Cleaning Time!

A few friends of Maria's have decided to go clean her house tomorrow morning Saturday Feb. 7th at 8:00 until 10:00. We thought if there were 4 or 5 of us, we could "whip" through it pretty quickly. If you are available and would be willing to help, please leave a comment or just show up at Maria's tomorrow at 8:00. Thanks, Amy Petersen

Still going

First let me apologize for not keeping up on the blog as I should. I still find it taxing to sit at the computer for extended periods of time. I am greatful that I can sit at the computer...so with that being said...let me fill you in.

I did spend another week in the hospital the first week of January...it was disheartning because I didn't want to be spending time each month in the hospital especially every holiday. Each holiday brought about some trauma...Thanksgiving instead of a beautiful Turkey dineer with family, I was getting drainage tubes inserted in my back. Then the day before Christmas eve....I was there again...I cried hearing the news I was being admitted. The nurse practictioner, Dori said they would try to have me released on Christmas eve...it was not to be. I spent Christmas day im the hospital tears in my eyes and prayers in my heart tht Nicholas would enjoythe holiday although I was not there. Nick wa with Cathy, Kent and those wonderful Sprunger boys...that gave me peace. He was with folks that truely love him so with that I could cope with not being with my son...We were able to spend another day celebrating Christmas together. It wasn't the day marked on the calendar, but it was ours all the same. January came and New years eve was spent at home...We both made it to 12:30 and saw the ball drop with the legendary Dick Clark...shortly after that time Nick was sound aslep next to me in my bed. He along with the other 3 boys in our life, Silas, Joshiah and the ever so nutty Anchel all curled up next to me to sleep. Unfortunately it left me totally uncomfortable but happy becasue I had all four of my boys with me and I was home...For that I was so very happy and blessed. Little did I know within a short time I would be taken to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning...4:30 AM to be exact. Something just was not right...I got there and the doctors took over. They gave me all kinds of meds, trust me when i say....Please, please, please never mix that group together again. I have never been that out of control. I lost everything...I awoke with Juli sitting next to my bed (once again on the 9th floor) waiting for me to awake. I remember looking at her and saying, " please tell me you got the license plate # of the truck that hit me!" I insisted that she go home and rest. Dr. Bloomston and his grop came in and he just shook his head...He is and has been concerned about the infection that looms under the piece of liver I have left. It just keeps going and going...I picture that fat, mucussie character from the musinex commercial...just hanging in there. Dr. B gave me 3 options...Meds ( massive amounts of antibiotics), another drainiage tube (not that the 3 I already had were not enough), or (as the surgeons in the ER beleived) surgery....I remeber raising my hand and stating loudly.....I go for #1...yup, that is the one....#1. No one wanted option 3...I don't wnat to have antoher surgery anytime soon. I stayed in the hospital another 6 days with intense IV treatments...on the day of my release...it became more of an escape. My nurse took out the IV needles...I was brought my clothes and I rushed (as quick as I could) to the restroom and changed from those designer gowns to a pair of pants that look like something borrowed from barnum bailey's circus. I waited (inpatiently) for my wheelchair (chariot). I decided after 20 minutes of waiting...I just grabbed my coat and slowly shuffled down the hall, passed the nurses stations, waved a few farewells and headed toward the elevator. I hid my identification band and headed South (from 9 to 1) across the hall and out the doors to fresh air...cold air, but fresh all the same. Latricia was ther to get me and bring me home...AHHHHHHHHHH sweet relief. I left all my information there...I mean 2 huge binders with my life in them at the hospital. Fortunately for me the nurse called informed me it was left behind then Nannett went over after work and picked them up for me. In my haste to escape I left a huge chunk of my life (will, guardianship papers, living will, scans, reports, etc)...Can you say...absent minded??? It was good to have them back with me....Dr. B and i joked around about my next appointment to see him....not until the 26th unless, oh wait MLK day would be on the 19th, maybe I should be pre-registered for the upcoming holiday. I won't even tell you how I lost my mind and put my foot in my mouth with Dr. B and the residents....about the holiday....I am happy to report that day was yesterday and I am not in the hospital....YEAH!!! My nurse is concerned becaue although I take my meds the infections is still there and I have deminished breathing sounds from the right side of my lungs...but trust me...It will take mpre than that to get me back in my home away from home...

