Posted by tom on August 12, 2009 at 08:23:45:
Here is an e-mail I received from Mary, Jay's wife:
Dear Friends,
This morning before they took Jay into surgery, he asked me to tell you all that he truly feels blessed to have you in his life and how much he appreciates all the prayers, thoughts and good energy you've sent him. Our dear friends Scott and Sunny Henderson and my best friend in the world next to Jay are here with us in person, but all of you are with us in our hearts. We couldn't have gotten through the last few months without you.
Jim just came and told us they are closing the front and preparing to do the back. Everything is going very well so far. The T7 and T8 were both destroyed. He removed them, and the pressure is now off the spinal column. Jim saw scaring from the infection, but he didn't see any signs of active infection which is great news. They are doing a biopsy on everything they took out. All Jay's vital signs are great.
By the way, Jim told Jay he expects him to be well enough to be the lollipop man for at least one of his races next year. For all of you who aren't race fans, the lollipop person holds the stick that lets the driver know when to leave the pit. That's all the incentive Jay needs to kick butt and get well
I'll let you know when the surgery is over.
Again, thanks for being there for us!!!
All my love,
Mary