Date sent: Thu 4/17/2003 9:30 PM
Good news update...

Dear All,

The latest is… Dr. Black thinks that the mass on the MRI does not need to be operated on immediately.  He felt the course recommended by the ID docs was a good one (i.e. antibiotics).  We will send him the next set of films when we get them.

Also, Dan saw Dr. Weinstein today (the ID doc).  He said he went over the films very carefully with a neuroradiologist at Kettering Medical Center that he really trusts.  The main issue was whether the growing mass really was abscess or tumor.  They are treating it as if it is abscess and then we will see in a couple weeks if that treatment made any difference. 

From Dan:

“This is both good news and bad news.  The good news is that we are not rushing off to Boston to get my head cut open immediately.  And, it gives me time to heal whatever this “mass” is.  The bad news is, the confusing interpretations are hard to live with.  And the extra medicine is making me have more weak days. 

When we did think I needed surgery, the kids seemed concerned but un-phased.  It has become so common place that ‘Dad is sick’ and needs surgeries.  There is a family mode that we go into, it has gotten into a routine.  … the kids go to the Schmidts, I fly off to Boston, Abi puts off her life on hold for awhile, I deal with the hospital, and Boston, and the recovery process… It has happened so often now, that it is feeling, well, like part of life, something that happens… not the exception… it is an exception, but is part of our life, and everyone knows their role and plays it.

When we were having the Seder last night, I was thinking about how I could be in the hospital at that time, and how nice it was to be with friends and family, and how much I miss when I am in the hospital, not being at home.  It was nice to be home.”

OK, dear friends, thanks for hanging in there with us.  It often feels as though there is more to say, but the ups and downs take their toll, in exhaustion and confusion.

Much love,

Dan and Abi

 

 

Previous
Home
Next

Copyright May, 2003 - Please do not copy any part of this journal without written permission.