Wednesday 27 June 2007

Post #23: Started Low But Picked Up Later

Good evening all,

Anita started out the day very tired in that she had insomnia last night. That made her dizzier this morning when she got up than she has been in the past few days. We think the insomnia may have been caused by taking B vitamins too close to bedtime and/or by the long nap she had yesterday afternoon. However, as the day wore on, and after a long nap, she perked up and by evening time she was up and about somewhat. In fact, tonight she walked the longest continuous "circuit" before having to sit down than she has to date.

This evening, we all ended up watching a DVD together of Natalie Dessay's greatest moments on stage. For those who don't recognize the name (I had never heard of her before this year), and at the risk of offending fans of other singers, she is undoubtedly going to go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, coloratura sopranos to ever hit the opera stage. The woman is an amazing triple threat - she can sing and act - brilliantly - and is a superb athelete in physique and stamina. Truly amazing.

As is Anita. Mother's ability to rally is phenomenal. Today she consumed OJ with immune boosting powder, 9-grain toast, 1/2 banana, milk, plum juice and electrolyte solution, a ham and cheese sandwich, tea, pork loin, sweet potato and lemon and mango sherbet along with the now usual assortment of vitamins. Tonight in order to ensure a comfortable and rest-filled night, she took morphine drops as well as a tranquilizer.

We were able to get in touch with the oncologist's nurse today and should be able to speak with the oncologist soon. They are tracking down the results of Anita's recent blood test and echocardiogram. So we should be getting some defiinitive information within the next couple of days.

She continues to improve. The only pain she is experiencing is a slight chest pain when she gets very out of breath. She is reading, doing crosswords, planning activities for everyone and generally "being Anita." What a wonderful thing to see.

Melissa

2 comments:

regina&dan said...

Life is Either a darling adventure
or nothing. To keep our Faces toward change and behave like free
spirits in the presence of fate is
strength undefeatable.
---Helen Keller

Peace & Love
Gina and Danny

Anonymous said...

I'm so encouraged with all the good news about Anita. Rally on. Yesterday I went with Steve and Norman to the top of the tram for dinner and to cool off a bit. It was 65 degrees up there. Just wonderful. Steve was talking about how he and Anita had planned to come up there some time to just write. Such a wonderful idea. You might get to do that yet.
Love, Fritzie