Mara's neurosurgeon, Philip Gutin, and oncologist, Jedd Wolchok, just dropped by and were very pleased with Mara's progress. Mara may not have to be in the hospital much longer.
In the course of many hours of face time with family and staff we not only have serious discussions, but also our zany moments. Yesterday Mara took one of her walks around "the block," sporting her Iron Curve. Just then, a beautiful young woman with long hair was being wheeled onto the floor, sitting up and looking alert. Mara quipped --out of earshot of the new arrival-- "Hello!!! That's how I used to look!"
A couple of days ago, when having her first meal after the operation, Mara's comment was "Well, this is enjoyable; let's hope it is not throw-uppable." (It wasn't). That was also the day when, finding herself tied with tons of tubes and cords to blinking and beeping machines: "So silly! This is what it has come to." Today things have been a little easier. For one thing she had a fairly good night with four hours of sleep.
Today's progress has been re-learning how to put food in one's mouth, which Mara largely accomplished at lunch. This morning she was visited by an occupational therapist. Abstract thinking like "list five animals" or "what's twelve minus two" are still challenging, but with time this all will come back. The physical deficiencies in the right arm need to be addressed by exercise, and Mara has been given a routine to work on.
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35 comments:
Throw-uppable food should be..well...
At-a-girl, Mara!
love Ems
p.s. " zany " ??is that melig ?
I love it -- your sense of humor is back in full swing!
Love,
Luke and Chris
Mara,
If your "high minded, post-industrial German art installation" as Liz so perfectly described it, was seen on the streets of Portland you would set a new standard for our tattoo-and-piercings crowd!
Truly, you have made beautiful what others would choose to hide. Thank you once again for sharing this journey with us. And thank you David for the photos!
Love,
Laura
Help, Package folks (including CHARLIE), Let's figure out how we should handle this.
My thinking had been, based on notes a couple days ago from Ems, Zlatna and Kristina M. to bring the package Stateside, including because I'll be coming into possession on this side of the pond of a few packages through Bunyata. Zlatna, have you sent your package out -- if not, do you want to send it to Charlie and then he can courier it across the Atlantic and we'll reunite the talismans Stateside (including what I acquire?) Or, Charlie, do you want - though we're probably drawing a couple of lines across the points of the circle (hey, perhaps we're creating a Buddhist mandala!) - to send your package to me in the Hague and I'll bring the items back from there?
I confess I'm not confident of being able to get to DHL to send the package along while I am in the Hague.
Whatever you all want is fine with me. Whatever.
Charlie, if you want to send, my address is:
Mercure Hotel Den Haag Central
Spui 180,
2511 BW Den Haag
Netherlands
Tel -- +31 (0) 70 36 36 700
Meanwhile, dear Mara, keep going at it as you are. You are wonderful and amazing.
Love,
Claudia
Mara,
Like so many families around the globe, we in Vermont have been actively reading about your progress and learning so much about you and the impact you have had on so many.
As part of the Maisel family, it is in our blood to feel proud of our own. You know the song "You can always tell a Maisel", but never have I felt so much admiration and astonishment as I have when reading the outpouring of love that the world has for you. You are incredible and a true inspiration for all generations.
David - thank you for keeping us all updated. Carol, Elise, and David - our thoughts and love are with you.
Love, Erica
Mara,
I just have to say that is the coolest scar I have ever, ever, seen. You wear it well! Just reading David's reports I am literally astounded at how quickly your function is returning. By the time you leave it sounds like you are going to be smarter and more agile than before your surgery!
Saw ponies trotting at the farm in the zoo. walking, trotting, galloping....!
love you so much,
Jodi
Mara-velous, what incredible progress you are making given ah brain surgery only 4 days ago!?!! The gift you have given so many people who love you is tremendous. Your fight is courageous and your tireless will is inspiring beyond words. Kind of sounds like you are super hero doesn't it? I will keep looking and believing in the steady improvement in your mind, body and spirit.
Much love,
Blanche
Hello my dearest Mara,
Liz and I have been religiously following your blog (we don't do too many things religiously, so you know we care). Your bald head is beautiful and now it has train tracks!! How very hip you are. Liz and I are sending all our love to you.
I also send hellos and best wishes from other friends in Portland! Kathleen is off to Amsterdam to work for 4 months so here is the "silent, 30 second hug" she wanted me to send you .... Joanne asked to send a "pagen prayer." All the support grp gals wish you the best.
You may not recall, but Ann and I had made the plan for a DC visit when you completed radiation. Tickets are in hand for Oct 26-30... but life for you has changed. We are HAPPY to come to NY and make very short visits with you IF you are up to it. If not, we'll reschedule!!
Maybe have someone contact me or Ann and let us know what you'd like us to do. We'd love to see you but want you to do what is best to heal your body and soul.
