Debbie Doucet

Deb - send me your email address to lenettefr@comcast.net. I'd love to have you come visit. I'll let you know Pat's schedule in the email.

Memories

It's been fun for me to read how all of you celebrated Christmas. As I sit inside day after day, it's fun for me to read of your travels and family and traditions. I ventured out yesterday to see Dr. Adrian. He took my final stitches out so I have no more suchors in my body - a nice feeling - and he even said I could soak in a warm bath over the weekend. That will feel good on my stomach and back. Dr. Adrian has been magnificent - so caring and a great listener and always checking every detail. He said he doesn't see/hear anything to alarm him and that's a relief because this surgery carries with it some possible side effects that could manifest. No sounds of pneumonia or anything looking like a blood clot or ulcers - all possibilities. It was a relief to see him and I felt reassured when I left. I had also gained 6 pounds since last week. I still look anorexic, but am holding down food very well.
Each day is still a struggle. The docs said I would feel like a truck hit me for 8 weeks or so and they are right so far. I keep expecting to wake up one of these days and feel normal again, but the days are up and down and I can always tell when my meds are overdue. Always. But I look forward to the time passing and the knowledge that 8 weeks will be here before we know it and then I'll be returning to life again.
Please continue to pray. I know it's the prayers that get me through each day. And I just want the pain to subside for a bit. I want to fall asleep without the heating pad. I want the strength to take a shower and not feel exhausted when I'm done.
I hope all of you are doing well. Please continue to share your stories.
For those of you that know my Mom, she's moved to a new room in the same facility - Room 185. She still has the same great view, but is down a different hallway. She's just glad to be out of the health center and also to be regaining normalcy.
Love to all of you.
Lenette

Best Xmas Ever

I had the best Xmas ever. We went to Chris and Cathy's house and I ate and drank (Coke) and was merry all day. I lasted from about 3-7, but that's long for me. I got to see my family and my niece, Robin, all the way from Louisiana. Brandon will be in on Tuesday and they think they'll get to Muncie before they head to Chicago on Thurday.
Jeff, my Godson, ages out of Cavaliers this year so they'll be traveling to Chicago for the official Cavalier banquet and age-out ceremony. Doesn't seem like these guys are old enough to age out of anything, but they are. Sandy, my other God-daughter is due January 11 with her first - we are expecting a girl named Mia - and Becky (Donna and Scott's oldest) is due in April. Hard to imagine these youngun's having youngun's, but they're the age we were when we married and had kids (what did we know!)
Santa was especially generous to our family this year, bringing us lots of family and friends and GOOD HEALTH. Every moment I felt better was a new gift to me. Even Mom felt better. Pat picked her up on Xmas Eve and Xmas Day and did her hair and makeup so that she really looked pretty. Quite an attractive woman, that Dolores! We all pray that her spirits will pick up soon so that she can return to her regular apartment/routine. She misses her friend, Betty White, and her own TV and privacy. I don't blame her!
Please write and let me know how Xmas went for each of you. I'm anxious to have more contact with the outside world. What traditions did you keep/change? FAmily close or far? Tell me everything so I can feel like I'm living again!!! And if I missed saying thank you for a gift, please know that I am appreciative, just slow.
By the way, someone dropped off a blanket and left a name, but we had no idea who it was from so please let me know. The bow is staying on until I know who to thank for the blanket!!!
Peace to all.
Lenette

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I ventured out for my first official outing last night - to Church - and boy, was it wonderful. It felt good to clean up and get dressed with make up and hair curled, etc. Just felt good not to be thinking abou me so much!
I hope all of you have a magical holiday. Spend time with family, laugh, eat lots, sleep often and praise God. I continue to be blessed by all of you and by His love for me. No happy holidays here...it's merry christmas, through and through. Love to all, Lenette

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I ventured out for my first official outing last night - to Church - and boy, was it wonderful. It felt good to clean up and get dressed with make up and hair curled, etc. Just felt good not to be thinking abou me so much!
I hope all of you have a magical holiday. Spend time with family, laugh, eat lots, sleep often and praise God. I continue to be blessed by all of you and by His love for me. No happy holidays here...it's merry christmas, through and through. Love to all, Lenette

