Happy and Gtateful this August the Third 2008

Pictures: Paul Edmund Jones Dec 2007; Jeff and Janet Jones Dec 2007, Pod Buie/Paul Jones Dec 2007, Judy Jones in Venice 2005, Jeff and Judy Jones Venice 2005, Judy Jones in Spannocchia Italy 2005, Judy Jones 2005, Lake Hamilton Home

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I got a shock about 2 weeks ago when I went in for what I thought would be a regular checkup and found out I have cancer. We are still in the process of getting tests done (the next series of scans, blood work, xrays will be on 8/7). The cancer clearly involves the cervix but other than that we do not know anything much yet.

My husband, Paul, has been great these past few months. In December of last year I suddenly had the mitral valve in my heart rupture. I cannot recall much of it but my family and friends say it was "quite something". I was rushed straight from my doctor's office to the hospital in grave distress...trouble breathing, talking with an irregular pulse. We had no warning. While in the hospital I was operated on nearly immediately and had the mitral valve replace and the tricuspid valve repaired. No one seems to know why this happened.

My recovery from that trauma has been slow and difficult. I have lost 30 -40 pounds (this is fairly typical after such an arduous experience my surgeon says) but my appetite has very, very slowly improved. One problem after another. Finally, after many months of struggle, I was beginning to regain some of my old vim.

Now this. I will remain calm and positive. I think this may be as difficult for Paul as it is for me but he is proving to be a real trooper. During my earlier troubles he unfailingly has supported me in every way he could think or or in any way asked of him. Now he say very encouraging things to me about my cancer...very philosophical and reassuring. He is quite the prince these days! Living nearby are my nephew and neice, Pod and Shelby whom I have loved dearly for many, many years. They are also rocks! What would any of us do without such saints about?

My twins, Janet (a psychiatric nurse in New Orleans) and my son, Jeff, a psychiatrist in San Francisco will be coming to Hot Springs to see me sometime around 8/7. They also came when I had my heart operation but I don't recall that. I feel very good that they will be coming out for a visit during this difficult time especially when all the tests come in and a more definitive diagnosis is arrived at. We can all pow-wow and decide on the best course of action at that time.

I feel very grateful for all the loving folks around me and for all of you who are concerned and surely would give me solace and assistance if your were nearer at hand. I only wish we could be living right next door for a cup of tea or coffee together. But, for now, this will have to do since I have been more tired than usual this past year and it probably will get a bit worse before it gets better.

I am doing very well right now and intend to remain that way!

Yours,

Judy (via Jeff)