Today went pretty well. Alison and Kirk visited with some immediate family, ate a few more latkes and pretty well tuckered themselves out. Part of what is exhausting for Alison is that she has deficits in her right "visual fields" - not just her right eye, but the right side of both eyes are pretty much gone because of the tumor location in the left occipital area (a vision center). Now, post op days 5 and 6, she is getting strobe-like symptoms in the right side of her vision, which you might imagine is a lot to cope with when walking, eating, trying to watch something on TV. Bless him, Kirk is there for her every step up or down stairs, and Alison is patient about waiting for help before walking somewhere where the footing might be uneven. We are hopeful that the strobe effect is neurons trying to put new pathways together, and represent some healing as the brain swelling goes down.
Tonight, (niece) Lara is there to help support them, and I hear from Lara that at present everyone's moods are good, and they are winding down for bedtime. I believe the physical therapist was out today to look at any home modifications that might be needed, and to evaluate her for rehab needs. I think Kirk and brother Jon (the ex-contractor) have plans a-foot to enhance certain safety features dealing with stairs and walkways. As Alison is fond of saying, she has a "deep bench" when it comes to support, and a lot of folks with fabulous skill sets have already pitched in!
She tears up and LOVES it every time we relay one of your messages to her; it means so much to her to know her "peeps" are thinking of her. Thank you to all for your love and support. -Deborah (Alison's sister, to those of you I don't know yet!)
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Alison...we do all miss you in the NICU!
ReplyDeleteThe babies are even crying because they miss you too. So rest, take care of yourself, and remember we are all sending you well wishes and good thoughts!
From Carol H. & your pm support crew!
Thank you so much for having this blog to keep us updated. I didn't know you were going thru this and I was thinking, why hasn't Alison checked her evite yet. Well, we are all thinking of you at work. We missed you at our holiday party at Gabby's. I will send you the pics from the party soon. It's good to hear that you are doing well as can be. Take care Alison. Sending you lots of love and hugs.
ReplyDeleteKisses and hugs to all of you! And, Alison, those of us at First Congregational Church in SC continue to light candles and ask for prayers of support for you and your family! Actually, there is a sotto voce competition between us to be first! Gail said the prayer first, but I got to the candle before her or Cheryl this Sunday!! Hah!!! I win!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Alison, Our whole family is thinking of you and Dani here in Santa Cruz. We miss you both and are sending strength and healing thoughts your way. I wrote an email a couple of weeks ago, which may have gotten lost in the shuffle. Please, please let me know if there is anything we can do. Love, Debra, Ken, Jonah and Arielle
ReplyDeletePlease tell alison that haley and sarah shipway love her very much. All of us shipways are hoping for the best.
ReplyDeletelots of love haley shipway
Hey Hot Rod,
ReplyDeleteI have never used a blog before and think I have so far flunked my debut. Lara was kind enough to instruct me once I realized I wasn’t reaching you with my concern.
I have, though, been sending periodic portfolios of pretty pictures to your email address.
There is a whole backlog of slideshows awaiting the stabilization of your vision. Flowers, sunsets, ocean waves, and now deserts. Meanwhile, I will send you MUSIC tomorrow, now that you may have leisure to listen
While over the years I have been little concerned about my own survivability on the planet…it is the vulnerability of my loved ones that destabilizes me.
You have been close to my heart for 34 years, whatever the distance in our lives.
You are no less close now.
The optimist that I am insists that we will have many more years for me to better express the closeness I’ve felt…and your brief fling with mortality will insure that I make much better use of that time than I have so far done.
With love,
Michael
Some people will go to any lengths to avoid coming to work! I very much miss having you to give a hard time to. (Boy, that was a convoluted sentence-like something from a language lesson.) Love, laugh, heal.
ReplyDeleteHightops! Remember when Kyle and Hightops got together? Ligament and financial mayhem ensued! That was MY first week of chemo. That evening, you and Dani became the family that I didn't (or couldn't) have during that rough time. That evening (gasp) will be with me forever. Kyle is NOOOOTTTTT coming anywhere's near kittypuss this time. Love, Chris and Kyle.
ReplyDeleteDear, sweet Alison. Wow, you really did it up big time, huh. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. Ever since you were young, your damn body just keeps wanting to grow new things--unwanted things! I hope you are healing well and getting strength and functions back quickly. Aren't you surprised by how many people love you? I'm not, you're just so darned loveable. I'm sending a tsunami of healing and loving energy your way, so sit back and let it do its work. Love, Susan Dixon
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that things are slowly improving. I miss seeing Alison in the ICN, working next to me.
ReplyDeleteDawn Rice