Thanks to all those who keep Nick and I in thier prayers and heart. Your love does not go un noticed...

Much love to you all...

Maria

Hello everyone...I actually got on to the blog. I am currently back in the hospital. I just can't seem to stay away. I called juli early 4 am over the weekend in quite a bit of distress. If you know me at all...I hold out to the bitter end before coming to the hospital, especially the ER. I reached my breaking point. The experience was far from pleasant. The problem is infection. There is a spot under the piece of liver I have left that is just being a buttsag. My options r either, meds, another drain, or surgery...All for #1 raise your hands!!! Neither the doc or I r interested in openin me up again. My prob...aside from the cancer is I don't manifest infection...no fevers, hih white counts etc....Docs say I am an annomily (sp)....Go figure. hopefully I can can come hm soon...

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SHARED YOUR PRAYERS, FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE!!!!

APPRECIATE YOU ALL MORE HAN YOU KNOW!!!!

sorry hooked up to iv so typing with one hand

Maria

Christmas Eve Day

Maria has had a setback. She is back in the hospital and is in a lot of pain. A CT scan was done to check the bili drain (?). She is hoping to come home today. I will post more once I visit today. We were looking forward to having Maria visit for a bit on Christmas Eve, now we are hoping she will be able to come home from the hosptial for Christmas Day.

Please keep both Maria and Nick in your prayers, but especially Nick - this is hardest on him.

Judy Cerqua

Maria came home on Wednesday, 12/3, after successfully beating the infection that set her back over the weekend. I am assuming she and Nick are getting along ok, I have not heard since she came home. If anyone has an update, please post Maria's progress. Tammy Mair has put together a schedule for meals, light cleaning, Christmas decorating etc. Contact Tammy if you want to contribute or want to confirm your slot on the schedule. Continue to pray for healing and rejuvenation!

Rounding the 300 mark to the home stretch

I talked to Maria tonight and she is sooo much better. They pulled one of her drainage tubes and removed the port. She has moved to pudding. Sounds like she may be coming home tomorrow - Wednesday. Maria is still on oxygen at night and gets a bit winded if she talks too long. She is still in need of much rest and sleep but her spirits are up and she is looking forward to spending some time in her own bed. The air bed finally arrived yesterday and the staff didn't know how to work it. The bed unded up deflating so Maria moved to her chair in the middle of the night! She was uncomfortable there so she got out the directions and figured out how to make the bed work all on her own - what was she thinking!!!

Tammy will be bringing her home from the hospital and getting her settled at home. Tammy has also worked out the dinner schedule etc etc. If you signed up to help then you will be hearing from someone very soon about your assignment and the assigned date. Maria is still in need of much rest so we should take to our task when we arrive, check in to see if Maria and Nick need anything and then leave. We'll let Maria tell us when she is feeling up to a more robust visit.

Please post comments if anyone else has additional information.

Friday evening update

As many of you know Maria's CT scan did in fact show an infection.  She has two abscesses around her liver and colon.  The doctors placed some drainage tubes today to get rid of the infection and that of course caused her some discomfort.  She is also having trouble breathing so they have put her on oxygen as well.  It has been requested that we limit our visits to her at this point.  It is really crucial for her to get as much rest as possible!  She has had so many of us visiting her and calling her, which I think has been wonderful, but with Maria being as popular as she is the trail of visitors is never ending.  If you do feel like you would like to go and see her they have asked that we just go and sit with her so that she can continue to take in the oxygen like she should and rest as well.  If the oxygen does not work they may have to intubate her and we DON'T want that to happen.  She is stable and as we all know she if a fighter and she will get through this as well.  It is just another small road block to her recovery.  Pray hard that she will have little pain and get good sleep so that her body can fight off this horrible infection.  God bless Maria!