
Just got off the phone with Digby. Jane is currently up and walking around the ICU floor. Digby tells me that the hospital has WiFi and, knowing Jane as I do, I wouldn't be surprised if she demanded her laptop so that she can keep up with the news today. No word on the testing results from pathology — that is likely to take a while, yet, but the surgery portion of things and recovery therefrom continues to go well.
Also, Jane's sister Pam sent along a thank you note to everyone this morning, and I want to share it:
To Christy, Digby, all the folks sitting in the FDL waiting room yesterday, as I was waiting in Tulsa:
I was sitting reading all the postings last night, so thankful for the love and support my sister has been given by you guys. Words simply cannot express what I feel.
Jane and I talked before her surgery, and we agreed that I didn't need to be there right now, but will be there later on. I can see why – she has enough bodies and hearts there that I can still manage my home-front and prepare to be with her later.
With much love and a multitude of gratitude,
Pam.
Right back at you, Pam. This is likely to be a series of steps — we just don't know what those steps will be until we hear more from the doctors and get the test results back and analyzed for the next step in treatment options. But, rest assured, we'll all be pulling for Jane, every step of the way, whatever it takes, in all the days, weeks, months…whatever…to come.
I'm so happy to hear that Jane is up and moving around this morning, I just had to post a kick up your heels photo. And, just for Jane and John Amato (and you know WHY I'm posting this…), a song of celebration. Mwahahaha.
We've cleared the first hurdle. Here's to clearing every single hurdle left in the path — every single one.
UPDATE: From Digby in the comments:
Hey guys,
Just wanted to let you know that I spoke to Jane this AM and she is already chomping at the bit to get out. They feel she will probably be released from the hospital early, as a matter of fact, because she’s recovering from the surgery so quickly.
Last night we were talking to her surgeon — a truly amazing man, part sage, part artist, part scientist — who said it was his experience that when someone had this many people sending powerful messages of love and support they healed better and faster. So, on Jane’s behalf, thanks for all that positive energy yesterday. It made a difference.
*Also, to the person who noticed I was blogging yesterday — I was surprised to find I was in a hospital equipped with wifi, which allowed me to fall back on my blogging as a way of keeping it together while sitting in a waiting room filled with stress, worry and tragedy. There were many stories taking place all around us yesterday, most of them fraught with fear and sadness. Blogging was a sort of therapy and I was grateful for it.
As it happens, the first thing out of Jane’s mouth when I saw her was “did they finish jury selection?” so I was glad I had kept up!
(We bloggers are an odd bunch, aren’t we?)
That is SO Jane, isn't it? Thanks so much for all the updates, Digby.



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Jane!
Slainte!
Balrog, you beat me to it.
Fitz
I just read an article about the success of the first 100 hours in Pelosi’s House.
That is a remarkable achievement. Congratulations to all involved.
Um, they do read FDL, don’t they?
Best wishes Jane and Christy!
TRex @ 2
TRex, do you ever sleep?
Ahhh, finally we can take a breath.
Way to go Jane, prayers keep coming your way. Thanks for the updates Christy, hope you had a fab vacation.
Balrog, been digging on Pros and Cons recently. What was the other album by Roger Waters you recommended?
That doctor Kobe does amazing things, eh?
Too cool, a hospital with wifi.
Just in case she doesn’t have the sound turned up…
HI JANE!!
GET WELL SOON!
I had some major surgery many years ago, and I can assure you that I was not walking around the ICU the next day. Jane is one tough broad.
Helpless Dancer @
4
Damn dailup. I was in such a rush, I misspelled the one word I tried to type.
Twisted Martini @ 8
I don’t think it was me Martini.
This is really good news. Hi, Jane. We miss you.
walking! walking around is very, very good!
thanks for the good news, Redd…
Thanks for the update, Christy, and for including Pam’s note. Damn, but I hate crying at the office, even if they are tears of relief.
Cautiously optimistic, indeed.
Balrog @ 7
Lately? Not so much. It’s been a little stressful this week.
Fund FREE Mammograms ~ The Breast Cancer Site
*Click everyday and the other causes along the top.
Jane! Digby! Christy! Pam!
And while we’re at it,
PeppermintPatti! Give us a shout back, girl, when you can, or drop a note to my blog (click on my name), it’s way more private, in fact zero traffic ;)
and marksb!
And anybody else out there that feels like jumpin’ in the air.
Jane, you amaze me. Get well soon!
Excellent. With the anesthesia hangover, post-surgery and pain meds, and the body impact of major surgery, one does not get up and walk around unless feeling quite strong. This is great news.
Go Jane!
I won’t feel decent until the final good, ‘path’ report is done.
Great news! Thanks, Christy!
very good news!!!
sofistic @ 11
Things have changed. They want surgical patients up and moving ASAP now.
But somehow I doubt they had to encourage her (much) to get up, too.
BC
Impressive ICU activity. Lovely note, Pam. You have one tough sister.
[’Nature’s chemotherapy’ = garlic]
Such great news… Trower Power, baby!!!
SleeplessRelieved and Thankful in Vancouver, BCWhen an unstoppable force meets an unmoveable object…well apparently there’s no such thing as an unmoveable object when there’s Jane.
Way to go Jane.
Everyone needs a good laugh this morning.