Dreams

Oh, the dreams I've been able to have since sleep and pain meds have been prescribed! Tonight I dreamed that we were playing volleyball - a whole montage of people and personalities - hundreds, maybe. We played with a balloon and it took us many times to get it over the net, but as long as it didn't touch ground, we were OK. Many of the kids playing were young ones from the Youth Academy and many were my colleagues from other non-profits, and others were people from the community or church or neighbors - just people that other people knew. We played for hours with no other responsibilities but somewhere toward the end of the dream, I hit the balloon too hard and the wind caught it and it sailed off and when it did, it turned into a wind version of the ship from Puff the Magic Dragon, and even though we hated not to keep playing, everyone was so entertained by the ship that no one was mad that I had lost the balloon. What a magical game - and ship -- like Goonies' treasure boat. I know someone could analyze these dreams and hallucinations, but since they're not here just now, I'm going to analyyze this one in this way - a lot of happy people with no one rushing to run off anywhere, and everyone playing together, and magical balloons and ships and somewhere close by, a magical dragon named Puff. Pretty happy stuff, albeit created by drugs. Pretty happy stuff. I'll take that.

Merry Christmas, everyone. And the happiest New Year ever. And if you journey off, return to us safely. And if you stay put, love your family and your friends and find fun games to share or a good movie to watch. I watched Patch Adams yesterday. Made me laugh and cry and celebrate life all over again. And don't tell me that whoever created Robin Williams was not also on drugs -- the good kind!
Love,
Lenette

Feeling Stronger Everday!!

Your prayers have definitely been answered. Even though the trip to and from Indy Wed. were quite difficult, Thursday proved to be a day of rest and relaxation. Cody lined up Patch Adams, David waited on me, pat went to visit my Mom and Jackie brought in food. I ate a real meal (what big people do) as I did when Tonia brought in food on Monday. Roni and Philip dropped off food which will fill the freezer and wait for us for next week so ease up a little - I'll gain those 40 back in no time!
Philip said year end giving was up, but that's all he'd tell me about work (the important stuff) and it made my heart sing.
So keep smiling and laughing and praying, and sending all of the happiness my way. I'm ready for the gloominess to subside and to venture out onto green, green pastures.
WE're going to try to go to 7:00 church service on Saturday and then travel with the boys to Carmel for Xmas dinner at Chris'. Cathy's family will be there also so it will be quite the celebration. I am planning to rest the remainder of the day to keep me strong.
None of this wishy-washy stuff for me. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU! AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.
lENETTE

ya made me cry

Jama, now you've gone and made me cry, and that makes the stitches hurt worse. Micah, you know the boys will eat the fudge before I do so go ahead and send it over. I traveled to Indy to see Dr. Nakeeb today; he took out my final drain, draining fluid from my pancreas so one more hurdle out of the way. But the car trip proved to be too much - I got there fine, it was the entire trip home and hours afterward that took their toll. Anyway, back to those pain and sleep drugs and I'll be feeling better. Also, a shower massage and oil massage to help loosen muscles. You guys really do think of everything!

Prayers Up a Notch

Thanks for kicking up your prayers a notch. The doc said i could take Benadryl to help sleep and could double my anxiety meds, which makes me sleep. This should help the pain and my spirits so tht I'm not trying to fill 23 of each 24 hour period with "calm" activities.
I am going to Indy to see Dr. Nakeeb tomorrow morn and he thinks he'll remove my drian to my pancreas which is one less miserable thing to contend with. So, yesterday proved to be a fruitful day.
My sister, Pat, arrived fine and will be staying with me until further notice. The boys can't wait to sleep in their own beds (here). Tom has been a trooper during all of this and let the boys come and go as they feel they need to. He has also driven them to Indy numerous times to see me and I appreciate all of it!! Although my family might not look the same as yours, it's working, and I'm very proud of each of them!!!!!
Please say a prayer for all of my doctors, especially Dr. Nakeeb, as he continues to treat patients each day. I wish for them a speedy recovery as I am having and pain free (as I am getting close to).
Merry Christmas and to all a Happy New Year.

Len, Lenny, Lenette

Pain

Can anyone tell me the prayer for pain? I can't seem to lick it - I try to keep busy, I pace, I lay on the heating pad, I pray, I try to sleep, I watch movies or TV shows, I even tried massage, and no matter what, the pain overtakes my every outlet. It's 3 a.m., I've already taken a pain pill and one for anxiety and yet, I am crawling from the pain in my back and insides. If you pray, kick it up a notch and pray that God will ease this pain for me.
Sorry to be so "down", but I really need the help today. I really need your strength to help me get through this.
Love you all. God bless each of you.

