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Posted by: Dan @ 11:32 am
10:30am Good morning… and yes, it is a good morning. Sandy got through the night in ICU just fine. The very kind nurses let me in a couple hours before the official 10am visitation hour. She’s a bit tired from all the drugs - various pain killers, steroids, anti-coagulants, etc. - but she was able to angle the bed a little higher and take her first sips of water and 7up, a little broth, and a couple bites of jello. Finally I got to feed her, just like she fed me last fall after I got hit on the bike. She was very happy to be able to drink something because until now she could only get fluids through an I.V. line of course. And she’s still has her sense of humor… the nurses are impressed. She’s a tough cookie and is looking pretty good. I think I must look a little better too - finally passed out on a chair-bench bed I rigged up in the ICU waiting room - after 40+ hours of no sleep, I managed to drop off for about 4 hours. Amazing how adrenaline can keep you going… along with all the love and energy flowing this way from friends and family. Sandy is getting moved to a regular room at 11am, so I have to get off here. Hopefully post some more later. Love and thanks, Dan
2:30pm….
Around 12:30 Sandy was wheeled out of ICU — a very intense, at times noisy environment with trauma cases in the same room - but the nurses are great in there. I don’t know how they do it. Angels, definitely angels. The gentleman who wheeled her to her room was real nice and had us laughing a bit. As we went by the nurses station, he said hello to Sal and told us that he would be Sandy’s nurse today. He then told us when we got to the room that Sal was one of the best nurses here, a real compassionate guy — who also just happened to be driving across a big bridge near here recently when a bus load of people crashed and launched a bunch of people into the water. Sal jumped the 25-foot+ drop into the water and saved some people. Like I said, the angels are real here. Sal’s a great guy, but unfortunately almost off duty. Hopefully we’ll see him tomorrow. But I can’t wait to see the next angel.
Sandy has been sleeping soundly this afternoon for the first time. She didn’t get but a couple of cat naps in ICU. She was also able to walk to the bathroom and got to see herself in a mirror for the first time. Let me just say that he lady who cut her hair the other day would be mad. Her pain level is being kept in check pretty well now that anasthesia has worn off.
I have to sign off. The neurological surgery team is coming by to visit her this afternoon and I don’t want to miss them. Luckily this health library computer is just down the hall a couple minutes away — and I found a computer tucked away that no one knows is here, so that makes these posts easier with no one standing in line.
More later….
10:00pm…. Sandy continues to improve… and she’s not in a huge amount of pain, thank goodness. Very fatigued of course, but able to walk on her own (with a little assist here and there). I walked her down the hall and back (maybe 40 yards each way) and she did great. But it really made her tired. Then I got to sit in a chair next to her bed, hold her hand while she slept and watch a little of the world series…. life is good. Had planned to write more, but it’s late and I’m quite tired - but also quite happy. Good night Dan
October 25th, 2005 at 1:23 pm Dan, I was searching the leave list and saw your name. Pat gave me your blog site. Glad to hear Sandy is gaining her strength. My prayers are with the both of you. Gary Man
October 25th, 2005 at 1:42 pm Way to go, Sandy! and Dan! We’re so glad to hear that the surgery is behind you and that you’re doing well. Keep smiling; know we send our very best wishes and that we’re thinking of you lots. Love, Sue and Bill
October 25th, 2005 at 6:16 pm Dan and Sandy, Thank you so much for the postings. You are in my thoughts and prayers. We are all sending you as much positive energy as we can. Heal fast. Nancy Bywater
October 25th, 2005 at 6:33 pm Tried to call you dan and couldn’t get through, Hugs Sandy. Article about you and all that is going on should hit the paper in the next few days here in Wenatchee, and don’t know when it is going to or went in Leavenworth. And Sandy hope it has our picture cuddling. I love u so much both of u and sounds like it is going well (YA RIGHT i guess we can call our brain cancer going well) Dan you are such a great guy. a true Brad Pitt. Miss you both a lot so just hurry up and “Louise” don’t let “Thelma” do the navigating home so that you arrive even a day later then expected Love ya much “Thelma” Ha and those reading this will be saying what on earth does this lady mean…
October 25th, 2005 at 9:27 pm Sandy & Dan, Just wanted to let you know you both are in my thoughts& prayers.You two are an inspiration to us all.I know in my heart things will work out.We will just keep thinking positive thoughts. Love, Janet
October 25th, 2005 at 9:28 pm Dear Mom, Talking to you today made me so happy, I cant even explain. This cancer isn’t strong enough for you mom. I miss you a lot, & can’t wait to see you. I will continue to pray and think about you. Dan, thanks for being by her side. I couldn’t ask for a better person to be there taking care of my mom. It means everything to me. I’ll talk to you soon, love ya
October 25th, 2005 at 10:59 pm The neighbor gave us the blog site. This is great and sure is great to hear everything is going well. The dogs are great, we have taken them out many times and given them lots of people love. Janjo is getting to trust us and will spend time at our place, but we do have to watch him. We hope everything continues to go well. Best wishs and dog kisses. Ed & Candy
October 26th, 2005 at 8:13 am Hi, I had first read Sandy’s website when my sister-in-law, Eileen, was diagnosed with an astrocytoma and found it very encouraging. She underwent surgery at Duke where they discovered that her tumor was actually a grade 3 glioblastoma. I was so sorry to then read that your tumor had also progressed to a grade 3. My sister-in-law has just finished radiation and was also taking Temador but developed an unusual reaction to it so her doctors are in the process of prescribing a new chemo regimen for her. Despite that minor setback, her doctors feel that with the surgery, radiation and chemo, her long-term prognosis is excellent. There has been so much progress in this area recently. I am so happy that you made it through the surgery so well. I will be thinking of you and praying for your continued recovery.