Messages from Jodi and Tolan

Aloha, this is Jodi's Dad. I think it is important that you know each of your comments made on the blog are shared with Jodi as soon as they come in. These combined with the emails and calls, which we also shared with her make a huge difference in keeping her going. Actually, they are helping us all in a big way!

For the rest of this update I hope to be a faithful transcriber of what Jodi and Tolan want you to know tonight.

Jodi wants to express her love and appreciation to all of you --- family, new and old friends, and those she's never met. You have done so much to uplift and encourage her during these challenges. She wants you to know that her tears are tears of gratitude for the blessing you are in her life. It's never really been about the tumor. It has always been about how the God of Heaven blesses each of His children by working through others of His children. You have been the instruments through whom He has worked miracles in Jodi's life ... not just now, but always! She wants you to know how very grateful she is and how she wishes that she could reach out and hug each of you and whisper in your ear how much she loves you and how much she cares about you and how deeply she appreciates you.

She also wants you to know that every time one of the doctors or medical staff come into her room they comment on how her room is the nicest and best smelling room in the entire hospital, because of all the flowers...thank you! Many have asked if she plans to open a floral shop after she is discharged. Jodi says she couldn't do that because these flowers are heart-felt expressions of caring and are far too valuable to do anything with except to be enjoyed and appreciated.

Tolan wants you to know that Jodi has had a hard day. The lumbar drain is a painful process that intensifies the spinal headaches. A single two minute trip to the bathroom causes an hour of excruciating head pain. It is completely debilitating. She really needs to lay still in a dark and quiet environment. That's basically what she's been trying to do all day today. The purpose of this is to allow the body an opportunity to heal the spinal fluid leak on its own. Dr. Shelton said this works in about 90% of cases. If it doesn't work then Jodi will have to have additional surgery in the same place as the last one to place "fat grafts" in the hole to seal it. We certainly don't want her to have that incision opened back up and the surgeons forced to go back in. That's why she is going through the pain of the lumbar drain and why she has need to be isolated today. Dr. Shelton also said she'll probably need to be here for another two or three days. We keep praying the lumbar drain will be successful.

Thank you again for the wonderful things you are doing to help Jodi and the whole family. We are all so grateful! May the Lord bless you now and always for your goodness!