tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42005542618560130832024-03-13T12:43:46.377-04:00living with a sarcomaHere you'll find out how I deal with my recurrent retroperitoneal liposarcoma.Elsa D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06583007160678018984noreply@blogger.comBlogger354125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-41916862864428348842011-03-22T09:53:00.002-04:002011-03-22T09:53:23.406-04:00ELSAElsa asked me several times to let everyone who reads her blog know that she could not post any longer. For the past few weeks, and months, she used all her strength to continue fighting, to make sure that the disease that ravaged her body would get all the fight-back she could muster.<br />
<br />
It was her hope when she started "Living with a Sarcoma" that it would help other people with the same condition to benefit from the things she learned throughout the over a decade long battle with her cancer. Her motivation was always to help others, to encourage, and to hopefully make life better for everyone. All who met her got this message instantly, I think. In the end, she told me that she did not want anyone to be sad, but to celebrate the time she had on this earth, and it was her hope for those with liposarcoma, that they also fight against their cancer, because Science will one day triumph over it. As she explained to our daughters, she never knew, when our nine year old daughter was born, if she could live long enough to see her walk. Yet, she did that, and then saw her start kindergarten and to grow into a nine year old who already shows evidence of Elsa's influence in her likings, her personality, her engagement with the world around her. Elsa will not see our oldest daughter start college this coming September, but Elsa's imprint is evident in her, in the deepest core of her humanity. So the eleven years were well worth it, is what I am saying, and is what Elsa believed.<br />
<br />
Elsa passed away on this past Sunday morning, March 20th, at home, surrounded by family and friends who comforted her until her last breath.<br />
<br />
... don't give up the fight.<br />
<br />
<br />
ZZehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-52931728251766099562011-01-05T19:49:00.000-05:002011-01-05T19:49:22.167-05:00What a day.Left home at 6:50 am this morning for Dana-Farber and will not leave Dana-Farber before 8:30 pm. Loooong day. <br />
<br />
But Suzzane came by to visit and Elsa had about five meals, so it was worth it. She will be getting the "patient who would not leave" award today.<br />
<br />
One of the highlights of the day was Elsa meeting Dr. Demetri who oversees the research that she has participated in over the last years. He knew her right away.Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-13127872250494405192011-01-05T09:59:00.002-05:002011-01-05T10:09:03.027-05:00Good NewsHello everyone,<br /><br />I did a Ct scan on Monday and the results made me very happy. My pain is still a pain to deal with (pun intended), but I am taking each day as it comes. I am struggling to gain weight, but it seems nothing works. I eat and eat, but my weight remains at 34 to 35 Kg.<br /><br />I am at Dana-Farber today for chemo (Doxil). It's going to be a long day, but I am ready for it. I hope the New Year is working out well for everyone.Elsa D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06583007160678018984noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-50173516036342363882011-01-01T22:56:00.003-05:002011-01-01T23:20:10.547-05:00Dear friends,<br /> I know many of you worry about me and often come here hoping to hear good news. Forgive me for this long silence. The last months have been the hardest months of my illness. I have been living with constant pain and unableto regain the weight I lost after my last surgery. Most of the time, morphine is not enough to make the pain go away, and when it does, it makes me sleepy. It's been a very difficult time, but I hope you all will have a good 2011, the same I hope for myself.Elsa D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06583007160678018984noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-61580421734313872332011-01-01T00:02:00.003-05:002011-01-01T00:03:39.938-05:00imagineImagine a cancer free world. I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2011.<br />love youElsa D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06583007160678018984noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-53522966906852218632010-11-02T12:14:00.001-04:002010-11-02T12:17:53.427-04:00Sandy at Dana FarberElsa was back at Infusion 1 at Dana Farber. It has been seven years, almost to the day, that she first started treatment at Dana Farber. Back in 2003 and throughout 2004, Sandy, a volunteer at DF, kept Elsa's spirits up and today it was no exception. Diane, Elsa's nurse back then, greeted her with a big smile as she alwyas did and Elsa was clearly happy to see her again.<br /><br />Elsa is being treated with Doxil, to see if her tumors stop growing. The current situation is not easy, but from the beginning we decided to fight until it was not possible to fight anymore, and that is what is going on now. Another fight, this time against tumors and constant pain.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TNA5AdDisjI/AAAAAAAAAZs/WYPKdec_0Io/s1600/Sandy+Dana+Farber.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TNA5AdDisjI/AAAAAAAAAZs/WYPKdec_0Io/s320/Sandy+Dana+Farber.