Mara does recognize that she has made tremendous progress since the operation: Today she speaks better than before, has been going to the bathroom by herself, has exercized her right arm and managed to use it three times to bring food from her plate to her mouth, and... she no longer has a big bandage on her head. The difficulty, though, is accepting that every single movement of her right arm and hand are going to have to be relearned. As Mara is right-handed, she feels quite helpless without control in her right hand. Mara is able to move her arm higher than before: over her head. She is able to stretch her fingers straight. She can close her hand and grip something. But ask her to shake hands with you, and the intricate movements that that requires don't come together yet (we did practice hand-shaking, and by the end of the day, it was slowly getting there). Also, Mara is getting very little sleep, due to the steroids and the 'round the clock buzz in an ICU.
And how does Mara's scalp look? Sorry. As Ems indicated in her comment, a certain little cable is missing. No pictures from the camera could be downloaded today. Visuals of "A Scar of Beauty" will have to wait until tomorrow. Get ready.
There were some tears on Mara's cheek when I got through reading out loud your many comments. Thank you all again for your support!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It's Mara
.jpg)
30 comments:
Mara and David,
I think my status as the first person to comment on today's entry indicates just how addictive I have become to this blog. I am now checking it more than my own email account. After all, it offers so much more than the standard online exchanges that surface on my blackberry. This blog is about hope and healing, faith and friendship, love and laughter.
Keep up the progress my dear but don't get down on yourself. Your arm will slowly learn how to function again. Today it is eating, tomorrow it will be the handshake, and the day after it will be opening something. And before you know it, you'll be typing again. Just give it time.
Hoping you find a way to get some rest. I know hospitals don't make it easy. David, can you guys hook Mara up to an ipod? If so, I can send you a CD my sister made called "Doorway to Relaxation" with her playing the harp and piano. It's amazing...(she's a music therapist).
All for tonight. Schlaf gut.
love,
jules
Mara, every day you are making progress - celebrate that! We who are your supporters do!! Cheers are resounding around the globe - we love you!!
Hey Mara,
Just wanted you to know that lots of the old Mercy Corps gang is following your progress, and rooting for you every step of the way. We've seen your remarkable resiliancy at work before, and we're humbled by your strength.
Keep taking those steps on your path to recovery!
Mara, sweetheart, this is HUGE progress! You shouldn't be frustrated about a thing! This is SUCH, SUCH big progress! What a great start for my day! I hope now you are sound asleep, getting stronger and better, and will shake hands with David first thing tomorrow! I quickly went through the comments for today and had rhe feeling I have made them myself. Isn't that amazing! At some point you'll have us ALL writing the same sentences, using the same words, thinking ever so alaike! What a great feeling this is!
I'll go to work now, start my day smiling and will be thinking about you all day long. This is incredible, isn't it? And I know scores of friends on this blog will do likewise. I keep seeing you walking and smiling (and swimming, of course!!!) - great fantasy, keeps one going till the next up-date. David, dear, rest some, too!
Mara, sweetie, sleep well and heal! Are you getting enough rest, darling? I'm looking forward to seeing the new pictures!
Hugs, and love, and kisses, and energy!
I love you immensely!
Zlatna
Good morning from Cairo, Mara. Like Julianne, Zlatna and others whom I feel are my new best friends, I am checking in before I get ready for work. Slow and steady wins the race -- you will be exactly where you want to be because, well, because half of the planet is rooting for you. And the other half will as soon as we contact them. You bring the world together, even when you feel the weakest. You have more power than the average bear, my friend. Don't forget that! I will check in later! XOXOXOXO Rob
Mara,
Istanbul checking in here; I too am checking the blog before I get ready to start reporting the news to Hurriyet, though your news is SO much more interesting and important than anything I will encounter today. The day before your operation I asked Savas' sister, Dilek, to pray for you, and yesterday she told me that she told two of her friends in sort of radical Islamic sects to pray for you, and they are, en masse! Now if this isn't hope for world peace, I don't know what is!! Love you so much sekerim, canim, bebegim....keep healing, keep resting, keep shaking hands, and keep smiling.
Julia
Hi David,
I want to thank you for filling in on the Marablog this past week.
That has been important fo me, and I'm sure for Mara and all of her blog friends.
Although I don't know you, I feel like I do a bit through the Blog.
Your love and support for Mara comes through again and again. And when I read you had flown back to N.Y. this past week,I was very happy for her (although not surprized that you went.)
I know your presence is a huge boost for Mara.
PLease give my love to Mara, Elise and David Galaty.
Thanks.
Love Robin H.-Denver
Mara,
Greetings from Dhaka. (After almost two years, it is still strange to hear that....) I reserved all birthday candle-blowing-out wishes for you yesterday. We had friends over for champagne and carrot cake on the roof, and Chris ordered these white lights and torches and it was very beautiful -- it felt more like NY than Dhaka, with the skyline in the background and the new Westin all lit up. Though of course, I wish it had been NY so we wouldn't have been so far away.
