Wednesday Oct. 26 update

I visited Linda from 9am to 2pm today.  Initially,

she was disoriented and down, but by about 10am 

she became perky and tuned in.  She asked many questions

and wanted me to keep talking (I wish I had a more interesting

life to discuss!). She even laughed a bit and

teased the nurses.  She brushed her own teeth, which made her

feel fresher.  The self-administered IV pain meds are now allowed 

every 10 minutes instead of every 30 minutes and the doctor is 

considering a new medicine (along with her 9 IV bags), which will target the intestinal inflammation. We propped up her swollen left arm on pillows, which helped her edema and arm pain.  We did foot massages

and ankle rotation exercises to bring down her puffy feet and 

get her circulation going. At 1:30, she thanked me and expressed how

deeply she appreciates EVERYONE'S support, and told me in no uncertain

terms to go home.  She wanted to sleep.

Although she still has a long road ahead, she was worlds better

today than she was last Wednesday. Onward and upward!

- Heather Dubov