Hi everyone,
As we’re getting ready for the trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, we’re setting up this blog as a way to stay in touch with friends and family who have been sending good wishes and asking for updates about James’s upcoming triple bypass surgery.
1. What’s the broad-brush scene?
We’re flying to Rochester, MN, on Saturday, July 5th, and will begin to settle into our one-bedroom apartment across the street from St. Mary’s Hospital which houses the Mayo’s cardiac unit. We’ll have a full kitchen, and we’ll probably use Sunday, the 6th, to get our bearings and ‘provision the ship’ so to speak, as we do with the boat or the cottage. There are some grocery stores fairly close, including a Whole Foods Market, so we’ll stock up as we expect to live there for the month of July.
Rochester itself is a small city of about 120,000 people, and many—maybe most of them—are affiliated with medicine, one way or another.
‘The Mayo’ consists of a campus of about 30 buildings, spanning about thirty city blocks around the downtown including four hospitals and several clinics, labs, surgical suites, as well as academic, research, and administrative areas. It’s like a small city itself.
On July 7th, James will begin several days of appointments for various assessments, tests, pre-op studies and so on, and we’ll take a shuttle around the campus to attend these. As that week wraps up we’ll have more details and a better idea of how things will go. The surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16th–some days after the assessment, in case anything shows up that needs to be added on or attended to prior to the 16th.
2. How’s James doing at the moment?
He’s very tired, increasingly I’d say, and has very little stamina. The accurate term I believe is he’s deconditioning which happens when a person becomes less and less active. He has intermittent fluttery palpitations, and at times a feeling of light-headedness and mild nausea. His spirits are pretty good, and at this stage he’s ready to get the surgery over with and move on to the recovery / rehab. phase.
3. How are we managing the stress and uncertainty, and how am I going to be looked after?
There’s no question that this is very challenging and at times pretty scary. We have someone we talk with to get things off the chest, and of course James’s open-heart surgery is happening on the heels of three shocking unexpected deaths. We’re still actively grieving and managing considerable anxiety coupled with sorrow. A tough mix.
In terms of support while in Rochester, we’ve found resources for Pilates, massage, and physio, and I’ll be loading up my iPhone with music and audiobooks. My good friend and colleague, Justin Hecht, will come from Boston to be with us over the few days before and during the surgery. Some of you may remember him when he flew into Winnipeg for just four hours to be present for David’s service. It was Justin who handed out the programs and got people to sign the guest book. He’s one of those ‘adopted brothers’ we could all wish for. Justin is a Jungian analyst, a group therapist, a psychologist, and a sort of Buddhist Episcopalian. His presence will be a great help.
4. Humor helps. I’ll end this note with some fun:
Photos below will show that James has been examined by a world-renowned expert. The second photo captures James and the doctor pondering his options at their case conference. And the third shot demonstrates the expert’s unique bedside manner.
Thanks for all the love and support. I’ll update again once we’re ‘underway’.
Joan-Dianne
25 Responses
I like this blog, Joan-Diane. And a great way for us to be kept up on James’ and your progress over this next period of time.
Hi Joan-Dianne and James. Thanks for the update. We will be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts.
– Brenda
This is marvellous Joan Dianne, what a brilliant idea to do a blog rather than individual replies. Glad you are setting yourself up for some selfcare in the midst of everything. We are looking forward to your updates, as you are able to provide them.
Healing thoughts and lots of love,
James and Laurie
Riley is very cute and helps to keep spirits. Up. We will continue to keep you in our prayers
Great photos. I really like the new ‘young’ Doc.
I can see that James is in the most excellent of hands.
I am in love with this blog. Thank you for this unique and informative and entertaining way of keeping us in the loop. You are both so well considered, and I am in awe of all your thorough careful planning. Well done, my friends!
I am so glad to understand how organized you are.
I will be thinking of you and offering my prayers as the story continues to develop.
Sending my love!
Myrna
Great info to ponder
BUT
The doctor’s examination photo is the best.
