Headed Home

I just spoke with my parents and they are about halfway home.  I called my dad's phone, thinking my mom might be groggy or sleeping, but no - they were just coming out of a restaurant!  Amazing!  Mom says she is doing really well (other than having skin sensitivity from the medical tape) and her pain is under control. I think the plan is that she will have the brace for about a month, but she doesn't have to wear it when lying down, so she gets some small breaks.
All in all, I think we have a lot to be thankful for!  Thank you so much for all your prayers.  They really mean a lot to all of us.
Valerie

Day 1

Dad went back to Mom's room at 5:30am.  She had a terrible headache all morning and her neck brace is uncomfortable, but she is finally resting comfortably. 
To clarify, we had heard that she was supposed to have a bone graft from the hip during yesterday's surgery, but that was not done.  I'm sure that will ease her recovery somewhat.
They may be moving her to a private room today, which would be nice because then Dad could stay with her at night as well.

How the Surgery Went

The surgery went well.  There was no evidence of lingering infection, which is great news.  The surgeon removed 2 discs and 1 vertebra and replaced them w/ artificial materials and a metal plate.  He is considering not doing the second surgery scheduled for October 9 because:
1) she still has a slipped disc, but he thinks that all the pain she was experiencing was due to the problems he fixed today, and
2) as things are right now, she shouldn't lose much mobility, but the second surgery would limit her mobility a lot more.
Currently, his plan is to wait and see how she feels.  She may go home as early as Saturday.
Thank you for all your prayers!  Dad is not able to stay in her room tonight because she is sharing, so please pray that she has attentive nurses who can provide whatever care she needs.

Recovering

Mom went to recovery around 7:45pm and Dad got to see her around 8:30.  Her pain was pretty high at that point, but it seems to be under control now.  They are waiting for a room assignment.  As far as I know, they have not had a debriefing with the surgeon yet.

In Surgery

Mom was taken back around 2:15pm and the surgery started around 3:30.  Please pray for her safety and for wisdom and skill of her surgeon. We are also praying that the infection in her vertebrae is completely gone, as this will determine whether or not the surgeon is able to perform the second surgery on October 9.  I will try to post information as I hear it.
Thanks & love to all,
Valerie

As you may know. Jeannette was in the hospital this summer with an infection in her neck.  A REAL pain in the neck!  She was in the hospital; for 20 days.  The doctor says she has bones and discs that have been destroyed by the infection and they must be removed.  In addition she has vertebrae that have moved out of alignment.

She is having two major surgeries at the University of CA San Francisco Hospital: Oct. 4 and Oct.9.  In the first surgery in the front of the neck they will remove the vertebrae and discs, do a bone graft, put in an artificial disc, and fuse C3 to C7.  In the second surgery they will operate from the back of the neck and fuse C2 to T2.  She will probably be in the hospital for 10 days.

She will have a neck brace placed in the first surgery and she will wear it at least 6 weeks.

We are asking for prayers for the success of the surgery and for her to be able to tolerate the hospital stay and the braces.

9/30 - Antibes, St.Paul, Nice

Visited Picasso Museum today.

9/29 - Gourdon, Gourge de Verdon

Gourge de Verdon - The largest canyon in Europe or
The Grand Canyon of Europe.

Gourdon - An amazing town in Provence - overlooks the Mediterranian Sea.
On a clear day you can see Corsica (not on the day we were there!)

9/28 - Beaucastel, Pont du Gard, Les Baux

Pont du Gard - Roman Aquaduct bridge - supplied water to Nimes.
The second highest structure built by the Romans - 6 feet shorter than the Colliseum.

9/27 Visit Monaco - Monte Carlo

Drove to Monte Carlo today - great city - very opulent!
View of fountain in front of casino (upper right).
No, we didn't gamble!

9/26 Laundry day & short trip to Antibes

Spent the better part of the day getting caught up on laundry!
Took a short trip to Antibes - very crowded!
Picture is of bay from Antibes - Nice in background across bay.

9/25 On the road to Mougins (Cannes area)

Great road trip even if it was long!
Spotted the Chapel on the Rock.

9/24 Lyon

The Theater in Lyon

9/23 More Loir Valley

9/22 Lior Valley

9/21 Mont St. Michel

9/20 Musee Orangiere, Musee Armee

9/19 - Orsay, Notre Dame, Latin Qtr

Visited Musee d'Orsay, Notre Dame & Latin Quarter.
Too much crowd to get into Notre Dame or Sainte Chapelle.
Lunch & shopping on Ile St. Louis.
Dinner in Latin Quarter.

9/18 - Arch, Louvre, Eiffle Tower, French Dinner

Today we went to the Arc de Triomphe,
walked a little on the Champs-Elysees,
lunch at George V Cafe, did some of the Louvre,
had a French dinner & saw the Eiffle Tower at night.

9/17 - Versailles

Made it to ?Versailles today.
Took the guided tour - the king's private chambers.
Had the same tour guide we had 5 years ago! He's still arrogant!
We also got to see some of the gardens this time.