Wednesday, August 24, 2011

**FINAL NOTES OF RECOVERY**

Hi to all my family and friends who have followed our blog.    
      Yesterday Dan and I made another long all day adventure to San Francisco to see the plastic surgeon.   We take snacks and playing cards as we never know how long we will be there!    The doctor was quite amazed at how well I am healing and we were able to review more of what went on during surgery, why things look and feel the way they do and see the pictures during surgery again.   It is strange to see myself filleted wide open like that...those pictures are forever in my mind!    He is recommending some gradual physical therapy for me.  Dan and I are also going to start doing some short walks to try and get my strength back.   The pain and discomfort are getting more tolerable.   We will be seeing the doctors in two months and having a CT scan to check for more cancer in December.  This will be the last of the blogs as I will slowly continue to recover and not a lot is new.
     This whole ordeal has strengthened my faith, made me stronger and has shown me blessings that I have never known.   I am so grateful for all of you who have been by my side the whole way, with prayers, cards, phone calls, meals, flowers, etc.   
I love and appreciate you all with all my heart.
Hugs and Kisses XO  Karen and Dan

Sunday, August 14, 2011

THE FRIDAY NITE SMACKDOWN!!!

Well, a week or so ago Karen (we) ventured out of the house for a major non Doctor visit outing. NOT a good thing.
 It was a weekend long double reunion. Friday being a "Grow" reunion get together. Followed by a Sat and Sun "friends I grew up with get together" reunion. All in the Hollister, Ca area. Karen lasted until Friday nite. Saturday and Sunday ............not so much. Friday started out with a 3 hour drive to Hollister. We though OK, it's the same as a drive to see the Doctor in SF. Reclined in the car seat .....no problem. Then it was sitting in a reclining lawn chair for a couple of hours while visiting with family ..........no problem. A slow walk across a baseball field to the visit the ladies room ......no problem. Then sitting at a picnic table for a bite to eat .........no problem. Then a slow walk to the baseball field to again relax in the recliner to watch a baseball game for an hour or so ......no problem. Then a return to a family members home to relax in a chair and the recliner to enjoy family once again at the end of the day ..........no problem. WRONG ........big problem! Too many insignificant little "events" added up to one big significant problem. She had a bad night Friday night, to say the least, so she spent the rest of the weekend "vegging" out in the recliner at my brothers house then the 3 hour trip back home. Needless to say I felt pretty bad for not recognizing what a long day Friday was for her. We thought she was set back a couple of weeks for sure. But she had friends over on Wednesday (her Birthday). They brought lunch and enjoyed a nice afternoon with her. And again on Thursday her sisters came over (with lunch) and she was able to enjoy another afternoon with them. All with no ill effects on her.
We then made another trip to SF on Friday to see the Surgeon. We had to leave at 5AM. for the 8AM appointment. I am happy to report that the Doctor said she will not be needing radiation or chemo treatments as the final lab reports show no evidence of any residual cancer cells. He reports that she is doing as good as can be expected and that all looks well.
We will be back in SF on the 23rd (2 month anniversary of the surgery) to visit the Plastic Surgeon. He may instruct us on possible therapy to help build her muscle strength and range of motion.
She continues to improve day by day but this is a long term project and expect full recovery to take upwards of a year or more. Please continue your prayers and thoughts on her behalf. We thank you all for your loving support.
Dan and Karen

Thursday, July 21, 2011

BLA! .... ba .... BLA! .... BLA! .... BLOG!

