The days are long, the minutes are short

Nov 06

On Tuesday I called Dr. Wonderful’s office to let them know I wasn’t feeling well, and that I had a new symptom.  Because I’ve been a mom and potty-trained two children, I have had enough conversation about pee to talk about it on the internet: my issue is that I was not peeing enough and general associated discomfort.

After a series of patient-to-nurse-to-doctor-to-nurse-patient conversations, Dr. Wonderful’s team asked Brad drive me to the oncology office so they could do some bloodwork.  We had about thirty minutes for Brad to frantically rearrange his work schedule, pack me a hospital bag, and to pack the kids up for our annual Election Day trip to Oxford where my friend and I take our kids to Miami University for the day.  It was a major bummer that I didn’t get to go to Oxford, but I also felt deeply peaceful in the fact that the other six members of our party wanted to soldier on without me.  (By all accounts, they had a great day!)

Yesterday we arrived at the hospital and Brad and I spent a few hours in the ER where they started running tests.  One lab in particular caught their eye: my sodium levels are low. While it was not dangerously low, it low enough that I needed to be admitted right away to resolve back to normal range. So I am (still) here for my second night as my team evaluates me, runs tests around the clock, and monitors more details of my inputs and outputs than I ever thought possible.  Many people have negative associations with hospitals for one reason or another, but hospitals are a peaceful place for me; I’ve spent times of great joy here when my babies were born, and also awoken in a hospital to the news that my cancer had spread to my lungs (back in 2013).  Having experienced such an extreme spectrum of association for hospitals gives me acute perspective that I am in the place I need to be for the purpose of healing.

The bright lights, flashing monitors, foreign sounds, medical paraphernalia, the constant knocks on the door, and equipment are either am annoyance or a trigger to pray and ask for peace.  I try to do the latter; I don’t always succeed.

Our hustle to the hospital on Tuesday means that most people in my life have no idea I’m not home.  Brad has done a masterful job of being the very best Brad, adored husband, cherished father, and even champion employee (given his circumstances — he is doing his BEST), and Brad’s coworkers have been incredibly gracious and resourceful as he tries to figure out how to navigate this season. Our girls are so brave and strong and we couldn’t be prouder of them.  So have our extended families.  This week has us all reeling a bit each in our own way with our own paths to navigate.  I’m proud of us for doing these days well; it is hard.  Strength grows in trial: I pray we bloom.

Even as news of my hospitalization trickles out, we are already lovingly overwhelmed with help being offered to us.  Neither Brad nor I have capacity to say yes or no to small things or big things.  If you want to reach out to help us, please contact:

help4andersons@gmail.com

Neither Brad nor I will likely immediately read the email you send (we may read it at some point in the future), thus we have delegated that address (help4andersons@gmail.com) to friends who can help us sort and organize it. Brad and I both feel ridiculous in saying ‘we can’t handle help’, but at this time, that is our truth.  Thank you for your prayers, kindness, messages and love: this we receive immediately and in great abundance. We don’t know what’s next; we don’t know what we need. At this point we choose to neglect the micro to focus on the macro; our needs are fluid and change hour by hour, minute by minute.

Thank you for your love, understanding, patience, and prayers

24 comments

  1. Heather Rose /

    Oh this blessed life how you find the time and strength to update us and keep us in connection to you is 100% a miracle. I count you as one of the great gifts this life has offered me. As one who works in the hospital I have a strong tension when those I care for deeply are admitted. I wish I was there standing watch, protecting your quiet time and making sure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed. I send you my soldiers of love and gratitude in my stead.
    I see you Jen Anderson. Your stories live in my heart.

  2. Newbie Friend /

    Praying for all of the Anderson clan, hope things get back on track for you very soon!!!!!

  3. Marlayne Skeens /

    Hugs, Hugs & More Hugs ~ Prayers, Prayers & More Prayers <3

  4. Always in awe of you, continued love and prayers from Seattle.

  5. Lisa Marker Robbins /

    Oh Jen, you tiger mom, bad ass wife, amazing warrior- I think these things of you every time I read your words or hear your name. Praying rest for you who works so hard everyday to show up for your peeps and live your best life through much more than most of us could even fathom. Get rest, get that darn sodium under control, be a good patient. Your tribe can and will cover that which needs immediate attention. Praying peace and rest for all of you.

    • Jen Powers /

      Amen to all the things lisa shared. So much love sweet jen. ♥️

  6. Julie Talford /

    sending a ton of love your way…all 4 of you 🙂

  7. Lisa Smith /

    Emailing now

  8. Leah Chapman /

    ❤❤❤❤❤❤ sending you and your beautiful family so many hugs and much love and wishing you all peace

  9. Leah Chapman /

    Wishing you so much peace ❤

  10. Shelley Carter /

    I’ve never met you or your lovely family but have followed your journey since you started posting and have been praying for you. I will continue my prayers – for your strength and for peace and for joy. You’ve got this. And you are doing this so very well.

  11. Jen, we love you so much! You are on my mind always and in my constant prayers. Lots of peace and rest through this (fingers crossed) short stay.

  12. Karin Eppert /

    Do your today well as you continually do. Let the nurses and doctors take care of you and let your village take care of your family. He is in control of all things. He will continue to provide for you all. Sending hugs and much love my friend. ❤️

  13. Kim Rourke /

    Jen, thanks for keeping your “extended family” up to speed. As always, you are amazing in your thoughtfulness toward others. Wishing you a peaceful night and healing when you wake.

  14. Erin Allen /

    I love you, Jen!! ❤️❤️❤️ You are an amazing person and I am in awe of you!!! Praying for you and your sweet family❤️❤️❤️

  15. Praying peace over each of you. Sending love. Kay

  16. Conni Carlson /

    Continued prayers for you and your family, Jen. Love, and hugs, Conni

  17. Michele Reitman /

    Sending big hugs and much love to you, Jen! Prayers for peaceful rest then homebound!

  18. Bonnie Jackson /

    Jen, wrestling with you, Brad and the girls in prayer !! The Lord continues to fight for you and your family 🙏 praying for the tiniest of things to bring you home!!

  19. Love, hugs, and peace are coming your way.

  20. Cindy Mitchell /

    Jen, Prayers for your pain and discomfort to ease up..Being in the hospital, I hate to say is a little less stressful for you.. You are in the best place to get the medicine you need.. Continued prayers for the Anderson Family . Take care and get rest..

  21. Catching up on these important details and praying for you all. 🙏
    My husband spent a week in neurology ICU two years ago; I was able to be with him thanks to extended family and friends (and older kids). The daily details beyond your health improving are so minor and your village has your back. ♥️ May you get the rest you so need! Don’t hesitate to ask the nurses for some peace and quiet.
    Sending love from Washington State 💙

  22. Jennifer /

    Sending wishes and prayers for you, for Brad and for your girls. May your worlds all hold you up at this time. Your heart to ‘do today well’ continues to inspire and amaze.

  23. Jenna Schroeder /

    so strong. i love your peace here. I am so sorry you have been in the hospital. you are such a warrior. you guys amaze me.