Hello loved ones,

I created this site to relay information regarding James's condition and provide updates to his current status.  James is loved by so many people that I wanted to be sure to provide a space in which those that would like to, may share their thoughts, feelings, and well wishes.

James had flu-like symptoms last week and we thought he was battling a virus.  After a trip to the emergency room and an MRI, he was diagnosed with a brain abscess caused by bacteria.  He had to have emergency brain surgery to drain the abscess on Saturday and another surgery on Sunday to remove as much bacteria as possible.

James is in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Bellevue Hospital.  The doctors are trying to find the source of the bacteria that travelled to his brain in order to treat it with the proper antibiotics. It is a process that will take some time.  The NICU is not exactly a regular hospital room so the usual gifts one imagines in a room to provide cheer such as flowers and cards are not appropriate.

James does not have a timeline for recovery. We are moving from day to day.

He's not ready for visitors just yet since he cannot communicate or open his eyes.

I have a universal approach to spirituality meaning--whatever form of love you are able to give to James through prayer, positive thinking, and loving the ones closest to you--is the best form of hope and cheer for him.

Much love to you all.

Jennie and Imogen






Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 13, 2018 at 8:48 PM

    We are sending all our love and healing mojo from California. Please let us know if there is any we can do from afar. Hugs to you all.

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  2. UnknownMarch 13, 2018 at 9:04 PM

    Thank you for reaching out and setting this up. James is an inspiration in health, and I have no doubt he'll be one in sickness and recovery. No doubt too he'll confront this obstacle with all the same grace and doggedness for which we know him. Sending our love and good vibes his way.

    Godspeed James! Your friends,
    Chris, Llubav, Mikus and River Duerr

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  3. UnknownMarch 13, 2018 at 9:06 PM

    Oh wow, this is just shocking. I am a former student of James' and now I live in SF area and haven't been able to find a teacher as great as James. I really miss his classes. Please let me know if there is some way to contribute to help you all in this period- Munchery or Doordash or Grubhub, etc, so you have one less thing to worry about. Please do let us know your preference, and the email to deliver the gift card to. Thanks! Victoria

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    Replies
    1. JennieMarch 17, 2018 at 7:14 AM

      Dear Victoria,
      Thank you for the lovely offer of food. We have a community of families in Brooklyn that have gathered together to support Imogen and me during this time--our icebox is being stocked by friends. Keep on sending us your positive energy and love. We are native Californians so it means a lot to James to feel those vibes floating across to the east coast.
      xoxo, Jen

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  4. UnknownMarch 13, 2018 at 9:39 PM

    Thank you for sharing this with us Jen and Imogen, light, healing and strength to you all three of you. Love Mark and Buhua

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  5. Maxine DavidowitzMarch 13, 2018 at 9:57 PM

    I don’t know why, but I am positive that James will fully recover. Maybe it’s just magical thinking, but I am hanging on to it in any case. I hope you and Imogen are getting at least a measure of comfort from knowing how much James means to us, his students. I have not been in his class for several years, yet his teaching is still very much with me.

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  6. Andy McDowellMarch 13, 2018 at 10:01 PM

    Jenny and Imogen - we are all so sad to hear about this crisis. I can't imagine James with better supporters than the two of you. I'm sure this is all a shock and a very difficult situation to figure out. James definitely has a big bunch of friends and we are looking forward to helping in any way we can. How else are we going to get the Grand Poobah of the Met Pool Swimmers back in the lane? Seriously, please reach out when the time is right. Errands, meals or whatever. If this blog is not effective for alerting us, perhaps the email group you emailed to earlier would be a good way to put the word out. We love you and we will be thinking about all of you. Andy & Courtney. or email andy@petescandystore.com

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    Replies
    1. JennieMarch 17, 2018 at 7:16 AM

      Thanks Andy. The swimmers are very easy to connect with if need be and do a shout-out call.

      Delete
  7. UnknownMarch 13, 2018 at 10:02 PM

    Let me know if I can help.
    Matt mm1566@nyu.edu

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  8. beaconbeeMarch 13, 2018 at 10:03 PM

    Thank you for setting this up Jennie. You, James and Imogen are on our minds and in our hearts. We appreciate being kept in the know and are sending positive thoughts and copious amounts of love. We are here to move from day to day with you. -Deb, Matt and Sam

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  9. Ben and HolliMarch 13, 2018 at 10:29 PM

    You are doing everything right.
    James is giving his best swim to get home to you.. we will stay on the finish line as he crosses to infinite cheer.

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  10. AnonymousMarch 13, 2018 at 10:37 PM

    Lots of love to you. All his patience and kindness will pull him through, oh dear kaleidoscope of brushstrokes, warm smiles and good humor.