Dies he have an open practice??
Much love as you ready yourselves for the next chapter at the Mayo clinic.
From
…our BC cabin to yours at Victoria Beach…Lyall and I remember it well. Perhaps you are there now resting up.
Love and affection
Sandra (&Ltall)
James and Joan-Dianne I really feel that the ‘doctor’ will take good care of you. He appears to be very knowledgeable and heartfelt (and might I add very handsome)!
James, Terry and I wish you all our love and prayers for a very speedy recovery!
Joan-Dianne, Terry and I wish you all of our love, support and encouragement through all of it!
We love the whole family very much
Terry and Joanne ❤️❤️
Wonderful photos. And love the big one of james as well. How will we know when you have posted something — do we get a notice?
Thank you for this great update!! I’ll be able to mentally follow along as you get settled into the lead-up to James’s surgery. I love your photos too! In all ways, James looks to be in wonderful hands.
I think that the bedside manor demonstrates great healing skills!
This was wonderful and user friendly! The kids arrived from Edmonton yesterday so July will be busy here. It will be so helpful to have your blog to keep up with your Mayo experience. Your support system sounds terrific! Hugs from Bob and I !
Thanks for the update. Love the pictures! James will be in good hands.
Prayerfully,
James, I am sending you all the positive vibes I can muster to you and JD. All the best for the coming days and I look forward to lunching with you soonest and our next group movie night.
Cheers!
What a wonderful idea and a precious gift this website is to keep us all posted, Dear Joan-Dianne!
You have been so very much in our thoughts and prayers. We are so grateful to know that Dear James is in such good hands at the Mayo Clinic and that you, too, are paying attention to your own care.
And the extraordinary attentiveness you are already receiving from your world-renowned expert! Dr. Riley clearly possesses advanced prowess in examination, consultation and bedside attendance.
Wray and I wish you the best possible outcomes in your travels and throughout the surgery and recovery process, and we send you sooo much love and continued prayers for strength and healing.
Dear James and JD,
Thinking of you both and holding you in our hearts as you head to Rochester tomorrow. You will be receiving such competent care, James, and we will be so happy and relieved when the surgery is behind you. Sending positive energy, huge hugs and buckets full of love to you both. ❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️
We are all travelling with you! ✨💞
Hi My Dear friends,
I am thinking of you and holding you in my heart. I hope the care you receive at The Mayo Clinic is comparable to the care you received from your excellent care provider in Winnipeg❣️
Much love from Clare
Thanks JD for creating this blog. I’m sure it’s therapeutic for you and it’s excellent for the rest of us hoping to hear that everything goes well and to send our love. I know it’s challenging, but it’s obvious James is getting the very best care! Chin up, keep marching ❤️
Hello James & Joan-Dianne
Thanks for the wonderful, informative blog.
Hope you’ve arrived safely, shopped enough and are settling into your Mayo nest feathered with all of our warm wishes.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
💜
Ruth & James
Thanks for creating this blog. You clearly have family and your many friends who are following both your journeys. Montha and I hope you have settled into your apartment and have found a store that will have the ingredients needed to prepare pad thai.
You seem to put in place all the ingredients for a successful stay at the Mayo Clinic, including professional personal support for both of you.
Best wishes for the operation.. Love Paul and Montha
James & Joan-Dianne. Our thoughts are with both of you and with your family. We wish each of you well through all that is before you. Take Care. Thanks for your blog. Your pictures were sunshine to all of us!
Dear Joan-Diane,
Such a sweet and thoughtful site. Your love and care is wonderful. Thinking of you and James and sending a multitude of healthful blessings. With much aloha. Mitch
Hi James…
Richard here. Sorry for the late response but I finally figured out how to send messages to you and JD. I think Marilyn may have sent you a message but I’m not sure 🤔. Any way Marilyn and I have been thinking and praying that you’ll get through this experience. we hope you’ll bounce back soon enough to go for another bike terrifying bike ride with me. Anyway get better soon and we’ll see you shortly.