It has been one week and one day since we left City of Hope. Recovery is slow going, but each day brings new accomplishments. Mom obvioulsy loves being at home in Fish Lake Valley. It really is beautiful here, but very quiet, especially without internet access! Yesterday was a huge accomplishment-she sat down. Yes, she bent at the waist and sat down on her bottom for the first time in 3 weeks! It was a bit scary, but her recovery will be much quicker with every scary step she takes. My sister and I are here, helping to clean, cook and nurse the sometimes stubborn patient back to health. We will return to City of Hope next week for follow up appointments. Thank you all for the continual positive comments and emails. If I had internet access for the last week, the comments would have brightened every day! Thanks!
Sarah
Please send cards to this address:
Cecelia Green
HC 72 Box 3506
Dyer, NV. 89010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
TGIF!
Tonight is our last night at City of Hope. The doctors have cleared Mom for a Saturday afternoon departure and she is ecstatic. Ten days in Duarte has taken its toll on the both of us and we are beyond ready to depart. We have said our goodbyes not only to the doctors, nurses and staff, but to the Fluid Air bed that has made Mom feel like she is shaking 24 hours a day for the last ten days. Did I ever explain the bed to everyone?
The bed is designed to equalize the pressure on all parts of the body by using air and sand. Yes, sand! According to the nurses, the bed costs around $200,000. Dr. McDreamy may be hard to forget, but the bed will fade easily into the blur of a 10 day hospital stay. My bed, on the other hand, was a bit more comfy:
She is still not able to bend at the waist, so Physical therapy has prepared me to assist her for the next few weeks. This will also make the drive home more interesting. Our plan is to inflate an air mattress, carefully transfer her to the mattress, drive carefully for 5 hours and then somehow, unsupervised, transfer her from car to house. Sounds like a pretty interesting Saturday! She actually is very strong and is already able to do much of the work herself, needing only minor support.
Thank you again for your support over the last few weeks. Astonished really is the best word to describe the amount of support and kindness given to my family and I. Just last night the manager at Chipotle comped my meal after I mentioned I was sordof living in a chair bed at City of Hope (I really did look that pitiful!). The teller at Chase Bank here in Duarte gave me her card and personal phone number to call if I ever needed a place to stay. It turns out her mother was treated here for many years. Sometimes the universe brings you exactly what you need.
I will continue to blog and update you about her recovery and the fun that awaits us in Chemotherapy. The doctors were able to remove all the tumor, but as stated in a previous post, cancer cells are sneaky little bastards, hiding out where you would least expect. Chemo, here we come.
This blog gave me consistency for ten days, it gave me something to look forward to, something else to think about during the stressful days and sleepless nights. The endless stream of positive energy, thoughts, prayers and donations gave me so much more-it gave me HOPE.
Thank you so very much.
Sarah and Cece
The bed is designed to equalize the pressure on all parts of the body by using air and sand. Yes, sand! According to the nurses, the bed costs around $200,000. Dr. McDreamy may be hard to forget, but the bed will fade easily into the blur of a 10 day hospital stay. My bed, on the other hand, was a bit more comfy:
She is still not able to bend at the waist, so Physical therapy has prepared me to assist her for the next few weeks. This will also make the drive home more interesting. Our plan is to inflate an air mattress, carefully transfer her to the mattress, drive carefully for 5 hours and then somehow, unsupervised, transfer her from car to house. Sounds like a pretty interesting Saturday! She actually is very strong and is already able to do much of the work herself, needing only minor support.
Thank you again for your support over the last few weeks. Astonished really is the best word to describe the amount of support and kindness given to my family and I. Just last night the manager at Chipotle comped my meal after I mentioned I was sordof living in a chair bed at City of Hope (I really did look that pitiful!). The teller at Chase Bank here in Duarte gave me her card and personal phone number to call if I ever needed a place to stay. It turns out her mother was treated here for many years. Sometimes the universe brings you exactly what you need.
I will continue to blog and update you about her recovery and the fun that awaits us in Chemotherapy. The doctors were able to remove all the tumor, but as stated in a previous post, cancer cells are sneaky little bastards, hiding out where you would least expect. Chemo, here we come.
This blog gave me consistency for ten days, it gave me something to look forward to, something else to think about during the stressful days and sleepless nights. The endless stream of positive energy, thoughts, prayers and donations gave me so much more-it gave me HOPE.
Thank you so very much.
Sarah and Cece
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Hump Day
Its Wednesday, the sun is shining, Mom just passed the room on her third lap around the floor with the physical therapists. She even walked up the fake stairs!
The best moment of the day though was Miss Abigails visit:
The smile on my Mothers face was just what she needed and just what I needed. Through that smile, I know that she is still in there-still willing to fight and survive any battles that may lie ahead.
Her pain is being managed very effectively, the doctors say she is healing beautifully and she should be able to come home sometime next week. What an amazing day for all of us! I would not be as happy and relaxed as I am today without the endless love of my family, the support of my friends and the astonishing kindness of strangers. Thank you.
My love to you all.....
Sarah
The best moment of the day though was Miss Abigails visit:
The smile on my Mothers face was just what she needed and just what I needed. Through that smile, I know that she is still in there-still willing to fight and survive any battles that may lie ahead.
