Progress is Good

Her progress is “shockingly good,” reported Dr. Cameron on Sunday. This is not to suggest that she is not without pain or discomfort, or that everything is perfect. Even with the best news, this still presents major challenges to her in getting through the day. The good news indicates that Sandy is recovering ahead of what might be called typical. She still has a mountain in front of her, but the news this far is excellent.

The quick update is that Sandy was moved from the SICU late on Sunday and is now in the transplant unit at Hopkins. Visitation is still highly restricted, and we have to take precautions that include wearing gowns and latex gloves. The gloves are purple—Ravens purple! (Reminder: NO flowers!)

I took the girls down to her room first thing yesterday morning. That was Monday, and Sandy was not expecting them at all. I went in first—to make sure the nurses weren’t doing anything funky with her—and then made the excuse that I left a bag outside the room in order to leave. The girls then came in and surprised her. Hannah and Haley thought it would be funny to do the “Purple Cobras” salute from Dodgeball. I swear, I did not teach them that! There is no question that Sandy was very glad to see them and grateful that they came. I think the nights in the hospital get a little lonely, and the girls really helped her spirits.

I won’t drag you down into the bowels (pun intended) of her medical progress, but will tell you that there are signs that this liver is starting to work. That is a mighty big milestone!

Here’s a funny story…our friend Elizabeth was in Nordstrom’s on Saturday. There was another woman who was talking on her cell phone near the jewelry counter. Elizabeth heard bits and pieces and heard that this woman’s friend was also in the hospital...at Johns Hopkins…and just had a liver transplant…and a Whipple…and she’s doing great…and they just removed her breathing tube that morning…That’s right-- she was talking about Sandy!

Yet another reason that they call it Smalltimore.