6/2 - Post Procedure Update & Return to Gaylord Rehab

Over the weekend Maria progressed quickly from ICU to a standard care room.  The team at Hartford Hospital did a great job taking care of her.  Thanks go out to her Doctors for reacting so quickly.  Within 24 hrs of the diagnosis of infection, Maria had already had the procedure and was out of recovery.  Truly amazing!!

Over the weekend Maria rested  (as much as you can in a hospital) and was evaluated for discharge.  The evaluation indicated Acute Rehab, and as a result Maria is back at Gaylord Rehab in Wallingford, CT.   Right now it is too early to tell how long she will be at Gaylord, but I expect it will be at least 30 days.  

 Part of the post-op treatment is that Maria receive intravenous antibiotics to cure the after effects of the infection, this is fairly standard.  Her procedure was successful in that the surgeons drained and irrigated the infection, and she now has a pic-line in her arm where the are sending in the antibiotics.

Maria is doing well and is in good spirits.  She is back on the same floor, Lyman 2, and for the moment is in room 203.  

Thanks to all for your thoughts, prayers, and positive energy, it truly helps.

5/30 - Maria's Second Surgery

On May 30, Maria was scheduled for her second craniotomy.  The operation was scheduled for 7:45 in the morning.  Essentially the procedure was the same as the first.  It was less invasive than the first given that the pathway created in the first procedure to access the tumor was still open and available for this procedure.  i.e. that was the hard part in the first surgery.

As of 10:30 am on May 30, Maria was out of recovery in ICU and is resting well.  She came through the operation well.  Her speech does not appear to be negatively impacted.  It is too early to tell if her right side has regressed as a result of the procedure, but early indications are that things are the same as before the procedure.

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. 

5/29 - Maria's Post Treatment MRI - Results

On May 29, Maria had her post treatment MRI.  We visited Hartford Hospital bright and early on that day for an 8:45 appointment.  We were both anxious for this day and eager to find out if the radiation and chemotherapy did the job on the remnants of the tumor.  

After a very uncomfortable MRI, (the tech could not find the vein for the contrast IV), Maria completed the MRI and we were off to meet with her Neuro Oncologist, Dr. Flowers.  The MRI indicated what looked like a large area of swelling around the tumor site.  This coupled with the fact that her incision was still not completely healed, and the fact that Maria had recently regressed in speech capabilities, indicated that what looked like swelling was likely an infection.  

We were sent to see her Neuro Surgeon who confirmed the diagnosis of infection and Maria was immediately re-admitted to Hartford Hospital.  She was scheduled for a second craniotomy on  May 30.  This second procedure would be thirteen (13) weeks to the day from her first procedure. 

5/24 - Paulie's Graduation & Danielle's Birthday

May 24, 2014 marked the date of Paul's graduation from RIT and Danielle's 27th birthday.  It was a momentous occasion and one in which the whole family participated.

After many, many, many discussions Pat was able to navigate United Health Care, and with the assistance of the great folks at Marlborough Health Care, Maria was allowed to break free from the nursing home to attend the graduation event in Rochester, NY.

The ride up was long and uneventful.  Maria tolerated the drive wonderfully and on the way up we stopped at Pat's mom and dad's new apartment for a visit.  It was a great day to see mom, dad, and aunt Tilllie.  We had not seen them in a while.  It was especially nice to see them in their new place.

Saturday was the big day for both Paul and Danielle.  The weather cooperated and the folks at RIT had prepared a well planned graduation event.  Lasting only 1.5 hours the event went off without  hitch, the Ritter Ice Arena was the perfect temperature, and the speakers brief and on point.  Pictures of course speak a thousand words, I have included some of my favorites here.  

In attendance at graduation, were Dom and Carole, Ashley and David, Tricia and David, our Dad, Danielle and Matt, and of course Pat, Maria, and Paulie.  We had a great dinner at Basil's restaurant in Webster on Saturday night, and then a fabulous picnic the next day at Ashley and David's house.  Special thanks to Ashley and David for hosting the picnic, and to Carole, Tricia, and Danielle for assisting with the plans.  

Maria had a fantastic time, and is still talking about how nice it was.

Pat, Danielle, Paul, Maria and Grandpa Erminio

Paulie

Yo Paulie !

Maria, Carole Dom, Ashley, David, David, Matt, Danielle, Grandpa Ermin, Paul

the CT Colacicco's

5/12 - Last Day of Treatment

Maria's last day of treatment was May 12.  The six weeks of treatment flew by.  This also markes the end of 10 weeks past surgery.  

Maria powered through each day with a fabulous attitude.  Her treatment time was made more palatable because of the great folks at the Radiation Oncology Center and Helen and Harry Gray.  They were simply fabulous.

Maria on May 12 - a happy event indeed !!

At the end of each treatment patients are given their radiation masks.  Here Maria is picture proudly holding her mask.  You have previously seen her wearing it on the radiation table.  I can tell you that it was truly a happy moment when Maria finished her chemo and radiation therapy treatments.  

From here she will continue her rehabilitation therapy treatments and will be looking forward to the weekend of May 24th, Paulie's graduation from RIT.

Thanks again to all for your continued support, your thoughts and prayers, and your positive energy.

5/2 - Week Five

May 2 marks the end of week five of treatment, and nine weeks past the date of Maria's surgery. This week Maria continued to show significant improvement in her speaking abilities.  She continues to call folks throughout the day and is working back to a point where she can have 'normal conversations' again. It is exciting to see, and hear !

Maria's walking continues to improve every day as well.  She is able to use her hemi-walker and is mastering the art of moving from chair to walker, and walker to chair.  She is now actively using the 'hemi' at the nursing facility and is spending a lot of time on the practice stairs at the center.  This is truly great progress!!  

Next week is Maria's last full week of treatment.  Her last day is May 12.  She is anxiously awaiting that day, as we all are !!   For those of you who have not visited Maria or the rehab facility in Marlborough I wanted to share these with you.

Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and positive energy.  We are continue to see the benefits of all your efforts.

Maria at the Radiation Center - Week Five

Looking out Maria's window at the Rehab center

4/25 - Week Four

April 25 marks the end of week four of treatment, and eight weeks past the date of Maria's surgery.  Last week we increased the dosage of Maria's steroid.  This week Maria showed a significant improvement in her speaking ability. She is doing much better putting sentences together.  He speech therapy homework - crossword puzzles and word searches, are getting easier and easier.

This week Maria also began using the phone again.  Part of her therapy is to create messages for people, and to then send them via a text using her phone.  You may be the lucky recipient of one of her messages.  If so please respond.  In the off chance that you don't understand her texts or voice mails, please do respond with a text, voice mail, or email.  This is part of her therapy.  She is not perfect yet in her texts, or voice mails yet but I am certain you will all agree that she is improving.  

Don't hesitate to drop by at noon-time if you are in the area.  Maria always has a break at lunch and can visit for a short while.  Any week day after 4:00pm works too.  On the weekends, Sundays tend to be a good day for visiting.  If you are planning to stop by on the weekend give me a call or send me a text, as some time I sneak her home for a few hours.

Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and positive energy.  We are beginning to see the benefits of your efforts.

4/20 - Easter

Today was Easter.  Maria spent the day at our house with Danielle, her boyfriend Matt, our friends Lance and Barbara Kilburn, and their daughter Rachel.  Maria had not been home since February 27.  It was nice to have Maria home and nice to be enjoying a Holiday with friends and family at home.  Happy Easter to all !!!.

Maria and Danielle