USVI-On-Line

Even though I've been to STJ for the past 4 years and stayed a total of 8 weeks and won't be back this summer, I look at the forum several times each day! Don't post that often but tonight I needed to put this out there to everyone. My oldest and dearest friend for the past 35 years is on her way to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC on Sunday. Scheduled for a Monday surgery. She has an aggressive tumor below her tibia and the muscle of her leg. It looks like she'll lose her leg, either below knee or groin. They won't know until they start the surgery. Amazing to me that her doctors in Columbia kept telling her the pain was "just arthritis" for the past 6 months. Never scheduled an MRI or follow up. The weekend that she went to the ER in extreme pain they finally did an MRI and referred her to Wake Forest. Of course, this is the woman who at 56 has never smoked, drinks sparingly and leads a healthy life. Her husband is falling apart, no children. My daughter lives 15 minutes from Winston Salem so I am on my way Sunday and taking Monday off to sit with family awaiting outcome of surgery. Lord, I love this woman like a sister. She is very anxious but realistic, "I'd rather lose the leg than my life". Brings home the meaning of don't take any day for granted. Please say a prayer for Pat. Thanks.....
Jan (GHM)

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Thanks,SJ. She'll need lots of them. She is the most excellent woman. Paralegal for 35 years and a damn good one. Works for a huge law firm. In her spare time she has devoted her life to being a hospice caregiver and has taken care of two sets of parents and a sister-in-law. She knows more about medicine and law than anyone I know. She is being very strong but anxious about Monday. Those who love her are having a harder time.

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Thank you, thank you, SJ! This outreach is deeply appreciated!

Sending prayers from New England down to Winston Salem for all of you. Losing a limb is better than losing a life and for her husband, better than losing the love of his life.

There is power in prayer, and the more the better. What a good friend you are. My prayers are lifted up to Pat.

I am so sorry for your distress and for your friend's illness. She is blessed to have you sharing her concerns; may she be blessed with a good recovery.

Enlisting the help of others is empowering; online, I like to go here:

http://www.upperroom.org/prayer_center/


and I have placed Pat's name there. You and others can add a prayer request as well.

Prayer coming there way from WI

I will pray that the surgeons eyes and hands are inspired and for a satisfying outcome to Pat's condition.

I will add her to our "Mi sheberach" list --the Jewish prayer for healing ----at Temple tomorrow night.....

Our thoughts and prayers are with her, those who care for her and the medical team that will work with you all.... may you all have the strength, knowledge and courage you need to get through these difficult times!

And Pat's right. If they get the whole tumor and it hasn't spread she'll go on to live a long, productive life. She's absolutely going in to this with the right attitude.
Shame on those Dr's for not investigating further after having pain for 6 mos. I believe sometimes they blow off women's health complaints. But no one knows your body better than you. If something doesn't seem right, it isn't and keep going to a different Dr. until someone listens to you.
Prayers for Pat and you. She's blessed to have such a wonderful friend.

Jan, I'll keep Pat in my prayers and add her to the prayer list at church on Sunday.

My sincere wishes for Pat to be ok. I will say a prayer for Pat.