(Painting by Vincent Van Gogh, The Starry Night.)
Via a call from Digby, I can now officially report that Jane is out of surgery and her surgeon says that she is doing very well — she's strong, she's a fighter, and thus far, she's having no complications in terms of anesthesia or any of the other surgical concerns. So that is very, very good news. As for the cancer end of things, it will likely be at least 48 hours before we have a full pathology report to get any real idea of how things are with that.
But Jane is through her surgery. And all is right with the world at the moment at Casa Smith.
You know it's been a long day for Digby and I when we start laughing about something that Jane said…and then we can't stop…oh man, what a relief to know that surgery appears to have gone as well as we can know at this point — without a full pathological report as yet — and that Jane is safely on the other side of the knife. Woo hoo.
They are going to keep Jane in the ICU for at least the next couple of days as a precaution, so please don't send flowers as she won't be able to get them. I'll update when that status changes or when I get marching orders on that from Jane. (Because you know I will…)
There is a waiting room full of happy people in Santa Monica at the moment. And I'm certain a waiting room full of happy people at FDL. Thanks all for keeping me company today while I waited for my phone to ring. Much appreciated.
Amato has more at C&L.
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Fitz Jane Christy
second!
ICU is where the best nurses are. Rest easy, Jane.
heh, back in the zone
thank you gods and keep kickin it Jane
Excellent news. When I came out of the anesthetic after my recent heart surgery, my wife said the first thing I tried to do was strangle the anesthetist. And Jane is meaner than I am.
So watch it.
yea! boy – 8 hours! that seems like a long time to be in surgery…
Long long day. Glad she’s through it safely.
Jane 3
Cancer 0
we got yer back, Christy.
Thanks goodness. And thank you for your updates through out the day, Christy.
We continue on, keeping Jane in our thoughts and prayers.
I managed to put my well wishes at the bottom of the Fourth Cuppa, but I’ll gladly EPU myself. It’s good to hear a positive vibe about Jane’s treatment. And knowing how I take anesthesia, I’m just as glad to hear she’s handling that part of the procedure better.
Best wishes and a speedy recovery to Jane from Columbus, OH.
Get well, Jane. God bless and we pray for your speedy, complete recovery.
Good news, Christy,
Let me know when I can send my mom over with chocolate. It’s all arranged.
soyinkafan @ 3
this is true, although it may be at least as accurate to say “ICU is where the nurses are” … I had a fairly serious surgery a few yaers back, spent the first 24 hours post-op in the ICU (where I was cared for very well) and the next three days on a ‘regular’ hospital floor where — no exaggeration — I was lucky to be fed, let alone see the (that’s right, ONE) nurse on that floor
wishing Jane a better experience, and get out of there soon!
Whew! and best warm wishes from East Tennessee.
Godspeed, jane
ifthethunderdontgetya @
12
and Berkeley, CA
Long long day. Thankyou so much for watching over Jane for us, guys.
Christy. It’s been horribly long, agonizing and taxing for you. We’d all just love it if you would try to get extra rest tonight.
Sleep in tomorrow. The world will still be waiting for you. & last I checked, you have one WHALE of a crew keeping tabs on all…
punaise @ 18
And Somerville, MA.
great news. Thanks.
punaise @ 18
and New York F**KIN’ City!
Scarecrow @ 20
>punaise @ 18
ifthethunderdontgetya @
12
pre-emptive zig-break
It might be bad to say, but why the fuck is Dick Cheney still alive?
Maybe because Jane isn’t done kicking his shriveled chickenhawk nazi nuts to a far enough hell.
What! No dancing Snoopy? Great news, but Jayzus! 8 hours in sugery! Man oh man! Too bad about the flowers I already sent. Hopefully they got there the day before she went in and she already saw them.
I’ll just have to send more in a couple of days. Anyone know what kind are her favorites? I just picked the prettiest bunch I could find, but I knew as soon as they were in the same room as Jane, they would realize what a bunch of posers they were–imitations of what true beauty really is.
uh-oh.
Our best goes out to Jane. Rest and surrender and let the healing begin. Jane sure has a loving support group around her, kudos to Smith and Digby too for being great souls too.
Sharkbabe @ 24
Slainte!
My thoughts are with Jane as she fights through this. I know she’ll come out on top, and ready to face the world with her indomitable spirit.
GO JANE!!!!