Today was our first day of work since the big head-shaving, and let me tell you it gets a lot of attention. (I don't know how many people have commented "One trip to Nepal and they've become monks." Little did they know....)
I can't imagine how tough it is right now, but we are with you and spirit. You amaze me every day, you're always in our thoughts. I am probably going to be in NY or DC sometime soon, and hope that, without adding any burden to you as you recover, we can see each other!
All our love,
Luke and Chris
Dear Mara -- I just read some of the wonderful posts on your blog and noted that many people check-in before work... So, I thought I would let you know that I END my day with you. When the dishes are washed, the kids are asleep, and the house is quiet, I meet you in cyberspace. While the reading has not always been easy lately, "being" with you through the blog is always a treat for me..and despite everything, often a source of smiles and joy. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being YOU..someone who brings inspiration, joy and even laughter to all even in the toughest times. Thank you to David, too, for helping to keep the blog going. (I, too, hope to meet you soon, David.)
Mara, CONGRATULATIONS on your steps forward so far...we are celebrating them and celebrating you and wishing you continued strength of body and spirit. We know you are getting stronger every day.
Love, Eden and family in Oakland
Hi Mara,
Just pinging your blog to let you know that while mostly I've been a lurker here, I read the blog daily to check up on you.
You're in my thoughts here in Cairo. Keep up the fight!
Stefan
Another great update. On thing I have to point out here is that despite all she is going through, Mara still actually manages to look like the same old Mara. Re: "Walking around the block" with Carol - your expression just shows your typical sense of humor about things. - and all the other photos are the same In typical fashion Mara you inspire all of us.
ZLATNA! - My address is 81 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Claudia has mentioned something about time. If there is a problem I'll do whatever is best for everyone, but I'm happy to send "the package" on to another stop or to DC.
Hang in there Mara.
Charlie
My dear Mara:
I am sure I speak for many of your friends back in Jordan who haven't posted any comments, yet they check your blog everyday, think of you prayfully and wish you well. We all want you back. Remember that Jordan needs YOU! With lots of love and healing prayers, Arwa
Keep going, Mara!!!Find the cable, David!
big supportive hugs, Ems
Hi Mara
Alhamdullah bilsalameh (Thank God for your recovery). You have been in my thoughts and daily prayers.I know that God will listen to a prayer from a cancer patient to another. We all miss you here at US Embassy Amman and wish you a speedy recovery.
Love you loads.
Maha
Dear Mara,
Great success in your recovery is celebrated back here in snowy Banja Luka (BiH) by all of us.
Recent positive developments prove that you are stronger than one could imagine, braver than one could know and cared about soooo much more than words could ever tell!!!
Fingers crossed for continued progress:)
Thinking of you and ZIVJELI,
Svetlana & family
Dear Mara,
While I haven't been exactly in your shoes, I have had many experimental orthopedic operations and my body has had to relearn to sit, stand and walk each time. It takes patience, endurance, stubborness and even laughter to get there and I know you will get there. Laughter is the greatest healer of them all and you have the most awesome laugh. When I think of you I think of your wonderful smile and hearing your laughter ringing in my ears. Love your Mara! Sheila Cunningham
Dear Mara and David,
Greetings from the Black Forest in southern Germany! It is so good to be able to read this blog everywhere in the world...Otherwise we wouldn't feel like travelling at the moment. Mara, we're so happy about your progress. You look great after such a big operation and we're sure that you'll be able to use your right hand every day a bit better. You just need a bit of patience...the operation has just been four days ago. So always remember the sentence we used at the Aspen Institute "Think positive" and your arm will be much better soon.
We send you hugs, kisses and miss you a lot!
Lilly, Gadi and Dany
Dearest Mara,
as all of your followers, I am trying to read your blog every day, and celebrating each and every small step you make. Sending all the strength and love Kiara and I can muster.
Thanks to David for keeping the blog updated, and to him and all of your family for taking such good care of you.
Be patient, give yourself all the time you need.
Just to let you know that Dieter Berg and Peter Theiner also asked me to convey their very warmest wishes, and I had to keep them from sending flowers until you will be back in DC.
Love,
Sandra and Kiara
Dear Mara,
Nomi has been keeping me up to date on your progress - you are in our thoughts and prayers and in fact the whole Children's Chapel at Church yesterday prayed for your recovery. You have always been a true inspiration to me and to my mom who is recovering from breast cancer, and now more than ever we are all awed by your strenth and courage...Lots of love, Alex, Ron, Emily and Matthew
Kyiv joins in celebrating every success, seconds every gesture of support, but most importantly, rejoices in the many expressions of love and friendship from across the globe. There is no higher compliment, nor any greater gift, than to love and be so well loved. Ellie
Mi querida Mara,
you are an international star!! We, your fans, who love you from corners all over this planet, are sending all our best energy from multiple directions. But it is you... you are the one who posseses the true and only shine, habibti.. I am constantly cheking the updates. words and photos... I have to admit there is tears of joy and pride of you, looking your progress...