The U.S. Attorney General asserts that we do not have an express Constitutional right to the process of habeus corpus.
The mind boggles. This pathetic little man, with his feeble little mind, is the senior government attorney.
_
selise @ 24
Second that emotion!
Jane! Glad you are up and moving. Way to go Warrior Goddess!
OK, Jane, now I want to hear some cursing, peppered with your endearing explicitives.
Excellent news and Hi to Jane. We’re all thrilled you are able to walk around today.
EPU’d from the last thread, about Maher Arar.
I find it highly ironic that Arar is subject to being flagged by the airlines whenever he flies in Canada. He also cannot fly into American airspace, let alone land in the US.
You might wonder why, given that the Canadians at least have found him to be innocent of all terrorism charges.
He gets inspected every time because the Canadian airlines use the American no fly list on their passengers.
And the Americans cannot share their seekrit “knowledge” about Arar which justifies their treating him as a terrorist suspect with the Canadian security forces.
Mary @ 97
“Keep on fighting” seems to be the thing to do on all fronts, against all enemies, personal and political.
Good for Jane
surfacing from sermon writing to give a SHOUT OUT to Jane, and her team—the docs, the nurses, Digby & John and all the others who are attending to our Lady of the Lake.
You Go Girl
with all of our love and support to ease the way.
Patients who have had general anesthesia usually pass through an ICU. They are held there for observation and until they are extubated. If there is a possibility of a return to surgery, they may be kept intubated. Patients who are intubated are kept drowsy (because having a tube stuck down your windpipe is extremely uncomfortable). If Jane is walking around that means A)she has been extubated, B)no further surgery is immediately contemplated, C)the surgery did not intrude deeply into the chestwall or compromise it, and D)she should be leaving the ICU fairly soon. ICUs are usually places for people who aren’t even conscious. If you can walk around, you probably don’t need to be there and it is likely that Jane will be transferred to the floor or an intermediate care unit once a bed becomes available.
Twisted Martini @ 9
Radio KAOS was really good.
Its a concept album about a dumb guy in a wheel chair that tries to save the world by intercepting radio waves and conversing on air. Stephen Hawking is his voice. He basically fools the people by simulating a nuclear attack, War of the Worlds(ish).
What God Wants was ok, in my opinion. That one never really grew on me.
I guess that was a collective exhale I just heard. ;)
Thanks for the update Christy. It’s great to hear she’s feeling well enough to get up and move around.
All the best to you, Jane! So glad to hear you’re up and around. Being an old cancer guy myself–I know what a wonderful sign that is!
Hugh at 34 — Hence the kick up your heels pix from me. I am grinning from ear to ear. Word is that Jane was able to eat some fruit this morning, and was asking about Libby trial jury selection from yesterday. *g*
That’s my girl…
Am so glad to hear the great news Jane. My best wishes are flying west as we speak. And let the good news just keep-a-coming.
As far as walking around goes, my guess is Jane has her eyes firmly affixed on a certain trial in D.C. Remember she ‘arm wrestled’ her doctor to agree she could fly within weeks of the surgery. The world needs saving and Jane is in mid-fight, so she is aware how much we, and the world, need her.
Be well. You are already strong jane.
OT – wanted everyone to be alerted to world history-making speech by George McGovern at the National Press Club:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenat…..29mcgovern
Sorry it wouldn’t link.
It’s great to hear that Jane is up and about.
Thanks for sharing that note from Pam, Christy.
Now, for my happy picture of the day:
Be happy!
Good news, indeed. What a difference a day makes.
And being a “fighter” is more than half the battle.
Oh, I guess it did link…
I am waiting to get the call from my cousin that my aunt’s fast moving brain cancer has claimed her life at 82 years.
It’s good to be hearing of some triumphs and survival right now.
Also, did everyone notice that Digby was still blogging yesterday even though sitting vigil in Jane’s bricks and mortar waiting room?!
Since I could not get in yesterday to comment, let me add my thoughts to all the others that wish Jane a speedy recuperation. Thanks to all those who have lent their thoughts, prayers, and efforts in the direction of the fdl community. It truly is amazing what this site has accomplished and the folks it has mobilized.
As ever, keep the faith,
Haralambos in Greece
Great news, Christy!
Thanks for sharing the good word.
Delurking from Saint Paul to say “Get well Jane.” Thank you Christy and the entire FDL community for the most exciting, enticing, inciting, and insightful blog on earth. I managed to mail a few dollars for the good of the cause.
DaVeep (vice president of nothing)
My 10:23 a.m.:
What God Wants should read Amused to Death.
Yay Jane!
And thanks, Christy, for the flashback to the 70’s. I am happy to look at Kool & the Gang’s bad hair and try my best to forget mine.
Oh, and as for Ms. Hamsher, kick ass and take names. For encouragement, I give you this six word phrase.
Scharffenberger orange Cointreau chocalate chunk cookies.
Go get ‘em!
Go Jane! Best wishes from your fans here in Michigan!
Celebration!
I’m so very glad to hear this news.
Hugs to Jane!
Thanks for the update, Christy! There are a lot of us out here who don’t comment much, but have been so concerned about Jane, and having her in our thoughts and prayers. Much cancer in my family – so I know the challenges, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Jane – you are a hero! Walking around already – wow! Keep up the fight! We will be praying for a good path report – and looking forward to when we can hear from you again!