EvilDrPuma @ 28
rock on Sharkbabe!
Nobody does it better.
punaise @ 26
Don’t worry. You bent it, but you didn’t break it.
Sharkbabe, I ask myself that every time I hear that some good soul’s been ill or diagnosed or died.
That must have been a whopper of a contract he signed with Satan.
Jane had very careful surgeons who now have very tired feet and need a shoulder massage.
Christy, I’m so glad to read your words. It has been a long day.
Halle-effing-lujah!
Sharkbabe @ 24
sharkbabe I’ve so missed your prose.
get well jane.
(((((((((((ChristyJaneJohnDigbyTrexPachFirepupsAmerica)))))))))
RevDeb – about that chocolate. Couldn’t you have your Mom bring some chocolate up to the ICO nurses, to bribe them to take extra special care of jane? I know they will anyway, but it would be a good thing for the nurses to know exactly how many people out here are thinking of her.
punaise @
18
and “Gloriously Scenic” Union City, CA!
Prayers and best wishes for Jane.
As we say on the cancer forum;
“Here’s to Hope”
And thanks to those surgeons!!
Love from Athens, GA
Thank you so much for the update Christy. Thank you Digby and John and the full waiting room there with Jane. Thank you Jane for letting us know what was happening with you so we could surround you with love for days and days.
I’m glad that she’s out of the anesthetic okay. (Ticklish, sometimes: some people come out much more slowly than expected!)
We’ll keep candles lit.
And yeah, sitting in a surgical waiting room, even a nice one, makes for a long day. (Been there, done that, and once when the best offered by the surgeon was ’slim’.)
…and from Charleston, SC…
Good news !
I thought about stopping by St. Johns but I knew I wasn’t gonna be able to see Jane and it occurred to me that outside of Christy and Jane, I don’t know what anybody looks like !
And Cambridge, MA!
Jane, today I (very politely) yelled at Kennedy’s staff about Gonzales’ testimony; take it as my action taken in your honor.
and Fishers, IN-thanks for the updates Christy!
Tim at 44 – isn’t it wierd — we know each other very well it seems, and yet would not recognize each other. I can imagine you walking around saying “FDL people, where are you”.
(jacqrat @ 37: better Union City than Milpitas!)
Best Wishes from Chatsworth, Wind Capital of Los Angeles!
And best wishes to Jane from Massachusetts. I’ve shed more than a few tears over the past 24 hours. My friends supported me through a major operation last month and I know Jane’s friends will carry her through this ordeal.
An extra hug for {{{ Christy }}}, I think we will all sleep better tonight.
So happy Jane is out of surgery and doing fine. What a fabulous FDL Family we have!
And from Oklahoma City, where all our terrists are white xtians with buzzcuts.
watertiger @ 32
The thing about working for Satan is that no matter how good the benefits package may look, the retirement plan sucks rocks.
GrandmaJ at 47 — Sounds a whole lot like the first couple of days of YKos last summer. *g*
good to see you here, Sharkbabe
P J Evans @ 48
There’s a difference? it’s all yucky down this side… But cheap!
BIG@SS HUGS TO ALL WAITING AND SHARING OUR LOVE
Love and best wishes for a smooth, uncomplicated and complete recovery!
Huge thanks to Christy for the frequent ‘Waiting Room’ update threads.
This is such an awsome community!
GrandmaJ @ 37
My mom doesn’t know it but I’ve thrown in a box for her when she goes to pick it up. Frankly, this is getting a bit pricey. If anyone else wants to kick in for the nurses, let me know and I’ll send you the info. I’m sure mom would carry another box with her.
When do we get to throw Scooter and Cheney in jail and turn oer some blogging time to universal health care?
I sure hope that Jane has great insurance, and I hope that Mr Redd and all the other FDL spouses have great plans that include all our bloggers. And I hope that everyone here never pays a nickel for their health.
But this is one crazy way to make people healthy.
There’s no way single bloggers in the US can possibly get health care coverage. I am sure glad that Jane didn’t have to stop to think about whether she could feed the dogs after she paid her surgeons and hospital.
Let’s celebrate Jane’s excellent day and look forward to some fierce and strong recovery.
And let’s make those goddam DC Dems insure the whole %$^%ing country.
Christy -
The news about Jane is very encouraging; like many others who have expressed similar wishes, I hope that she will recover quickly.
