Dear Incredibly Generous People,
Greg (who was away with Tania for four days and is now back home) told me today about the help you have been sending us (he is taking care of the contributions that have been coming in), and about so many of you who have very little to spare -- especially in this difficult economy -- but who have nonetheless sent us something to express love and gratitude to Sasha. I don't know what to say, except Thank You, and thank you again, and please, please don't send what you can't afford; if you're out of a job, wait until you're back on your feet and comfortable. We are very lucky, very blessed, in so many ways; Sasha's stroke was mild, and the effects are beginning to show signs of healing. We're also blessed by having wonderful, patient, loving and good-humored people giving Sasha round-the-clock care. They are being paid, of course, but any one of them COULD have turned out to be difficult or impatient or short-tempered, but instead, they are all easy to work with and affectionate and uncomplaining under even the most trying circumstances. And, as is always the case in situations like ours, there are moments that would try the patience of Mother Theresa herself.
Tomorrow, we take Sasha to San Francisco, to see one of the two surgeons who worked on his left foot and -- quite probably -- saved it from amputation. He will evaluate it and give us some idea of what the next step is, and how soon (presumably a skin graft).
Sasha is more alert, beginning to make puns again, and anxious to get out of bed (until he's actually out of bed, when he discovers that he actually appreciates the bed more than he realized), and his appetite is good again (there was one bad day when he ate very little, but only one). His food is still being pureed, but that probably won't be for long, since his swallowing is improving. His speech is clearer, already, and a speech therapist will be coming once or twice a week for a while. There are moments when the nerve pain breaks through, but his pain medication is really good, and the bad moments don't last long, thank heaven.
I'll keep the reports coming, except when I simply can't, but those difficult days are coming less frequently, and I can almost always write just before going to bed.
Bless all of you, and thank you so much for everything you're doing, and for showing so much love to this extraordinary and delightful man (and I say this as his wife of almost thirty years). If healing continues as we believe it will, it won't be very long until Sasha will be able to get back to the lab and back to work doing what he loves most in life, with our good friend, Paul, being his co-chemist (and furnishing good eyesight).
Goodnight -- Ann
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For the first time since the stroke, Sasha was able to join me for dinner at the dining room table. His color and sense of humor have returned. Afterwards, he had a painful night. Ann was with him from 4am until ??? They are both resting now. Despite difficulty, Sasha is healing. Your gifts have a tremendous impact. And I would like to expand the fundraising campaign; please spread the word. Thank you. ~ gregM
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Dear Members of the Most Evolved Network on Earth,
Tania and I took Sasha to the plastic surgeon on Wednesday, and we were joined by Dr. Paul, our new and already beloved primary care physician. Both doctors examined Sasha's Achilles tendon wound (since no one had thought to put Sasha on a gurney or table, they had to turn themselves almost upside down to see the ulcer), and they expressed approval and pleasure at what they saw. They also promised to put him on some kind of surface which would allow him to turn onto his stomach, next Wednesday, when they see him again.
Granulation tissue, according to the doctors, is beginning to form around the wound, and that means that healing is beginning, and THAT means making plans for a skin graft is now reasonable. Assuming, of course, that everything continues to look good. For the first time, we heard details about the skin graft experience, such as: Sasha will be in a hospital bed for five or six days -- depending on how well the graft "takes." The surgeon said, "We want to do it at exactly the right time -- not too soon and certainly not too late -- because it's a one-time thing, and we've got just one chance to get it right." Surgeons like a bit of drama, now and then, so it's best not to react to such pronouncements with too much panic.
Also, Sasha's left leg will be elevated, much like a patient with a leg cast after a fracture, to prevent a pushing down of blood, as happens when one sits or stands, because the skin graft is very delicate, and needs to be left quiet and peaceful until it takes. He'll be able to exercise all the other parts of his body, thank heaven, but not the left leg.
Sasha is up several times a day, now, using the walker, and we're trying to get his legs strengthened, as fast as possible, because the skin-graft adventure will inevitably leave his elevated leg weak for a while.
I'll try to write the next updates during the day, so I can put in more time, giving you details and pictures of what's going on, instead of fighting the impulse to close my eyes and go to sleep.
Goodnight, Dear Hearts, and thank you for your messages. I'm going to bed.
Blessings ----- Ann