P.S. A second check is in the mail for FDL in honor of Jane, and all those who make my day, each day!
Great news, Christy, and thanks for passing along Pam’s note too!
Hugh @ 35 nailed it, from my experience, in terms of what’s next for Jane. And what about going home? As a 91 year old ICU patient from one of my former parishes once explained it to me, “They say I get to go home when I can get out of bed, go to the bathroom, and get dressed all by myself. It’s kind of like being 4 all over again.”
He’s still kicking at 101, in his own home, when last I heard.
Mutant Poodle @ 50
Not a bad prescription!
Dosage: two cookies, taken three times daily.
Refills: as many as you like
itwasntme @ 41
Wow, great stuff. A sample for anyone who hasn’t clicked the link:
He also quotes Ike:
I’m so gonna use that.
Dear Jane,
Walking around the ICU the next day? Beautiful news about a beautiful lady. Anyone who could survive being a PA on ‘Roses, not to mention all your other accomplishments, is one tough cookie. Remember when we shooting at that house in Fremont Place and…
Hang in there, Darlin’ Jane
BobbyG @ 29
I’ll refer you to the last thread for my thoughts on the subject. If I, with no legal training whatsoever, know better than this, I expect and demand that the Attorney General do so as well.
That Jane, she does walk the talk, doesn’t she?!
This is good news. If Jane’s up and around now, a day after surgery, her recovery is going well. I’m keeping my fingers crossed the pathology reports will bring more good news.
Hi, Jane! (Just in case she feels up to checking in and making sure we haven’t trashed the place.)
Thanks for the good news on Jane, Christy. I’ve been checking for an update all morning, and I’d say (so far) it’s been worth the wait!
And Pam, you weren’t the only one in Tulsa waiting around for news yesterday.
Jane, the thoughts and prayers are still going strong!
do we have pathology on the margins yet?
Don’t anybody look in the window, I’m dancing.
Not a pretty sight, looks like the laws of physics suspended as so much habeas corpus.
Yay, Jane!!! You go, girl!!
Noel Roberts @ 51
And from another one here in Michigan, as well.
Glad to hear Jane is doing so well.
Alison @
45
Alison, sorry to hear about your aunt. {{{{{ Alison }}}}} Our community is like that other ‘for better or worse’ institution, and sharing the news with friends makes it easier to bear, even if it’s not good. For you and anyone else who has not got the gift of good news to share today, namaste. We are connected.
SharonRB @ 65
Three’s the charm. Go Jane!
Fight, Jane, fight!!
“Every single one.” Amen, sister.
perris at 63 — No — hence the continued waiting on diagnosis and treatment options. It will likely be Monday at the earliest before we get anything certain. They aren’t going to throw around preliminary results and, even if they were, I wouldn’t be publishing them because the full testing is more reliable.
retirin’ in five — make that four Michiganders, with me here in mid-Michigan, watching it snow as I boogie-oogie for Jane and Christy. ;-)
EvilDrPuma @ 61
We should probably clean up the popcorn on the floor and the sofa, and at least throw the dirty dishes in the sink. And whose socks are these?
Go Jane, and tnx CHS for your tireless updates.
We gonna celebrate your party with you!
Scarecrow @ 72
Dishes, check. Forget about the popcorn, what’s what dogs are for. And those aren’t socks, those are sleeping bags. Umm, you’re right, they are socks. TRex!
HotFlash @ 75
There’s no way we should even have had to ask whose socks those were.
desertwind @ 74
Desert @ 74
Earth-wind-and fire(doglake).
just for you, Jane:
“my contempt for Joe Lieberman will never subside”
Christy Hardin Smith @ 70
thanx for the update/holding breath
Scarecrow @ 72
Oops. Mine. I wondered where I left those.
You haven’t seen my boxers, have you?
Hi Jane,
Good to hear you are up and about.
I don’t suppose they let Kobe visit.
(Bet he’s pissed)
Having picked a couple dozen juries myself, the juror who can say: yes, subconsciously this could affect me is the kind of juror who can put it out of their mind and still be fair. That’s self awareness.
But, having said that remember: voire dire is not about selecting a “fair” jury. It’s about de-selecting persons to get to the most unfair jury each side can get. Each side wants jurors who will be biased in their direction.
And because you get so few peremptory strikes you have to be judicious in your use of them. That means you have to lump jurors into two groups: followers and leaders (people who mite/will hang the jury).
The young lawyer — he sounds like a leader. Someone who will likely hang the jury if he doesn’t like the result and not care one whit about flushing the trial. He’s an attorney also and the other jurors will naturally defer to him.
Fitz would be crazy to leave him on the pool or the fix is in.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 70
There would be sendouts during the operation for gross determination to, in fact, establish the margins and/or lymph node involvement. A definitive report takes a few days and I’m not sure what all is involved in this process.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 39
LOL, Christy!
Lolling with relief and joy, 1)that Jane is up and able to ask about the trial and 2) that the time has finally arrived for it.
Oh yeah! Kool & the Gang, that’s what I’m sayin. Just captures the feeling Christy, a perfect pick. If prayer ain’t doin it for you, the music might. With continued good wishes to Jane, a shout out to sister Pam, and all the rest of you. When we witness the collapse of the present administration and their neo-con, knuckle dragging buddies, Kool & the Gang’s Celebrate will be perfect, and don’t spare the volume. We’re gonna have a good time, un huh!!!
