Ana Updates 021 February 03rd 2009 (English)

February 3, 2009



Hello Everybody


After having Ana at home for almost 10 days on Sunday evening we took had to take her back to the Baptist Hospital. The port she has in her skull for the chemotherapy was leaking and it was recommended that we admit her to the hospital ASAP.

This is just a precaution and is not a worsening of her general condition or anything similar.

The scanning has revealed that the port is ok and no surgical intervention to repair or replace it seems to be necessary.

We will probably be at the hospital for a day or two. I’ll let you know when we go home again. She won’t be released until the leaking has been resolved. So while she’s there some additional testing will be done.

Due to the chemotherapy she’s a bit anemic so she’s received a unit of blood to help keep her strong.

She was in a very bad mood on Sunday and yesterday since she didn’t like going back to the hospital and the kids got worried that she might be away for many weeks again. Everyone seems to be calming down and we’re looking forward to having her back home before the weekend.

I’ll let you al know when she’s home again. In the meantime please keep sending those welcome home and get well cards. She loves receiving the cards and your personal visits. It really helps lift her spirits.

To visit her personally she’s at the Baptist Hospital room 5244

I haven’t sent any messages since Ana was released from the hospital 11 days ago. I’m sorry, but adjusting to all the home nursing hasn’t been easy. It’s a new and difficult challenge.

So in spite her being back at the Baptist for a few days let me go back and tell you a bit of what happened during the first 10 days at home.

We had to set up a hospital bed for Ana at home. I decided to place it in the living room so she’s in the middle of the house and can be part of the home activities.

All the care giving at home is so exhausting it really gives the words “in health and in sickness” a whole new and deeper meaning than when we pronounce and promise them at time of marriage.

I’ve had to learn to give her shots, control her blood sugar, take her blood pressure, change her diapers, and a lot of other things that I would prefer to keep private. Just keeping track of all the medications and their correct dosage is a mind boggling task.

I’m exhausted but I don’t sleep well at all. I’m jumpy all the time and constantly worried that something might be wrong. All the effort is worth it because Ana is able to see the children every morning as soon as they crawl out of bed and have them give her a good morning kiss and hug is literally priceless. The same happens when they get home from school or they give her a goodnight kiss before bed.

The kids have gotten so used to having her home that the other day they just walked in from school and didn’t even say hello to her. I couldn’t believe it. For weeks and weeks they were asking and begging for her for Ana to come home, and now that she’s home they very non-chalantly say “Oh, hi mom”.

The biggest change has been Sophia. At the age of 3 it’s very difficult for her to understand that the person she sees with no hair is mommy. So while Ana was at the hospital Sophia would hardly interact with her. All of a sudden at home we have to restrain Sophia from jumping on Ana’s bed and accidentally hurting her.

Chiara will sit down and read stories and/or her school essays to Ana. Eric will show her different toys or his new score on his Nintendo DS game. There’s a long list of everyday things.

Ana just glows with all the positive energy and love she gets from the children.

So do the children.

Another favorite activity is cuddling up with Ana. One of the kids or me will squeeze into the space between Ana and the bed safety rail and snuggle up or even sleep with her for a while. It can be a bit uncomfortable but it’s well worth it.

Hopefully in the near future we can get Ana to go upstairs and we can share our normal bed again. I miss her physical presence while I sleep so much. It’s like having a big empty hole on the right side of our bed.

Having Ana home and sharing her physical presence plays right into today’s song. It’s an old Billy Joel tune from his Piano Man album. It’s called “You’re My Home”. It’s not one of his greatest hits, most people will never even recall hearing it before but this song has always had a lot of meaning for Ana and me. I hope you like it.

Once again thank you so much for all the concern, love, support, energy and prayers you are all continuously sending Ana and my family.



Sincerely,



Victor

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Billy Joel – You’re My Home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4D40r-E7yk (live in 1978)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HJgNmOtVNY (live in 2006)



When you look into my eyes
And you see the crazy gypsy in my soul
It always comes as a surprise
When I feel my withered roots begin to grow
Well, I never had a place that I could call my very own
But that's alright my love,
'Cause your my home

When you touch my weary head
And you tell me everything will be alright
You say, use my body for your bed
And my love will keep you warm throughout the night
Well, I'll never be a stranger
And I'll never be alone
Where ever we're together that's my home

Home can be the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Indiana early morning dew
High up in the hills of California
Home is just another word for you

If I traveled all my life
And I never get to stop and settle down
Long as I have you by my side
There's a roof above and good walls all around
You're my castle, you're my cabin and my instant pleasure dome
I need you in my house 'cause you're my home