Saturday, August 9, 2008

103 Degrees

 Hey guys.  Courtney again.  You probably all know by now that if I’m writing on Jamie’s blog, it’s not exactly good news.  That’s definitely the truth this time around.  Jamie has definitely been fighting the fight and on Friday…the fight got a bit harder for her.  So let me back up and get you up to speed.  On Wednesday of this week, Jamie went back to San Francisco for a follow up appointment. The doctors removed stitches and drains and conducted their general post op exam.  Following the appointment, Jamie came home.  She complained of stomach pain and I felt like hell thinking that something I’d made for her to eat that day had given her food poisoning.  Looking back…I wish that was the case. 

Jamie felt increasingly intense stomach pain, nausea, and back pain.  She had a high temp and was miserable.  After our initial thoughts of food poisoning,  we thought she may have contracted the flu.  But on Friday morning, Jamie’s temperature soared to 103 degrees.  When the doctors were alerted about her temp, they insisted she come down on Friday for a cat scan and follow up exam.  During the follow up they discovered areas of compartmentalized fluid build up in areas surrounding her glute, her spine and around her kidneys and bladder.  While the original drains had been doing their job, her body was fighting infection and fluid build up in other areas of her body.  

Jamie needed surgery again.  This morning, a team of doctors were called back in to place three new drains around the kidney and surrounding organs.  She’s recovering right now at the hospital.  Her dad is with her and she’s resting.  The doctors are watching her closely to ensure her drains are doing their jobs. 

She’s tough.  She’s been through hell.  She’s amazing. 

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.  Send her an e-mail.  Keep in touch.  She may not be able to pick up the phone or read your emails right away, but the calls and messages will be there for her when she can – and I know she’ll appreciate she’s not alone in this battle.

I’ll continue to keep you posted. You continue to keep her in your prayers.

Thanks to everyone.

Courtney

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jamie & Courtney:

You each have meant a lot to other people racing and coaching, as well as showing how a couple should love and support each other. And that's never been more true than it is now, with each new challenge and the ways you work through them. We all could do well to face life the way you each do.

Jamie, you were amazing as a tough, resilient racer who shared so much of yourself with the rest of us in the Xterra University sessions and just one-on-one whenever you saw any of us. And I don't mean just other pro's or top age-groupers. I've seen you do it with normal people like me.

But now, more than ever, you both are like beacons to us, showing us the way to handle the toughest possible challenges life could possibly throw up. If our love, prayers and support can help you in any way, please know you have many, many of us out here sending you each exactly that!

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good fight, sistah!!! Even over here in Iraq, we're thinking of you daily!!

Anonymous said...

Jamie and Courtney,

We're constantly amazed at how you're handling this battle with cancer. You're truly one of the toughest woman I know.

Take care. Hang in there. And know that you are surrounded by people who care about you.

Love,
janet & cliff

Monica Glysson Craven said...

My prayers are with you Jamie. Evertyime I look at the LiveStrong bracelet that I originally wore in support of Lance, I think of you and how hard you are fighting. When I'm running and I just want to give up and quit,I think of you too. I know you can kick this... and we are all here to support you as you have for so many of us.

Susan MCNamee said...

my thoughts and prayers are with all of you! As Jamie says 'Powered by God" - he didn't bring her this far to let her down!
Susan McNamee

Anonymous said...

Hello Jamie,
I am a friend of Trina's and met you briefly when you came to our school (Donner) and spoke about the Xgames! You are so strong and inspiring! Know that since Trina told me about this fight of yours with cancer, that our entire family has been praying for you daily! I know that probably doesn't feel like much! I am praying for this latest trial that in your weakness you would feel God's strength! and that someday you will run and not grow weary! We are praying for pain free days and doctor's wisdom!
Jaime Mangonon

Mary Eggers said...

Jamie and Courtney you are not alone. Of course God is with you and of course your family is with you. But if you close your eyes and just allow youself to be as quiet as you can be....... you will hear a roar and that is all of us. Because we are silently and strongle cheering you on. So you feel the feelings you need to feel. You cry the tears you need to cry and you keep putting one foot in front of the other. Because when you don't ahve the strength we are here to carry you.

Anonymous said...

Jamie, saw you when you were at Xterra in Birmingham, Alabama last year. Can you put Harri on your coaching waiting list when you get well enough to get that business going (if that is what you decide to do). From your writings, I can see that that in addition to the gifts of faith and strength, you have many more talents waiting to be developed.

Yanti said...

Hundreds of people, including me, are cheering for you and praying for you that you don't even know. You are so beautiful and so strong, and God will give you all the extra strength you need right now, too. It comes on the wings of our love and support. :) Go, Jamie!

Leo said...

Hey Guys. As other people posting have mentioned, a lot of people are thinking of you and praying for you. Keep up fighting.
With much Love
Leo

Anonymous said...

Checking in Jamie and Courtney...I am so sorry to hear that Jamie had this step back. We are all praying for her and thinking of here. Courtney thank you so much for your posts when Jamie is not up to it. We only hope the next one is good news, better yet MISS JAMIE herself posting.

Tell her hello and once again please let us know if you need anything.

XO,
Amy

michaelzeal said...

Jamie & Courtney
we are sending every bit of positive energy your way. B-Strong
MJ & W

Anonymous said...

dear jamie and courtney .. as difficult as it is to write about what you are experiencing .. i truly appreciate reading your postings and thank you for this gift. it helps me to appreciate every time i can get up and move around without assistance or pain .. let alone doing something physically active.

may i add that psalm 23 can never grow old or without meaning ..god is taking care of you both in a way that none of us can understand..

please know you are in my thoughts and prayers *many* times of the day and nite and you will both come out of this powered by god!

and for everyone one of us posting there are many more keeping you in their thoughts and prayers ..

with love and thoughts
cheryl

Anonymous said...

Jamie and Courtney- May it strengthen you to know how many people around the world, especially Beijing, are praying for you and sending strong thoughts your way! Thanks for sharing your journey, for showing others how to stay strong in your faith, and strong at heart. Remember that when you are at your weakest, God can be at His strongest. He will be your power through this scary time until you are able to soar on those eagles wings! And what a wild ride that will be!:)

Anonymous said...

Jamie and Courtney- May it strengthen you to know how many people around the world, especially Beijing, are praying for you and sending strong thoughts your way! Thanks for sharing your journey, for showing others how to stay strong in your faith, and strong at heart. Remember that when you are at your weakest, God can be at His strongest. He will be your power through this scary time until you are able to soar on those eagles wings! And what a wild ride that will be!:)

Anonymous said...

Jamie-
Today in Ogden, Utah there were many words said about you... about how strong and inspiring you are, about your fighting resilient spirit, and about your amazing will! Many people signed a banner for you to let you know there are hundreds of us here hoping and praying for you. The announcer was so heartfelt in his concern and sincerity for you, it touched me down deep in my heart.
You are an inspiration to all of us and you will touch so many more lives in your future.
I'm sure you wish someone else was going through what you are going through but I'm not sure the impact would be the same. You're teaching lessons no one else can teach by your beautiful ability to put your experiences in a readable form, touching thousands.
Conrad Stoltz dedicated his win to you, and the ampitheatre was silent as he spoke of your fighting spirit.
I personally am amazed by you and will continue to follow your recovery and transition into your new lifestyle. Many of us are here for you!!
Much love-
Toby N

Susan MCNamee said...

Hello! Haven't seen an update for a while - am hoping and praying that all is going well!

In Gods Name,

Susan