Friday, June 19, 2009

Today's Adventures

Good evening all,

I am back in NY after working all week and Janice has gone home for the first time in almost a week. Mom and Dad spent the day balancing Dad's physical and spiritual well-being. The day started with getting some more tests, which included clearly marking where Dad's veins are on his leg in case they need to use part of one of them during the surgery. After that, they took a 9-mile(!) bike ride that eventually brought them back by Five Rivers. Dad continued his day with a massage and a delicious dinner.

He's spent the evening reading emails from many of you and is moved by all your messages. (He has a new email address: jaygallagheralbany(at)gmail(dot)com.*) Many times this evening he has been surprised at your thoughtful words and has been touched to see how this situation is bringing out the best in people. Please keep those messages coming, I'm hoping to bring him your emails even while he's recovering in the hospital.

...Speaking of the hospital, here's the timeline on the best case scenario: he goes in sometime next week for the surgery. The surgery should last 5-8 hours. After the surgery, he'll spend only 5-10 days recovering in the hospital. From there, it's supposed to be 6 weeks of recovery at home. Once that recovery period has finished, he'll start chemo and radiation. Well, that's the plan as of right now. As we know all too well, you never can really know what's going to happen when you go in for surgery but we are trying to keep our hopes up.

Take care,
Ellen

*: sorry about the typo earlier. The correct new email address for Jay is listed above and here: jaygallagheralbany(at)gmail(dot)com

5 comments:

  1. Hey CUZ, your st.louis cousins are rooting for you! ellen and janice - excellent job on the blog! special hugs to Emily. Sending our thoughts, prayers, and positive energy out East. Love you Jay! Wish we weren't so far away ~ but we are there in spirit. Love Ruthie

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  2. I believe that I am a cousin--Jerry and Estelle Kreinik's son, Andrew. I knew Emily, Judy, Gene and Cora years ago. David Jacobwitz sent me this posting.

    I want to send my best wishes to Jay and the rest of the family. We, here in Baltimore, will also send our positive energy and spirit.

    Best wishes,

    Andrew

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  3. Hi. Great blog. Thanks for taking it on for all of Jay's many, many friends in the Albany reporting corps. Get him back to work soon! It's more fun when he's here New Yorkers need him...
    Our prayers and best wishes are with you,

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  4. This is Brian Keeler from the NYS Senate staff sending Jay all my thoughts and prayers. Come back soon and healthy.

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  5. Great column today, Jay. But maybe you want to lay off the toxic atmosphere in the Capitol. Can't be too great for your immune system right about now.
    Good luck Monday in Boston. I'm impressed with the bike riding; my knees are sore today after only half that.
    Peter Slocum

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