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It's Mara
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The Story
Hi Folks! Here's the story straight from the horse's mouth:
August 29 I stumbled over a word. It wasn't a big deal but I noticed. Then on Thursday night (August 30) David and I left on a fabulous long weekend in Syria. Friday we left Damascus for Palmyra. It was really hot. That day I stumbled over a couple words too -- it stood out to me since I never do that....
Saturday we walked all over Palmyra and I was really suffering from heat, or so I thought. I felt like I was making lots of mistakes in my speech -- but David didn't notice. Then I noticed that I had a small numb spot on my scalp behind my right ear. Strange, strange, strange. On Sunday, back in Damascus, the speech got worse (comegranite instread of pomegranite, etc.). By the end of the day I really felt like I was having trouble simply getting sentences out that were in my head. I couldn't make small talk with strangers (imagine that for me!) -- it was stressfull.
When I got home Sunday night I wrote my melanoma oncologist and he said I should immediately get an MRI. So Monday morning by 8:30 AM our fabulous health unit in Amman had me in a an MRI machine. By 9:30 I was out and found that I had metastatic cancer lesions (tumors) on multiple sites in my brain. Most notably, a frontal left lobe that deals with oral expression (the largest at about 1.8 cm). I also have one on the base of my brain where it connects to the spine, which may or may not have to do with the scalp numbness.
So -- Monday was a fabulous day in the hospital in Amman where practically everyone I have worked or played with in the past year came to visit -- it was a big party! By the next morning I was on a plane back to New York, accompanied by the Embassy's excellent doctor -- Curt Hofer. Tuesday night we arrived in New York and took a taxi directly to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center hospital where we met my mother and oncologist. The past week in New York has blown by with tests and doctors and museums. David arrived from Amman on Sunday, September 9, and is going to be able to spend a month in the States (actually, we had a vacation planned now...).
So -- that's the beef. No headaches. No stroke-like symptoms. Just speech problems. In the last week the numbness on the right side of my head has covered my ear, jaw and moved down my neck and right arm. But as you will see from the blog -- treatment has begun so I hope it will all get better soon.
The plan: three weeks of full brain radiation (with weekends off). That is about all I know. There will be a plan afterward but we have to wait and see what this does before we decide. I still have a number of melanoma "freckles" on the skin of my chest -- so those have to be dealt with. I will keep you all updated regularly through this site!
August 29 I stumbled over a word. It wasn't a big deal but I noticed. Then on Thursday night (August 30) David and I left on a fabulous long weekend in Syria. Friday we left Damascus for Palmyra. It was really hot. That day I stumbled over a couple words too -- it stood out to me since I never do that....
Saturday we walked all over Palmyra and I was really suffering from heat, or so I thought. I felt like I was making lots of mistakes in my speech -- but David didn't notice. Then I noticed that I had a small numb spot on my scalp behind my right ear. Strange, strange, strange. On Sunday, back in Damascus, the speech got worse (comegranite instread of pomegranite, etc.). By the end of the day I really felt like I was having trouble simply getting sentences out that were in my head. I couldn't make small talk with strangers (imagine that for me!) -- it was stressfull.
When I got home Sunday night I wrote my melanoma oncologist and he said I should immediately get an MRI. So Monday morning by 8:30 AM our fabulous health unit in Amman had me in a an MRI machine. By 9:30 I was out and found that I had metastatic cancer lesions (tumors) on multiple sites in my brain. Most notably, a frontal left lobe that deals with oral expression (the largest at about 1.8 cm). I also have one on the base of my brain where it connects to the spine, which may or may not have to do with the scalp numbness.
So -- Monday was a fabulous day in the hospital in Amman where practically everyone I have worked or played with in the past year came to visit -- it was a big party! By the next morning I was on a plane back to New York, accompanied by the Embassy's excellent doctor -- Curt Hofer. Tuesday night we arrived in New York and took a taxi directly to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center hospital where we met my mother and oncologist. The past week in New York has blown by with tests and doctors and museums. David arrived from Amman on Sunday, September 9, and is going to be able to spend a month in the States (actually, we had a vacation planned now...).
