Mara fainted and threw up right after lunch. She was walking up the stairs. Fortunately she did not bump her head or in any other way hurt herself. With the help of aunt Mary's niece, Katie McConnell, I was able to get her to a flat landing area. We quickly got pillows and Katie knew to put her on her side so Mara could throw up. She had to piece together what had happened from what we were telling her, and after a few minutes we got her to her bed. Mara was disturbed and worried about having to go back to the hospital. After making some phone calls, Carol returned from an errand and we took a taxi to the Urgent Care department of Sloan-Kettering. Doctor Gutin ordered a CT scan. I did not have the camera with me, and might not have been able to capture the moment anyway, but when Mara was wheeled past the waiting area to get yet another CT scan done she flashed a big Mara-smile. The scan's results fortunately showed no additional surprises. Mara was released within two hours of her arrival. She was so happy to be allowed to go again.
The cause, probably, was a combination of Mara being dehydrated, stepping down today to a lower steroid dose, and a busy morning that included a tearful goodbye with her sister. This episode brought home that Mara is still in no shape to receive visitors. We appreciate a bundle of cards and presents from Mercy Corps colleagues in Oregon that was brought to our door today by Anna Young.
Mara is now in bed, sleeping soundly.
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It's Mara
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9 comments:
David: I've had this odd feeling all day. Something wasn't right. I dreaded logging on to see the update and at the same time knew. Weird. But hopefully Mara will laugh at this because I've described the phantom sympathy pains I've been experiencing since August.
The relief in your post is reading that the CT scan is ok. I think you are spot on about the dehydration. Did the urgent care center give her a saline drip to help abate that?
Mara: I'm up late baking pies of various sorts, trying to get into the spirit of the fall. But the cooking and the music playing in the background are little distraction, because I am thinking every second about you. And I'm sending you a thousand telepathic hugs, coated in saltines to calm your stomach. :)
I know all of us posting here are always saying how lucky we feel to have you in our lives. But let me add how grateful I am too that David and Aunt Mary and your cousin and your mom and your sister and all the way down family line have been there too. It makes me feel just a little less powerless to know how well these incredible people love you and care for you. Good night and sweet dreams. xo, LizMcK
Hey all. Dehydration is a terrible thing. My poor mom (I have her permission to tell this story) got dehydrated once. I was alone with her, she started acting strangely, like singing "Froggy Ballet," and dancing. Very surreal! I had to wrestle her into the car and then into the ER. She wouldn't tell me what meds she had taken that day (she is a cancer surviver). It turned out she was dehydrated. Yikes!
Take care sweetie. This problem is solvable. And David, Mary, and everyone else, let's all have an extra glass of water today! You are all wonderful.
Love, JMRR
Dear Mara,
Strange, I slept miserably last night, couldn't ever fall asleep, and the first thing I said to Chris this morning was I wanted to check in with you. Liz and I must be on the same frequency. Hmmm.
Funny, these things apparently do transcend space and continents. I am happy to know you are in such good hands, safe and sound, and it is great there were no surprises at the hospital. I hope all the positive thoughts and notes are helping give you a bit more energy every day.
(Incidentally, I think I told you that about a year ago I nearly had to carry Chris to the medical unit here after he got dehydrated (and hit a fever of 104) from typhoid. That saline drip involved several liters!)
Sleep well,
Love,
Luke
Mara, sweetie, you SHOULD NOT tire yourself in the least!!! Please, please, get huge rests! I know that it is easy to forget (extra-easy for you!) what you've been through and run the moment you feel the tiniest improvement, but you shouldn't overdo it, darling! Please, please, take your time and rest as long as you can inbetween steroid breaks. Still in bed this morning, I was thinking of you and the chance that you may "run wild" and start seeing people or walking around too much! Then I got on the blog only to see that latest entry...
I hope you enjoy some Indian summer in NYC and make more progress from a lying position with piles of get-better-soon cards, gifts and delicious snacks! Make the best of this combination,sweetie, plus the good energies and love we keep sending your way!
Hugs and kisses,
Zlatna
Hey Mara. Bad day...I hope you can pull some energy from everyone around the world who cares so much about you... I don't really have my Mom's permission (also a cancer survivor) - but I'll tell the story anyway! Poor Claire got terribly dehydrated during a Christmas outing to see the neighborhood lights. She lost it out the car window and we all panicked to get her home... When she finally came around - we saw she was missing her teeth!! We had to swing around and try and find them in the dark! We did...
Oeps! This must have given you all a fright! One must be a good throw-upper to be able to do that after fainting....
A pity you did't get the Mara-smile, David, but I hope you'll catch a next one....
Take care, much love, Ems
mara, ugh. this sounds horrible! i'm so sorry that you had to endure a fall, another trip to the hospital, and the anxiety of another scan. but am glad to hear that there was no bad news -- and that somehow you managed to keep a sense of humor. (I would have lost mine long ago.)
i tell you, i can give you a little bit of solidarity with the tummy trouble. i have been barfing up a storm myself. i (surprise, surprise) overdid it on the trip and the jet lag is kicking my butt.
helpful hints for that tummy trouble? have you tried ginger ale (sometimes that works for me), english muffins, ginger tea, sucking on hard candy, gummy bears? those are some of my stand-bys, although i can only report mixed success.
i have put together a "balkan cheer you up package" and will deliver it tomorrow.
i wish i could stop in for a kiss, but i'll save my big smooch for better days.
zane is going to be a fireman for halloween. i'll snap a few photos to share with you later.
xo,
kristina
I'm terribly sorry to hear about the little setback. Dehydration is pretty scary and I guess we should be thankful a fall on the stairs didn't bring much more severe consequences and that the CT scan revealed nothing more negative. I guess in that sense, there must be some protective force around you. The weather has cleared this morning to reveal a beautiful sunny day. We are imagining that the breaking up of clouds will bring healing energy shining down on you so you feel better soon. Rest well and let the loving hands around you be the receptors of the love from all over the world to bring you much comfort and healing. Our thoughts are contstantly with you.
Love,
Blanche & Ziv
Dear Mara, What a dreadful start to your day but am relieved that the CT scan was negative. Stairs and heads just aren't a good combination!! Finished my "Mara' wall this week-- our house is a kaledescope of colours all due to your fabulous example and prodding. It has been fun and it gave me great joy to be doing something creative while thinking of you. Have a good Sunday. Take it easy and get some good sleep. Thinking of you and sending our best. Sarah
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