Hi, Everyone,
Melanie has been discharged and is now back at Barry & David's apartment, having tea and bagels (chicken soup to follow). Unlike here in CA, they literally let you walk out instead of being wheeled out, and walk she did, all the way down and out of the hospital on her own two feet.
The cab ride was a bit bumpy going from the Upper East Side to Chelsea, so she was pretty sore and exhausted when I spoke to her a few minutes ago from the apartment, but still in good spirits and happy to be in her temporary home.
Barry is also doing very well - He and I spoke for close to a half hour last night, and says he feels so much better already. He has a heartier appetite then he has in quite some time, and according to David, Ruth and Naomi, has more color in his face now then any of them can remember him having for many, many months.
Just this second read a text from David telling me that Barry's doing so amazingly well, that they're releasing him tomorrow!!! All tests look great, lab numbers/ultrasounds normal, and they couldn't be more pleased with his progress!
All parties have raved about the excellent pre & post-care of the surgeons, internists, nursing staff and administrative teams. At every point, they've been treated with respect and sensitivity - Our thanks to Mt. Sinai; we are forever in your debt.
Melanie told me this morning that when she woke up around 2am this morning, she decided to take a walk down the hall to see how Barry was doing. He was also awake, so she stayed together and they chatted for awhile.
Apparently, they both would fall asleep midsentence, wake, try and remember where they left off, laughed when neither of them had a clue, and continued like this for at least an hour. I said it was great practice for when we're all a bit older and such communications become commonplace; "I'm sorry, what were we talking about?" (I'm afraid we're closer to that already then any of us would willingly admit)
If you'd like to send a card or note to either Barry or Melanie, the address is:
224 West 18th Steet, Apt 2A, New York, NY 10011
That's the up to the minute report, I'll post again later today/tomorrow morning, Renee
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
WE DID IT
Oh, My Goodness, what a difference a day makes!!!
It’s not even 24 hours post surgery, and not only do they feel pretty good, but they look fabulous, no?!!
Our thanks to Naomi for her photojournalistic ability – I have to admit to some sibling jealousy here over Barry & Melanie’s matching sister & brother outfits; so chic, so elegant, so exclusive – I believe it’s the only time we’ll ever see Barry in a “one size fits all” garment, so enjoy while you can.
Both patients got a good night’s sleep, and the doctors are very pleased with their stable, all-systems-go recovery thus far – Ultrasounds show only positive results. Both are a bit tired and sore, but otherwise resting well and enjoying being on the other side of their surgeries.
Melanie will stay overnight again today and go back to Barry & David’s apt tomorrow – Barry will go home either Friday afternoon or Saturday, as scheduled.
That’s all for now - Another post tonight and/or tomorrow morning.
Our thanks to all of you, from all of us.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Last update of the evening:
Melanie and Barry both out of recovery and into individual rooms on the same floor, different wings (Ruth, David & Naomi are getting great exercise).
Melanie is still in quite a bit of pain, but resting comfortably now. The nurses weren’t quite as proactive as they should have been in relation to her latex allergies, but Naomi was persistent, found a staff member who actually listened to their concerns, and got it taken care of. The night nurse sounds like a good fit.
Barry is doing really well, all ultrasounds show a best case scenario, post-op status, and he sounds like he already feels so much better now that his body has the necessary tools to make him well. I spoke to him an hour or so ago, and he was already responding to emails on his Blackberry about a sweater order – Such a slacker, that one!
Ruth & David are home at the apartment, Naomi’s staying with her in-laws, and all is well.
Goodnight and sleep well – More updates tomorrow, Renee
Melanie and Barry both out of recovery and into individual rooms on the same floor, different wings (Ruth, David & Naomi are getting great exercise).
Melanie is still in quite a bit of pain, but resting comfortably now. The nurses weren’t quite as proactive as they should have been in relation to her latex allergies, but Naomi was persistent, found a staff member who actually listened to their concerns, and got it taken care of. The night nurse sounds like a good fit.
Barry is doing really well, all ultrasounds show a best case scenario, post-op status, and he sounds like he already feels so much better now that his body has the necessary tools to make him well. I spoke to him an hour or so ago, and he was already responding to emails on his Blackberry about a sweater order – Such a slacker, that one!
