours.

I am praying for you, and for your husband that he has a complete recovery. Sending healing vines for the infection and hope they can go through with the operation on tuesday. My thoughts will be without a doubt with you and him on that day.

Thank you for the update. Make sure you take care of yourself too and try to get some rest.

love and hugs, Jan :YMHUG:

 

Jill, there is no way I could ever express the gratitude I feel toward you every time I look at Lucy and see a healthy, silly 9 year old cat. I feel sure I would not still have her if I had not found you and Jojo here. I believe many people here feel the same way. Many times I have wished there was a way to give a little something back to you. I wish the circumstances were very different, but please know that you have a lot of people here who would do anything for you.

Mike, please please please get better soon... I know that if Jill married you, you must be a very special person too.

 

Jill,
So happy to read and update. I'm so happy things are slowly getting better. As everyone before me has said, you have given so much. You were there for my Buddy when I needed help so desperately!! I know in my heart that your wonderful DH, with you by his side will get better. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Jan and Buddy

 

(((Jill & Mike)))
I'm not eloquent, but of course I'm continuing to send tons of vines, prayers, white light and snowflakes! I wish there was more I could do.

:YMHUG:

 

Jill ... Thank you so much for the update! Sounds like there is some progress here. I know you probably wish that surgery could be done now & you want DH home like yesterday, . But remember, one step forward, no matter how small, is still a step in the right direction. Progress happens in it's own time, which isn't always necessarily "our time". You know who helped learn that? YOU :smile: !!! All those times in my LL condo when I was shooting Sabrina and I wanted big results and I wanted them NOW. Your words kept my "increase the dose" insulin shooting trigger finger in check all those times I was prepared to practically draw up the whole cartridge to get better numbers, lol.

With your endless strength, love and caring to help him ... there is just no way your DH doesn't make a full recovery!! I'm pulling for you both and thinking of you each day as I keep those positive thoughts, prayers, vines, snowflakes, (whatever it takes!) coming your way ... sending huge hugs ... jenn

p.s. I know you are used to being the one GIVING help, which can then make it hard to accept help, even when needed. But please, take the help I know is being offered from all your local friends in your community. This is what is meant when people say "what you put out into the universe will come back to you". It's coming back to you and people WANT to help. And fyi? If all of the people who love you here on FDMB actually lived in your community? You'd have meals for at least a year, that I know, lol :mrgreen:

 

Healing vines to you and DH at this trying time.

 

Jill,

Thinking of you and your DH, we will hold you close in our thoughts and sending healing thoughts to your DH.

 

Jill, no one is more ON topic than you.

I'm looking forward to joining Operation Covered Dish! And Operation Supermarket, Operation Errands, etc. Kitty, DH and I are on board.

Meanwhile, we'll stick with Operation White Light, Snowflakes and Healing Vines. Holding you both in our thoughts and prayers at all times.

 

p.s. Kitty and I were just reminiscing about meeting Jill and DH when they took time out of their lives to come to our home and teach me how to test, with sample syringes and a baggie of treats to boot.

Kitty asked me to send a virtual bag of treats to you both, with a big purr. These are his treasures, which he doesn't give to just anyone. He knows he wouldn't be around with you.

Hugs.

 

Jill- I think this goes to show what an amazing person you are to be reaching out to thank us in your time of need. Thank you for all you do for us! I will continue to hold you and DH and family close to my heart and send strength, comfort, and hope for all that lies ahead for you and your family.

 

Sending tons of healing vines and snowflakes to your dh.

 

3 yrs ago you helped a confused and overwhelmed newbie....you took your time in helping me and Rocket...I'm forever grateful!

Know that though I don't open a daily condo I keep you and Mike in my daily prayers...

Sending you both a cyber hug

 

Hope you are having a quiet and peaceful night and the antibiotics are doing their number on those stubborn bugs! We have our paws crossed for a swift result and continued progress for DH. :YMHUG:

 

(((((((Jill& Mike))))))) thinking of you both and sending lots of healing vines and snowflakes :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

 

we're cheering for both of you!

 

Thinking of you both. All my best. ((((Jill & Mike)))))

 

((((((JILL & MIKE)))))) You have given so much time & love to the people here, Now it's time to get back what you have given..You have always been there for us, Moonie is here with me today, largely because of you, as many of us have said. You have been the light here, the strength, the hand reaching out to help & touch everyone of us..I would do anything I can to help you in your time of need as you have helped me Jill--
The prayers & Love is here, being sent to you & Mike, may the healing begin, hoping you can get your lives back on track...We are all with you, a wall of strength for you, a chorus of prayers.
May tomorrow be better than today, and may Tuesday be a day of triumph..
Love & Hugs, and as you taught me, try to have a good Ni Ni! You are doing great!

 

Jill I just wanted to send my thoughts and prayers your way. You have done so much for all of us. I am forever grateful. Sending lots of hugs.

 

People of your character and caliber are rare indeed, and through their generosity, kindness, and caring
build up an enormous cosmic balance of "good things owing"

Would that you never had experienced circumstances that necessitated tapping into that account, Jill...
but rest assured that you have barely skimmed the surface.

May whoever oversees that balance shower you and Mike with protection, strength, comfort, support, and healing.

Much love from the Idaho Clan-

Celi

 

((((Jill & Mike)))

Holding you both close in my thoughts and prayers. Sending lots of love, white light and healing vines Mike's way.

Whatever you feel the need to be grateful for is nothing compared to what you have given to so many of us here on FDMB and LL. You have earned every iota of the caring and love you are receiving. Just get that DH better and take care of yourself as well. Everyone is here to help you.
xoxo :YMHUG:
Caryl, Alex & Jackson