There were such a few days since the surgery, corazon... think how well you recovered that you can get frustrated, as the authentic Aries girl you are!! Everything is moving forward dear Mara.. well done!
Looking at your strengh and beautiful determination, I am praying, and believing again.
All my love to you and David
my warmest thoughts from Jeddah
as ever... Cecilia
You are
So good to hear this wonderful news and know her family and David are with her. For days I've been lighting a tea candle in front of a Buddha statue I brought home from Burma years ago - to send good wishes to Mara.
As I am leaving in hours for a work trip to Kabul and Bamiyan, Afghanistan, I was frustrated to think this little ritual would end for the month I am away. Then in a flash of enlightenment, I grabbed the Buddha and candles and stuffed them in my suitcase.
Only Mara could inspire the Buddha's return to Bamiyan! (It's where the Taliban blew up the monumental, 6th century Buddha statues in 2001).
Sending good vibes and hugs,
Michelle
Mara,
Reading your blog, I am happy for the progress you've made, teary at your frustration and amazed by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from every corner of the world, literally. It is a testament to your own strength and capacity for love and joy that unites so many behind you. So from San Francisco, I also send my love and prayers your way, hoping that every day brings another step or two or three, etc. forward in your recovery. Hugs via cyberspace to you, Carol and Elise, as well as David and Daddy-David. xxoo, Cousin Kate
Michelle's entry inspired me for I too have been lighting Mara candles daily in front of my Buddha here in L.A., and feeling anxious about the interruption of that ritual as I head for Istanbul tomorrow.
But thanks, Michelle, for the obvious answer--why didn't think of it?: I'll bring Buddha and candles along with me. Then Julia and I can light our tea candles together and think of all the buddhas laughing from Bamiyan to the ends of the earth.
See, Mara, your hand may be a little rusty right now, but you're still a magic traveler, present on planes and trains and magic carpets of thought that whisk you all about the globe, and to destination health! Here's thinking of you, babe.
Hi Mara-
Representing Chi-town! Dana and I check your blog every day, and I've told my coworkers about you, and they check it as well to see your exciting progress!
Love,
Kim
Hey Mara!
Amazing. Really touched by Julia's post yesterday about her friend's friends praying for you. See, you are having a positive effect on the rest of the world, even while you're laid up! how bout that. But I'm not surprised; after all, you are one powerful woman.
We hope you're headaches and nausea can be relieved.
Appreciate David keeping up the blog. Many thanks to you, David for keeping us informed
Keep on keeping on, Dude, you're Awesome! Really
Love you Mara-
Gwen and Julia and Drew
Wonderful, wonderful news! I was away this past weekend without a computer and found myself anxious and irritated without my daily Mara updates. I was thrilled to hear about all of the progress you are making. Don't worry too much about the hand-shaking thing - you'll get it back, along with all of the other movements, both important and mundane. It's your fabulous smile that people remember anyway, and it's so good to see it in evidence here.
Much love,
Eden Steven and co.
Julia, darling, the gift-package IS HERE! It has covered the first stretch of the long road to Mara faster than expected. Only, it arrived at the end of the working day, so I'll call the DHL people very early tomorrow morning to forward it to Claudia. Claudia, as soon as the DHL people take it and tell me when it is likely to arrive, I'll send you a message on the blog. You can check on Charlie's address here (earlier on this blog today), as I suppose he should be the next addressee.
Mara, darling, I'm sending you a hand-carved crucifix, made by an artist-carver, one of Dimo's friends - you'll see for yourself how talanted he is! I saw Julia's sons' portrait of you and shed a tear... So much energy and love is coming your way, darling, that if it were material, the package would not be able to cover an inch of the distance! I keep thinking and telling the people around me of your amazing talent to bring us all together through your blog and conduct our harmoniously sounding choir from so far away! I nurse this thought again and again, totally unable to figure out the magic beneath... But then, like I said earlier, any wonder seams so natural if done by you, any magic coming from you must have some rational explanation which we all will probably understand one day. I guess we still have to watch and learn.
Rest, my darling, keep laughing and shaking hands (Julia, I cried when I read that!)and heal! We all wish you the speediest RECOVERY!
Cheers, David! You are wonderful!
Hugs and love and mnogo celuvki!
Zlatna
Mara - Keep up your bravery which we are all proud of. You are a hero and my role model. God bless you and be with you all the way.
David - So thankful to God for having sent Mara such a precious jewel. Keeping us all updated sure makes me feel as if I am with Mara every inch of the way. God Bless you too.
Maha
Hey Mara, It just came to me -- I know you are doing SO well, but just remember that as you progress, if you temporarily lose something, remember that is how children learn. Often they work so hard on a new skill that some of their other skills diminish slightly. So (GOD FORBID) if something like that happens, take a deep breath and push on. We all love you, we are amazed by you, and man alive, woman, you rock! Love, JMRR
Post a Comment