Mara is in the ICU hooked up to a tangle of tubes, dozing and opening her eyes from time to time. The surgeon was satisfied with how things had gone. Still, he did describe the overall condition as serious, specifically the bleeding in the lesions. It will take a while to know / see the effects of and improvements from the surgery. The tumor he removed was about 4cm. Tomorrow Mara will have another MRI. Right now Mara's speech and arm incapacitations are the same as when she went into surgery, but that is not surprising, we are told, so soon after the operation. The hope and expectation is that the functions will come back in the coming days, weeks or months. In any case, the apparent pressure causing to the symptoms has been removed.
Mara did manage to whisper: "So glad you're here" when she saw me and gave me a big smile. Elise and Carol are here and David Galaty is showing up soon. Thanks to all - amazing family, amazing friends - for your outpouring of support to Mara! And to me. I'm so glad the photo "worked." Elise showed it to Mara on her laptop. She loved it - she cried. And Carol used it to good effect when Mara was scared before the operation. She said to her: "just imagine being back there, swimming."
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38 comments:
Thank you David for posting the news. I am so glad you are there too. Sending hugs. xo Evie
David - you are amazing for thinking of all of us on top of what you are doing supporting Mara directly. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to get the news.
I keep thinking of the image of a stone being dropped in a pond and those beaufiful photos you get of ripples spreading out into the pool. It feels like that with Mara at the center of the pool And the news spreads and she is encircled by increasing numbers of 'ripples' all sending love back to her and to you.
We are all so glad you are there - not just Mara.
Anna
What a wonderful sight to see on the top of Mara's blog. Thank you, David, for this positive news.
We are sending our love and prayers for a speedy and full recovery. And big hugs to you, David, for all that you are doing for Mara.
Karen
go, mara, go. we are all here for you. i bet we have every continent represented. even those damned penguins are surely on this blog somewhere. i am thinking of you every single minute.
Amen to all the above.
David, bless you for heroic efforts.
Mara, keep swimming!
With so much love from L.A....
Mara,
You've moved me from weekly Hallmark snail-mailer to one-night blogger as I join this amazing support group! What an influence you have.... I add my thanks, David, for keeping the blog current.
In Coolfont days, we slipped and slid together through the dark, chilly, spooky Paw Paw Tunnel and emerged, running and laughing, into the warm bright sun. We've been walking right along with you -in spirit - these past weeks once again, Mara, and can't wait to emerge, laughing and happy, ever so soon.
Our love always to you, your wonderful family and David; we're cheering for you -- Charlotte and Jon
Thank you David. My love and strength to Mara as she recovers from surgery, to you and to all of Mara's family. My thoughts and my heart are with you.
Mara -- you are a hero!
Sally (and David, Molly and Ella)
From Websters (I've taken liberties with the gender!)
Hero -- 1. a: a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability b: an illustrious warrior c: a woman admired for her achievements or noble qualities d: one that shows great courage.
David - I really appreciate you taking the time to share the news. I shed a tear of joy when I read the subject line.
Mara - I love you. Keep on healin'.
Julie
David,
Thank you for the update, I too have had Mara-on-the-mind all day.
Mara,
I have been sending you love and strength all day, please use it!
xo,Betsy
Mara and David,
Another outpouring of love, good wishes, strength and thoughts from me to join the ever resounding blog chorus. Like everyone else, I've been thinking about you most of the day and sending whatever good vibes (or whatever the hell they are ;-) I possibly could your way.
I couldn't believe there were FORTY-FIVE posts for you from yesterday! Well, actually I can believe it, the incredible number of people you've touched over the years. If all the love your friends and well-wishers have sent over the past few days works the way we all want it to, you'll live to be 1,000 ;-).
I know you will come through this latest ordeal with flying colors. The Havel quote about hope that Michelle posted pretty much says it all.
David, I'm so glad you're there for Mara - that alone will speed her recovery process about a million percent. Not to mention keeping all of us out here in blogland informed and up to date on what's happening with her. From one "support system partner" to another, my grateful thanks.