While I’m here, let me convey this breaking news from MSNBC: Senate passes ethics-lobbying reform bill 96-2
Hopeful for a speedy and thorough recovery from Evanston, IL.
Stephen at 58 — I just got Feingold’s statement about that in my e-mail:
STATEMENT OF U.S. SENATOR RUSS FEINGOLD
Hailing Senate Passage of the Lobby and Ethics Reform Bill
“Today’s Senate passage of groundbreaking ethics and lobbying reforms was a resounding victory. In November, the American people demanded real change, and the Senate has responded with a strong bill that will bring an end to the status quo. I will continue this fight until these changes become law.”
Thanks so much, Christy. I’m glad that digby and John could be out there for her.
I have found myself praying for Jane and FDL many times in the past few months,
not even really knowing fully why, or what I was praying for.
I pray for peace these days, and FDL and much of the blogosphere has centered
largely in my prayers for peace of late.
I may be just another tinfoil wearing denizen of blogistan, but I am grateful for the
efforts of people like Jane and Christy who create caring communities like these.
Alison @ 60
… and more blogging time for strong unions for health care professionals (Jordan & Tula!)
That’s good news. Thanks for the update! Warm wishes for Jane are heading her way from Tucson.
Christy, thanks so much for the updates. I followed as much as I could throughout the day.
I’ve spent a little (i.e. more than I ever wanted) time in waiting rooms during surgery, and I can’t imagine how an 8 hour wait would be. The crowd in Santa Monica gets a big thanks from Chez Poopy, and a big hug to Jane.
RevDeb @ 57
RevDeb, I’ll be happy to kick in for the nurses. You can email me: mediate at spamex dot com.
So glad to hear how well things are going so far.
Thank you for the update Christy. I don’t pray as much as I used to but this virtual sitting in the virtual waiting room has made me wonder about a lot of things – including how I can care so much about the well being of someone I’ve never met, but have long admired. These toobz are amazing things.
Sophist @ 64
ditto.
;)
If an addicted country wasn’t jonesing so bad for my services, I too would be in that Santa Monica waiting room.
deep breath
at ease, a little
The Tarahumara candle burns for you Jane
Huzzah for Jane! Thank you, Christy!
I’m pleased but not surprised.
I hope the path lab comes back with good news. In the mean time she’ll be in my prayers for a quick recovery.
Hugs all around, for Christy and Digby and everyone who filled in while Jane was indisposed, and best wishes from snow-covered Iowa City.
You know, just when your heart wants to send an email or make a phone call to express love and support, your brain says no, don’t do that right now.
Christy, please do let Jane know that your, her, John’s and digby’s mailboxes and voicemails would be full right now if we firepups did not use our brains even where our hearts cry out otherwise.
Kick ass, Jane.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 61
wow! I thought that got killed?!? what happened?
Christy,
I’m more of a Salvador Dali man myself.
like Emerson said, we are bathed in love like a fine ether. damn the energies we spend to do everything but notice it.
I’ve been mourning the loss of an ex-partner since thanksgiving. With time I seem more, not less, lost and incomprehending.
oh, and digby = god.
…and best wishes from Pittsburgh PA, the Steel City. Jane’s a tough girl, and we know from tough here.
Get some rest Christy, John, digby and all….
Peace,
Sarah
{{{{{{{{{{{ Sharkbabe }}}}}}}}}
We’re here for you too, you Goddess you.
pssst … new thread for those who go crazy in waiting rooms (my son had five surgeries — one of which was 8 hours — before his second birthday … I don’t remember much of the waiting rooms, only the worry and anxiety) … but best wishes again to Jane & all the crew.
{… and Southeast Louisiana has now been heard from … }
comic relief, anyone?
http://tinyurl.com/28oqtn
warning – bad language, yelled
Passport to the new thread, if you like.
No DHS no waiting..)
Woohoo – great news!
Thank you goddess from San Francisco!
And thank you Christy for all you do and for the community you and Jane have created.
________________________________________________________________________
GrandmaJ @
48
GrandmaJ, we FDL’ers would be perfect for Santa Monica.
The locals wouldn’t think us wierd – strangers asking odd questions is just part of life in the home of the homeless.
We’d fit right in!
Dear Jane
I’m so relieved! I wish you a speedy, uneventful recovery, and a cancer-free future. Best wishes from Lakeport, CA
Sharkbabe — haven’t read it yet myself, but I think you might find Joan Didion’s Year of Magical Thinking helpful. It’s on my reading list right after Anatomy of Deceipt.