Lenette

Lounging in Luxury

Katherine and Shawn have been spoiling me rotten - OK, I was already rotten, they're just spoiling me. I did part of my Xmas cards at 4:30 this morning and the rest will be finished today (with Shawn's help). It is very difficult for me to write so if my penmanship looks odd, it is. And if the outside envelope does not match the card, you're right, one is mine, and one is Shawn's. It's been fun getting to know my Godchild in a whole new way. I'm sure in years to come we will share these memories and laugh. I can't wait.
Many of you have asked what you can do for me and the answer is, I just don't know what to tell you. Beth Beasley has once again offered to coordinate food drop off so if you're in the mood to cook, the boys have enjoyed the pampering. People have brought roasts, chicken and noodles, tacos, sloppy joes, etc. and we fill in with mac and cheese, pizza and other treats. We are planning to spend Xmas at my brother's house in Carmel - not sure I'll attend, or how long I'll stay, but with a driver in the house, we have options on car pooling.
Mom came over to visit last night. She's VERY depressed, but not sick so hopefully, we can move her back to her regular room today and her mood will begin to pick up. It was good to see her.
A local good Samaritan bought me a new heating pad and humidifier yesterday and it's really helping my hydration and breathing so once again, your creativity continues to astound me.
Oh, and a beautiful blanket was dropped off, but when Shawn told me the name of the person, I didn't recognize (the drugs again) so if you know who left it, please let me know.
Love to all. Keep writing.

Len

There's No Place Like Home

Yes, Dorothy was right, there's no place like home! I was released on Saturday morning and was home by early afternoon, after a quick stop at the pharmacy (priorities). My friends/family have enjoyed my new pain meds - evidently, I am able to entertain them for hours with tales about the dog (we don't have one), scripture verse related to being a physician and a pastor (obviously no one else has read this before) and numerous other monologues that have no connection to the conversation that is taking place at the time.
I'm surprising myself with how I feel. I was a bit terrified to come home and try this without skilled care 24-hours a day. Therefore, I thought by next week I might be able to get started on redecorating the kitchen. With a little push, I could have it done by the time I return to work (just kidding!!!!) You all know me -- I had you going, didn't I???
Yesterday proved a little crazier than usual. Mom hasn't been feeling well for the last couple of weeks and yesterday we finally got her to the BMH E.R. for some tests and evaluation. They think it's a urinary tract infection, and expect her to heal quickly, but have moved her to the health care facility at Westminster so that they can keep a better eye on her. That makes me feel a lot better also. I know it was a rough time for her, but we were blessed with church members and a Pastor who sat with her and reassured her that all would be OK. I don't know what we would do without our church family right now; their prayers and positive attitude and support, plus meals, rides for the boys and love have been a very clear example of God's love.
I am better able to sit in one place to read the blog so please send messages. They help get me through my painful periods (you know, the last 7 hours before the next 8-hour pain pill) and they make me smile as I think of all of you out there braving the cold instead of me.
Love to all of you. A special thanks for my buddies who have stayed with me since I've returned home. Happy 50th birthday to by big brother, Chris. I can't wait to celebrate 50 - and 55 - and 60 - well, you can guess the rest. Birthdays and weight are no longer anchors for me!!!!
Write soon.
Lenette

Blessings

Santa came to visit 2 days ago. I told him I had been "pretty good" and he said "no qualifiers next year." What does it take to please Santa anymore? And he wouldn't even let me sit on his lap!

Yesterday, there were the most beautiful carolers in the hallway and it really was a sound to behold. I laid in my bed and cried as I remembered all of the blessings you've brought me during the past 2 years.

In more physical terms, we continue to pray that my body parts work together to move food from one place to another. Again, it's the little things.

I can't wait to get home to the boys again soon. The doctor thinks that may happen in the next week or so, but I am still wondering how that could possibly be, knowing how I still feel. I will leave it in God's hands, as always.

Love to all of you.

Lenette

She's Alive!!!

Happy Birthday to Robin, my beautiful niece.

It's Me, Lenette, and I'm finally out of bed (and pain) long enough) to post a message. Haven't read any of your comments yet - it's hard to sit upright and I'm afraid y'all will make me laugh and then my incision hurts. I'm sure someone will print them out for me soon and bring them down and that will make it easier.

I have heard stories about your prayers, comments, love, support and laughter (with me, always remember the laughter) and am OVERWHELMED at how blessed and loved I feel. God is with me on this journey each and every step of the way, and in each one of you, and I'm am so grateful.

Thank you for checking on my boys. I hear they'd love some meals so if anyone feels like cooking, give them a call (Cody 748-8375, Tom 744-0095 or David 744-0211) and I'm sure they'll give you directions to Dad's house.

Thank you for each magical way you've found to show all of us your talents and gifts. Sorry I have not welcomed visitors and phone calls. It has TRULY taken every ounce of strength I have to GET WELL and I am always bordering on exhaustion.