Love, Lisa
Sooo relieved to hear the operation went well. The headline hit an instant smile. Mara, I hope you will feel much better soon. Keep thinking those pleasant thoughts.
David, thank you for this. Hope you are well too.
Blanche
Joanie Harris (Carol's cousin in Canada)
I hear updates frequently through Evie and my mother, Lee, and through the blog. Mara, you are on my mind and in my heart daily - especially today - and it's so good to hear you are through the surgery and we can all look to the future. Our arms enfold you in love.
David, thank you endlessly for keeping up this blog, despite what is surely your extreme exhaustion and jet lag! You are truly a loving and courageous partner for our Mara. And beautiful Mara, I am visualing your gorgeous smile, with those perfectly straight pearly whites of yours, and just knowing that even right after the operation you could muster that smile and some words is wonderful news. We continue to send our love and powers of healing across the ocean to you. So much love to you, and to the combined Galaty and Popper families too.
Julia
Dear Mara and David,
David I promised that I will create an account on google specifically to send Mara a few words to let her know I was thinking of her..I did that yesterday at 3:00 a.m. Amman time, but I have no idea where my comment went as I cannot read it on the blog! goes to show that I am probably a technically defunct person. Anyway, I hope that this comment comes through. Please pass to Mara that I am thinking of her and praying for her. My comment is probably lame, but I just wanted to express how I feel. My God bless both of you and give you strength. Hanan
mara, hang in there! i am sure that this surgery was really scary. you are so brave to take on all of this with your strength, stamina, and optimism. in your moments of fear, think of all of us, we are behind you all the way.
david, thanks so much for the posting. it means a lot to all of us.
xo,kristina in pristina
Mara:
We are pulling for you. David, we have not met, but thanks to you for being amazingly present.
Steve C(Mercy corps)
That is GREAT news David. As so many people have said, thank you for communicating all of this to us.
Robert & Patrick - I love the Whitman poem as well an agree that it is exactly Mara. If I've ever met someone going through life with eyes wide open it is she.
Mara, for what its worth, my salve and prayer to you yesterday at 12:30 was a very loud dose of Stevie Ray Vaughn sent cascading across Dublin rush hour traffic. Those sheep will never forget it.
Keep swimming Mara.
Love Charlie
David, Thank you for the good news and all the details. Thank you for being there and taking care of her. You give her so much strength, optimism and make her smile! Thank you for being so strong! Please give our love to Carol, David and Elise and tell them that we are near you all in our thoughts although so far away.
Liliana, Gadi and Dany
Hello fellow Mara supporters and bloggers who are not residing in America right now--this is Julia from Istanbul, and yesterday in traffic, I had this idea, wonder what you would think. I was thinking that we could start a DHL package from one to another, each putting in one special, powerful, light-weight healing trinket from where we are (personally, I was thinking of a "nazar," the anti-evil eye blue bead), and mail the package immediately to one another, each person adding something at their destination, and the final person DHL-ing it to Mara in the US. I guess I am thinking right now of Zlatna, the two Kristinas,Charlie, Ems, and all the others out there. What do you think? Would it be too complicated? If so, never mind, but I thought it might be a project that could keep us busy and focused on Mara's well-being, and that could give her a sense of the web of international community across oceans supporting her. Just say the word, and give me an address, and I will start the package from here today.
Gelukkig, gelukkig!
Good idea, Julia!
mine is kampweg 11, 4328 rj burgh-haamstede, holland
let's do it and make a list
love to Mara en David !Ems
Ok Ems, I am DHL-ing to you today. Could you write me your full name for the package address? I know also Kristina Martin is in Rotterdam, maybe it could go to her right after. And from there? We will also need the final address for the US address, but we can get that in a few days, after this package has made the rounds. I think we should be sure to make the tokens small and light, and each wrapped separately with names attached. I am sending it to you today though Ems, and from here, let's hope we get the momentum going! Talk to you soon,
Julia
Mis queridos Mara and David,
know all the love and warmest thoughts sent get to you both.
Flew from London to Jeddah thinking so much of you... intending prayers. I arrived without news and kept waiting until 2am... Luckily they are here now.. and there are good news!! - and you see, I managed to be a blog user! I did want to be close to you...
