From Janet.....

Just to bring everyone up-to-date I recently was back in the hospital due to severe nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain. This was an especially rough stay. I was in for about 18 days and the first 15 days were extremely tough on me this time. The doctors couldn't seem to determine what was causing all the severe vomiting and pain and nothing they seemed to come up with or prescribe were giving any kind of relief and while all this was going on I some how developed an infection and again the docs didn't know how I got it or even where it was so they just bombarded me with antibiotics. My days were filled with sleeping for most of the day....was definitely not up to eating...no appetite and couldn't keep much down when I did try to eat not even fluids were doing the trick, actually the only thing I would crave was ice....I kinda became addicted to it. So as the days were going by I was becoming more and more discouraged. The doctors were all kind of playing the wait and see game and as each day would pass, with no signs of feeling better, I found myself slipping into a place of darkness and despair. So many tried to keep my spirits up with their visits and well wishes. My mom always at my bedside, we would hang out in my room and watch movies or some TV, she'd make me get up and walk around no matter how badly I didn't want to and would try and give her any kind of excuse to not to....she wouldn't have it and I'm actually glad she didn't give in to me....I needed the exercise if I wanted to get better and stronger. I remember one night when my parents were visiting and my sdad said to me that he hasn't seen me looking so bad....I think he could see the hopelessness I was starting to let myself feel....perhaps on the edge of just wanting to give up....he had a lil chat with me and I remember him telling me I was going to have to really dig deep this time and fight through this and that it will get better and so I did and it did get better. The doctors came up with a plan to go ahead and do a procedure I get about every six months that helps in the digestion of my stomach.....why didn't they do this at the beginning of my hospital stay you ask....it was because it had only been a couple of months since my last procedure and they were thinking it was too early to do it again but I was insistent that they do it again....I was tired of waiting around and I wanted to be home for easter and not still stuck in that hospital room. So so they proceeded forward with the procedure and wouldn't you know it within a couple of days I was feeling so much better....my infection had cleared up and my appetite was slowly coming back and I was eating and keeping everything down so getting home by Easter was looking real good. I was able to go home on the 20th....four days before Easter....YAY! So I'm home and feeling pretty good and I was looking forward to Easter weekend....my boyfriend Luke drove down on friday and got to stay for a few days. Had one of the best weekends in a long time. We went out to dinner and a movie on friday, went to the Melbourne Art Festival on saturday then home for some quality time and even made it to church Easter Sunday. Dinner was delicious and I always feel blessed to spend time with the family. This 'road' is very long and very difficult, both medically and personally....but it's teaching me so much. I am so grateful for all my family members and friends for reaching out and keeping my spirits high.....each one of you hold me up when I am down, pray with me when I am scared, make me laugh when I didn’t think I would ever laugh again and let me ‘be quiet and still’ when that is what I need. If I haven’t told you lately, please know you all are loved, you all are appreciated, and your unconditional support during this time will never be forgotten – ever. ...it means so much. I continue to be awed with everyone's support of me...but most of all I thank God every single day for bringing you all into my life. There are no words that can possibly describe what it means to turn around and see this wall of 'family' standing there ready to do battle for me? It takes my breath away.