I just lit a new candle for Jane. The virtual candles burn out in 48 hours, so if you’d like to keep one lit, go here to light a new one.
Somebody needs to run a broom in here. Tough to dance with all that schmutz on the floor.
Maybe somebody ought to run the vacuum wand near the toobz fresh air intake, too; it’s running slow right now.
Hey FDL gang! This is great news for Jane! Walking around the ICU after only a day is excellent, sounds like the surgery was a complete success and that the ca didn’t invade too deeply into the chest wall!
FWIW, I’m a MD/PhD student and have some experience shadowing a medical oncologist who exclusively treats breast ca patients. So I know a little bit about the road she’s got to travel now (not personally, though!), but if I can be of any service deciphering medicalese or path reports or explaining chemo vs. horomone therapy, please let me know. Obviously, I don’t want to pull a Sen. Frist here, but if any info is wanted, I’m more than happy to help.
And, for the exceptionally nerdy, I can even go into the cell biology/mechanism of action of certain drugs, why they work (or don’t), and what the new frontiers might be.
So happy to hear Jane is up and about!!
OT, but:
If your congressman said “no” to escalation, take a moment to write him/her a note of thanks. Even if a resolution is only symbolic, it’s a step in the right direction anyway.
TRex @ 80
The kids next door are playing around in the back yard in this weird looking tent . . .
Boudica at 85 — that’s right! My bad.
Yay, Jane!! Glad to hear you’re up and around. Best of luck with the rest of your recovery!
I hope she continues to write about her experiences. She will be able to help a whole lot of people with breast cancer.
Walking around the ICU? They will boot you right outta there! Way to go.
Does it have little Godzilla’s printed on it?
Wonderful news!
The sun just got a little brighter and a little warmer.
The world I know is a much better place with Jane up and about.
Many thanks to Digby, Christy, and Pam.
Great news about Jane! I am awaiting her first post-op post.
OT – FLASHBACK: Bush Administration Pushed Out Lead Prosecutor On Abramoff Case
Curious in Canada….
I was wondering if Pach or anyone else knows if the Libby trial does not get 36 jurors by end of today do they have to sit another 60 fresh new people?….Or can the process continue with the people that were scheduled for this week?…
Thank you….(I know the Libby jury selection has been put off till Monday, thanks)
Hey guys,
Just wanted to let you know that I spoke to Jane this AM and she is already chomping at the bit to get out. They feel she will probably be released from the hospital early, as a matter of fact, because she’s recovering from the surgery so quickly.
Last night we were talking to her surgeon — a truly amazing man, part sage, part artist, part scientist — who said it was his experience that when someone had this many people sending powerful messages of love and support they healed better and faster. So, on Jane’s behalf, thanks for all that positive energy yesterday. It made a difference.
*Also, to the person who noticed I was blogging yesterday — I was surprised to find I was in a hospital equipped with wifi, which allowed me to fall back on my blogging as a way of keeping it together while sitting in a waiting room filled with stress, worry and tragedy. There were many stories taking place all around us yesterday, most of them fraught with fear and sadness. Blogging was a sort of therapy and I was grateful for it.
As it happens, the first thing out of Jane’s mouth when I saw her was “did they finish jury selection?” so I was glad I had kept up!
(We bloggers are an odd bunch, aren’t we?)
Digby! Thanks!
ok, Jane. You’re not fooling me – I know you’re reading this.
Say hello.
(then go back to bed, fer chrissakes)
Canadianhoser @ 97
They continue with what’s left of the original jury pool. If Walton thinks that this won’t give them enough folks to choose from, he’ll ask for another pool. Waiting for more potential jurors shouldn’t slow down the trial itself – just all the questioning, sidebars, and challenges by the attorneys.
Thanks for the updated update Digby
Digby @ 97
And exactly *what* is odd about that?
Jane is really inspiring, and I’m delighted that the news continues to be good. With this ring of good will around the world that we have going here, we can’t help but have an effect. Go, Jane!
thanks digby for the update and your hospital-based blogging!
welcome, viget – good luck in your training!
Canadianhoser @ 97
There is no jury selection today. Voir dire continues Monday.
Watch this:
100 —-> 60 —-> 30 in/19 out/11 left
|
|—-> 40 waiting —> 40 ready Monday for review if needed
That’s our jury pool process and current status. We started with 100 in this pool, but Walton put 40 on standby hoping not to need them or waste their time all week hanging around the court.
[CHS notes: Before you even read this, see here.]
The Big C barks: This is a stickup! Your money or your life!
or
My, what a wonderful Health Insurance system we have in this country…NOT!
While Jane is busily enduring her recovery, and we’re all busy crying in our beer or sniffling into our fine linen hankies, I’d like to bring up one additional rather indecent fact of life about our dear Jane:
Not only is Jane undergoing a struggle to regain her physical health, she gets the double whammy of being blasted with both barrels because she is also at the same time having to struggle to regain her financial health!
I don’t know how many of us saw her comment the other day, and more importantly, how many of us grasped the import of just what she said. In case you missed it, here it is:
Remember this from Jane?