I can see Mara smiling seeing you there David and believe in the happyness and strengh that that sight have given her... and us all. I am so so happy you made it Dear David.. and so grateful you are posting the news and these amazing images of (yes,'our') always shinning Mara, that your sensitive and caring eye did catch.
Thanks to you both for beings such an amazing and supporting 'pair'! You know life is challenging to say the least.. but (yes David, beyond any work of art) you are both my deepest inspiration, truly...
Keep smiling Mara! David is at your side! and as ever,
All my love is with you.
Swombat1Thank you David for your grace and strength, giving not only the basic news but some time and thought. To all of us, Mara, those with Mara right now, and those of us following along on the blog, I hope that you remember that, as Anne Lamott says, "bananas are the only known cure for existential dread," and that laughter is exercise for the soul. While right now might not be the moment for serious guffaws, I wish you all some moments of peace today, and something to make you smile. (A banana smoothie might help too!) Julia, can I send something directly to you as my embassy address might not work well? Much love, Jennifer, Matt, Radhika and Rhys
David, you are an amazing person!!! I know we'll never be able to thank you for the news all of us must have been expecting non-stop (judging from the instant replies, so many of them!!!) The headline DID open the floodgates to tears of happiness! How wonderful of Carol to remind Mara of the blog! How wonderful of Elise to show the picture to her, how wonderful of you, David, to get yourself shredded to pieces among Amman, work, friends, bloggers, and still manage to stay by her side! Julia, that's a great idea (been thinking so fondly of and so much about you lately!)! My address is: Zlatna Kostova Todorova, Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), 49, Tsarigradsko Shosse blvd., 1124-Sofia, BULGARIA, and I'm all enthused about sending our small tokens of well-wishing to our precious Mara. I think we all, co-bloggers and newly befriended people, have come to a very similar way of thinking and feeling, but then, hey, no wonder, isn't it MARA, the constant value among us, who brought us ever so close together! I feel the circle of love we've woven around her feels almost material - there can't be a way it can possibly get broken! Swim on, darling Mara, into the sea of our love!
Dear David, thanks again (Boy, this is such a weak word, but so mightily charged!) All my love to Lisa, Carol and David! And to all of you, my old and new friends!
Zlatna
I am so moved by all the love and support here. My prayers and thoughts are with Mara and all of her many friends and family.
God bless, Dan
Mara,
Chris and I are thinking of you every minute, sending off positive vibes without any hair to obstruct them! (You were right, it is cold with no hair!)
All our love,
Luke and Chris
PS We just wanted to echo all the thanks, David, for keeping everyone informed, particularly given everything you and the family are managing right now. Our thoughts are with all of you as well.
What welcome news, thank you, David! We're keeping up the good thoughts, think happy, bleib stark. ADTK
David, thank you so much for keeping us updated. I'm David Galaty's cousin, which makes me Mara's first cousin once removed. But there's no "removed" in my heart -- although I can't be there physically, you are all very much in my thoughts and are constantly in my prayers. We have Mara on the prayer list of the parish I serve, and many people here are coming to care about her, who have never met her.
I've been so impressed with her strength and wisdom, in these blog postings; and with yours. And with Mara's amazing friends -- what a testimony to her! May God keep surrounding you with great support, and bring healing to Mara.
love, Peggy Sammons
Dearest Mara, What good news to see on the blog ths morning -- thanks David for keeping us all updated during this hectic and sensitive time! Mara, am so glad to know that you are surrounded by family and loved ones. Reading these messages just makes me feel a crackle of energy in the atmosphere even here, down in dreary DC!! I wonder if NOAA has noted the increase in energy waves throughout the world all directed to New York City?!? I am so relieved that you have emerged from the ordeal and now let the healing begin!! Love, hugs. Sarah Ian sends his hugs and best wishes to the woman who he calls "the Mayan woman"!!
Dear David,
Thank you for creating the time to give us the good news. Mara, we are continuing to send you the love!
