Heartfelt "Thank You" Note - From Janice 4/20/2013.
A Heartfelt Thank You to All My NCKU Alumni Community, TAC Music Lovers
and Dear Friends
April 20, 2013
I have always been a
firm believer in the adage "You are more blessed to give than to
receive." It's somewhat ironic that I discovered this sentiment mirrored
in my own yearbook from ’71 National Cheng Kung University, with the
inscription "To Give is to Receive" beneath the college cap and gown
picture.
.Life is truly a miraculous journey. Along the way, I'm unsure if our paths have ever crossed—be it on the concert stage or beneath the banyan tree, known as the 大榕樹, on the Tainan Campus. Nevertheless, memories flood back to me vividly, like the echoes of your song "Ban-Kiao Girls-板橋查某" and Amy/Vincent’s drama act, as I lay in a hospital bed at Johns Hopkins Hospital from April 2nd to April 6th, 2013, drifting into a coma-like state. Indeed, our shared love for music brought us together. Over the years, I've cherished the moments spent with all of you, from seeing 90+ individuals clad in burgundy T-shirts standing on the stage at the 2001 Hai-Hwa Music Season, to waking from dreams of Lydia's romantic serenade at her high school reunion party prior to my surgery. You'll never know how much I treasure being the fortunate recipient of your passionate performances and the nostalgic memories of our college life.
These are just a few of the fortunate occurrences in my life. My love for tennis, cultivated through my partnership with Dr. Charles Young from 2005 to 2007 under the United States Tennis Association (USTA), marked the beginning. While under his care for my back problems, he referred me to his own family doctor, Dr. Hing-Chung Lee, a PHD/MD who graduated from National Taiwan University (NTU) 11 years after him. This referral came at a crucial juncture when my American family doctor of 20 years decided to transition to a concierge practice in December 2012, reflecting the evolving landscape of healthcare and insurance. This stroke of luck paved the way for my continued involvement in community volunteering programs, eventually leading me to Sam Huang—our beloved "村長伯" (Village Uncle)—and the National 4H - 農業四健會summer program at the University of Maryland. A routine TB skin test, mandated by the program and resulting in a positive result due to my prior BCG vaccination (BCG is Bacillus Calmette-Guerin - 卡介苗), led Dr. Lee to conduct a series of thorough examinations, from X-rays to PET scans. Despite the possibility of false positives, Dr. Lee's professionalism, expertise, and patience provided much-needed reassurance during a time of uncertainty. His subsequent referral to Dr. Stephen Yang, Director of Thoracic Surgery Services at Johns Hopkins, ultimately led to a biopsy and thoracic suction procedure, yielding a "benign/negative" diagnosis—a testament to the power of medical expertise and collaboration.
Forever resilient, I have emerged from my ordeal of five days at JHH’s Sheikh Zayed Building, a gift from His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates. The most unforgettable scare occurred on day 2 – April 3rd when my lung collapsed due to the suction tube becoming disconnected, tangled up with the hospital gown as I returned from the bathroom at 8:45 pm, a result of stubborn Janice's refusal to ask for Registered Nurse (RN) supervision. The pain level abruptly spiked to 8 out of 10, and I heard my own echo with each breath. But Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) medical staff are truly top-rated in this cutting-edge field. They rescued me in time and even teased me that I was their model patient because I kept thorough journals of the different drugs they administered and my urine collection. I never want to relive or even think about it again.
Graceful beyond words, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to my family, friends, and the medical teams—comprising over 45 individuals—at Johns Hopkins Hospital, as well as to you, my dear Taiwanese Americans Chorus (TAC) comrades and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) alumni, for your unwavering support and prayers. In my absence, Jen-Jen, the retired Air Force Major, and Vice President of Taiwanese Americans Chorus (TAC), assumed leadership responsibilities, providing updates on my progress, and organizing group prayers. Her unwavering dedication, demonstrated through acts such as accompanying me to Seneca State Park during a late March snowstorm to collect cat-tail plants for NTU's concert centerpiece, brought solace amid the anxiety preceding my surgery. She also changed my dressings on day 7, and that’s my last day to finish the heavy pain killer - Oxycodone. Her meticulous coordination of meal schedules, coupled with the outpouring of well wishes, cards, and emails compiled by her and Sam, served as constant reminders of the love and camaraderie within our community.
Though uncomfortable with being the center of attention, I am deeply moved by your kindness and resolve to return to normalcy soon. As I await my post-op appointment on April 26th, 2013, when my doctors will determine my readiness to resume normal activities, I reflect on the invaluable lessons learned amidst adversity. Am I truly the fortunate beneficiary of your generosity, whether tangible or intangible, grand, or subtle?
Love you all!
P.S. I am gradually
trying to relish a sense of normalcy. The simple act of breathing in the fresh morning air has become a
cherished ritual. Some of the colder
days, typical in DC region during the spring.
Ben, my husband, who arranges a cozy spot in the foyer for me to bathe
in sunlight each morning and relocates me to the sunroom in the afternoon to
witness the signs of spring in the backyard. Though my left arm remains weak, I
persevere, setting and achieving small goals each day—whether it's bathing
independently, improving my range of motion, or extending my daily walks.
Remarkably, I participated in a teleconference meeting with my office team on
Thursday, April 18, 2013, marking a significant milestone in my recovery
journey. By embracing transparency about my unexpected surgery, I find solace
amidst the trials and tribulations.
I’ve taken to capturing the beauty of April's arrival, both in my neighborhood and surroundings, as a form of therapeutic exercise. These are the moments I neglected during my 27 years living in this community—a regret I vow never to repeat. Here's to embracing life's simple joys and the promise of singing or strolling through parks in the near future!
Remember- the tree in the backyard is our '71FLLD tree - Li-Chun's (陳 禮君) favorite.
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