Didion lost a spouse and child within a year, describes the loss and grieving processes’ effects on her. Listened to an interview with Didion about the book on NPR not too long ago, can relate to what Didion shared; it helped me articulate grieving for a friend who has gone through a stupendously Job-like series of losses this last 12 weeks.
There is a fog that descends after a loss; it does take quite a while to work through it, and it will seem at times if it is getting worse rather than better. Loss happens at many levels, and it simply takes time to unwind each level. Hope you have a broad support network that will help you through this time. And then you always have us, too.
Howdy, Shez!! long time no chat! How’s things with you?
Doing the Snoopy dance of joy the surgery ordeal is over and our heroine is safely in ICU!
The Atlanta burbs are in the best wishes column. We have been waiting and sending the positive vibes all day. Thanks Christy and Digby for being there and channeling all our good wishes.
My God, 8 hours of surgery. Thank you Christy for the latest update. We are cheering around here.
So glad to hear this –it’s one of those busy real-life days so haven’t been able to keep up all day.
Good wishes to Jane and visualizing glowing good health coming from San Antonio, too.
Best to you Jane.
Some excellent Senate / Lieberman news to pass along. The Senate organizing resolutions have been passed, and they do not contain a “Jeffords clause”. That is, if any unnamed Senators decided they wanted to caucus with the other side, there will not be new organizing resolutions passed. Harry Reid would still be Majority Leader, and Dems still control the committees.
This means that a certain Senator (CfL-CT) is powerless to threaten to caucus with the other side.
surgeon peeks out at waiting room, quickly ducks back in and collars the internist, “cripes! dr. chen, did you see who’s out there? that’s freakin’ digby and crooks & liars and i think they might be live-blogging this. we better not screw this up or we’ll never work in this country again.”
call it a performance incentive.
best wishes to jane for a successful recovery. in this place, at this time, we need your voice. so i add my voice to the many assembled in wishing you renewed health and a return to the joy of life, a joy that you do so much to share and inspire.
thanks too to christy, digby, c&l and all the ridiculously amazing people associated with firedoglake.
from kitchener, ontario, canada
much love
roots y’all
Wesley Clark was one of the only candidates in 2004 who repeatedly talked about preventing cancer by cleaning up the environment. Another reason this blog is so important–and Jane’s work so essential.
Christy Hardin Smith @
62
Yeah, but did it pass with the Repugs’ line-item veto poison pill intact?
Thanks for the updates. I’ve been reading here now and then for a long time now, but only within the last few weeks have become a more-than-daily reader. I go on Monday for a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound for a lump I found a couple weeks ago. I think these things are not accidents or isolated things. Whatever the outcome is for me, I’ve learned a whole lot these last few weeks, and especially the last couple of days. Christy, please tell Jane that her process has caused women all over the country (world, maybe) to sit up and pay attention to their own health care. That is a true gift, and one that she is responsible for, in spite of her grief process. A real gift. I will continue to send her positive energy.
Professor Foland @ 94
yippee and thank you for the great news, Professor Foland.
lazlo pink– you are a very sweet person! roots right back atchoo!
NewsClues– all the best to you and welcome to the Lake.
Professor Foland @ 94
holy shite, Professor Foland!
Good news strikes twice today….
Professor Foland:
“Some excellent Senate / Lieberman news to pass along. The Senate organizing resolutions have been passed, and they do not contain a “Jeffords clause”. “
How did that happen, Professor? Did Lieberman vote for it? Or did one or more Republicans vote for it? If the Republicans all stuck together and Lieberman joined them, it would not have passed?
http://www.bcaction.org is a kick-ass organization that tells the truth about this epidemic. Something’s happening in this country and it’s killing way too many women. We have to find out how to stop it. There is no cure…only brave and fierce women battling, battling, battling.
Or maybe one or more Repugs were not present?
I’m so glad she is through this. I am not worried about the six hours of surgery. If she had reconstruction going on, this is not an unusual amount of time. Taking the original girl(s) out doesn’t take that much time, but the ‘new’ girl(s) take awhile to put in.
Scottish Fold
neurophius @ 103
Some say they do like to leave on Thursday afternoon.