Her pain is being managed very effectively, the doctors say she is healing beautifully and she should be able to come home sometime next week. What an amazing day for all of us! I would not be as happy and relaxed as I am today without the endless love of my family, the support of my friends and the astonishing kindness of strangers. Thank you.
My love to you all.....
Sarah
Monday, August 2, 2010
Just keep swimming
Its Monday and all I keep saying to myself is, Just keep swimming! You know, from Finding Nemo, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. Its the start of the work week for many of you but here at City of Hope, the days are blurred, the hours drag on, we've hit a plateau. Not much improvement today.
Although there is alot going on today. The physical therapists started off the day with the stand up routine, and a new exercise; rolling onto her stomach for a short time. The walking was next, today was at a quicker pace and for a longer distance. There has been some improvement in the digestive region, but they want more before eating or drinking. The great news of the day; they removed the tube that was in her nose and down into her stomach! One step closer to eating and she is sooooo hungry. Today is now 7 full days without food.
A CT scan has been ordered for today. The doctors just want to get a better look at their handiwork. The xray is the easy part-getting to the department on the 1st floor is the hard part. Her bed is so heavy, it takes three people to move it through the hallways!
I am standing guard at her door for the next hour-no one in or out for one whole hour. Lets hope she can get some rest before PT comes back.
Before signing off today, I wanted to thank a few people. It would be impossible to list everyone, but here goes:
My dear sister-thank you for your ear. I trust and love you so very much.
My beautiful AF friend who took me in for a night and ordered me to rest (and drink a little wine!) and let me use her laundry room!
The universe for finally bringing in a good looking doctor for my Mom to smile at! He was so adorable, married, but adorable!
To our 11 followers who are keeping up with Moms status-THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
To all our dear friends, family members and strangers who have sent me emails, Facebook comments and phone calls-it is what keeps me going during the day-thank you!
All our love,
Sarah
Although there is alot going on today. The physical therapists started off the day with the stand up routine, and a new exercise; rolling onto her stomach for a short time. The walking was next, today was at a quicker pace and for a longer distance. There has been some improvement in the digestive region, but they want more before eating or drinking. The great news of the day; they removed the tube that was in her nose and down into her stomach! One step closer to eating and she is sooooo hungry. Today is now 7 full days without food.
A CT scan has been ordered for today. The doctors just want to get a better look at their handiwork. The xray is the easy part-getting to the department on the 1st floor is the hard part. Her bed is so heavy, it takes three people to move it through the hallways!
I am standing guard at her door for the next hour-no one in or out for one whole hour. Lets hope she can get some rest before PT comes back.
Before signing off today, I wanted to thank a few people. It would be impossible to list everyone, but here goes:
My dear sister-thank you for your ear. I trust and love you so very much.
My beautiful AF friend who took me in for a night and ordered me to rest (and drink a little wine!) and let me use her laundry room!
The universe for finally bringing in a good looking doctor for my Mom to smile at! He was so adorable, married, but adorable!
To our 11 followers who are keeping up with Moms status-THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
To all our dear friends, family members and strangers who have sent me emails, Facebook comments and phone calls-it is what keeps me going during the day-thank you!
All our love,
Sarah
Sunday, August 1, 2010
A day of rest?
It's Sunday, the Beatles are playing in the background and the day is going good. I thought Sunday was a day of rest here at City of Hope. The parking lots are empty, the waiting rooms are empty, but room 4111 is NOT empty! Not by a long shot. Bryn, our amazing physical therapist, came in first with a whole laundry list of demands. Move your legs this way, lift your legs this way, stretch your arms this way. I know its great for Mom to keep moving, but she is very tired today and can't seem to stay asleep for any stretch of time with all the people in and out. Its quiet for the time being-except for the fire alarm testing they do on the first Sunday of each month. I guess we have bad timing.
Still no improvement in the fart department. This is a big deal, not only will she get to eat when she starts farting, but the doctors will remove the tube that is through her nose going into her stomach. It is there to remove excess fluid, but it is irritating her throat. A big THANK You to everyone who sent us well wishes for farts-I guess we are going to need a little more!
Finally, for my dear Aunt Linda and for anyone that wants to send a card, please mail to the address listed under the donation button. Please note that Mom is not allowed to have flowers or plants. I know that will come as a disappointment to some, but flowers are too damn expensive anyway and I snuck in one little wildflower to show her earlier.
Thanks for reading. See you all tomorrow.
Sarah
Still no improvement in the fart department. This is a big deal, not only will she get to eat when she starts farting, but the doctors will remove the tube that is through her nose going into her stomach. It is there to remove excess fluid, but it is irritating her throat. A big THANK You to everyone who sent us well wishes for farts-I guess we are going to need a little more!
Finally, for my dear Aunt Linda and for anyone that wants to send a card, please mail to the address listed under the donation button. Please note that Mom is not allowed to have flowers or plants. I know that will come as a disappointment to some, but flowers are too damn expensive anyway and I snuck in one little wildflower to show her earlier.
Thanks for reading. See you all tomorrow.
Sarah
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