Much love,
Lisa, Liz, and Cole
Hi Mara! It’s been a long time since we’ve talked or seen each other. I think of you often. I’ve kept up with you and your international doings via your mother who occasionally visits San Francisco and Lisa during a recent visit and now your blog. You’re quickly becoming a hero of mine. Even Bob Marley could learn something from your positive vibrations. Keep rocking’em! By the way, I love seeing the picture of you and Lisa. It reminds me of looking up to you two when we were kids. The quick update: I live down the road from Kate Shapiro and Uncle Sherman. I hang out with Josh Maisel. I love Bruce Hill’s food. I work with international students. And I have a November opera date with Aunt Lucy! Wanna join us? I’ll be in touch. Pulling for you and thinking of you! Love, Ted(dy) Cotsen
Mara,I love Anna's poem because it so well captures your daring to challenge the odds with breast cancer and now melanoma and to keep going with spirit! I join them in my great pride in you!!
I love all of the descriptions of your scar. My first reaction was shock and thinking that you should have kept that beautiful white hat/bandage on because it was so scarey, but my second reaction, after seeing David's earlier close-ups and seeing how beautifully, symetrically and neatly done was to agree with all of your friends who proclaimed it a piece of art work! I could take both sewing and art lessons from Dr. Gutin!
In answer to Lisa, Liz, and Cole's question, and all of you who have phoned and written with the same question, let me say that, at this point in time, what you are doing ...caring about Mara so much that you read and comment on the blog... is the best support you can give her, as well as all of the rest of us!
To all of the friends and family members who have included me in their good wishes I want you to know how helpful your support has been and how greatly I appreciated it. THANK YOU!
Mara's Proud MOM
I think what I love most about the latest blog post is your reaction to all of this, Mara -- I, too, have a deep and abiding fondness for absurdity, and I love that you are seeing the absurdity in the world you find yourself in right now. I also like to think (delusionally?) that I would behave in such a straight-forward manner.
Love and good thoughts from the Balti-morons, ADTK
Wonderwoman;
Another shout out from Chicago, representing for the Third Coast. I don't know your friends Kim and Dana (earlier post), also apparently checking in from this neck of the woods, but it's comforting to know I'm in the company of other Mara-admirers in this region. I, like others, rise and check out of every day with the updates and feel so grateful to have such regular news of your progress. As always, sending love and strength to help that right hand regain its motion and to put some rhythm in your steps for your regular sashay around “the block”...Didi Cosentino
mara, so glad to hear that you got some sleep (would ear plugs and an eye cover helpd?); but sorry to hear that the food is still throw-upable! once again, we are glad to see you smiling, and joking, against the odds. keep up the hard work :). i'm looking forward to the day when you are back at home. i'm sure you are totally fed up with being in the hospital. xo, kristina (in pristina, headed to belgrade)
Lovely Mara,
just wanted to let you know that also me, I am checking your blog every mornig before Í start my work. I wish you all luck in the world. Keep practising...you are going to win the fight;) I am sure!
I send you a lot of love, luck and for sure a big hug...
Dany
Great to see you smiling Mara and to hear that things are moving forward at a steady pace.
I have to agree with the general consensus that that is one righteous sewing job!
Hi Claudia - I'm happy to send it along to you - but when do you need it by?
Hope you go home soon Mara - hang in there.
Charlie
Claudia D, Charlie, Zlatna, Ems
I have sent a package to Claudia at the Mercure Hotel because I was unsure of the timing of everything so no need to send the DHL envelope to me separately...
Hopefully it will come together.
Kristina
Hey! Greetings from Cairo. I get to catch up on your amazing progress every day, but I can not seem to get the blasted blog to let me post comments - anyway I am trying again. I know, I'm an idiot. Cairo has been great, but this city is just too filthy for a gay German! At least I have had Robert here this time to commiserate with - yet another great person I got to meet through the 7 degrees of Mara chain! Love you and miss your counsel terribly! XO Chris
Dearest Mara, All news sounds heartening and promising. I have sent you some additional questions for your cognitive therapy in hopes they will give you a few silly grins! Please see below. I love you!! Dana
P.S. Li Wy asks me about you almost daily... she thinks you just need her massages!! They are wonderful!
Halloween Humor
What do you get when you divide the circumference of a jack-o-lantern by its diameter?
Pumpkin Pi
What is a Mummie's favorite type ofmusic?
Wrap!!!!!
What happened to the guy who couldn’t keep up payments to his exorcist?
He was repossessed.
How do you know if a ghost is lying?
You can see right through him.
What do you call a ghost with a broken leg?
Hoblin Goblin
Why did Dracula take cold medicine?
To stop his coffin.
Why do mummies have trouble keeping friends?
They’re too wrapped up in themselves.
Why did the Vampire subscribe to the Wall Street Journal?
He heard it had great circulation.
Charlie,
On the package -- we're fine so long as it arrives at the hotel by noon Saturday -- suggest shooting for Friday, IF possible.
Claudia
Claudia,
The package is off to you by TNT - they promissed to have it delivered ON 25 Oct. May it be ON time, always!
Hugs,
Zlatna
Hi all!
Claudia, we sent a package to the hotel at the address you listed earlier. Hope that it arrives!