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style="clear: both;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-20088498657483002102010-11-01T17:33:00.002-04:002010-11-01T17:41:42.971-04:00Hi all.Sorry I have not been around much. Thanks for all the comments, messages and visits. I have been dealing with a lot of pain and have not found a medication that deals with it well. I either am in pain and awake, or else not in pain, but groggy and tired. I am thinking of all of you though. Hopefully, I will soon be able to get back to regular blogging. I am starting a chemo treatment tomorrow to see if it helps reduce the size of the tumor that I have on my back, which is causing me all the pain and discomfort. I will let you all know how it goes. Meanwhile my best to you all, and vote tomorrow.Elsa D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06583007160678018984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-22582621240610564622010-09-03T11:00:00.009-04:002010-09-03T11:50:21.676-04:00BackIt Is a Wonderful Life. It really is. And I am not just saying it because I signed the discharge papers five minutes ago. ;) The WBC (White Blood Counts) are back to normal and I have been kicked out of B&W 16A. YAY!!!! Now I am just waiting for Ze to pick me up. This recovery has been long and bumpy but it looks like I am on the right track. At least, after feeling miserable for months, I am feeling like my old self.Elsa D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06583007160678018984noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-59735939499443530912010-08-26T09:38:00.000-04:002010-08-26T09:38:55.133-04:00Elsa back in Hospital, Filipa climbs VolcanoElsa is back at Brigham and Women's. She has been fighting an infection and finally she was told to go to the hospital yesterday, because the infection was not going away. Just a minor set back that will soon be overcome. She had been suffering through pain and fevers, so it is good that she is back where they can take care of her and set her back on track towards recovering.<br />
<br />
The emergency room was quite a happening place last night. There was a woman who was in bad shape, but had a great attitude. She adopted a dog from Puerto Rico. There was a man (see my drawing) whose ear was bitten by his dog. He had the piece that was bitten off on ice for the doctors to sew it back on. The dog is supposedely the most wonderful pet (according to him), which leaves me wondering what he did to make the dog bite him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/THZsiHERdoI/AAAAAAAAAZA/DKAmiyef7uM/s1600/ElsaEmergency-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/THZsiHERdoI/AAAAAAAAAZA/DKAmiyef7uM/s320/ElsaEmergency-web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Meanwhile, I just spoke to Filipa. She was at the top of Fogo's Volcano. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/THZtpPAubdI/AAAAAAAAAZI/RX_wm6zLfcM/s1600/Fogo-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/THZtpPAubdI/AAAAAAAAAZI/RX_wm6zLfcM/s320/Fogo-web.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her and my sister Kiki left early this morning, 5:30 am their time, to Chã das Cladeiras and climbed the volcano. They are still at the top. The journey up and down takes 4 to 5 hours. I am so very glad she did this, as it will be a memory not to be forgotten.</div>Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-80549958690942326022010-08-02T09:03:00.000-04:002010-08-02T09:03:31.098-04:00A Bica for ElsaOla mama!<br />
I miss you so much! <br />
I'm glad you're going home today, I wish I was there with you. <br />
I saw the pictures of u and Maya, I'm jealous! <br />
<br />
Yesterday I went fishing with Vovo Celso and his friend Ze Carlos.<br />
I caught the biggest fish out of the three of us! <br />
It's for you!!! (Vovo Celso said it's called a Bica)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Cnk0OMTt4k4/TFbB3EgzvII/AAAAAAAAA1Y/1LpJBRd28AM/s1600/filipacv+443-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Cnk0OMTt4k4/TFbB3EgzvII/AAAAAAAAA1Y/1LpJBRd28AM/s400/filipacv+443-small.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loooveeee yooooouuuuuu!!!!!!</div>fylisfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336100552904616579noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-33264827660235038362010-08-02T06:00:00.002-04:002010-08-02T06:15:42.281-04:00going home?This morning I woke up feeling like myself again, so I took these photos.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ph-9G7aly8E/TFaXSHI7sBI/AAAAAAAAM-c/npJWoL_Hwng/s1600/IMG_2258.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ph-9G7aly8E/TFaXSHI7sBI/AAAAAAAAM-c/npJWoL_Hwng/s400/IMG_2258.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ph-9G7aly8E/TFaXR052AwI/AAAAAAAAM-U/PbopeONBXdI/s1600/IMG_2242.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ph-9G7aly8E/TFaXR052AwI/AAAAAAAAM-U/PbopeONBXdI/s400/IMG_2242.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />My stay at Brigham and Women's Spa, I mean, Hospital, has been longer than usual because I was (am?) undernourished and weighing 34 kilos (77 pounds)...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ph-9G7aly8E/TFaXSZSjBUI/AAAAAAAAM-k/Z5efMA1OsTg/s1600/IMG_2261.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ph-9G7aly8E/TFaXSZSjBUI/AAAAAAAAM-k/Z5efMA1OsTg/s400/IMG_2261.