Well I'm BACK!
   It's been a couple of weeks now since my last update. I suppose it is time for another. We made our second post-op trip to SF last Tuesday. Karen made the trip this time without being cocooned in foam, pillows and blankets. I can't say it was a fun trip for her .......... a little extra drugs, in retrospect, would have made it easier. But she fared quite well. Also, there was no need for a wheel chair this time around once we got there. We arrived 45 minutes early so we devoured a meatloaf (thank you Sherry) sandwich prepared from the previous nights leftovers (yum), a slice of zucchini bread (thank you Suzie) and a soda(thank you safeway) then headed to the plastic surgeon's office. The doctor tells Karen he is very pleased with her progress. He said she is where she should be ........pain and all. Changed her bandages. Then answered a few questions like ..... what the HECK did you do to me and how did you DO it? He patiently (pun intended) explained. Karen asked if he took pictures? He said he did and asked "are you sure you want to see them?" Karen immediately said she did. So he pulls out his cell phone and shows us! ME-OH-MY! .......... (anyone for a fillet of fish!) At one point Karen asks "whats that?" He says ...... your INTESTINES. Ohhhh nice. I just hope the pictures don't show up on u-tube sometime. Overall we were pleased with the visit. He tells her again .... DO NOT USE YOUR ARMS for another month ........ yea..... we are half way. He did say she could wash her face, brush her teeth, comb her hair, etc. as long as it didn't hurt. ANY pain .... don't do it. Karen pops an oxycodone, hops in the car, we grab another meatloaf sandwich and we are off to Auburn.
    We return to SF on the 29th of July to visit the Thoracic surgeon. He will advise us as to the need for radiation (he thinks it won't be necessary but is currently seeking the advise of a radiologist). He will take a few x-rays to check out his work and check her progress generally.
    Thanks to all for an abundance of cards, flowers, meals, prayers and support.  We truly love and appreciate it.
Bye again,
Dan and Karen

Friday, July 8, 2011

OVER HILL, OVER DALE.....

It's been an uphill grind but now it should be a little easier. Or maybe I should say it's been a tough road so far but it will still be an uphill grind to full recovery...........but I'm sure you are reading this to find out about Karen ............so enough about me (JUST KIDDING!......geezz lighten up will ya). Anyway, it's going to be difficult to write something "new" everyday since her progress is going to be slow and go from now on. She continues to back off of pain meds (to less than half what she was taking when she first got home), she is more and more able to get up and sit down unassisted, shower without wound protection, eating practically anything she wants, no needs now from the in home nursing care,.......overall pretty darn good for being only 15 days out from major surgery.
     Maybe you might like a little detail as to what she went through.  Karen was diagnosed with a chondrosarcoma which is a rare form of bone cancer (give or take only about 1% of bone cancer cases) that typically grows out of the cartilage. So most Doctors see maybe one case in their entire career, if that. It was, in her case, pain free and very slow growing........hence the trap......we thought it was nothing for quite some time; until it was evident that it had definitely gotten bigger. (So all of you out there with bumps and lumps that don't bother you......... have them checked out anyway!) The surgeon removed the tumor which resided on her sternum directly over her heart. He also removed a "wide margin" beyond the tumor. That means about 5 inches wide and about 7 inches high overall. He filled the "gap" with a plastic type material similar to denture material (according to our dentist). It was embedded in a mesh which was sewn to her remaining ribs and etc. He then moved an ab muscle with skin attached up to the void. He said when it heals, if her stomach "itched" she would have to "scratch" her chest until her mind "figured things out". Right now it has no feeling. So until her rib cage heals and stabilizes she is not allowed to lift, pull, or push anything. So the better she feels the harder it's going to be to control herself. Anyway so this is the slow and go phase of things. I'll be back online with another post as significant events occur.
Until then,
Karen's helpmate

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN...............FRAN.....................CISCO

Actually we meant to say "I left my PARTS in San Francisco" : Drains, drain tubes, drain containers, stitches and etc. Tuesday was a grueling day for all of us but especially for Karen. Getting ready to go, getting in the car, leaving for SF at 10:30AM, picking up Karen's sister Marsha near Sacramento, hitting heavy traffic in several spots along the way which delayed us nearly an hour and finally arriving at the Doctors with only 20 minutes to spare for a 2:45PM appointment. But it was an overall great news day. Pathology reports showed no cancer cells along the margins of the sternum and rib tips that were removed and that sufficient margins were removed beyond the tumor. Removal of the drain tubes (3) was a very painful procedure.....fortunately it didn't take long to do. It even hurt me and I was just watching......OUCH!! Removal of the stitches.........about a 100 or so, took way more time but not nearly as painful but no picnic either. He then put on a few band aids, answered a few questions, gave Karen a green light for a SHOWER on Weds (today YEAH!!) and we were "out-a-there" at 5:30PM. We expected long "commuter traffic" ride home but were pleasantly surprised with an "up to speed" trip all the way arriving here around 8:30PM. We answered a few phone calls, took a few pills (both of us) and hit the hay. WHEW!
Thank you Marsha for your company, your help, your expertise, and your sandwiches...they were delicious. We love you!   Bye bye for now.