Jane Hamsher @ 82
Now Jane, like many of us, doesn’t wear her personal life on her sleeve. The wee bit of her that we’re privileged to see is a constant amazement to me personally, and I bet most of you feel the very same!
So reading between the lines, wanna guess just how many tens of thousands of dollars Jane had to personally fork over beforehand to obtain her life-saving medical treatment?
Anyone want to take a bet on whether Jane has Health Insurance? No, I didn’t think so!
Jane is single, self-employed, and OBTW, this is her 3rd visit with the Big C. Even if she could somehow afford an individual policy for Health Insurance, wanna bet whether those good ol’ boys at the insurance company would willingly cover her for the Big C?
I mean come-on, in their eyes, Jane is a 3-time loser. Having once myself worked in a Health Insurance company, I know only too well that their primary and single-most overarching corporate goal is to avoid having to pay out a single red cent whenever and wherever they can scheme to escape it.
And you thought Health Insurance companies were in business to provide coverage for illness. Hah, ptooey! The bean-counters and corporate climb-on-your-back werewolves who populate the executive suites of any good ol’ boy American company ain’t interested in what’s good for you, they’re interested in what’s good for them. Greed is good, and plenty of it!
As any number of denizens of this blog know full well what it’s like to
liveexist on the tightrope of no Health Insurance. Any one single sneeze or misstep, and it’s a long, long way down! Most, with good reason, don’t expect to survive the fall!In closing, I’m not gonna spend a lot of your time documenting just how bad the numbers are for folks who don’t have Health Insurance, or all the myriad of ways and things we could do as a nation to fix the problem.
Instead, what I’d like ya’ll to really, really think about, is what we as her friends can do for Jane. I’m not talking about donating a few shekels to the cause here via Paypal (as good as that has been). I’m talking about a major fund-raising effort ’cause Jane’s bills are in the tens of thousands of dollars.
I’d like folks here to give some thought as to just how we could accomplish this major effort.
None of our hosts here at Firedoglake have in any way encouraged me or endorsed what I’m asking for here. That’s as we’d expect it. Begging ain’t their style.
But that shouldn’t stop us from making this happen. You know it is the right thing to do! Get yer ideas out and let’s figure out how to do it!
Digby @ 98
They don’t call us the rabid, venemous Lambshers of the Left for nothing.
Thanks for being our flesh-and-blood channel for all that positive energy to Jane!
Heh heh.
I was quite aware that the best way for me to do my part for Jane this week was to cover voir dire as best I could.
thank you Pachacutec @ 106 for all your most excellent work on the libby trial jury selection. very much appreciated.
Breaking News!
MSNBC determines that comments by Mrs. Steve Irwin and Bindi are more important than congressional questioning of the criminally liable US attorney general.
We now return to As the Page Turns in progress.
-GSD
twolf1 @ 96
think progress put this up, this is huge
Renee in Ohio @ 86
Thanks, Renee.
I’ve been watching all morning for news about Jane. Am breathing a little easier now. Doing a happy Snoopy dance. And I’m off to run the errands that can’t wait much longer, such as buying cat food. Many fulminating looks coming at me from the furball.
Jimmy Carter Conference
SAT., C-SPAN, 8AM ET
And thank you to you, selise, for covering the Senate Judiciary with live blogging!! This was a hopping place, with two live blogging posts and a open chat post for Jane going at the same time!
viget — could you look into DCA as a therapy, please? There’ve been a number of studies in relation to DCA’s use for treatment of metabolic disorders, but none that I can see for cancer therapy. Just wondering if there is a commercialized drug therapy for DCA out there and an established toxicity level for DCA because of the metabolic therapies that might offer a place to start. Probably no data out there, but it would be nice to see if persons on DCA therapy for metabolic disorders have a lower than expected occurence of cancers…
No need to leave this party, but Donita’s here for The Spin I’m In: Sonic Stress Reducer.
Mad Dogs at 107 — With all due respect, if Jane needs personal help with her medical bills, she’ll let us know. As for her insurance status, I think until she talks about it publicly, that’s also her business. (For all you, or anyone else for that matter outside those with whom Jane may have discussed this, know, she may have health insurance. Speculation is both uncalled for and inappropriate right now.) I truly appreciate the feeling of needing to help out — but Jane is entitled to a private life, and I’m going to be rigorously demanding that we give her one. For her own well-being.
I’m more than happy to update where and when I can. And Jane would want everyone to get updates on how she is doing. But her personal finances are for HER to talk about. Capice?
Pachacutec @ 108
selise @ 110
You know, a lot of people have been thanking me and praising me, so let me say a few things:
First of all, thank you for your kind compliments. But:
1. This is a team effort. How else would I even have access?
2. This writing does not happen in a vacuum. You’re all cowriters in a sense, because you interact with us, pull out whatever best we have. The byline is deceptive in that each post I write is the result not only of community effort and community input, but years now of community training.
3. Accordingly, thank and give credit to yourselves, and everyone else around here.
viget @ 88
You’re first (or second) on my list….
jayt @ 118
Irving, on the other hand, might be wishing for a more lengthy weekend before having to return to the courthouse . . .
Christy Hardin Smith @ 117
Capice!
Pam at 120 — Hey, hon. {{{hugs}}} to you and the fam.
Pachacutec @ 119
yeah, but, you’ve got some very speedy fingers.
And a humiliating cascade of typos to prove it.
