Update: Jessica is recovering

I know many of you have been looking at the calendar, and I wanted to give a brief update about Jessica’s condition.  The surgery went well, and she is out of the ICU and in a regular med/surg bed at the hosptial.  She has been eating chicken strips and french fries and drinking as much Diet Coke as she can hold. 

For all of you out there who prayed for us, thought of us, hoped for us — thank you.  Jessica, her father, and I felt every one of those warm thoughts during the difficult hours of surgery and ICU.  We feel so very blessed that so many people cared so much to join us on this journey.

I will be back with more about Jessica when she comes home.

Hugs to every single one of you,

Jennifer

39 comments

  1. I feel so much gratitude reading your update and news about Jessica. *Thank you.*

    I am touched by your journey (almost) beyond words, and am in awe of your honesty, strength and eloquence in putting it to words. Thank you for sharing your soul with us and for letting us join you along the way.

    Sending warmest wishes to Jessica and you all for a continued smooth recovery and many more carnations, chicken fingers, fries and Diet Coke!

  2. Thank you for the update, and I hope you all continue to feel the love that Jessica has elicited from so many of us.

  3. So glad to hear that it went well – thanks for the update.

    Warm thoughts are still going your way.

    -Ken

  4. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. I am glad to hear that the surgery went well. Don't forget to take care of yourself.

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  7. So glad to get an update. My 20 month old daughter, Atrina has TS and went through re-section surgery 3 weeks ago. I mean it when I say 'I feel your pain". Thank you for sharing her story.

  8. I was here in Brazil praying for you and Jessica on 8/10, it's great to know that she is recovering and I sincerely wish she gets even better.

    I hope that you'll keep feeling our good thoughts, your story was certainly able to reach out to people from all over the world and I'm an example of that. Although it's a pitty that most of my friends can't read so well in english…

    Bless you and Jessica!

  9. Phew! So pleased to see this update… And so relieved that the surgery went well.

    Thank you for taking/making the time to post during this busy & difficult time.

    As a recent follower can I ask a silly question? How old is Jessica?

    Woo Hoo for fries & Diet Coke!!

  10. Thank you for updating. Still thinking of you both, and keeping you in our prayers. A kiss to sweet Jessica.

  11. Thank you for the update! What wonderful news! Please give Jessica a hug from all of us that you have touched with this wonderful story of life! Know that prayers are still coming your way as you continue on this beautiful journey with Jessica!

  12. Wonderful news, Jennifer!

    Thanks for taking the time to let us know — I'm sure there's a lot going on and that you would step away to inform us is much appreciated.

    Have a great weekend!

  13. Jen, thanks for the update. I've had Jessica in my thoughts the past month and I have been stalking your site waiting for news. I hope brighter days are ahead of you.

  14. I'm so glad everything went well. Your writing is pretty powerful; I almost feel like I know you and your daughter. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. I read For Jessica last month and had to keep this site open in a tab. I've been refreshing it every day, patiently awaiting this update and I don't even know you people. I've never replied to a blog before, and now I'm a creepy browser refresher.

    Anyway, this isn't about me. Glad she's okay. Keep up the infectious writing.

  15. I got the link to For Jessica from a an online Turkish friend who lives in Berlín. I am from Argentina (and live there). So Jessica is in the thoughts of people all over the world.
    I'm really glad she's recovering. You're a superb mom.

  16. Thank you for this update – I know there must be hundreds of us who (with our own kids) were thinking and praying for you all that day. And then trawled here for an update – which must be like the last thing on your mind! So it's very kind of you to post.

    Continued healing to Jessica *and* parents, and thanks again for sharing the story.

  17. Even though I've never met you, I've thought of you and Jessica daily since reading your blog (via MentalFloss). I'm so happy to hear the surgery went well!

  18. Thank you for posting – I've been checking regularly, and am relieved to know that you all are doing well. I think it's a testament to the sheer bravery of your writing, as well as the power of shared experience, that I've had the 10th in mind every day since I first read your post.

    All blessings to you all,
    E

  19. Thank goodness it went all right! I was thinking and praying extra hard on the 10th and 11th (since I didn't know what the time was over there). I'm continueing to hope and pray she has a speedy recovery. xxx Kitt

  20. Thank you so much for the update. I've thought of you and Jessica often since reading "For Jessica" just over a week ago. And every day, I've hugged my own three kids harder and more often than before.

    Part of what makes parenting the hardest job is the expectations you set for yourself. Without realizing it, you quickly invest much of your own self-worth into your how well your kids turn out. And, despite flashes of doubt and reassurance, you never get a final grade. You pass with flying colors.

    Reading your words and the comments from parents (both those facing similar challenges and those who aren't) reminds me just how lucky we all are.

    I'll finish with a quote from "Hogfather" by Terry Pratchett where the personification of Death explains to his daughter, Susan, why it's so important to believe in holiday spirits:

    "All right,' said Susan. 'I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need… fantasies to make life bearable.
    REALLY? AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF PINK PILL? NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE
    Tooth fairies? Hogfathers? Little-
    YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES
    So we can believe the big ones?
    YES. JUSTICE. MERCY. DUTY. THAT SORT OF THING
    They're not the same at all!
    YOU THINK SO? THEN TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET–
    Death waved a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME IDEAL ORDER IN THE WORLD, AS IF THERE IS SOME… SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED
    Yes, but people have got to believe that, or what's the point—
    MY POINT EXACTLY"

    (end quote)

    Bless you and your daughter!

    Damon

  21. Hi there
    I am so glad to hear Jessica is doing well.
    I have been praying for you both.
    I hope you are okay.
    My son who is 8 has Spina Bifida and Hyrdrocephalus and is shunted for same. I understand what its like to hold your breath before operations and pray for miracles.

    x

    Ciara

  22. My son's first birthday was 8/11, and I couldn't help think of it without thinking of you on 8/10. Glad to hear it went well, and I hope you continue to share your lives with us.

    Thoughts and prayers to you and Jessica.

  23. My brothers and I were on a vacation to Texas when suddenly out of nowhere a tornado touched down near our car . We all flustered but unbelievably we got out of the situation without harm. every so often, unexpected things occur which makes you feel lucky of being alive and be able to recognize the value of the beauty of life in general.

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