Hello All,
Here’s a quick update on Elisa.
1st—All is well. On Tuesday, the surgeons operated to remove the tumor on her L3 vertebra.
2nd—They fused the spine from L1-L5, removed the tumor and most of the infected bone in the L3 vertebra, and put a “cage” in its place.
3rd—This relived the pressure from her nerves that was causing the horrific pain.
4th—The operation took about 8 hours.
5th—When she was in recovery, the nurse told Mike that “the patient was doing well.”
6th—The surgeon told him that “things went extremely well.”
7th—The surgeon put a “drain” in her back to protect the nerves from whatever small bleeding would happen around the spine.
8th—I’m not sure if the drain has been removed as I haven’t heard anything more since Tuesday, late afternoon. Mike, I suspect, is exhausted from the burden of worry beforehand and the tidal wave of joy and relief afterward. . . And Elisa, I hope, is resting, snoozing, napping, sleeping, and letting herself drift into a Nirvana that is free of that deep, down, bone pain.
9th—Here are two photographs she’s posted on Facebook. The first is from Wednesday, the day after the operation. The second was posted today. Note that the cage looks like a violin. On Facebook, Elisa commented about that. You see, she was a childhood progeny on the violin and has been making music all her life. I hope how that she will be making it again—pain-free.
Thank you for all the healing thoughts, prayers, energy, concern, love with which you swaddled Elisa. I am in awe—inspired by—your generosity of spirit. Peace.
FYI: Monday, during and after the operation, I reread all your comments on my past two postings: Thursday, November 5, and Monday, November 9. In gratitude, I responded to your words. So, if you have the time and the inclination, I encourage you to go to those two posts and read the responses. Thank you again. Peace.
Wonderful outcome and what an amazing procedure. And Elisa looks so beautiful, alert, thankful and happy, as I’m sure her family is. I love the photo at the top! I hope you have many more happy days to look forward to together in the future. 💕
ReplyDeleteDear Cynthia, that's my hope also. The news today from Mike and Ruby (Elisa's mom) is somewhat bittersweet. I hope to post about it on Sunday when I have a clearer picture of what it all means. Thank you for your continued prayers. Peace.
DeleteElisa is a very beautiful woman! So good to hear about her successful surgery and hope she continues to recover without so much pain.
ReplyDeleteDear Lori, according to Mike (husband) and Ruby (mom), the pain continues. I haven't spoken with Elisa because I so believe that she needs to shepherd her strength. So I'm not if the intensity of the pain has lessened or not. Peace.
DeleteWonderful, wonderful news.
ReplyDeleteElisa's incredible spirit shines through in that gorgeous photo of her.
Here's to many, many more painfree days and outpourings of love and support.
Dear Sue, it is wonderful news. Right now Mike (husband) and Ruby (her mom) have been texting about the most result developments: blood clots in the lungs and no BFRA mutation. Both pieces of news disheartening. But Elisa, in her brief Facebook postings continues to show her, as you say, "incredible spirit." Peace.
DeleteElisa looks so happy in the hospital bed. I'm glad that all went well with the procedure. Virtual hugs from SF, Dee. -b
ReplyDeleteDear Bea, thanks for this virtual hugs, I'll pass them on to Elisa when next we talk. The surgery went so well that, I think, her family and I sort of forgot that she still has stage 4 melanoma throughout her body. In the past three days--since the operation--the surgeons and the oncologists have been slowly giving her news upon what comes now. It's going to be a long haul, but the odds are that 70% of those who do not have the BRAF mutation will live 2 years. And the doctors think that with her spirit and positivity, she has a good chance! Peace.
DeleteSounds like great news. I'm happy for all involved.
ReplyDeleteDear Jean, it is "great news." Every day since the operation, Elisa and Mike (her husband) and Ruby (her mother) have learned more about what lies ahead. It's all seems somewhat daunting to me, but Elisa has great reservoirs of courage and positivity and belief in possibilities that she is now calling on. Peace.
DeleteWow, that x-ray is mind boggling. They really gave it everything. Can't believe how wonderful she looks after what she went through. That is one special lady. Keeping her in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteDear Patti, I thought it was "boggling" also! I wasn't able to show you the side view. I'm going to try to do that on Sunday, when I hope to post again. Thank you for keeping her in your prayers. The doctors, who, Mike says, are "compassionate," are now planning the road ahead with her. Peace.
DeleteJust wow. What an ordeal, and what a special person to have a smile like that afterwards. I am thrilled with the outcome of the surgery. She's a beautiful soul, you can just tell. :-)
ReplyDeleteDear DJan, yes . . . that's it!!! "Just wow." Or, as I'd say to the cats, "WOW!" I remember once writing to you about taking our sandals off because we are on holy ground. That surgery room on Tuesday was a place of holiness--all the nurses and doctors and the surgeons using their expertise and best skills to give her a more time with all of us whose lives she has touched. That, for me, was a time of great grace--of being in the presence of the Holy Oneness of All Creation, where, collectively we met and embraced. Peace.
DeleteSuch good news
ReplyDeleteDear Jo-Ann, yes, good news! A "Gospel" of good news! Thank you for your concern and for following this ongoing story of what is happening in Elisa's journey. Peace.
DeleteI like to think of Elisa adrift on the cloud of good thoughts, good wishes, hope.
ReplyDeleteDear Joanne, oh, I do so like what you are thinking. I hope to get to talk with Elisa in the next day or two and I will share your visualization with her. I know she will embrace it. Peace.
Deletewhat a relief to read this dear Dee
ReplyDeletetears of gratitude falling from my eyes !
thank you sooo much for kind update ,she is fighter and survivor indeed ,i loved her delightful victorious smile :)
my heartfelt prayers and best wishes for her speedy recovery!
you are an ocean of love and wisdom my friend how fortunate to sit beside you and learn how to sooth others with kindness !
thank you for being such an inspiration !
hugs and blessings!
Dear Baili, yes, she is a survivor. I think you are one also with your love of the beauty of all being and your ability to find goodness in all things. Those are, I think, the attributes of a survivor. Thank you for your kind words. I so love that way over in Pakistan someone--you--is holding Elisa dear. Peace.
DeleteHi There I have been following Elisa's story ---and was thrilled to hear that the surgery went well. What a beautiful young lady. She certainly has gone through a lot. Glad she has you as such a special friend. May God Bless Elisa, her family, and YOU.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Dear Betsy, so glad you have been following her story. You know from your own health crisis and concerns what it's like to be ill, to be scared, to be hopeful, and also to be patient. Thank you for the blessing. I will share it with Elisa and her Mom (with whom I am in daily contact.) Peace.
DeleteWe pray that she will be pain free and heal quickly!
ReplyDeletePrayers for her and her family.
I hope you are doing well, too.
Dear Rita, thank you for those prayers. She remains in pain and the doctors are still trying to find the medication that will keep it in control. You know so much about pain. Like Elisa, you are, I think, a brave, resolute woman of fortitude. Peace.
DeleteDear Arleen, yes, that smile of her is what we used to call "a million-dollar" smile. It just welcomes the world: the break of day, the hush of evening, the possibility of life. She has touched and is touching so many lives with goodness and with the joy that resides deep down at the center of her being. Peace.
ReplyDeleteShe looks great, not like a woman who just had surgery! And that cage does look like a violin. Cool!
ReplyDelete