Give hugs, hugs, and more hugs for Jane. Having been through this myself (squamous cancer) the hugs make a tremendous difference.
where peace radiates from the center, darkness is driven away.
neurophius @
101
I don’t know anything about how this came about. I have an idea how I would have handled it in Harry Reid’s shoes, but that would simply be uninformed baseless speculation.
I just wanted to share good news on something important to Jane. Something to give her a smile when she comes to.
May it be that Joy cometh in the morning. TTFN, with all (((((hugs)))))
I’m so glad Digby and John Amato could be there in person to put flesh on all the love and good wishes sent Jane’s way from throughout the world of the toobz. What a groundswell of support for Jane! Blessings to you all.
It’s great to hear Jane is doing well. Keep the reports coming.
Whew, had to go out and what a relief to come back to this. {{{{{{{{{{{{{ Christy, Digby, John A. }}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Thanks for looking after our Jane and us.
Wishing Jane a speedy recovery and an excellent report from her surgeons.
Thanks for the updates all day long, they have been appreciated. Wishing for the very best for Jane.
grateful in the heart of Tejas! and thanks Christy and all for holding the light steady.
Kate
Jane, from the Big Apple, a Big Hug wishing you a speedy recovery. Christy, thanks for keeping us informed.
(YouTube alert)
Good vibrations to Jane’s Inner Poodle of Lakefire.
And a rescue squad to everyone everywhere in pain, loss or confusion.
And, for all the cheery supporters, a little more good vibes to replenish that funnybone, from Eugene OR.
My prayers, Jane.
Continuing prayers and candle lighting for Jane’s swift recovery. I suspect ICU won’t be able to hold her for long!
Jane: you need anything, any errands you need run around Santa Monica, you let me know. Okay?
Squiddy’s on the case. (tentacled salute)
Get better Jane.
arrrgh…i admire esq. hardin’s work and of course i’m rooting for jane but the word “cuppa” has to be the most gratingly cutesy word in the blog lexicon. it’s like the proverbial nails-on-a-chalkboard everytime i read it. there, i said it.
Good luck Jane!! It’s nice to know that Americans with cancer get health treatment. Americans infected with Lyme Disease get their treatment stopped at 60 days regardless. It’s good Jane is educated and not in the south, since last night NBC said southern uneducated women get less medicine for cancer than other females in America.
Whoever is with Jane should watch her care like a true hawk and ask many many questions. That improves things in a hospital. It improves things in a doctor’s office too. It keeps all of em on their toes. Again, happy to hear some American gets healthcare.Mine got stopped ” just because”- because a researcher used his values and not good judgement and honesty.
Janey — get well ASAP! you, young lady, are the indispensable part of this oppo and many others! I read you are a fighter — that is an understatement, I am sure — and that cancer is about to find out! with admiration, JBK
tom @ 123
Christy,
For the record, I like the word “cuppa.”
Sincerely,
Just another gratingly cutesy lurker
Best wishes for a speedy recovery from the Washington, DC area.
BAC
Glad to hear Jane’s out of surgery. Here’s hoping they got all the cancer out, and that Jane will be up, about, and kicking lotsa right-wing butt soon!
Best wishes, back soon, we need you!
Was just listening to Bruce Cockburn – “Lovers in a Dangerous Time”.
I’ve always loved the line “You’ve got to kick at the darkness `til it bleeds daylight”
That’s what the people at this blog are doing, and I don’t doubt that’s how Jane is going to treat her recovery.
Keep fighting…
I want to express a very hardy HOORAY for any good news about Jane and her battle. If having lots of people either praying or otherwise sending positive energy works, you will emerge victorious over this challenge Jane.
Not out of the woods yet but excellent news. Our thoughts are with Jane
punaise @ 18
and Standish, Maine
Please wish Jane a speedy recovery, also cancer-free for the rest of her life. Pamper yourself and let your friends do the same. We don’t want you back beating the Repugs with your keyboard until your doctors say so. Know that you have made many of us reschedule that appointment for our annual physical that we didn’t have time for last year. “Goodest” wishes from West Tennessee!
Thank Evolution it all went smoothly. Great well soon Jane. The Libby trial won’t be the same without you.
Dearest Jane,
Your powerful and limitless energy has touched my heart and renewd my faith in our ill democracy. Please use that same power to heal yourself and continue the fight. We need you and love you.
Whew!
Thanks for the update.
Continuing to send as much positive energy as I can muster.