It's been a pretty tough time as you know. I thought this might be a good way for you all to keep up to date on Shelly's progress without feeling that you're imposing on us at this difficult time.
Yesterday Shelly was discharged because the gamma knife was still not working. Parts were flown in from Sweden but hospital technicians couldn't fix it. She was wearing a 'halo' screwed into her skull in four places and it wasn't easy to sleep and since there was no chance that the knife would be ready, they removed the halo and sent her home to wait. She was really down and her head was really hurting.
Ellen wasn't satisfied with that and went into attack mode. She called the hospital and pleaded with them to have the gamma knife maintenance company send techs to the hospital to work over the weekend. The company is international and "they don't do this". If they even could convince them, it would require a hospital employee to be there as well. Big bucks they told Ellen.
They called her around 7:30! that it was a go. They're going to work through the weekend to get this solved.
Shelly had a good night's sleep and we are now waiting to learn when she can get her gamma knife treatment.
Shelly's sister Debbie and her husband Michael are here with our grandkids, Joshua and Benjamin. The best medicine of all.
Feel free to post your comments by clicking "comments" below or to send private emails use Contacts above.
One more thing, Shelly is a softy and won't say she's tired so if you do visit it would be good to plan on about 30 minutes.
Thanks for your understanding and support
February 09, 2008
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12 comments:
Good morning Shelly! I bet it felt wonderful to be out of that hospital and to sleep in the cozy bed at Mom's house! I'll be over in the next half hour to help you wash your hair. Btw, you looked soooo much better by the time you went to bed, than you did when Dad and I picked you up from the hospital. You must be thrilled to have shed that piece of hardware from you skull! Ouch! See you soon.
Love,
Debbie :)
What to say about Shelly??? Well I recently dicovered she likes the smell of her own farts. That was so comforting to hear. She likes salads maybe too much and is completely devoted to her homosexual dog Sir. Oliver! She can nag and over dramatize but has the heart of a saint. I would say that she is strong, witty and charming. All of the things that make people love her. Im glad shes my friend although she stares at my nail beds far too long! Whatever you may need just ask. I may not oblidge but you can still ask. Your in my thoughts at all times and I will always be thankful I have you in my life...
Dear Shelly,
It's me here in Montclair wishing I were there with you - "where the action is" as my father used to say. I'm not sure if you are back at your parents now but that's what I gather from the reports I just read.
What can I say Shelly. Mostly that I love you. Secondly that I hate this for you and am so so sorry that you have to go through this. Life is terrifically unfair. I don't think it's the moment to call (remember our longest call ever - three hours?). We'll talk again and next time, we won't time it! (I do love talking with you. There is always a wonderful meeting of the minds.) So I can call, visit, cook you some soup, send you orchids or just keep writing.
For now, I keep picturing you sitting with Oliver on your lap in that tiny armchair in Debbie's kitchen - a good image and one that makes me laugh.
Much love to you. Talk soon. Alice
p.s. Your Dad is a genius for thinking of this way for us to be in touch.
Hi Shelly-
I hear that things are not so good. I wanted to tell you that I'm thinking about you, many good thoughts, and that, well, I hope you'll tell me if there's any way I can help with anything.
I was thinking about you having to be back in the hospital, getting tests and talking with doctors and all that, and I was thinking that, in addition to everything else going on, that being in those fluorescently-lit uncomfortable places must be a little disheartening. So I wanted to suggest that when you're there, that you try to keep in mind all the nicer, prettier parts of new england in winter there are, and picture being in those places instead, sitting with a cup of tea, wrapped in a cozy blanket.
If you have an internet connection, you could look at these, or just use your imagination instead...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16833954@N00/382679257/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantmac/390133036/sizes/o/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49312850@N00/434276030/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21736465@N00/102752487/sizes/l/
much love,
-Dave (and Mels too)
Also, you might or might not know that Mike is in Nicaragua for a month of medical volunteering work. He's in a location where it's almost impossible to communicate from or to. But of course if he were here he would be passing on his love and concern and well-wishing...