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />But something is telling me that I am leaving today!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ph-9G7aly8E/TFaXSgmES5I/AAAAAAAAM-s/J3mj1MsU_jA/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG"><br /></a> <div style="clear: both;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Elsa D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06583007160678018984noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-44418979934137819982010-08-01T18:02:00.000-04:002010-08-01T18:02:42.776-04:00Sunday LoveNo, there is nothing wrong. It's protection so Elsa could take a shower.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFXu_yHR97I/AAAAAAAAAX4/Ei6xgwQ07Uk/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFXu_yHR97I/AAAAAAAAAX4/Ei6xgwQ07Uk/s320/IMG_1567.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br />In between movies and meals, a nap or two to replenish energies and enjoy Maya's company.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFXvAO-Td6I/AAAAAAAAAYA/SChEaamvY-Q/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFXvAO-Td6I/AAAAAAAAAYA/SChEaamvY-Q/s320/IMG_1571.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFXvATfohqI/AAAAAAAAAYI/l8yHnk4qJ7Y/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFXvATfohqI/AAAAAAAAAYI/l8yHnk4qJ7Y/s320/IMG_1572.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFXvAtyQWTI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/FJGf92tMOh4/s1600/IMG_1577.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFXvAtyQWTI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/FJGf92tMOh4/s320/IMG_1577.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:NONE'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-8591900734495387642010-08-01T11:05:00.000-04:002010-08-01T11:05:26.412-04:00Feeling better.I did not come to the hospital yesterday. Picked up Maya at Zaza's and spent the day fixing the house. Maya and I had lunch at Chipotle, in Mansfield, and then after fixing the house we went to dinner at a Japanese restaurant, in Providence (Razan) and had ice cream at Three Sister's. Maya had a scoop of Dirty Garden Mint Chip. It was yummy, according to her. We then took a walk along Blackstone Blvd and then visited Borders books.<br /><br />Today, we came to see Elsa. I took this picture of her and Maya.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFWNNQA1jNI/AAAAAAAAAXw/AjLj2gsyPu4/s1600/IMG_1565.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFWNNQA1jNI/AAAAAAAAAXw/AjLj2gsyPu4/s320/IMG_1565.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:NONE'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-40796005285686800462010-07-29T17:03:00.000-04:002010-07-29T17:03:54.359-04:00Patient refuses.When I came in today, Elsa was in a very good mood. She had discovered "patient refuses," the command word when she does not feel like acccepting what the medical team wants her to have, such the nasty hepburn shots and insulin, just because she was one point over the lower limit.<br />
<br />
As Bob Marley would sing. <br />
<br />
Get up, stand up, refuse the hepburn shot.<br />
Get up, stand up, don't accept the insulin.<br />
Get up, stand up, say no to the hospital.<br />
Get up, stand up, patient want no more pain.<br />
<br />
She has been walking and drinking broth and liquids. Her surgeon said she could start solid foods tomorrow if she wants. She wants.Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-89118561594452491592010-07-28T20:11:00.000-04:002010-07-28T20:11:12.614-04:00I made a drawing of Elsa's infusion pumps.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFBZ72s730I/AAAAAAAAAXo/w-Wipb_V5ek/s1600/Drawings-002-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TFBZ72s730I/AAAAAAAAAXo/w-Wipb_V5ek/s320/Drawings-002-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-14154493223784667612010-07-28T17:37:00.000-04:002010-07-28T17:37:23.454-04:00july 28 WednesdayElsa is doing much better. They have removed the nasty NG tube and put her on TPN (total parenteral nutrition). Basically this means she is being fed by IV. She needs nutrition and is not able to eat, so they are doing this to give her some calories. She also started taking sips to regain use of her GI track.<br />
<br />
She sends her love to all.Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-61697926146430489912010-07-25T11:39:00.000-04:002010-07-25T11:40:05.662-04:00Well wish cards.Maya, Gabby and Zaza made this giant card for Elsa. It's looking good in her room.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TExa07DLHKI/AAAAAAAAAXI/xrKQO32zp84/s1600/IMG_2196.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TExa07DLHKI/AAAAAAAAAXI/xrKQO32zp84/s320/IMG_2196.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><br />Carla sent a card from Syracuse, NY, with a drawing made by Sofia. It's a spwidew.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TExa1O955ZI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/oefs_db_jMk/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TExa1O955ZI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/oefs_db_jMk/s320/IMG_2197.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:NONE'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-57524617996209344722010-07-25T11:22:00.001-04:002010-07-25T11:23:03.846-04:00Sunday 7/25Came to the hospital with Maya today. Elsa is feeling a little pain and could not sleep much at night so we are letting her rest. Maya is taking care of her today. Hopefully Elsa will get some sleep soon so that she does not look so tired. Maya is laying next to her as I write this post. I know soon they will both be sleeping. Kids have that ability to energize you and to relax you. We spoke to Filipa earlier today and read all the comments that you all have been leaving on the blog.<br />