For the package, this may be later timing than works, BUT I can act as a carrier to get the package to the States. I will be in the Hague at the end of next week (Thurs/Fri/half Sat)and could bring the package back to DC on Sunday, 10/28. Trinkets from the States could also be sent to me at my home address and I could overnight the whole package on Monday, 10/29, so it would arrive in NY on Tuesday, 10/30. Again, this is rather late, but depending on how the package is making the Europe rounds, I might be useful.
Lots and lots of love Mara,
Claudia
Thank you David for the wonderful news. Thank you for being by Mara's side. WHAT A RELIEF. Just the fact that Mara talked to you (however briefly) after such a difficult operation is a great sign. Mara you are stronger than anything in the universe so YOU GO GIRL. Suported with so much love from all the continents only means you will have to live for at least 10000 years. Miraculously, but I am sure with a good reason they FINALY managed to fix my computer so that I can read and post comments. I would love to join Julia's cicle of love. What a great idea. My address is Katarina Radovic, 5615 Alta Vista Rd. Bethesda, MD 20817 USA.
Mara I am sure you know just as much as we all know that you will emerge victorious from this just as you always did, just as you always will in any life situation. ALL OUR LOVE Katarina and Fedja
Claudia D,
The Hague is just 20 minutes from us here in Rotterdam so I think we could definitely hook up unless I'm in labor which is a distinct possibility ;)
My home number +31 (0)10 413 0829; email is still the same martinkrist@yahoo.com
J - great idea. Talk soon
Kristina
Zlatna--it's evening Istanbul time, and I'm going to the UPS office right now with the small gift and card from my boys for Mara. Ems, if you reading this, I am sending the package to Bulgaria, since it's the next country to Turkey. It makes more sense for Zlatna to put her own stuff in and send it up north to Holland, where you and Kristina Martin can both fill it, and then maybe give it to the friend planning to be in the Hague. Anyone else want to get in this? I am posting the package tonight as I said, so it will be in Bulgaria by tomorrow I assume. Zlatna, make sure you get Ems' address, and Kristina's too, and whoever else wants to join the international circle of love and power for Mara.
Julia
Julia
Thank you so much Mara and David for keeping this blog.
It sounds like the surgery went well, and from here on out I wish Mara all the love and strength for a speedy recovery!
I have only known Mara for a few years -- long enough to be deeply moved by her strength, courage and spirit. I know she can get through this.
You are all in our thoughts and we love you all a lot.
Elissa
Dear all interested in the Circle of Love package,
I would be so happy to help make this happen if this can be the fastest way of getting the tangible symbols of our love to Mara. To give David and the family a break from too many logistical mesages, my email address is cjdumas@worldnet.att.net. For the likely last sender in Europe (and I don't mind sending my Hague details to more than one of you to cover us), please send me an email and I'll send you all the hotel information as well as my BlackBerry email and cell phone. For anyone Stateside who wants to ship trinkets for the Circle of Love for my addition to the package next Sunday night, send me an email and I'll send back my address. Packages sent to my home will be safely received while I am travelling.
Claudia
PS If possible, my plan is to carry the package in my carryon luggage; in the unlikely event you are sending something that I can't carry on and should put in checked luggage, please me know! I'll have a regular suitcase and can use it as needed.
Great Idea Julia. I'm just picking this up now - if we can still swing it, my address is 81 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. My email is c_lamson@hotmail.com.
Mara - Like all of us here, I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief to hear that you are out and that things went well. David - again, thanks for the update.
Finally, Julia, Zlatna, Kristina, Luke and eve - I can't tell you enough how great it is to hear you out there. I hope you are all doing well despite the circumstances.
Best to all of the Galaty / Hill / Popper clan.
OK, I know it's maybe strange to start using Mara's blog to address other people, but Mara, it's all for you babes, so please excuse. Zlatna: the package is on the way to you, it will arrive in Sofia on Tuesday. From there, I know both Kristina M. in Rotterdam and Ems, David's cousin, want to get in on it. And then to Charlie in Ireland....but Zlatna, you need to coordinate the next move!! I love that we are weaving this web from here. Mara, as Saturday morning dawns here in Turkey, I hope you are sleeping comfortably in New York, and that healing has set in. Love you endlessly,
J.
Good to hear, good to hear...
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