Mara, I agree with Jodi. I used to be a fan of science fiction shows (the more B-rated, the better) and they often had bald people with interesting veins and things on their heads. I secretly thought they looked SO cool. You can now see the attraction! ;->
Hang in there, babe! Love, Jennifer, Matt, Radhika and Rhys
"What do you call a ghost with a broken leg?
A Hoblin Goblin.
Well said Dana. Well said.
Mara: I'm passing along a message that came from Marilyn Schmidt via Geeta. LizMcK
******
Hi Mara,
I have asked Geeta to extend my warmest greetings to you. I understand that you are going through a very difficult period. I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers every day--- REALLY. I am sending you soothing, positive vibes from Belgrade as I envision your lovely smile and upbeat personality. Keep up that positive, fighting attitude!!! I'm cheering for you and can only hope that you sense the warmth of this message. I wish I could deliver it in person.
Warmest wishes,
Marilynn
Hello Mara,
Your are a continuing source of inspiration and amazement to me. You are missed in Amman. We have a flurry of VIP visits and you more than any one should know what that entails. Let me know if there is anything I can do from you at this end,
Curt
Hi Mara!
We have never met but I am already a fan! I am a friend of Elise's in Sweden and wanted to send my love and well wishes. Elise is sooo proud of you. She has told me that you are wonderful, brave -- the list goes on and on! You two are lucky to have each other -- two amazing sisters -- what a blessing. Sending lots of love from Sweden to you and your family....
Kirsten Poitras
Hi Mara it's Gwen from England (Anna and Nick's Gwen in case you know any other's....). Anna told me about this blog and I see it's popularity is spreading like wildfire. Thinking of you lots....looking forward to the next whiskey drinking session....
Big snogs. Gwen xxxx
Marosh,
Despite, or maybe because, of the fact that I personally am living out one of the most trying periods of my own life, I find myself constantly referencing you as inspiration for my own moves. Talk about profiles in courage. I love the photos of the scar, as Carmelo Kagan pointed out, they look exactly like the letter "C"!! As Zlatna so rightly pointed out, the ICU actually looks kinda' fun with all you guys in it. I guess the fact is, without family and friends, life is nothing, and since you have that in spades, your life is so full.
Love you, am thinking constantly of you,
J.
NB to Zlatna: So happy to hear the package made it there, and early to boot. Bravo to the Balkan postal system!!
mara,
you are absolutely unbelievably the most amazing person i've ever known. i've just discovered the blog today and can't thank you and your family enough for creating this means of learning from you and supporting you at the same time. it's amazing to see how much you've progressed in just a few days and i have to agree with your friend below about when you leave the hospital - you may end up a concert pianist! of all the people who have had to battle this horrible disease, you are a true champion. i send you love, strength (not that you need any) and sleep to keep on conquering!
melissa t (patsalides now)
Mara, darling, my sweet, sweet Enchantress! You keep transforming me, do wonders from a distance, make me wanna hug each and every one on this blog, feel so friendly, proud, loving and lovable, "un-lonely". You arouse all the best human qualities in ALL of us who are bound up with you forever! You touch our finest chords, turning us into poets, dreamers, fighters and what not! I've been wondering lately whether our gratitude for the magic you've done, can recochet, turning into a mighty healer, a catalyst to all the re-vitalysing, restorative processes taking their course with you right now. There must be a way. There probably is. You must be feeling it already? Will you ever know what you've done to us, I wonder, how much you've given to us, my darling?
Hugs and love!
Zlatna
P.S.
Cheers for you Carol, dear! You're one courageous girl, too! A gem-of-a-mom! I bet Mara's terribly proud of you, too! A big hug from the Bulgarian family!
Z.
Mara,
You look absolutely smashing! And that amazing scar - just in time for Halloween! Our family has been caring you in our thoughts. We know you are strong and we love you!
Cindi
Hi there !!
Claudia, I posted my package yesterday so it should be awaiting you in den haag...
Int he meantime, Mara, David, all bloggies: many good wishes from the dutch connection...
Dag! Liefs, Ems
p.s. David and Mara, as Jonathan and his family moved house today (yesterday night late he was kind of still packing boxes,,)I sent flowers from a l l of us mees-family including you two " so that you know when the thank-you-note arrives....."
ja, ja, I'm an old, meddling cousin...sorry
Mara- who needs ear studs with that head-track!
dan
Dear Mara, It is so good to see you up, stiing, laughing, eating and living life with your unmatchable joie de vivre!! Sleep well tonight and have go at it all tomorrow!! Sarah
Mara, thank you for all the sharing and keeping us up to date with your progress. We can see the healing has begun and when your hair starts to grow back it will be even prettier than before. My sister's hair came back with soft curls. Something to look forward to. :) Hang in there brave one! You are my hero.
Love you! Sheila
My Dearest Mara
Just to let you know that you are greatly missed by everybody here at US Embassy Amman. Everyone is asking me about you and they are all now being posted by your Blog.
David, many thanks again for keeping us all posted.
Maha
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