Pach at 125 — Welcome to my world. hehehe I am the “tyop” Queen.
Pachacutec @ 109
And you made us all proud, Pach! Thanks for undertaking this in perilous times. Dear Jane, you made the right choice sending Pach into this breach (altho I don’t think he’s yet relayed my message to David Schuster *g*). Wonderful work, Pach, best wishes to you for a relaxing weekend. Holding all {{{{ FDL }}}} close.
Pachacutec @ 125
Badges of honor, Pach – badges of honor. Wear them with pride!
Hey Jane, Laughter is the best… George Carlin is a ‘Modern Man’
http://video.google.com/videop…..221;george carlin”&hl=en
*It’s out of sync so just listen. Don’t watch the video, it can get you dizzy(er).
Pachacutec @ 119
Thank you for your graciousness. I personally plan to put it on my resume, right next to 2007 Time Person of the Year.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 125
Straight to the FDL Hall of Fame – comments section.
lhp might have a little to say on this one, however, ya know – as to who the Queen really is and all….
ummm, make that 2006. I’m not aiming that high this year. Pacing myself. I guess I caught the typo bug in this thread.
Another inane Canadiancuriousity question….
Pach…Who are the gummint’s lawyers (in the room)along with Fitz for the jury selection?
Any sightings of David Margolis?…
BTW excellent news on Ms. Hamsher, remember if she needs health care, Canadians take care of all that require it….
Mad Dogs @ 106
I remember Jane said rought around Christmas time that she did have health insruance, because she said with her record they’d cancel it in a heartbeat if they could. Hmm, well, maybe they found a way. Also, there is deductible and so much that is not covered that even with insurance it can be shockingly expensive. When my mom died my Dad (then still working and fully benefitted at the one-and-only job he had right out of college) there were still $ thousands to pay.
So, my thoughts. #1 is to get FDL’s running expenses covered. #2 is the FDL Safe House in DC. #3 is some bucks for Jane’s expenses, if she needs them.
At the moment we have *no* idea how we are doing in any of these categories. The motivation folks say that seeing your goal and your progress is the best way. (OK, so *some* motivation folks say torture is the best way. But *we* don’t go there.) Is there any possibility that we could have thermometers or such for those? Someone gave the html a quick-n-dirty html thermometer, I can’t find it but could probably reconstruct it.
Just to send a >>>> meme Jane’s way:
Impeach the cheerleader, save the world.
Just discovered it out there, on the nets…. his family’s frustrated exile in whatever Nazi haven can afford to house him will begin to heal us all.
HotFlash at 134 — You know, it’s a lovely idea. But at the moment, I am juggling just about my limit of shit to juggle. And, considering my technical abilities are nil, and we’ve had to fight off a couple of DOS attacks the last few days (wankers!), I’d really rather not mess with the blog coding just now.
I’m sorry you guys, I know everyone is milling about looking for some way to help out — but this is the best that I can do right now. We’re just all going to have to work on patience and hanging in there together for a bit.
{{{{ Christy }}}}
I for one will hit that “Donate” button up in the top right corner again…anyone join me?
jayt @ 100
If I can
pass alongstart an unverifiable rumor, I believe she has already been online, at least for a brief while.Not to steal thunder from Murray Waas, but I thought of this when I heard the news that Jane was going in for surgery.
Christy Hardin Smith @
136
Christy, you are so right. The plan is to make your lives easier, not harder — sorry we’re like a herd of golden retrievers trying to help.
So, how about we stick with what you have already asked us to do for now? I trust you to holler if you need anything else.
And, rather than having to chase this back to previous threads, here is the relevant:
major props to Christy for holding down the fort
Pam @ 120, seriously, anything I can do to help, let me know. My email addy is viget99 -AT- gmail DOT com.
Rayne @ 115, yeah that’s about right. Only 1 controlled trial of DCA I’ve seen, it was done in a pediatric population with a variety of mitochondrial disorders, so the follow-up wasn’t long enough to see if there was any increase/decrease for propensity to develop cancer (and since most pediatric ca’s are entirely different beasts to adult onset ca, it would be hard to say for sure if what works for kids would work for adults).
But regarding doses, it seems like, again in the peds population, 25 mg/kg twice a day is the starting dose. Problem is some kids developed loss of sensation (neuropathy) in their arms and legs, which is obviously not tolerable. More concerning to me is that certain inbred mouse and rat strains given doses of DCA comperable to this develop liver tumors. Now, not sure how long this needs to be administered, but we wouldn’t want to cure one type of cancer only to induce a second… That’s why clinical trials in humans need to be done!
Regarding the science of DCA, I haven’t yet read the Cancer Cell paper, just merely glanced at it, but the results do look quite promising. I’ve thought since I’ve been doing my PhD in cancer biology that our best hope for a cure would be in attacking cancer cell metabolism, since that seems to be “different” enough from normal cells to hopefully limit toxicity. And since all cells need to produce energy to survive, it seems like a good place to go. We’ll see if it pans out.
These are very challenging days for the leaders of the FDL community. It is not helped by the fact that many of us are experiencing extra stress and fear because of Jane’s illness. Maybe just to announce that a major fundraiser would be held at a specified date in the future would relieve some of pressure. And it should not have to involve Christy or Jane…they have more than enought on their plates.
