Sandy Beardsley
Living with a Brain Tumor
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10/27/05
Day Eight
Filed under: General
Posted by: Dan @ 4:36 pm

3:00 pm….
Sandy is doing well and continuing to improve. She will be in the hospital one more night, and then we’re back to the hotel through next week, when she has more appointments here. Today has been a bit quieter for her. She had a nice heart-to-heart chat with one of her doctors early this morning before I got there. I helped her brush her hair, so she’s happy she’s looking better.
After awhile she started feeling pretty good and wanted to go down to the hospital gift shop to buy something for her "brain tumor buddy" roommate who was leaving today. So she took the hospital gown off (yes, the embarrassing kind) and put a t-shirt and sweat pants on… and off we went down to the shop. Luckily it wasn’t far - but an escalator and elevator ride - and she did fine. So we’re looking at books to buy her new friend and this one caught our eye… "I Had Brain Surgery, What’s Your Excuse?" It looks like a very funny true account complete with drawings and cartoons. So we bought two - one for us as well. And also got her some lotions and a card. I put a couple LiveStrong wristbands in the gift bag as well.
About a half hour ago, her roommate (and her great caring son) left us for their home nearby… wearing the wristbands. It was quite emotional for all of us. She and Sandy really bonded over the last three days. Her friend also had a brain tumor removed by the same doctor, but she has not gotten a pathology report back yet. She was diagnosed ten days ago with the tumor, and then the surgery this week. At least we’ve had six years to prepare for this possibility. They are both really tough strong women who will get through this. They have been alternately joking and helping each other the whole time. It has been good for me too, to be in the company of such strong women.
A physical therapist checked Sandy out and gave her the OK to be as active as she can handle right now. She’s had some great nurses, who quickly become impressed with her strength and sense of humor… but can also hold her hand during those not-so-tough moments. Great people here. Sandy also had the I.V. port in her neck removed this afternoon - a big relief as it was causing her a lot of discomfort. Now she just has an I.V. port in her arm as a precaution, if they need it. She’s eating more solid foods now and that’s helping her build strength. I’m hoping she might be up for a walk out to an outdoor terrace later to get some sunshine and fresh air.
So we’re looking forward to getting out of here tomorrow. And no, I didn’t sleep any better at the hotel, being far away from her. Should have slept on the waiting room couch….
more later…

10:30pm… back at the hotel
Just one last little note for the day as I’m exhausted… now that the adrenaline and fear has lessened a bit, maybe I can sleep some tonight.
The best part of today, besides reading Sandy all your recent comments and emails - and seeing her smile, laugh and cry at the same time - was when I walked with her to an outside garden terrace area (on the same 3rd floor where her room is) and she breathed fresh air for the first time since early monday morning (on that short but long walk from the car to the hospital surgery room)… and we held each other there on the terrace with the last of the sunlight warming us and I saw that sparkle again in those sunlit green eyes of hers…
Good night
Dan

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