Hi again everyone,
As our first week draws to a close, we know that many people have been waiting to hear an update on how things are going here in Rochester.
What’s the bottom line?
After about a dozen appointments including many tests, assessments and consultations, the plan is confirmed to proceed as anticipated. James will have his open-heart bypass surgery next Wednesday, July 16th. This week has been quite busy going from appointment to appointment, many times starting out at 6:00 AM, UBER-ing or shuttling around the campus and back to our apartment. Throughout this week, James has been checked over, poked and prodded stem to stern, and the unanimous agreement from all the experts is that this is the way to proceed.
What’s it like here at this stage of the saga?
We’re now suspended in a weird kind of interlude. The plan is confirmed, we’ve been oriented and educated. Now we wait. It feels a bit like a vacation that’s not exactly a vacation. At times we successfully put the purpose of our visit out of mind and enjoy cooking, movies, restaurants, and books. But then some message arrives on our apps with more material to read or reminders about what’s next on the agenda. Strolling around the area, it’s impossible not to notice the wheelchairs, portable oxygen tanks, and staff in scrubs alongside a lively street festival and a local market. Feels a bit like we’ve been dropped into a movie set.
What’s next over the weekend?
This afternoon we’re dismissed from further appointments so we’re UBER-ing off to Minneapolis for the weekend where we’ll stay at a nice place, have a couples’ massage, and officially celebrate our anniversary which was actually last month. We’ll be back in Rochester Monday and Justin will arrive that night. We are feeling optimistic and incredibly grateful to be able to have James looked after in this way.
I’ll be back in touch by Wednesday evening to let you know how everything is going.
Here are a couple of photos. One shows ’happy hour’ on our balcony, and the other catches a moment with James that I find interesting and compelling. Such a good sport. I’ll be interested in how it grabs others.
Thanks for all your support.
Love,
Joan-Dianne
19 Responses
Joan-Dianne, so glad to see you’re both being looked after so well. My regards to James. Wishing him a successful procedure and quick recovery. Enjoy your weekend and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 🎉
Thanks for the very welcome update! 💞
What a time!!!!
A belated Happy Anniversary!
Blessings on your moments! Enjoy your Minneapolis getaway!
Everything feels just as it should! A plethora of golden threads.
Good Morning from Folk Fest! Thanks for the update and time line. Glad you are doing the best you can with what’s happening… drop a load of stress on that massage table!!
As for James’ photo…my bi-line would be “oh bother ! What a spot I’m in!” Kind of like Winnie the Pooh stuck in the hole going after the honey.
For you two, the honey pot will be a wonderful outcome on Wednesday. Much love R & J
Great to hear the update!
I have been thinking of you all week.
Enjoy the weekend!
Myrna
Hi JD and James❣️
Thank you for sharing your medical and personal journey of the process to positive acceptance of your reality. You are living in a time in between and your positive take comforts the spirit.
James is a thinker; thoughtful and wise. He has experienced in his successful life that analyzing and assessing choices is a merit. I believe he has made his choice and his look to me is thoughtful, commitment with determination to move forward. I think hopefulness and cautious optimism with a splash of worry are salient features of a well adjusted person who has taken a thoughtful approach to life.
JD you are such a good companion in this journey. I am glad that everything is proceeding as planned.
Love always,
Clare
Thanks for the update. There is so much going on at once, both mindfully and emotionally. I’m glad you had a chance to get away a few days to celebrate your anniversary and the comfort you bring to each other.
In James I see a look of thoughtfulness, fully aware of what lay ahead with a quiet strength and inner contentment knowing he is in good hands, and has the love and prayers of so many.
Hi JD & James,
Thank you so much for the update. We can appreciate this is an extremely stressful time and we glad to hear you are making time for yourselves and stepping back if even for a brief time. We are sending our love to you both and we look forward to the next update. Much love. 💕
Hi Guys
glad to hear that everything seems to be progressing as it should , no surprises lots of confirmation. We were at Mariposa this weekend and when one of the singers was performing, I heard the lyric,, every little thing will be all right and thought of you guys. Enjoy your anniversary weekend. All the best Allan and Lorraine
Glad to hear all is progressing as it should. Enjoy your weekend vacation and delayed 52nd anniversary celebration.
Thinking of you both.
– Brenda and Gabi
Enjoy your interlude. Love the photo of James. Will await your update later this week. We too are grateful that this option is the right one and we look forward to seeing a hale and hearty back with us in short order. Love, C
Hello Joan-Dianne and James,
I’m glad to hear that the surgery is a ‘go’. Will be thinking of you both as Wednesday approaches.
-Lori
Send you and James healing wishes from Saskatoon. May Wednesday be uneventful and a new beginning for James.
Glad to hear that things seem to be proceeding as hoped and that , as expected, the two of you are so good at the first half of the serenity prayer. Now hoping that the part that is in the hands of others goes as well. Thinking of you and James and holding positive thoughts for Wednesday
Love, Geri
We’re thinking of you and wishing you all the best!
Our prayers & Love are with James & you tomorrow for a very successful surgery & recovery. Praying for God’s protection & for the skilled medical team! Ed & Ruth Scully (sent a message to your email as well)
I am thinking of you both and sending positive energy!
Love Dale
This blog is a wonderful idea. Your writing has me feeling like I’m there with you!
My thoughts will be with you both tomorrow.
Big and gentle hugs
Thinking of you and giving you a warm embrace♥️
Thinking of you both on this surgery
day and sending lots of love and good wishes for all to go well. So glad you have a friend by your side, JD, to bolster you through these difficult times.
In the picture of James I see fortitude, resilience and quiet determination, exactly what I would expect from James because that’s how he meets his challenges. But above all that, I see a deep love for you and thankfulness that you are by his side, now and always.