It is Jan. I was in shock when I got on the board on Sat. night and this thread had been started. I was speechless- Jo- you are one of a kind!

I am out of my jail cell- Johns Hopkins Hospital- corner room with a view. Got out on Sat. and went to sisters- Carole's condo- 2 stories. Came home this morning to my house- 1 story and a my new leather lazy boy chair is perfect- got that before I went down to Hopkins.

It has been a rough time since 2 days before Christmas when the diagnosis came in. Still can't beleive it. As everyone has said- way to young- but very healthy and that has helped. Very odd case and went with Hopkins after many visits along the east coast- and major research. My case, there will be paper written on me..

Had one surgery in Feb. And had treatments through March/April. Had the major surgery on 6-7-06 and was allowed up walking around 3 days later. The surgery was perfect and got everything out- yea! It was GI/Plastic Surgery for me that day- had 3 major DRS in the OR at one time- 11 hour surgery. Path- came back excellent- there was a huge celebration on Wed. night. :)

I was told to go and live my life and I have ton of years to do what I want. And through this- have continued to work full-time. Only have 7 weeks of sick leave left though when I went out on the 7th.. That is in the back of my head.

Yes, the GI surgeon knows that I love to cruise and sent me out on one right before the surgery- the best thing to do before major surgery. When I had to be an inpatient back in April- put up alot of my Diamond cruise from Europe and she couldn't believe how beautiful it was.

I want to thank you all for your prayers, cards- e-mails and Jo for starting the thread- it has meant alot to me and the family- we are a very, very small. My mom and sister- Carole are extremely tired. My father has been in town holding down the 2 houses and the 2 dogs. My cocker spaniel of 13 years passed away one week before surgery while we were in Bermudan cruise. When I can take care of myself new puppy is coming to me. That will be in the fall.

It is time now to get rest- heal, mentally come to terms with everything and as Jo knows- last night I grabbed onto a Regent cruiseline booklet and thinking about cruising. (no pain pills!- don't like them.)
:lct:

xoxo,
Jan