So -- that's the beef. No headaches. No stroke-like symptoms. Just speech problems. In the last week the numbness on the right side of my head has covered my ear, jaw and moved down my neck and right arm. But as you will see from the blog -- treatment has begun so I hope it will all get better soon.
The plan: three weeks of full brain radiation (with weekends off). That is about all I know. There will be a plan afterward but we have to wait and see what this does before we decide. I still have a number of melanoma "freckles" on the skin of my chest -- so those have to be dealt with. I will keep you all updated regularly through this site!
12 comments:
Mara,
Hey, I like the new look...one thing, though, it looks a bit familiar...hmmmmm, you know what they say about couples looking like each other after being together a long time? What a joy to have so many friends gather for you, I wish we could've been there. Please send me your postal address, I'm as technological as the next person, but there's just something about a letter/postcard you can hold and look at, you might recall how I sent postcards to my kids from every city. Bleib stark, Andrew/Donna/Ted/Katherine
You look awesome girl! Indulge yourself in every manner possible and leave that silly guilt thing at home. Movies, bons bons, long walks in the parks, ice cream, books, restaurants, ice cream, bike rides, coffee shops, ice cream, etc. And quit talking about pomegranites....I can't even say that word! Ellie
Dear Mara and David,
All the cudos to Stacey. Pixie is a real winner. You look great. The pics are fantastic as is Liz. The party seems enormous success, we wish we were there. I just thought it would be the best to space friends out, so that every weekend someone is there. I will come over on Oct. 5.
Please send the address of the place you are staying at.
LOOOVE Katarina and Fedja
Mara, I think you are just too gorgeous in your new saucy hairstyle. I pumped Liz for every detail of the shearing party this weekend --I wish I could have been there to chant "Take it off -- take it alllll off!!!". You look terrific. Sloan-Kettering is an amazing place, isn't it? I went there for a second opinion when i had my cancer. And there are so many things to do in NYC. I will be watching your blog to see when you begin to see improvement -- meantime, I pray for you all the time. Hugs, Susan F-D
Mara,
Thanks so much for this blog! It's so great to see how you are doing. You're an inspiration, my dear, and the number of people posting here is just testament to the way you touch people's lives. Everybody's pulling for you; keep being your very strong self! ...and the new 'do looks FAB! --Liz
dearest mara, you look so fabu with the hair-do. Who knew cancer could look so sexy? Which brings me to this...have you heard of Crazy Sexy Cancer? An amazing New York woman made a film and she just rocks. Deb Galaty called me and told me she's winging her way to you, so look for a special something from me. I love you and I am ecstatic that you have the support you do and that you are managing to do NY so wonderfully! All my love and heaps of power prayer to your healing brain. xoxo jo
Mara, Debbie and I just read your Mother's email and your entire blog. Jodi has kept us pretty much up to date, but it's much nicer to hear what's going on directly from you. Your attitude is amazing. We know you will be fighting this battle with the support of friends and family all over the world. We love your new hair do, and if possible, would love to see you when you are in DC
Love, Jerry and Debbie
Mara,
We wanted to send our best wishes along to you. Thank you for sharing your amazing journey with us all. And as for magical places, the boathouse is truly one of them...particularly on a sunny September day!
Love,
Andy, Cali, Emma and Maddie
Hey Galaty,
Your hair is adorable! Sorry we missed the party. We will be cutting Alexander's locks in your honor on Friday night. He says a-woo-woo (I love you) and we do too!
love, love, love,
Jodi, Stuart and Alexander
The new look is very new york! I wake up each morning and read your blog. You are amazing!! much love, brenda
Lieve Neef ,
zonder zonnebril ook goed
intussen liefs
nichie ems
We missssssssssss u lots Mara! We know that u we will be here with us on the 20th of November ready for ACTION! U r the best!
Take care,
Sara
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