Hi Shelly,
We've really never met and I feel so bad about that. I am a cousin, a long lost old cousin. Just to give you an idea of how old I am, I used to baby sit your dad! Yikes. Perhaps your mom or dad has mentioned us, me Sumner, wife Estelle. (I sound like Tarzan, me Tarzan, you Jane). Anyway living in California makes it kinda tough to visit as often as we'd like. When your dad informed me of this blog..... thought what a wonderful way to get to know each other. From reading some of the previous comments here, sounds like your mom and dad did a pretty good job in raising you. I never had one of those wooden frames screwed into my head but my brother in law did several years ago. Not pretty, looked like a canned Frankenstein. He lives across from me and with his corny joking, he thinks he's Jackie Mason, doing very well. Hey, I just wanted to say hello, introduce ourselves and let you know we are thinking of you.
All our love and the very best for you. Sumner and Estelle.
Hi Shelly,
Just trying to get the blog to work for me so this is really a test as to whether or not Mr. Blog will accept a comment from me now. Will talk more later, if not via the blog, then via e-mail.
Over & In - Out of the cold,
Hutch sends.....
Shelly,
Hi-- it's Amy. I am excited about this blog as I have been bugging Jeffrey for details ever since I heard the news. I'm not sure how you do it, but from what I've heard of your strength and determination, you're gonna do just fine. You are in my thoughts every single day. Of course, so is Oliver, but for many different reasons. I may be secretly in love with him (but that's a whole other blog. Don't tell Jeffrey).
Anyway, stay strong and please, give updates when you can. I send a HUGE hug.
Hi Shelly and Oliver,
I am looking forward to having pizza with all of you tonight! Life is so freaking unfair! Keep your WONDERFUL sense of humor! Even in these discouraging times you can still make us laugh. If there is anything I can do to be of assistance,from Oliver and Buddy sitting to grocery shopping, just call.
Love Heath
My Cousin Shelly,
Well, I already sent you an e-mail, but I thought that you might want for me to post something here on your blog. Like I'm so important(ha ha). Anyway, I know that the miles certainly keep us apart, but that doesn't mean that you are not in my thoughts and prayers every day. I have often wondered why God does these things to such wonderful people, but what I have realized over the past few years is that life is somewhat of a game. We are all dealt a hand and it's just a matter of how we play it. I believe that life is a journey and our final destination is meeting our creator. On our journey we are sometimes given a crappy hand, but it's how we play it that matters. I am drawing strength and inspiration from you right now. When I talked to you on the phone you seemed to be in such great spirits. I think that is the key. Keep your chin up, be as strong as you can and when you can't he will be carrying you as well as all of us who love and care about you. We are all here for you. You may not know this, but Michael has had a pretty bad year with this medicine that he's on. It's certainly not of the magnitude of your illness, but never the less it's been tough. He sends his love and wishes that he could come to be with you right now too, but he is going to stay at home with the kids and some friends are coming to help him. I can't wait to see you tomorrow and I promise that I won't wear any smelly perfume. I love you Shelly.
Love your little cousin,
Jill
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxo
love you too Jill
A gift from Steve (Cousin) Mogull
If God told you exactly what it was you were to do, you would be happy doing it no
matter what it was. What you’re doing is what God wants you to do. Be happy.
Hi Shelly,
Cousins Sumner and Estelle from California here. Just thought we'd drop a short note to let you know that we are thinking of you today, tomorrow being the big day and of course we will be thinking of you all day tomorrow. My philosophy is "Today is the Tomorrow we worried about Yesterday. This too shall pass and all will be well. Joke for Oliver. What do you call a dog with no legs. Nothing. He aint gonna come anyway (sick). Hey take care and be well. We love ya.
Estelle and Sumner.
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