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Saturday, April 5, 2008

This is a tough post for me to write

A lot has happened in the last 24-hours and I need to let you know the latest. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for going to Lisa's and Miss Ann's blogs to offer your kind and generous support. If you haven't yet, I hope that you will take a bit of time to go to Lisa's blog, click on the "comment" button, and leave her some words of encouragement -- yes, even though you don't know her.

Here's what she says in the comments section of her blog...

"I want to reply to each and every one of you. I mean that in all sincerity because your comments mean so much. I have been printing them and so far have 43 pages!!! They will keep me strong and remind me what to be grateful for on the days I feel weak and feel like I can’t fight.

I’m grateful for all of you! )"

She's an amazing woman who is such an inspiration to all of us.

Here's an update from Lisa:

"... It turns out that I have tumors on my liver and abdomen. This is an aggressive cancer that seems to be spreading fast. I’m inoperable although my only hope may be that Johns Hopkins is the only hospital on the East Coast that may be willing to try surgery to “debulk” the tumor in my abdomen but it’s very risky.

Using chemotherapy at this stage in the game may or may not produce good results..."
An update from Miss Ann (she's hosting the raffle):

"...We’ve reached $3000+! Since people don’t like to insure two time cancer survivors, and since the raffle is still running and even MORE stuff has been donated, which I will post tomorrow, I’m asking for the donations to continue to help with medical expenses and such. As I said yesterday, the raffle might end early depending on what goes on with her at her next doctor appointment sometime next week. I have to pull it abruptly if she needs to go NOW. You guys are the greatest. Seriously. Your thoughtfulness and caring are amazing. Thank you so much..."
Another blog friend, whom I haven't met yet has made the following video. It is beautiful and makes me very proud to be a part of the blogging community.



Now, I need to ask for your love, support, good vibes, and prayers. Our niece, Alex and her boyfriend, Adam, were in a terrible auto accident yesterday in Indiana. It was raining, the country road was slick, and they hit a pothole. I don't know many more details except the truck flipped 7 times. My niece was thrown from the truck and her arm was severed. Adam found her arm, and called for help.



They were both airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Alex was assessed there and the doctors determined that she could withstand the surgery to reattach her arm. She was then transported to St. Vincent's Hospital. She made it through surgery and her arm's circulation is good, but she has started running a fever and is in critical condition. She also has significant facial injuries, but the swelling has to go down before the doctors can do anything.

It's my understanding that Adam is still at Methodist Hospital in critical condition suffering from internal injuries and hemorrhaging. Unfortunately, I don't know anymore than that at his time.

It is very hard for us to be so far away when something as devastating as this happens. The movers arrived here this morning to begin packing our household goods. Michael packed up a lot of things today and took them to the service apartment. I still have a bunch of forms to fill out, but I'm getting there -- slowly, but surely. I promised Lisa last night that I would stop procrastinating the shitty stuff that I hate to do.

I'm so thankful for technology, the internets, and the beautiful people behind those computer screens. I'm pretty sure I'd be a total basket case right now if I didn't have them. It felt good to talk to Jimmy and my Mom on Skype this morning and to be able to see them. They had been to see Alex, and it was terribly difficult for them to see her little body so battered and broken. So, once again, I thank you for your love and support. It means a lot to me.

16 comments:

Kyra said...

Oh my. I am SO SO SO Sorry! Your family is in my thoughts!

Geeky Tai-Tai said...

Thank you, Savy, I love the friendships I've made here. I think it's one of the smartest things I've ever done, this blogging thing.

Alex's mom and dad gave her a trip here last summer for her high school graduation. She's only 19, and I think her boyfriend is 18. It is heartbreaking, and I wish we could be there for moral support.

Michael and I have both had ambivalent feelings about moving back to the U.S., but now I know the timing is right. I really appreciate your kind words.

Our lives can be changed in a split second -- we must learn to live and enjoy while we can.

Dave2 said...

Was sorry to hear about the accident. I'll be thinking of you and your family... travel safe.

Geeky Tai-Tai said...

Dave2... Thank you so much, Dave. I hope that you're feeling better yourself. I haven't had much time to check Google Reader. I enjoyed the "spewing" cookies cartoon. I don't know how you manage to be funny when you're sick, but we sure appreciate and enjoy!

I'm really looking forward to meeting you at TequilaCon.

We will have a fun time -- if only for a few hours!

Karla said...

My thoughts are with you and your family. Blogging can be an extremely supportive network, I know it has helped me immensely at times.

Good luck on the flights!

Mrs RW said...

My throat has a lump in it and so does my stomach; just like yours I'm sure. Prayers work miracles so I'm adding mine to yours and everyone else's.

We MUST meet someday. Chicago is in the middle of everything so it can't be THAT hard.

Talk soon.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your niece and her boyfriend. Sending all positive vibes your way, and hoping for a very successful recovery for them both.

Avitable said...

Man, that's horrible. They're just kids! I'll definitely be thinking of them.

Poppy said...

I hope Alex and Adam continue to progress, and have been sending them my good thoughts.

No more feeling bad about the number of miles between you and them. You're on your way back to the States! You'll be here soon enough to see them.

Suzi said...

I'm SO sorry, Diana. What a terrible tragedy. I hope and pray your niece makes a full recovery, and that the reattachment is a success. And that her boyfriend has a speedy recovery, as well.

{{{{{hugs}}}}}
SJ

P.S. Thanks for "introducing" me to Lisa. She's amazing.

Have the T-shirt said...

Diana,

I'm so sorry about your niece and her boyfriend. I will include them in my prayers and hope they both make a full recovery.

Hugs

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I am praying for your family, that your niece and her boyfriend make full recoveries.

Anonymous said...

Just jumped over here thru either Clusterfook or Miss Anns ( I can't remember -ugh). I'm from a rural Indiana area neighboring Indianapolis. Seems like such a small world.

I'll definitely keep them in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted (adding you to my feed reader for happy updates!)

Deej said...

HB and I will keep them in our prayers along will the entire B family. I've been chatting with mom this morning and she sent me your email to her. It's just heartbreaking. Please let me know if we can do anything to help them. We live fairly close to the hospital if they need a place to stay or to shower??

I think it's so ironic that Matt served how many tours in Iraq, and comes back physically unscathed, but she hits a pothole and is now fighting for her life. I just can't imagine the pain they are all enduring right now.

Please know that our prayers are with all of you.

Anonymous said...

Wandered across your blog, joining in the many sending healing thoughts and prayers for your family.

FYI, that sidebar soliciting cards for wounded soldiers: sorry, but it's an urban myth (see snopes.com/politics/christmas/soldiercards.asp Kind thought, but the stuff gets trashed.

asha said...

Donna, I am so sorry to hear about your family suffering. Travel safely. I will keep you in my heart.