Ruth & David are home at the apartment, Naomi’s staying with her in-laws, and all is well.
Goodnight and sleep well – More updates tomorrow, Renee
POST SURGICAL EVENING UPDATE
Hi, Everyone,
Melanie’s in recovery waiting for a private room. She came through the surgery very well, but is definitely in some pain and just generally exhausted. They’re being very cautious of her latex allergy situation, and may have her go back to Barry & David’s home earlier than they might w/another patient, to avoid any allergy repercussions, but it’s too soon to make that decision. For now they’re focused on keeping her as comfortable as possible, making sure her body is functioning well, and getting her into a nice room ASAP.
Barry is also now in recovery! He came through the surgery so well, his kidney is already happily cooperating with all of his other healthy, neighboring organs. The doctors are doing ultrasounds and monitoring him very closely in these hours post-surgery, but so far, so very, very good.
According to Ruth and David, both patients are a bit pale, tired and uncomfortable, but quite coherent, talking and falling in and out of sleep, as would be expected.
Naomi arrived in Manhattan this afternoon, dropped her things off at the home of her wonderful in-law’s, Sue and Ivan Rosenblum, and came directly to Mt. Sinai to take her place at her mother’s bedside. Ruth and David are happy for the extra pair of capable hands, and I’m sure her mommy was very happy to see her.
Time for us all to take a collective deep breath, and be grateful for having arrived in this moment - A less anxious, frightening place than we were in just 24 hours ago.
I’ll likely do one more post this evening, and of course a morning update, but at least we’ve gotten this far
Thank you all, Renee
Melanie’s in recovery waiting for a private room. She came through the surgery very well, but is definitely in some pain and just generally exhausted. They’re being very cautious of her latex allergy situation, and may have her go back to Barry & David’s home earlier than they might w/another patient, to avoid any allergy repercussions, but it’s too soon to make that decision. For now they’re focused on keeping her as comfortable as possible, making sure her body is functioning well, and getting her into a nice room ASAP.
Barry is also now in recovery! He came through the surgery so well, his kidney is already happily cooperating with all of his other healthy, neighboring organs. The doctors are doing ultrasounds and monitoring him very closely in these hours post-surgery, but so far, so very, very good.
According to Ruth and David, both patients are a bit pale, tired and uncomfortable, but quite coherent, talking and falling in and out of sleep, as would be expected.
Naomi arrived in Manhattan this afternoon, dropped her things off at the home of her wonderful in-law’s, Sue and Ivan Rosenblum, and came directly to Mt. Sinai to take her place at her mother’s bedside. Ruth and David are happy for the extra pair of capable hands, and I’m sure her mommy was very happy to see her.
Time for us all to take a collective deep breath, and be grateful for having arrived in this moment - A less anxious, frightening place than we were in just 24 hours ago.
I’ll likely do one more post this evening, and of course a morning update, but at least we’ve gotten this far
Thank you all, Renee
Just spoke to Ruth - She's in the recovery room with Melanie, and Melanie's doing really well.
The first hoarsley whispered words out of Melanie's mouth were "Mom, how's Barry?" (I'm pretty sure the second words were "I need some damn Demerol!")
Barry's surgeon just spoke to David & Ruth a minute ago, saying that Barry's surgery was very successful - In fact, the kidney is already working well in Barry's body! Unbef'nlievable, and such a relief.
Melanie asked the doctor if Barry could be wheeled in right beside her in recovery - We love each other, and, given the opportunity, can never resist manipulating our environments; just a Miguel thing.
More after Barry's in recovery, Renee
The first hoarsley whispered words out of Melanie's mouth were "Mom, how's Barry?" (I'm pretty sure the second words were "I need some damn Demerol!")
Barry's surgeon just spoke to David & Ruth a minute ago, saying that Barry's surgery was very successful - In fact, the kidney is already working well in Barry's body! Unbef'nlievable, and such a relief.
Melanie asked the doctor if Barry could be wheeled in right beside her in recovery - We love each other, and, given the opportunity, can never resist manipulating our environments; just a Miguel thing.
More after Barry's in recovery, Renee
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