Keeping on getting better, Jane! We all love you!
Thanks to Digby, John Amato, Pam and all the others who are there with Jane.
[[[[[[[[[[Jane]]]]]]]]]]
“Last night we were talking to her surgeon — a truly amazing man, part sage, part artist, part scientist…”
Sounds like a Dr. McDreamy.
(Sorry, never at a loss for a dopey pop culture reference. *g*)
Jane, you get better now. We’re all so happy things are looking good.
You have all of our positive energy going out to you from here.
ST
GSD @ 111
First of all, I am thrilled for Jane’s good news so far. I’m on the left coast. I’ve never met her, but just like everyone else here, I kept looking at the clock: “She’s in surgery. She’s still there. She’s STILL THERE.” I prayed a lot. I hope my prayers are answered with good health and a speedy recovery.
In the meantime, not to swerve the thread, but frankly, I’m a little sick inside when I see yet another touted and endlessly advertised television appearance by Bindi Irwin. She just lost her daddy four months ago. She is NOT old enough to know when she’s being exploited, and her mother is still in too much shock from losing her spouse.
IMHO, YMMV.
-S
Christy & Jane -
If the Lake does not have a “motto”, please allow me to suggest the following:
Ad astra per aspera – To the stars through the wilderness
I crossed paths with the thought in some recent recreational reading and it just seems to embody so much right now…….for Jane personally and what those of you who created and maintain the Lake mean to the family you’ve attracted out here. You’re leading so many of us through the darkness toward the light of a better country and better world.
Maybe all the bloggers without spousal insurance benefits should emigrate to Canada and stop the worry.
There’s plenty of US news, thousands of flights, and better coffee than in the old days.
I think the country is as wired for high speed as any in the world.
Think globally.
Go to the doctor locally.
Alison @ 150
Does Canada immigration still require a clean bill of health? When I last looked into it (close family already in BC) one needed a doctor’s okay to emigrate, since one had to prove one wouldn’t be a burden on the system immediately. If that’s changed — and I haven’t looked lately — that would change the calculus for me.
It is great to hear that Jane has been up and about. I am sending my positive thoughts her way.
Now,time for a visit to Paypal.
Hi Jane! I am so thrilled that you are up & about. Make sure you stay well for Libby!
Waccamaw @ 149
That motto is already taken . . . by the state of Kansas. They translate it “To the stars through difficulty.”
In yesterday’s “fourth cuppa” waiting room thread, on the other hand, Christy reveals the source of the little quote in the FDL header “bedlam is dreaming of rain.”
TeddySanFran @ 151
I think it does. There are terrible stories told of families with a disabled child who is inadmissable.
I am not sure how clean for how long. And HIV positive people from countries where they have a reasonable fear of persecution claim refugee status successfully.
I fear the immigration option is only for currently healthy bloggers, bloggers with no criminal record, and bloggers with big bank accounts to allow them to create Canadian jobs. (Laugh track goes here.)
Also bloggers who are intimate partners of Canadians. Or bloggers in fear for their lives who come from refugee producing countries and who have not gone through the US to get to Canada.
Clear now?
TeddySanFran @
151
Teddy, from the moose’s mouth, Immigration Canada.
Digby? Surprised by Wifi in St. Johns in Santa Monica? The entertainment/rully, rully important people ALL get chopped there, so Wifi is a must.
I am commenting before reading anything as I just got home…
Jane Baby… come back come back to us… We need you mama and so do the poodles and the rest of the nation.
Now you must heal and take good care of yourself and let us help. LET US HELP.
You have an amazing support group scattered to the four corners of the globe… I’d called that one hell of a good vibe network.. netwroots, nethearts…
Come back Jane… We miss and love you.
Sorry if this has been posted. David Schuster’s take on jury selection this week …
Hardblogger
Alison @ 155
Almost. I’ve just got one follow up question:
Does the elimination of habeas corpus, government sanctioned torture, extraordinary rendition, and wiretaps without court approval put the US on the list of “refugee-producing countries”?
DaVeep @ 48
A very appropriate comment. FDL is indeed my favorite blog. Jane, get well soon.
Peterr @ 154 -
Re. ……bedlam…..: when one is on dial-up, such links might as well be a foreign language. It’s like people who keep saying, “Just go look it up on the internet” to all those who don’t know how to use or don’t have access to same. Probably at least half of the links one finds here and on other blogs are *useless* to others not fortunate enough to have high speed. Just sayin’…….
{{{{Jane!}}}} Be well! Heal! Know that you are loved and missed! No pressure, but the world needs you!
Peterr @ 160
There are a lot of war resistors hoping that they can be admitted. There is a new “Safe third country” law that automatically deports people to the US if they could have made a claim there and didn’t.
Most of the Chileans, Salvadorenos, Guatemalans, Timorese, etc in Canada would never have been admitted now. They would have been returned to Buffalo or Seattle and sent packing.
Here’s the law.
Doing a happy snoopy iggy dance.
Yeah Jane, I never doubted. You are an awesome force.
Peterr @ 160
Very possible, although I don’t think its been tried yet. What they say:
Each case is judged on its specifics, although UN recognition of the home country as dangerous will speed a claim. Here is more info on applying to enter Canada as a refugee.
