This is where I hang out a good part of the day since coming home on June 26th. Missed the peonies and the spectacular first flush of roses, but arrived in time to see my beloved grey dogwood in full bloom.
The sutures were removed last Tuesday, July 2nd by Dr. Reynolds, my doctor here, and I was allowed to wash my hair for the first time in three weeks on July 4th!
Heidi and Ron invited us over for a celebratory barbecue of hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled vegetables, corn, tomato / mozzarella salad and mixed green salad fresh from their garden.
For dessert we enjoyed a family favorite Ciara, Ysanne and I had made the day before. While the adults lingered after dinner the twins joined friends to watch the fireworks on Munjoy Hill in Portland.
I am getting steadier on my feet every day. Heidi arranged visits by therapists and a nurse to help me back to normal. She and friends have been making delicious dinners for us, filling the house with flowers and a lot of love. Peter watches me like a hawk, waiting on me hand and foot starting with tea in bed every morning!
Unfortunately I ended up having two surgeries. The first one on June 12th took 7 hours. Dr. Barker and his assistant removed an egg sized piece of skull to get to the acoustic neuroma. They took out most of it and I was overjoyed that there was no paralysis on the right side of my face, thanking a tired Dr. Barker when he came to see me in the ICU.
He told us that there was some comic relief in the
operating room. Apparently commands to wiggle my toes after surgery were met with a categorical: "That is not going to happen" for over one hour. Since I was speaking German, Dr. Barker had to employ a virtual translator to decipher my babbling.
After spending the first night in ICU, I was transferred to a beautifully furnished room with a sweeping view of Beacon Hill and beyond. Lucky me since it became my home for two whole weeks.
Cerebral fluid started dripping out of my right nostril on the second day after surgery. They did a spinal tap and I had to lie prone for several days as they carefully calibrated the drainage, finally deciding to reopen the 12 centimeter long scar on Friday, the 21st of June because of a hairline crack that was not going to close. The surgery took only about 2 hours this time, but there was considerable pain for a couple of days. I will spare you further details but want to let you know that I now have MRI compatible titanium mesh in my head which will eventually fuse with my skull. How about that!
I am filled with deep thanks especially to Heidi and Peter who were by my side during my hospital stay. Heidi sacrificed her vacation and was invaluable in every way. She advocated for me arriving before 6 every morning so she would not miss the neurosurgeon team.
Ron brought Ciara and Ysanne down to Boston for an afternoon, a breath of fresh air. Peter and Mary came to visit.
And dear Mary came back down and stayed with me for two days so Peter and Heidi could go back to Portland to make all necessary arrangements for my return. While with me, Mary selected a delicious multi course dinner at Enoteca, a great restaurant on Charles Street. Not only that, she bought me a most elegant kimono wrap to wear for the occasion. I disappointed her on that front because I didn't have enough energy to both dress up and eat, having to opt for the latter! She lovingly understood.
Peter and Heidi drove back down to Boston on the 26th leaving at 8 AM. After making sure I had enough pain medication to tide me over, they packed me in the car where I promptly fell asleep. Peter gently chauffeured us back. That first night Ysanne slept on a cot by my side so Peter could get a good nights sleep in the guest room. She gave me my meds at midnight and helped me to the bathroom a couple of times that night.
While at the hospital, reading ANIMAL VEGETABLE MIRACLE by Barbara Kingsolver, my thoughts turned to our tradition of making jams. Each year the girls and I get together starting with strawberry season to make enough jam to last us all winter and to share with friends.
On July 3rd Peter picked up 20 pounds of the most luscious local strawberries at Rosemont market. We sat outside stemming them while the jars were sterilizing and then Ciara and Ysanne, with a little guidance from Oma, set about making 20 jars of strawberry jam. Heidi had raided her rhubarb patch and they made another 20 jars of yummy strawberry / rhubarb jam.
With the foam they ladled off while the jams were boiling, we made dessert for the next day, a family favorite in the picture above. The recipe goes way back to when Mark was born in Minneapolis and is the creation of my dear friend Gisela who lives in Germany now.
In closing I do want to express my gratitude for the care I got at MGH. The smart, caring and loving nurses kept me confident that I would get well while taking care of my every need in a cheerful and personal manner. The neurosurgeons answered our many questions full of compassion, making what were at times difficult decisions. The cleaning personal kept everything spotless with a big smile. I was deeply moved by the life stories they all shared and by their fervent wish I would be able to go home soon.
I also thank all of you for your prayers, your cards, calls, letters and e-mails, your flowers and the sustenance I received. This is what carried me and kept me calm. We are so lucky in many ways.
