Thursday, March 20, 2008

Another quick update

Jenni is reportedly doing very well and is back to her talkative self. According to her advisor it's like she "took a short nap" and is completely herself. She also says that she's ready for visitors if anyone want to come see her. I'll let you know when she returns home.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

So great to hear that you're talking and ready for visitors! We wish I could drive on over and give you a big ol' hug! And, of course, gab for a while... ;) You're an inspiration! Love, Adrine and RP

Unknown said...

Great to hear you are doing soooo well.
From your Grandparents "Beach Buddies",
Floyd and Nancy

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenni,
We've never met, but I am a friend of Lynette's and heard about this site through her. I just wanted to say how wonderful this concept is and it certainly speaks volumes about you as a person.
All the best, and stay strong!
SA

KS said...

Jenni, you are amazing! I'm so glad you are feeling so well.
Here's my post for the day. I was at my church's Maundy Thursday services and it was time for communion. One Sundays, the kids are welcomed up to the front to "help" but this was more somber and so it was just adults. The minister motioned for the first row, and a boy in the first row took it to mean he could come and help. He ran up to the front..stood by his mom (one of the servers) and held the bread. When I came up and leaned down to break the bread he quietly said "God lives in you", it was beautiful--his enthusiasm for serving, for God, and his generosity in giving it back freely.

Anonymous said...

Jenni-
We are so excited that you are talking again. I want to give you a big hug, but I cant so I will air mail it to you. Did you feel it? Well God did and He is excited with you.

Love ya,
Maggie

sasha said...

YAAAAAAAAAAAAY. so happy. sending you love, positive thoughts and more love.

Anonymous said...

Jenni,

Such great news that your operation went well! You were in my thoughts all day and Brian and I are sending you big hugs and love.

Love ya, Jenn (Detmer) and Brian Fearnow

Aim said...

Jenni, As you know I am so happy your surgery went so well. Katie, Craig, Hannah, Hailey and I were celebrating you all day and had you with us in our hearts! Keep up that spirit!

Thanks family for being by her side and keeping us in CA updated.

Lots of love :)

My Vision for Go Big!

On March 7, 2008 my life got turned upside down.  I was unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumor which was so not on my to do list!  Equally unexpectedly, I had neurosurgery on March 20 and the results of the biopsy indicated that the tumor was benign.  Thank God!  Along this journey, I have taken solace in the fact that this is a huge opportunity for us all.

I am a clinical psychology doctoral student at Vanderbilt University.  For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to make a huge difference in the world.  For a couple of days, I actually feared that I had wished this scary and chaotic experience on myself and my loved ones, but then I was reminded that "life prepares life" and it all started making a bit more sense.

In a whirlwind of pre-operative appointments, Dr. Kyle Weaver, my neurosurgeon, told me that I should "hold onto my blood" which was a huge blow to me as I try to be a regular blood donor.  Without skipping a beat, however, my advisor, Dr. Bruce Compas, made me an offer to "pick up the slack" which I believe was the impetus for this whole GO BIG challenge as it struck me then that perhaps we can all be doing just a little more.

As a person who hopes to make a profession and a life of helping children and families, I'm committed to helping others in the best way I know how.  Consistently, I work with parents and children teaching them to praise the good and ignore the bad.  Not my idea, but it is a behavioral principle that works.  Now, don't get me wrong--I'm not blind to the evil in this world.  In fact, I'm struck by our culture's fascination with drama, hurt, despair, and scandal.  It absolutely blows my mind that these negatives suck so much of our attention that we can relatively easily forget all of the 1000's acts of kindness that are going on right this very minute.  

My hope is that this website can be a central location for all of us to capture all of the really awesome things that we are already doing and that we can all be inspired by each other's goodness.  It's not an original or courageous idea (although some have called it that), it is just an opportunity to do something that I've always wanted to do.  And, I'll bet that if I'm anything like you, I'm just doing the best that I can in this moment.  Sometimes that means that I offend people.  We are all imperfectly perfect and I know that that is where the true beauty lies.

There are no absolute rules because I couldn't possibly predict the creative and imaginative ways that we can each help one another.  Well, that's a lie.  There is really just one rule:  do what you feel in your heart!  Try not to feel like what you do doesn't matter.  It does!  If you don't believe me, read the postings for yourself and see what you think.  To somebody in that moment, you will have made a difference and for that I am eternally grateful.

So if you feel it in your heart or your head or whatever pushes you to act, try to do something.  Nothing is too small and nothing is too big.  Just put one foot in front of the other, and if you wish, take a risk.

Overwhelmed with a sea of emotions and an outpouring of support from our community, Austin, the love of my life, and I have felt so very blessed.  I believe that there is always meaning out there in this precious world of ours, sometimes you just have to squint to find it.  This past several weeks has been a truly rock ride and my guess is that life always will be.  So, step aboard if you are up for the challenge and let's see how far we can get this good to spread.

With great gratitude,