There are a number of Americans who are deserters here, and it doesn’t look good for them for them precisely because they will be dealt with in a legal manner. Jeremy Hinzman, for instance, was denied refugee status because he could not convince the refugee board that he would not receive ‘the full protection of law’ during his court-martial.
No habeas, possibility of torture, rendition — that should get you in, whether you come from Somalia or San Diego.
HA! Dinesh D’Souza responded to Jesus’ General’s email!
TPM says that Wasman has invited Paul Bremer and Stuart Bowen in for
the Spanish Inquisitiona little talk about their spending practices while they were running Iraq.Jane, we love you and wish you a very speedy recovery. You’re the WOMAN!
i just read the update – jane i knew u’d come out on top! heres more healing coming your way from all of us here. i dont understand too much of the legal chat but i do know when shit is in the game! go FDLers and the rest of the bloggers here!!!
Jane: Adding my wishes for health and ease to shower upon you at this time. It is astonishing how much one can miss the voice of a woman one has never met.
“Ad astra per aspera”…
>>That motto is already taken . . . by the state of Kansas. They translate it “To the stars through difficulty.”
>>
Even more precisely: hardships. “Aspera” is a neuter plural, meaning literally “hard/rough things.” I would say that Jane has been through plural difficulties and hardships this year—first losing her mother, and now this. She is due some stars, for sure. Mr. Dido and I have been making contributions, and will keep doing so, and we are hoping for a speedy and complete, final recovery.
Many, many thanks and best wishes to both Jane and Christy, for thinking of their country (as well as their fanatic readers) in a time of personal hardship. And Pach, too. We are very grateful. All the constant updating from the Libby trial is going to play hell with my workload, but I don’t care.
Regarding pathlogy….
……working in medicine, specifically pathology – I would hope no news is good news. Hopefully, Jane’s surgeons had requests for specific types of specimens during surgery and I would at least venture to say that had something been seen on the gross specimen, Jane’s doctor would know. Micro review does take longer.
BTW – hospitals are NOT dens of fun, no matter how ‘Scrubs’ attempts to paint them, so most people (unless confined to a bed via tubes, traction or some other shackling device) do tend to go stir-crazy with boredom.
Wordsmith @ 173
Wordsmith @ 173
Tell me about it. I happened to see last night’s episode of Scrubs as I was surfing and was appalled. That’s the reason I only watch The History Channel, husband’s college basketball, and Olbermann. And the food network.
Only in the last year have I had to spend a lot of time in hospitals, and having needlepoint or sewing does help. I will always remember Russell’s quilt with bittersweet memories of my Mom.
I also remember the words “frozen section” from my surgeries and those being taken during surgery – I guess small bites of tissue which they can check for cancer cells – don’t mean to be gross.
That’s wonderful, wonderful news (did I sound like Lawrence Welk just now?) and the fact that she would ask about the Libby jury selection process tells me that she’s gonna be alright.
I’ll be posting about Jane’s good news along with some words and statistics about breast cancer in a little bit. I’m confident the pathology report will be a good one and will allow a great prognosis.
Jane we are with you each step of the way.
I’ve only now found out via an email from a friend that Jane was getting surgical treatment for her third round with breast cancer. Glad to read that the surgery is over and she’s recovering from it.
Let’s hope that’s the best of all possible good omens.
Please pass on my wishes for her full recovery.
mfi
Be well, Jane. You’re not alone.
Never.
((((hug))))
This is the previously mentioned post and I hope it begins to make amends for both my quarrels with Jane and for not even thinking of using my blog for helping to spread breast cancer awareness.
The statistics in the post startled me. I never knew that breast cancer was so prevalent in this country or in others.
I really am overjoyed at the hopeful news coming out of Jane’s CCU room. I thought about her all day today and sent the best wishes I could offer across the ethers.
Well wishes to Jane! I have been down with a sinus infection unable to check in the last few days!
I must have been really sick!
twolf1 @ 114
Mondale spoke at this conference today, and said that Cheney was way out of line. http://www.macon.com/mld/telegraph/16499472.htm Scroll down to second story.
Beg pardon for what may be a *really* stupid question….
I’d seen posted in another blog something about Digby, referring to the blogger as ‘her’. While I don’t generally pay attention to pronouns, it picqued my curiosity…..
Could somebody tell me Digby’s gender?
Thanks…
(delurking)
Jane, you mad charmer, my family’s been through this up, down, back, front and sideways, so I know exactly how tough you are.
Woman, you make us all proud.
(relurking)
Dear Jane,
Give me a Lance Armstrong, baby.
Words, indeed, are two left-footed clumsy things when used to express emotion.
Please get well. I am your personal nuclear reactor of positive energy. I could explode the world if we could harness my good wishes.
And to all those who have proxied my personal feelings, and shown them to Jane first-hand, thank you, and God bless you.
Love, oddly,
J
“…’did they finish jury selection?’…”
Well, dammit, somebody get this woman a martini and a steak sandwich. Scooter’s finally met his match.
Goooooooo Jane!
Jane, I think by the time you get to DC they may have a jury. Heal, relax and rest. There’s going to be plenty of time. Love from Carol
Perfect picture Christy! Thanks to all, for the fab and wonderful vibes and white light that have kept our Jane safe… and if Jane had it in her to take it just a bit easy…that’d be swell.
You just go Jane. We love you, REALLY!