<br />
Cheers!Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-47065605325444111212010-07-24T11:51:00.000-04:002010-07-24T11:51:10.649-04:00Saturday Morning 7/24Here is a picture of Elsa this morning, saying hello to all of you.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TEsL7Q7RRII/AAAAAAAAAXA/k8O78FRPb-8/s1600/IMG_2179.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6Qj9N8vh7eA/TEsL7Q7RRII/AAAAAAAAAXA/k8O78FRPb-8/s320/IMG_2179.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:NONE'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-50096633620156486132010-07-24T11:40:00.000-04:002010-07-24T11:40:23.987-04:00July 24, Elsa sits down.I came in a little later than usual today. When I got to her room, Elsa was sitting down, all washed and with her hair combed, looking very pretty.<br />
<br />
She was watching Sinha Moça on You Tube.<br />
<br />
After a while, we went for a walk. She took a trip around the nurse's station and down one of the hallways. This is very good progress. She still has difficulty talking because of the GI tube on her nose, but otherwise, she is making very good progress.Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-7834411441720768972010-07-23T21:17:00.000-04:002010-07-23T21:17:23.976-04:00Continuing to make progress.Her protestations notwistanding, Elsa is making progress. She already sat down and is speaking more, even with the GI tube in her nose.<br />
<br />
There is still some pain and nausea, but she continues to get better. Even just one day makes a big difference.Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-46645448756364855782010-07-23T11:14:00.001-04:002010-07-23T11:15:35.708-04:00Elsa corrects me."Ze, you are not being accurate."<br />
<br />
"I'm not feeling good. I can't move, I can't talk. It hurts."<br />
<br />
"The Magnesium they are giving me hurts. I feel frustrated because I want to do well right away. These transition days frustrate me."Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-55422643341922290842010-07-23T08:56:00.001-04:002010-07-23T10:54:26.894-04:00Morning 7/23I got in at 7 this morning. Elsa is doing well. She has the usual drainage tubes but is feeling well. She complains of some tingling now and then, but seems to tolerate the lack of narcotics well enough. They are giving her some sort of strong Tylenol instead of narcotics, because narcotics always make her feel miserable. She also has an epidural to help with the pain. The morning nurse came in and asked her some questions about vaccines she has taken and other medications and Elsa answered them correctly and the nurse had to double check her records. Pretty sharp. I do not think I would have remembered if it had been me. Now she is going to bring this up every time we argue about some detail about what happened in the past. I always contend that I am right and she is the one who forgets, but now I am not so sure. The other day we were debating details from when Maya was born and she remembered things in chronological order, better than I did.<br />
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Elsa is mostly still sleeping, which is good. She needs the rest. I gave her a foot massage to relax her and she fell asleep. She alwyas wants to go home as soon as possible, but this time the doctor said that she needs to take it easy. She needs to be able to eat without complications before she goes home. She came in with the weight that she usually goes home with after not eating for a week, so she cannot afford to lose any.Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-12350028247878114422010-07-22T23:02:00.000-04:002010-07-22T23:02:35.389-04:00Finally saw Elsa.After waiting for a few hours, I finally got to see Elsa, who is doing really well. She is without pain and had already woken up when I saw her. I spent about an hour with her and then they kicked me out so I came home to rest. She was still in the recovery room. I will go back early tomorrow morning.<br />
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Good night. I'm tired and ready for some rest.Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200554261856013083.post-87050143124532752362010-07-22T18:07:00.001-04:002010-07-22T18:11:06.331-04:00Elsa is out.Just spoke to Elsa's surgeon. Everything went well. She was able to remove a lot of tumor. I will not be able to see Elsa until one hour from now. Will update as soon as I have a chance to see her. The doctor said that she could understand why Elsa was feeling uncomfortable. Elsa will take a while to recover. The doctor said that they will want to make sure that Elsa is able to recover fully before she lets her go home, because she was very weak this time, from not eating comfortably for so long. It is obvious that the doctor really cares for Elsa which is why Elsa and I are always so confident going into surgery. I just cannot wait for her to get up and running. The doctor said that Elsa will need a vacation in Cape Verde once she recovers well enough to travel. Funny thing, eh!Zehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042386794666565912noreply@blogger.com9