|
[Monday, February 19, 2007] In reviewing all the updates I noticed I hadn't mentioned anything about the fluid being drained from Shelsi's chest about a week ago. That was crazy to watch. Eric and I were both there as the doctor inserted a tube through her back (after numbing her of course) and through a huge syringe pulled a liter and a half of fluid from around her right lung. Eric was amazed he could watch that since he nearly passed out watching her first IV being inserted. Being a mom I'm an old hat at stuff like that. I watched my own bunion surgery 26 years ago :) - but watching such a procedure being done to my daughter made me cry. Mom's can handle pain in themselves - but NOT their children! It was after that, that Shel noticed her breathing became a little easier. Out of all the things she's had to endure since this all began, from chest biopsies, bone marrow biopsies, numerous IV lines inserted, a PIC line inserted (and then re-inserted because it wasn't in right the first time), shots in the belly, etc, she said the worst was having to lay still on her back, intermittently holding her breath [this was when just breathing was arduous], while an MRI snapped around 5000 images. When she was told last week she had to have another one done, it's the only time I've seen her show any nerves. But fortunately the fluid in her chest was the culprit making it difficult for her to stay flat on her back for so long. Having that drained made the procedure much easier, she said, which brought a huge sigh of relief from all of us! The original PIC line they had run in order to draw blood, deliver medicine, IV fluids and ultimately the Chemotherapy meds, evidently ended up in the jugular vein, which is not a good place when they start the next Chemotherapy treatment on Wednesday. They think it ended up there mostly because the place where they wanted it to go, the Superior Vena Cava is being constricted. So today they had to reroute it. Shelsi said she got to watch it on the monitor snaking through her veins and thought it was pretty amazing. So far the line is now where it's supposed to be. They will need to check it one more time before starting Chemo on Wednesday. Dr. Lill, her Oncologist feels like things are looking good. He told Eric today that Lymphoma often leaves scar tissue behind after Chemo. So hopefully, as the anomaly in Shelsi's chest continues to retreat from around her heart and lungs, it will leave scar tissue in its wake rather than holes. Dr. Lill wants to keep Shelsi at Cedars through the next round of chemo just as a precaution, which means she will be here at least until two weeks from this Thursday. The response to the Guestbook has been awesome! I called and read Shelsi all the messages she's received (up to around 3:00 p.m. Monday). She cried - tears of joy of course. Eric's parents, Lew and Lorrie, have been wonderful and supportive and working so diligently to prepare the place where Shel will return when the hospital finally releases her. They should be so proud of Eric who has handled this situation with amazing valor and grace. It's been almost a month now and he's only been gone from her side about 5 or 6 days total and that was when he needed to do something to help prepare for her return home. What a wonderful young son-in-law I have! These two soft-spoken people have such internal strength. They are indeed a light to the world and an example to us all. Being her mom, I could tell you stories of Shelsi's remarkable tenacity and ability to endure trials - and maybe someday I will relate one or two. But I believe this current situation speaks volumes of who She really is. It's amazing the strength that can come from one so gentle. She's been that way from the time she was born. Her dad Ric and I remember how from the time she could focus her eyes she would stare into people' souls. She used to make strangers uncomfortable :). She is a woman of few words but like they say 'still waters run deep'. Again, we send our love and gratitude to all of you for your heartfelt love and support at this difficult time. I feel that we have all been lifted up on the wings of angels helping us not to completely feel the immensity of this heavy weight right now.s s Shelsi is currently at Cedars Sinai Medical Center at Los Angeles, in the South Tower, room #4903 [Shelsi still needs lots of rest, so it's probably wise to call before visiting] -- see Map or Directions Love - Sheri 
Eric & Shelsi with Eric's parents, Lew and Lorrie |