Laura is still doing very well — I’d say even better than a few days ago. No fatigue, yet, from radiation. Her hair is falling out again.
She limps around well with her fractured leg. It will hopefully heal up in the coming weeks. (She’s also getting rads at the fracture site in case bone mets facilitated the break.)
Probably Laura’s biggest complaint right now is her mouth. Food doesn’t taste right and her mouth is very sensitive to cold. These symptoms are almost certainly due to the brain radiation, so it will continue to worsen this week, but will hopefully clear.
Laura saw an opthamologist about her vision and the doctor thinks that her intermittent narrowed vision will improve as the blood vessels further relax since the surgery. So that’s good news, too.
Laura’s back in “project” mode, which is also a good sign. She’s got her checklist of things to get done. Annual photo albums that never got compiled. Recordings of her reading bedtime stories. That sort of thing. And, of course, go to Hawaii, California, Arkansas, Virginia.
All in all, even considering the bum leg, Laura is about as good as she’s been since her diagnosis. (It’s hard to believe I’m writing this when she seemed to be at death’s door less than three weeks ago!) So trip #1 is still a go.
Here’s our rough three week plan:
- Kauai, Hawaii: March 5-11.
- Northern California: March 12-17. We will be in Berkeley and/or Santa Cruz mostly. Probably a day trip to LA on March 16.
- Northern Virginia: March 19-24.
If you’re in California or the DC area, we would love to see you, so email me (or leave a comment here only if you think it would be helpful for others to read for coordination). Please don’t be offended if I don’t initiate the email to all of you individually about visiting and we might not be able to meet up with everyone. But please contact me and we’ll organize something.
Laura and I are currently spending a hell of a lot of time at appointments and related errands. It doesn’t seem to be the best way to be using the “up” time, so we’re looking forward to escaping from the hospital. And Lily and Naomi are thrilled about the trip, too. Lily “packed” her suitcase a couple of days ago and the two have been wearing their bathing suits around the house for days. They have so little appreciation for time, distance, or destination. But it doesn’t matter to them: any day now we’re going on a family trip to a warm place with a pool!
11 responses so far ↓
1 Eddie Pasa // Feb 26, 2008 at 12:27 am
Hi, guys. When you’re out here in DC, I’d love to hang out and see y’all. Laura, you’d dig it – I’ve been playing “Shaving Cream”, “Birdhouse in Your Soul”, “The Scotsman” and “Punk Rock Girl” at my solo shows, in your honor.
Love you all.
eds
2 Chris and Candace Coleman // Feb 26, 2008 at 12:47 am
It’s great to hear Laura is still feelng well. We hope you have a great trip to the islands next week. Hawaii sounds great compared to the winter wonderland we left there 2 weeks ago.
Travel safe and we love you all.
Chris
3 Tom Duesterhaus // Feb 26, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I’ll be in Northern Virginia area the whole time you are down here – and, strangely enough, I was seriously thinking about coming up to Massachusetts to visit you at the end of that week (say, Thursday through Sunday, March 27-30). Not sure I’ll do that now that you’re coming down, but maybe . . .
4 Rommy // Feb 26, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Have a FABULOUS time in Hawaii!!! Is PJ still going aka Nanny Fran? May I put in a request to the photographer? A picture of the “Nanny” wearing a grass skirt, Hawaiian island shirt, and some coconuts! Ah, the ridicule that will follow!
CAN NOT WAIT to see you guys! And you’ll finally get to meet the newest addition, Ethan!
5 Lisa Flores // Feb 26, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Yipee! I am going to make sure Vesper gets up here to Santa Cruz (she moved to San Diego recently). Can’t wait to see you all. I have a lot of flexibility that week, so feel free to fit me in whenever and if you can. The only time I won’t be able to do anything is on Saturday, March 15th.
6 Heather // Feb 26, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Hey … Naomi wearing a bathing suit is quite a bit of clothing & covering up for her, no?!? During my visit, Laura & David were hard pressed to get her to wear much more than a “dress up” skirt around the house. She’ll really be in her element in Hawaii!!!!
7 Sr. Sarah Lamb ( Sr. Maria) // Feb 27, 2008 at 11:04 am
Dear Laura,
I spoke to your mother today and she told me about your sickness and hooked me up with this blog. Please know I am close in thought and prayer. I’m working at a Jesuit retreat house in Reading, PA and will ask the hundred of people who come here to join us in prayer. Your “second grade beautiful face and spirit” have always been a part of my memories at St. Michael’s in Annandale. Know I hold you in my
heart and prayer.
Love,
Sr. Maria
8 Karuna // Feb 27, 2008 at 11:56 am
Hello you all!!
I have had some trouble getting your site to load the past couple of days. Maybe an ISP thing on my end.
Anyway, so glad to hear all the good news, especially about the upcoming trip out west!! I would love to see you guys if that is possible. I will be in LA from March 13 – 16th, arriving back in SF on the afternoon of the 16th. I’d be happy to drive over to Berkeley after I arrive if you guys are there then. Let me know.
Much Love, Joy and Blessing to you all. It feels like a breeze of relief is being offered. Let’s all breathe in these wonderous gifts!!
Karuna
9 Mary Ann Payne // Mar 1, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Godspeed to Hawaii!
Waiting for that postcard and sending my love. Mary Ann
10 Phyllis Eller // Mar 2, 2008 at 12:12 am
David and Laura, how great that you will get a chance to go to Hawaii with the girls.
Of course we would like to see you when you are in So. CA. Would it be easier if we came to vist you wherever you are hanging your hat? Katy McFadden is spending that week, which is her spring break (from Indiana), with a friend here in the area. I’m not sure of her plans, but if she’s free she would probably come along.
I reaally do hope you get to make the trip!
Much love and prayers,
Aunt Phyllis
11 Sasha and Dan Zalewski // Mar 3, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Have a great trip! Sorry our paths won’t cross. We’ll watch for great pictures on the blog. Thinking of you…
love,
Sasha and Dan