Monday, July 4, 2011

ON OUR OWN NOW

Kelly left us bright and early Sunday morning. I have kind of gotten used to her here. Sad to see her go. But she has left me with charts and pills and medical supplies and instructions to keep track of and take care of her mom. I hope it all works.............. I already have forgotten to give Karen her pills exactly on time. I guess I need to have another list (and a few timers) to keep track of the lists and timers. Kristina is coming over to change out some dressings this morning. Great! That procedure is a little scary for me (and for Karen.........with ME doing it).
 Well we'll be of to SF for a visit with the Doctors that performed the surgery on Tuesday. We are looking forward to having one or more drain tubes removed (she has three). This will hopefully leave us with a little less to have to worry about. We are grateful to Kelly's family for letting us borrow her for the last two weeks. She has been such a great help to us (along with the rest of Karen's family for keeping us fed and etc.).
WISH ME LUCK! 

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Good Bye from Kelly

Just a little note to let you all know that tomorrow morning I will be leaving mom and Dan and head home. Dan will be posting updates and keeping you all up to date on what's happening with mom. My only request is that you all continue to pray for pathology results to come back negative for cancer! I know that there are so many people willing to help with meal, errands, and anything else that's needed. I could not leave if I wasn't sure that there are dependable and capable people helping care for them both. Dan is most capable on his own along with mom's sister, Marsha who is an RN helping with dressing changes as needed. Thank You all for everything you do and have done to help my mom! XO Kelly

Backyard Airshow

First thing this morning we went out to the patio to have breakfast and overhead we witnessed about 5 airplanes taking off and into formation from the airport located just out the back of the house! We sat for about an hour enjoying our fruit and quiche watching the planes. It was great! (thank you daughter Krissy for the quiche)

Yesterday mom had several visiting friends come over, which she enjoyed immensely. Then daughter, Krissy and granddaughters, Cate and Jessica came by and cooked for us! I think mom over-did-it a bit, because she was really tired this morning and a little sore. She said the pain was well worth having the kids over for a little while.

After a bath and a little visit with a friend and a few phone calls, mom fell asleep for a few hours! So the rest of the day we plan to relax. With the high temperatures today of up to about 100 degrees we are going to take it easy. If we don't get to say so personally to each of, we wish you all a VERY safe holiday and God Bless America!

Friday, July 1, 2011

One week post surgery

Reflecting on this last week one of the things that we have discussed was that short of a miracle, mom's surgery could not have gone better. Her recovery could not have gone better.

In preparation for the surgery mom was walking, using her rowing machine and her stair-stepper. She knew that by strengthening her upper body it would help her with recovery. What she didn't realize was that her recovery was going to require strengthening of her lower body just as much as her upper body....(she can't use her arms for the next month or so). She is dependent upon her lower body to get up and down. Have you ever tried to get out of bed or a chair without using you'd arms? It's so much harder than I'd ever thought! Now add all the surgical complications! There were hidden benefits to her doing all that exercising of her upper body, because it actually strengthened her lower body. Which, in turn, has become the area of her body she depends upon the most!

Over the last few days we have watched videos that friends have dropped off. Eaten little goodies from family and friends and received numerous cards and good wishes. There are simply no words......

Thursday, June 30, 2011

To the Primary Kids:

Sister Grow wants you to know how HAPPY she is to have your pictures!!! She LOVES seeing all the beautiful drawings of happy faces and sunshine! Each picture the kids drew is accompanied by a darling poem, "A smile is like a sunshine; it brightens up the day, it gives the eye a twinkle and chastens frowns away!" Thank you for brightening up the smile on Sister Grow's face! She is much much happier now! She looks forward to seeing you all again soon!

A Hospital Bed

Yesterday the hospital bed arrived! Last night mom was able to get a better night's sleep than the night before. Every day gets better as she is able to get up and down out of bed and a chair with only the slightest bit of help. She clutches her pillow to her chest since she is unable to use her arms for anything other than eating and brushing her teeth. It's so reflexive to hold your hands up when you start to fall, grab the wall or chair rail. But, all of this is not permitted. Doctors want her to allow her musculature to heal before starting to use them. She is missing a few muscles in her upper chest region and abdominal area now, so physical therapy will help her to learn to use the muscles she has left. She has been eating and re-reads the cards and well wishes she has received!