Love to each of you. Please continue to pray. I will see you all soon.

Lenette

p.s. I got to wash my hair today for the first time -- Hallelejah!!!! Once again, it's the little things that make all the difference!

1 Week Post Op - Still No Calls / Visitors

Lenette would like to thank everyone SO much for giving her the time she needs to recover, and asks that we continue to hold off on calling or coming to visit. She's really looking forward to seeing each of you or being able to personally thank you over the phone but she still just isn't up to it yet. And I know each of us can't wait to lay our eyes on her and hug her (hopefully soon). Thank you for your patience in this matter.

BIG NEWS!! Lenette ate her first food yesterday (some jello & oatmeal). So now that all those organs were removed and a new digestive tract was re-routed, the big test will be to see if her body can digest food properly. Her pain is decreasing a bit more, which I know you'll all be relieved to hear, but she is of course very, very sore.

Some people have expressed an interest in helping out with transporting the boys or making food. Lenette suggested anyone who is interested in making those offers should speak directly with Tom. (She appreciates the thoughtfulness very much, but thinks it's best if she stays out of those plans).

We'll do our best to keep the updates coming and will be sure to post as soon as we hear Lenette is up to visits. Thank you all so much and God Bless each of you. You are all blessings to Lenette!

No Phone Calls - No Visitors This Weekend

Lenette is making some improvement! She was able to get the NG tube removed this morning, and they'll soon be starting her on a liquid diet. She walked to the nurses station this morning and they made her sit in a chair for an hour (holy cow!). Her pain level is going down a bit, but she still hurts an awful lot. This is all good news but she is still has a long, long, way to go. Yes she's getting better, but we're talking baby steps here.

She SO much appreciates ALL that her friends and family are doing right now -- through prayer and support and leaving messages here on the blog. She very much wants to talk with all of you but she just isn't ready to see anyone or talk yet. She wanted us to stress that as soon as she's up to it she'll let us know and we'll post it here on the blog. That won't likely happen this weekend, so in the meantime keep those prayers (and the funnies) coming, and check back next week.

Marlene Myrick

Day 3 Post Op - No Phone Calls - No Visitors Please

Well the doctors were right -- they said Lenette would feel worse the first few days after surgery and she does. This morning she told the nurses her pain was a 15 (on a 1-10 scale). She's experiencing the "run over by a truck" feeling they warned her about. Her vitals remain strong. Her recovery will be, as expected, very slow.

Her doctor has requested that people stop calling Lenette's hospital room to check on her. She really can't talk on the phone. The ONLY thing she should be doing right now is sleeping. In fact, if it weren't for a shortage of beds in ICU, she'd still be there. We are sure that Lenette is so anxious to talk to all of you but it is simply out of the question right now. It's likely going to be several more days before she's up to that.

If you just really feel that you must speak to someone, please feel free to call me at home after 5pm. I'll be happy to talk to you. My number is 747-5610.

As soon as we get the word that Lenette is up to phone calls and/or visitors, we'll post it here. Until then we need to respect her need to rest. And PLEASE keep posting messages to this blog. Lenette's going to LOVE reading them when she's better. And of course, keep praying!

Please pass this blog address on to any and all who are interested. Maybe that will prevent any additional phone calls.

Marlene Myrick

Lenette's special message to Cody Young and Ellen Richter: You are my inspiration! And I admire you both.

Day 2 Post Op – No Visitors Please

They have moved Lenette from the ICU to the medical PCU, which is a step down from the ICU but a step up from a regular hospital room. She still doesn't want visitors or phone calls because it hurts so much to speak. She is very, very tired and sore. They want her to begin sitting up, and are encouraging her to get into a chair a couple of times during the day today. It sounds like they'll be pushing her to get moving so her recovery can begin! She's doing pretty good considering what she's just been through.

Cathy Hartowicz (Lenette's sister-in-law)

Post Op Day 1 – No Visitors Please

Our friend Lenette is quite amazing, as you all know. Believe it or not, just one day after major surgery Lenette was awake and giving Marlene a list of things to take care of for her first thing this morning. What a trooper! And SO organized too!!

The surgeon's overall report is GOOD. He was able to remove all but a small section of the tumor, because that part had attached to an artery. He also removed part of the pancreas and her gall bladder, lymph nodes, bile duct, and duodenum (the section between the stomach and the small intestine). Then he successfully reconnected everything and hopes that once fully recovered, Lenette will be able to eat without pain and having to take enzymes like she has been.

