December 08, 2003

Dec 8 Update

From Elizabeth:
Maddy continues to do well, all things considered. I didn't talk
directly to her, since she's still in the ICU, but Jean brought me
up-to-date.

She is briefly conscious, off and on, and is aware and alert. She's "sipping
Ribena like crazy," and talking in small patches before drifting
off again. She can't actually eat much, maybe a spoonful or two
of yogurt, but she says she's hungry, and she asked the nurse for pizza
this morning!

There is an infection in the spinal fluid around the chemo port in her
brain, and the infectious-diseases doc wants to have that port
taken out. He's culturing the fluid to see which specific
antibiotic to use, but in the meantime, she's already getting 5
antibiotics, and one/some of them will be helping combat the
infection.

While Maddy is talking clearly and has control over the left side
of her face, she cannot move her left arm or leg. The theory is
that this is due to the repressurization of her brain, now that
the tube they inserted yesterday is still draining fluid, and that
it will be temporary. She can't receive physio-therapy in the
ICU, but she'll start getting it once they transfer her out in
1-3 days (whenever the newest brain tube stops draining).

Jean mentioned Maddy could use some nice cotton scarves since
one side of her head is now bald after being shaved to insert
the tube. I'll find some pretty ones on the Internet and have
them sent to Becca.

By the way, Maddy is becoming known affectionately as the
British-American Princess, due to all the nice sheets, towels,
foods, etc., we've sent her.

Also, the Maddy Fund is going to be covering some other items
like utilities.

Elizabeth

Posted by ptomblin at December 8, 2003 04:47 PM
Comments

Me too! I'm thinking about her a lot. Since I'm not trained in reiki, I will fiddle with my HVAC system and think of her, and I look forward to visiting her when she's up to it.

Posted by: sharon at December 9, 2003 11:19 AM

Elizabeth I echo the thanks as you are essentially the primary information line. Say Hi to Jean from Ruthie, Brenda and Carolyn in Canada. Did the numbing cream arrive at Becca's?

Please post often over the next few days as we check constantly for news of positive changes or any information for the information starved.

Ruth Matte

Posted by: Ruthie at December 9, 2003 07:44 AM

Elizabeth, thank you so much for what you're doing. Please, the next time you can talk with Maddy, tell her that Larry and 'The Beautemous Elayne' from Atlanta are thinking good thoughts her way.

Posted by: Larry Palletti at December 8, 2003 10:25 PM
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