We still are guarding her from infection, so please don't make us have to tell you to talk to her through the window if you've been sick or have kids with you :) sorry! Coughing or vomiting is the worst thing that can happen right now.

One cute little story was when her little granddaughter who has had many hospital stays came in (she is the one exception to the child rule since she lives in a bubble of health too) she saw her grandma lying in bed with the nurse working on her and she said, "It's gonna be okay grandma, don't worry, it's gonna be okay". The concern in her voice and the compassion Of "been there, done that" touched all of us. Each day brings more healing.

Please continue to pray for pathology to come back showing no remaining cancer.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

BEST WAY TO COMMENT

The best way to comment on a post is to go to GOOGLE and up at the top of the page there is a "GMAIL" spot. Click on that and then click on "Create an account" once you have an account in gmail you can sign in and comment on the blog. THIS IS THE EASIEST WAY

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

One day at a time.

Mom has been much happier at home and has been reconnecting with loved ones and friends a little bit at a time and mostly by phone. We're trying to get a hospital bed in so sleeping will be a bit more comfortable. She still can't use her arms for anything but sternal support using a pillow. She had home health here and should have visits two times a week. Physical therapy won't start for another little while but they are helping to get the bed in which is what we need the most right now. Having had her hair washed, mom is feeling a bit more human. Dan picked a few zucchini from the garden and moms excited to eat them. Their first fruits! If you want to call and say Hi, feel free! We will tell you if mom is resting.

Next week we will get the pathology results from surrounding tissue. This will let us know if they were able to "get it all" or not. Still taking one day at a time, we are thankful for every day!

Monday, June 27, 2011

She's Home....

Grateful, grateful, grateful! For family that never fails, friends who are always willing, and neighbors who watch and guard! The trip home was probably much more grueling than mom will admit. We only had 1 pit stop pillow change! Never the complainer. I had to laugh when as we passed through the toll bridge I mentioned to her that I thought Dan was still behind us somewhere...I slowed down and watched to see if he was coming up behind us (he has been the "grandpa" driver at times). I couldn't see him and decided that in order to go slow and let him catch up to me I would pull behind a large 18 wheeler. I made a few calls to his cell phone but no reply. After a few minutes mom asked what in world was I doing going so slow. I told her that Dan was somewhere behind me, and he must be going really slow, because we were just creeping along. (I'm thinking...geeze Dan, pick up the pace!) Mom, anxious not to spend one extra minute in the car than she absolutely had to says, "Just leave him"....so, off we go. Well, I guess he knows the way, he has the GPS with him! Pretty soon Dan calls, " Where are you guys? Are you still dragging behind me"? Hahahaha....mom says,"You catch up with him so I can scold him for leaving us behind"!.... Hahaha

When we got home we were greeted with a darling sign in the yard saying, "Welcome Home Karen"! What a delight! So, we are all happy to be home and on the mend. Mom still has 3 drains in and still struggles to get comfortable, takes her medications and still has a long road to recovery, but it is so much better than the hospital.

AWAY WE GO.....

I'm not taking too much time to write because we are SO EXCITED to be leaving! TTFN...we'll continue to keep you posted. XO Karen's family

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Private room

So today when we heard that Drs were in agreement we could leave and we just had to hear from the lead thoracic surgeon ( within the hour) we checked out of our hotels and loaded the cars, ready to go! He never called. But, on the bright side, we were moved into a private room, have an excellent nurse, Andrew. So, we will be sleeping in the room. We're allowed now since it's private! So if any of you want to join the sleepover....come on up! Mom is doing fabulous having made 2 laps around the nurses station today! She ate food that isn't clear fluids and is looking forward to ice cream!

