Wednesday/Thursday 3/12 - 3/13 Update

This week Wednesday was a special day for Maria.  The hospital added water therapy to Maria's treatment regimen.  Maria was in the pool for two hours.  She will have two sessions in the pool each week.  Maria was happy for the change of pace and the added therapy time.

Thursday was another day of therapy, therapy, therapy for Maria.  We were also surprised with visits from Maria's ex-boss John Kearny, and our neighbors, Gen and Tom Slason.  Maria was very happy to see them.

Maria continues to progress well.  Her biggest obstacle this week has been sleep.  Maria continues to have difficulty sleeping.  We have had many meetings with the doctors here and believe we have a solution to assist her with sleep.

Tuesday 3/11 Update

On Tuesday Maria and I visited the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center in Hartford.  This was Maria's first visit to see her oncologist.  Dr. Alexander Flowers is one of the neuro-oncology doctors at the cancer center and specializes in brain post-op recovery.

After re-hab, Maria's treatment will consist of both radiation and chemotherapy (temozolomide) treatments.  This treatment is the recommended treatment for patients who have had a glioblastoma. Treatment will last 6.5 weeks.

We have also signed Maria up for a clinical trial of a new cancer vaccine called Rindopepimut/gm-csf.  Rindopepimut/gm-csf is being tested for approval by the FDA. This vaccine is designed to attack a specific protein that is a component of most gliobastoma tumors.  We will find out next week if Maria is accepted into the trail.  Maria's treatments will begin in a few weeks.

On Wednesday Maria also received a visit from Joe Scutnick, Sr.  Joe was kind enough to bring Maria rosary beads, and lenton prayer books, truly very thoughtful.  

Maria sends her thanks to all for your thoughts, prayers, posts, and positive energies. .  

Monday 3/10 Update

As I mentioned in my last post Maria had a busy weekend.  On Monday she was back on her regular schedule of the 3T's.  Occupational, Phycial, and Speech therapy.  They continue to work Maria very hard, and she continues to make progress in small increments.  Over the past several days Maria has been deluged with cards, snacks and floral arrangements.  Maria sends thanks to all from the bottom of her heart !!!  

Maria also received a special visitor this past week.  I am including a picture of this special visitor.  She traveled all the way from Burlington VT and will spend time with Maria as she works her way back to health.  Many thanks to the CGI team in VT for sending this special friend!!

Sat/Sun 3/8 - 3/9 Update

This is Maria's first weekend at Gaylord Hospital.  Sunday marks the end of day five.

This weekend Maria had a visit from her brother and sister in-law Dom and Carole.  They brought Paulie in from college.  It was nice to see them.  Bonnie, Tracey and Jen (all co-workers form C-21) stopped by.   Lance, Barbara, and Rachael Kilburn visited on Saturday, as did Danielle and Matt.

On Sunday, Dom, Carole, and Paulie spent time with Maria before heading back to Syracuse and Rochester.  Jim and Cathy Castellani stopped in for a nice visit, as did Al and Marie Barranco, and Lorraine Legnani.

Maria had a great time visiting with these friends this weekend.  It was a nice way to pass the time on the weekend and also nice way to celebrate the start of nice weather.

On Monday we expect to receive the preliminary reports from the therapists here.  I expect to have additional information to share after that report out.

Maria sends her thanks to all for the cards, email, and flowers.  Thank you also for your continued support and prayers.

Friday 3/7 PM Update

Maria - Day 4 at Gaylord

Hi folks.  I am sending you this picture of Maria.  She had just returned from 3 hrs of physical therapy. She had a great day and looked great so I wanted to send you this picture of her. Maria continues to make progress on many dimensions.  Muscle control is returning to her right arm.  She is also beginning to move her right leg.  Today they had her up walking (assisted of course) on a hemi-walker, and climbing a short flight of stairs.  Maria continues to have a positive attitude and looks forward to her therapy sessions each day.  She is also counting the days for real food, her own bed, and a glass of red wine. 

Today we received another nice floral arrangement today from Bobbie, Marielle, Melinda, Sue and Teri.  Friends that Maria has worked with in the past.  Thanks Ladies, and thanks to all for your continued support, thoughts, prayers, and posts !!  

Thursday 3/6 pm update.

Today was Maria's second day of therapy.. Maria had five appointments with therapists. She spent a lot of time answering their questions and participating in the evaluation processes. This is an essential step for them to create their plan for her recovery. I understand that she has already begun bossing them around. :).

One of our friends Anita Hill visited for the afternoon. Anita is a Physical Therapist by profession and also spent time with Maria during the sessions. Maria enjoyed Anita's visit and looks forward to the next visit. Anita also brought some nice treats, Italian cookies. Thanks Anita!!

At 8:00pm Maria kicked me out so she could rest from the day's activities. A lot going of activity on day 2, Maria was pooped.   

The picture attached here is a picture of many of the nice flowers that folks have sent us.

Upon returning home I discovered a care package - FOOD - at my door step. Many thanks for the anonoymous donation. I thoroughly enjoyed the food as well as the kind gesture.

Thanks to all for your continued support, prayers, and for your posts.