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  11. Lonely cityMarch 13, 2018 at 10:38 PM

    Continuing to pray. Hugs <3

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  12. UnknownMarch 13, 2018 at 10:42 PM

    Praying for a speedy recovery for James, and healing and comfort for the whole family. Peter

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  13. UnknownMarch 13, 2018 at 11:26 PM

    We are thinking of you guys and rooting for James. Anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. All our thoughts are with you.
    Jane and Brandon

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  14. Shannan ShaughnesyMarch 14, 2018 at 2:10 AM

    Jennie, If you need any assistance of any kind, but particularly any assistance with Bellevue NICU or navigating, fighting, advocating, for any post surgical rehabilitation or therapies, should he need them, please reach out! I was treated in 2015 in Bellevue NICU and eventually got myself into RUSK at NYU's Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center (one of the best in the world). He's in amazing hands at Bellevue. I know these very early days are tiring, confusing and shocking. One day at a time... The most soothing and grounded conversation I had post stroke was with James at McCarren after swimming -- he told me about his brother's stroke journey. And, frankly, I think he was the first person who truly understood. Such a gentle, compassionate soul he is - your swimmingly ginger fish, James! Lots of Love to you and Imogen. XOX, Shannan ssbrooklyn@gmail.com

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  15. Mike KayMarch 14, 2018 at 7:38 AM

    Thanks for inviting our comments Jennie and Imogen. I am sending strength to all three of you. I was so shocked and saddened by the news. Although it sounds like James is on the mend, he is not out of the woods and has challenges ahead in recovery. But James has that glowing spirit that always brings cheer to those around him that surely make a big difference.
    Sending him healing energy.
    big hugs to you all,
    Mike

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  16. AnonymousMarch 14, 2018 at 7:40 AM

    Dear James, Jennie, and Imogen, Please know you are very much in our hearts and in our thoughts, we are sending all our love and healing power to you, sending our prayers to the universe for you too. Colin, Ann, and Ori

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  17. UnknownMarch 14, 2018 at 9:14 AM

    We pray for his fast recovery. So sorry to hear his sudden illness. Please let us know if we can be any help in any ways.

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  18. Liza and FrancisMarch 14, 2018 at 9:20 AM

    Dear Jenny and Imogen, We are sending you all of our love and hope for James to return to his fullest, most wonderful self! It is a reminder of our fragility and a call for strength! You have our total support. Liza and Francis

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  19. Heidi Williams-FoyMarch 14, 2018 at 10:50 AM

    Jennie, thank you for setting up this blog so we can keep posted on James' recovery. Your family is an important part of our community and my daily commutes won't be the same until I know there's a possibility I could run into James in my travels. The world is a better place because he is in it and you can't say that about everyone. Sending healing thoughts your way xo Heidi, Conor, Brendan, and Emmet

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  20. NadiaMarch 14, 2018 at 10:52 AM

    Dear Jennie and Imogen,
    James is in our constant thoughts. We are wishing him the best care for a full recovery. The outpouring of love for you all is incredible and much deserved. Please stay well during this difficult time. With love: Nadia and Erick

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  21. kris bMarch 14, 2018 at 11:21 AM

    Jennie, thanks for including me on this blog. I'm heartbroken to hear about this. I, too, believe in the power of prayer/thought/love and I'm sending all the love I can to him and you, Imogen.

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  22. KellyannMarch 14, 2018 at 11:37 AM

    We are so concerned. We are thinking of you guys. Sending you love and strength. James is an amazing man... hoping for the best.

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  23. UnknownMarch 14, 2018 at 11:45 AM

    So sorry to hear about this! We are thinking of you all and will send out all of our love and well wishes to James for a full recovery. Let us know when and how we can be of help. Love, Leah, Klaus, and Mateo

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  24. Debbie FeinerMarch 14, 2018 at 12:35 PM

    Jennie, My work is a few blocks from Bellevue so let me know if you need anything at all. Our family is shocked and heartsick about this but also very hopeful for James' recovery. Debbie, Mike, Asher and Isaac

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  25. AnonymousMarch 14, 2018 at 1:46 PM

    Sending James continuous healing thoughts and lots of love to you all.
    Kara, Jeff, and William

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  26. UnknownMarch 14, 2018 at 1:51 PM

    James, Abe and I are sending all our positive thoughts and healing vibrations to you and James and Imogen. Hoping for the very best.

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  27. AnonymousMarch 14, 2018 at 4:06 PM

    James Sheehan is a very kind human being with lots of compassion, care and patience For ALL whether you are an artist or Not. Wishing you fast and healthy recovery with all our love...
    Sy and Ellen Berger.

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  28. UnknownMarch 14, 2018 at 4:18 PM

    Joe and I are channeling a beam of positivity and strength to you, Imogen and James. Thanks for reaching out to us <3

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  29. SusanMarch 14, 2018 at 4:24 PM

    thank you Jen for letting us know about good James and creating this caring network. His students, be assured, are beaming him the generosity of spirit, patience, and well-being he has always shared with his students.

    If I can be of any help(pragmatic) in your dealings with the quagmire of the medical system (last year i was the advocate for my partner who survived systemic sepsis), please don't hesitate to contact me.
    thinking of James, Imogen, & yourself,
    Susan

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  30. Douglas RossMarch 15, 2018 at 4:03 AM

    Yes, James IS loved by so many people. So loved! You and Imogen are loved. We are all hugging you with all our love. Let us know what we can do, when you need us. Douglas and Titi

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  31. MikeMarch 16, 2018 at 1:45 PM

    Wishing you all solace from pain, sickness and suffering and, most of all, for James' speedy recovery. Every good blessing to you!

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  32. UnknownMarch 17, 2018 at 7:52 AM

    Hello Jannie and Imogen,
    I wish you both all the strenght through James recovery process. James' optimistic smiles and spirit are always great cheering ups in many difficult times in the past, and I will send him that same image and good vibrations through our thoughts! looking forward to see him bike and swim next time we meet :)
    Joseph and Barbara

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  33. UnknownMarch 22, 2018 at 3:05 PM

    dearest jennie, i have not been in touch with you and james in many, many years, since the days of the met museum and williamsburg... i am sending james wishes for a speedy and full recovery. and i send you and imogen strength and warmth in what must be a difficult time. warmly, hillit

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