:( ugh

It's a good thing that God knows what we need before we do, and even better, He meets our needs before we even know to ask. It's not fortunate, it's not luck, it's not circumstantial. It's a direct result of good, honest, faithful prayers. Prayers from everyone, everywhere. Praying that quick prayer as they rush through the door, the fleeting thought that flickers through our brain as we drive down the street and the ones offered on bended knee. ALL of them. Each one He hears. I thought things would go much differently than they have....I expected mom to come out of the OR practically comatose, tubes threaded every which way, monitors bleating off their incessant cries for responses. I was dreading it. But it wasn't like that. Sure there were tubes and monitors, sounds and smells, but she was breathing on her own and able to speak. She hurt, and she was scared. Heck, we all were. But everything went better than we planned. Better than we dared hope for. But, God knew. As she went into ICU we were grateful she would receive good care. As she remained in ICU we were surprised, she seemed to be doing so much better, we kept expecting her to be moved out within a few hours, but that never happened. She stayed, almost tube free and waking the halls, God knew. Even when Satan whipped her around in the bed (see earlier story), we were reminded to be grateful for GOOD nursing staff!
Here we are now on the thoracic floor and a semi-private room. Privacy is out of the question, as is peace and quiet. Mom had a horrible night. Barely responded to and full of pain for most of the night I am fighting off feeling of frustrated rage. Krissy, Dan and I were sick having to leave her alone last night. They refused to let us stay. She couldn't reach her water because they moved her tray. She is unable to use her arms to push, pull or lift anything and can't get out of bed. She was trapped in and by her pain. She asked for help and it was VERY slow in coming. The TV blared all night without stopping on the other side of the curtain...you know the routine. We want her home. Some might say, "where's God in that!" But we know where He is...He is here, with us, He always is.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

SHE WALKED!!!

Sometimes the things we get excited about are the same things we got excited about when we had our first child. In a way, I guess, we are experiencing all of the same emotions that we did way back when....it's not exactly in the same way but, noteworthy none the less. My mother is a remarkable woman. She has determined that the nausea she was experiencing was due to the pain medications in the PCA, so she decided that Tylenol would be a better option. Taking a leap of faith, combined with all the prayers you continually offer, she is making HUGE strides in her own recovery. Dan coaxes her along continually, yet gently, reminding her that she needs to do her breathing exercises. With each step taken in the right direction, it is becoming increasingly easier to get up to a chair and now walk! Exhausting as it was, those first few steps are miraculous! She will be moving to another room, probably still here on the thoracic/cardiac floor, we just don't know what room yet. I am not sure if it is because there isn't room or if the Dr. Just hasn't made the order yet. Regardless, we are grateful for your continued prayers and good wishes...they TRULY make all the difference. Don't stop! Our hopes now are concentrating on preventing infection and continued pain control and wound healing. Thank you everyone! Some of you have asked about flowers and cards....please send them to their house rather than to the hospital...let's hope we will be there soon!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Stabilizing in the ICU

Mom is improving...her BP is up and she has continued trying to eat another cracker, a bit of broth and juice. She was up in the chair again for an hour. Doctors are very pleased with the surgical wound sites, they are healing nicely.

A little about the surgery...the cancerous growth, sternum and bone that was removed was approx 14 cm x 6 cm. Abdominal wall muscles were cut and "threaded" up through to her chest wall to help cover the hole left behind after removing the cancer. They also removed an area of tissue and skin at the same spot, like a skin graft, to cover the muscle. They did not have to collapse a lung, however they did have to remove some muscle tissue, under the major pectoral muscle, which by building other muscles she will eventually be able to overcome most of the loss, all of which is truly an unexpected blessing! They did find and remove a small benign lump in her breast, which they removed as well. They checked out her lungs and surrounding tissue for any signs of cancer and found none.

It is expected that she will have a about 6 weeks of no pushing, pulling, lifting ANYTHING. A little physical therapy to help with her regaining and building muscle...soon she will be able to open a catsup bottle (something we girls have always struggled with :)

Up and Moving

Today has turned out to be quite eventful! Mom unwillingly but cooperatively was moved from her bed into a chair. This is difficult to do when "Satan" (otherwise known as Timothy another ICU RN)who is lacking in compassion, comes to fling mom out of her bed! (mom's grandson, Jake was in ICU a few years ago fondly named some of the hospital staff that worked with him Satan, hence the new name for him!) I promptly told our nurse that "Satan" was no longer allowed to be in mom's room or I would personally throw his hiney out! She was able to fight off the nausea and drink some juice, take some oral medications, and a cracker!!! She endured the chair for an hour and a half before being moved back into the bed and is now resting and trying to sleep. She was given a spirometer to exercise her lungs, help break up any pockets of fluid, and prevent pneumonia from settling in. After all her exercises she fell fast asleep. Dan has been very dutiful taking care of her and remains by her side most of the time. We expect that later today she will be moved from ICU onto the floor for regular skilled nursing.