The surgeon cautioned Lenette that the next 2-3 days she's actually going to feel worse before she turns a corner and starts feeling better. She'll also be in ICU for at least the next 24-48 hours. She is in a tremendous amount of pain, but this is normal and to be expected. The surgeon told her she wouldn't feel like she'd been hit by a Mac truck -- she's going to feel as if she were run over by a Mac truck -- and that is the case. He expects her to remain at IU for another 14 days. Again, this is not bad news, it just speaks to the serious nature of this surgery.

For these reasons, Lenette is asking for no visitors yet. (She's even asked her favorite people on the planet -- her boys -- to stay in Muncie right now, if that tells you anything.) She hopes that by the weekend she'll feel up to visitors, and as soon as she does, she'll let us know and we'll post it here on the blog.

In the meantime, keep praying. Pray for relief from the pain Lenette's feeling and that the Lord will continue to strengthen her body. And pray for her family and friends who remain close to her at this time. This is very hard on them as well.

We will continue to post daily updates so keep checking this blog for news of Lenette's progress.

Surgery complete!

I wasn't able to talk directly to Marlene, but she did leave me some details in a voicemail message. The surgery is over and went as expected. Lenette will recover in ICU for the next couple of days. I know Lenette and her entire family appreciate all the prayers and support during this difficult time. Someone will post more information tomorrow as soon as possible.


P.S. Because of an oversight on my part when setting up the blog, previously only registered bloggers could leave messages here. Now anyone can leave Lenette a message. Please feel free to do so! When she feels better I know Lenette will enjoy reading your well wishes, prayers and comments.

2:00 Update

Lenette had a rough night last night -- she was very ill all night and was not feeling well at all this morning.

This morning before surgery, the surgeon liked the way her most recent scans looked and he initially thought it might go quicker than they discussed originally.

He reminded her that if he finds that the cancer has spread to an artery he would most likely stop and close. The good news is that the surgery is continuing (we can only assume this means he hasn't found any cancer beyond the pancreas and liver).

But it's going very, very slowly. They expect it will last closer to 6-8 hours. This isn't a bad thing, the surgery is, as we know, quite complicated.

Keep those prayers going! We'll post another update as soon as we hear anything. Thanks to Marlene Myrick for passing along these updates!!

Surgery scheduled

Lenette's surgery is scheduled for Monday, December 5 at 11am. It is expected to last 6-8 hours, then she'll go to ICU to recover for a couple of days. We don't really know what will happen at that point (how long she'll stay, etc.).

Someone will be updating this blog during the surgery and afterward. Please post comments, prayers and well wishes here. Lenette will love hearing them when she wakes up and starts feeling better.

She continues to have a positive outlook and is in very good spirits - no surprise to those of us who know and love her. Lenette is blessed with her many friendships and a family that loves her and she looks forward to the coming year and all it brings.

Message from Melodee

Lentte's surgery has been scheduled for this Monday @ 11:00 A.M. She has been moved to room 9187. She was very sick today--vomiting and had a migraine.
I had David and Cody with me tonight. They are eager to see Lenette tomorrow.

Posted by Lenette's faithful friend Melodee

Friday morning

Lenette is settled into a very nice, private room at IU Med Center, complete with a DVD player and free movies(!). Her surgeon has determined that her gall bladder is what's been making her sick and that is likely just because of all the cancer in the organs surrounding the gall bladder. After consulting with her surgeon, Lenette decided it would be best to try to stay in the hospital to rest and get strong, so that she can have her surgery (originally scheduled for Dec. 28) sometime next week if her surgeon can rearrange schedules.

She's in Room 2832 at University Hospital. We will be posting updates daily so you can check in here, leave messages, prayers, etc. for Lenette.

December 1, 2005

Today Lenette was supposed to have lunch at Johnny Carino's with her good buddy Lori Georgi and "the Angies" from WIPB -- Cravens and Rapp. Instead, Lenette decided she needed to go to the ER. "Ok, we said...but the food at the hospital isn't as good as Johnny Carino's."

Since her last chemo treatment 3-4 weeks ago Lenette just hasn't felt well. And after a very rough bout of vomiting, the doctor decided she needed to go to the hospital this morning to get hydrated and see what's going on. The doctors at Ball Memorial determined that there may be a problem with her gall bladder and decided that IU is the best place for her to be right now. So this afternoon Lenette was transported to IU Med Center.

Until she's able to do so herself, we'll update this blog for her, so watch this page for updates about Lenette's ongoing treatments and progress. Anytime you're thinking about Lenette and are wondering how she's doing, just log on to this blog. Feel free to leave messages here for Lenette, and share this blog with all of her friends. As soon as she's up to it, or close to a laptop (does IU Med have wifi?) she'll be posting messages herself.