Friday, January 29, 2010

Meeting the Doctor

Today we met Dr. Fernando Cantu for the first time. I'm already feeling encouraged. He came to our hotel room because Elana can't get out of bed today. We spoke with him mostly in general terms about what lies ahead the next few weeks. Tomorrow he is coming back to the hotel to discuss more specifics and will spend private time with Elana as well. I believe he is a talented and capable doctor, BUT I KNOW he is a warm and caring person after spending an hour with him.

Earlier this morning my mother and I visited the Hospital San Jose to get a tour of the ICU (where she will be during the coma) and the patient rooms (where she will be post-coma). I can say without a doubt this is the NICEST, CLEANEST & FRIENDLIEST hospital I have ever been to. You can eat off the floors and the patient room is bigger than our hotel room. While this won't apply to us, they even have a flat screen tv in the waiting area that monitors the progress of surgeries so that the families of the patients can know the status of the surgery (ie: 30%, 50%, 90% etc.).

I have attached a link to the website where you can read about and watch videos of all of the Coma patients, including Elana. http://rsdfoundation.org/en/hellring.htm

We all know that Elana is in bad shape, yet today we met the mother of 22 year old girl from New York who, if you can believe it, is in much worse shape. Jessica Stevens developed RSD when she was 11 after a bout with mono. She was able to get the RSD into remission with physical therapy. Several years later she developed lyme disease after she was bit by a tick. That caused the RSD to come back much worse than before. She has been in the hospital in Monterrey for FIVE MONTHS! After the coma she has had many complications because of the lyme disease. While I feel that we have gotten more than our fair share of perspective since this all began, I guess a little more can't hurt.

Lance



31 comments:

  1. Lance, I just watched the video of the woman who went on to have baby in her late 30's after the coma. I am so excited. While E is sleeping, know you can call me at anytime. I am there with you in spririt, Dabee is too.

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  2. Hi Lance,
    I am so happy that you are doing a blog. I feel that I am there with you guys. Please give Elana and extra hug and kiss from me.

    Love you!

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  3. good luck today! please keep us updated! our thoughts and prayers are with you!
    xoxo-
    alexis

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  4. Hi Lance,
    We love you, Elana, and Jesse and are thinking about all of you today. Our prayers are with you. Please give Elana big hugs and kisses from all of us.
    Love,
    Lori, Andy, and Micah

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  5. Lance,

    I hope today is the first day of her new life with recovery.

    xoxo
    KP

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  6. Hey Lance - friends of Amy's here in Phoenix so now BFFs with you and Elana. God is great and does amazing things . . . lots of prayers coming your way. Looking forward to following good, positive reports on your girl's recovery.
    xo
    Tiffany and the besties

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  7. Hi Lance,
    I'm here because your wife's friend Amy brought your situation to light to me. I'm sending positive thoughts & prayers your way.

    --CL

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  8. http://www.pooponpeeps.com/

    this is CL's blog, I know you said you didn't know much about the blogging world but MAN is there another world and Chicken Liver is it's moderator & I love her. If you start getting random posts, thank her. She rocks. Check out her shout out to you guys :)

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  9. Your wife and you are in my thoughts. I sincerely hope the hospital can help your wife recover fully. It sounds like it will be a good place to be. :)

    Good luck to you!

    Dana

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  10. Just Another TermiteFebruary 5, 2010 at 10:32 PM

    Hi Lance,

    I wanted you to know that you and your wife will be carried close in my thoughts and prayers. I hope this hospital and these medical professionals can help your wife recover and bring some peace back into your life.

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  11. Stopping by after Amy's mention--saying a prayer for Elana and all that love her: may you have the best of all possible outcomes as soon as possible. Stay strong.

    Alex

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  12. Another visitor from pooponpeeps. I've read your wife's story, and its shocking reading. What a dreadful trial for her, you and all your family.

    You're in my thoughts and prayers. I do hope this will bring Elana, and you all, the relief she so deserves.

    All good wishes from the UK.

    Spud

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  13. I'm also here from Pooponpeeps. My thoughts are with you all at this time.

    Kali

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  14. Lord, please bless this family and hold them close to You as they complete their journey. Believe in the power of prayer!

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  15. I've added you to our prayer list. May your family gain the strength offered by others and then pay it forward when the time is right.

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  16. Hello, I read about you at POP and am here to offer prayers and encouragement. Thinking of you both and sending good wishes your way.

    Melissa

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  17. Sending healing prayers your way. I read about your wife at POP and I just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you.

    With gentle hugs,
    A Friend

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  18. just wanted you to know my family and I are sending positive thought forms your way. Wishing the very best to ya'll... This definitely helps put everything into perspective. Thank you.

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  19. Sending you and your family much love and prayers from Canada.

    Kate and Cathi

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  20. Just another peep from POP ... I wish you both much luck with this. I'll keep you in my heart and prayers

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  21. Hoping that Elana has a good outcome from the coma therapy. Positive thoughts from California.

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  22. ThinkingofyouandyoursFebruary 7, 2010 at 11:46 AM

    Sending you good vibes and our whole family is praying for the best outcome.

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  23. Thoughts and prayers coming to you from snowy Pennsylvania! Stay strong!

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  24. Praying harder now that your "sleeping beauty" has risen from her induced sleep-state. May God continue to protect her as she embarks on the next part of the journey. May He bring your entire family peace, comfort and strength. May He give the doctors and nurses continued compassion and wisdom.

    Shalom,
    A Friend from POP

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  25. One more prayer from me... not someone you know, but someone who cares.
    xoxo

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  26. Another prayer from snowy Pennsylvania, I will be thinking of you and your family, and hoping this is the answer you need.

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  27. Love, prayers, and best wishes for you all.

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  28. Sending some positive thoughts to you and your wife.

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  29. Here form POP, thinking of you and your family.

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  30. Love and light, here from POP.

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  31. Sending love and prayers your way.. sharing a prayer with you from "Prayer Portions" by Sylvia Gunter::

    "Come, Holy Spirit into Lance & Elana's greatest need. Manifest the healing power of Jesus. Show Lance & Elana You have not only forgiven his/her sins but are ready and have the power to heal his/her wounds. You are Jehovah-Rapha, the promise-keeping Healer. Let Lance & Elana receive your tender mercy in this time of need. In Your Faithfulness, minister healing grace and love."

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