We're moving in the right direction

Just a few minutes ago mom took her first few sips of water and juice! Her bed has been elevated to a more upright position and she is more alert and talking more :) soon we are hoping that if holds the fluids down, she can actually sit on the edge of the bed and with some physical therapy help, maybe standing later today. She is very cautiously taking small sips hoping to keep it down...nausea is NOT her friend considering all her sutures. Please continue to let people know about the blog so we can keep the good thoughts and prayers coming in on her behalf!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Here we go to the ICU

Just received word that due to her nausea and uncontrolled pain, the thoracic and pain management teams have made a decision to move mom to the ICU. They are considering placing an epidural for better pain control and feel that she will receive closer supervision and care in the ICU....we agree. Her lab work is improving and she is resting better. Dan is comforted knowing she is receiving quality care. He has been so very worried about her, he loves her so much,we are so grateful he is part of her life...

Recovery Room

Doctors have determined that she will not need to be in the ICU, which reflects the good outcome of her surgery. :) A pain management team has been called in to evaluate her pain since her PCA isn't effective enough. She has a great nursing staff currently another :) !!! She is in good spirits asking about her littlest granddaughter, Cate and smiling at the iPhone pictures Krissy showed her. Thank you to Giovana who is taking care of Cate and supplying the much appreciated photos!

All surgery is now complete...

Without getting into the details of the surgery, we want you to know that both the thoracic and plastic surgeons have completed their respective surgeries. There was both boney structures and muscles remove and skin and muscle grafts performed. She has drains in place and hundreds of internal and external stitches, mesh and a plaster-of-paris type material that covers the holes left behind in her chest wall and abdomen. Overall, she tolerated the procedures well, breathing tubes were removed, and she is breathing on her own. Next we move on to pain control and stabilization. Thank you everyone for your kindness and willingness to help. Please pray for pain control, no infections and rest. We love you all.

THE MAJOR SURGERY IS OVER....

Everything went well. Though she is still in surgery, the plastic surgeons are closing the wounds, she tolerated the process well. They removed 14cm of sternum and surrounding rib structure. We will not have pathology results for about 7 days. She will be moved to ICU in the next few hours and we will be able to see her. Please continue to pray for her comfort and no infection. We will continue to keep you posted.

Surgery has begun...

Upon arrival at the hospital, we were literally herded by groups into the pre-op area and assigned a station to finish filling out some final paperwork and change. The training anesthetist missed her vein on the first try...annoying mom a bit. We had a chance to meet the various surgeons and we again went over everything that she had already been told, but it gave her a chance to ask any last questions she had. The thoracic surgeon came in last and we told him that we were all praying for him and the entire team. She went into the operating room at just after 8am. She was a little bit anxious as they took her in and she was given Verced (most patients are given this before surgery) and she relaxed. Although they took her in at 8, the surgery actually started at 9am. We just checked on her progress and there hasn't been any word. We decided not to bother the surgical team to ask for further information. Dan is anxiously awaiting word as we are sure you all are too. We will keep you posted. Love to all.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

READ HERE IF YOU NEED HELP POSTING

If you want to post a message but can't figure it out, here are the steps to help you. First click on the spot "sign in" ...even if you don't have an account, that is in red just under the photos of other "followers". Then if you HAVE a google or other account of the list, then sign in...after you sign in you can post a comment. If you DONT have an account then click on "create an account". A Google account is the easiest to create and use, then follow the prompts to create an account. You will be transferred to the blogspot when you are done...or just redirect yourself there after signing in. You can "click to follow" and you will be notified when new postings are created.

Getting Ready

Today we prepare to head to UCSF. First, we want to say, "THANK YOU" to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We know that every prayer and good thought is heard and responded to! Mom truly can feel the calming presence that comes as a result of your efforts on her behalf. So many of you have offered assistance, we are very grateful! Mom and Dan have asked that you continue to pray for them! You can post your messages here on this blog (we will share them with them daily) and TELL OTHERS so that they can be kept up to date on her progress via this site rather than calling our cell phones or hospital room. ICU does not allow phones and some cardiac and surgery units won't either. In addition, many people in similar circumstances have said that cards and pictures of loved ones and friends who are recovering from traumatic events do better and feel encouraged from the well wishes from those they know and love. Please send cards, stories, well wishes via this site and or by mail to them. We will have pictures in her hospital room and at home for encouragement, feel free to send a photo, card or note to their home: 12404 Oak Mist Lane, Auburn, Ca. 95602.