Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 9th Anniversary.  Exactly one year ago today, Elana was three days removed from waking up from her Coma in Monterrey, Mexico.  I am writing this post from a hospital room in Philadelphia where Elana is three days into a five day treatment.  She is trying something new this time.  She is being infused with Intravenous GammaGlobulin (sp?).  IViG as it is called has had some success with RSD patients in helping reverse some of the immune system problems that are inherent to the disorder.  We are not going into this with the same hope and optimism that we did for the Coma.  If we can get any tangible improvement in anyway shape or form, we will be very happy.

As many of you know, we have been in many hospitals in many places over the last three years.  Unfortunately, the hospital we are at this week (Drexel / Hahnemann University Hospital) in Philadelphia is far and away the worst facility we have ever been at.  The service, the cleanliness, the overall attitude of the place is miserable.  It is gut wrenching when I have to leave each night and go back to the hotel down the street, knowing Elana has to suffer there by herself. There are so many examples of how disgraceful the situation is but the one story I will share is that after waiting nearly two hours to get admitted, we finally get put in a room with another patient who is on the phone screaming to someone about smoking crack and getting out of jail.  Unfortunately, its been downhill from there.

Fortunately, Elana is leaving the hospital on Friday and we go home this weekend (weather permitting).  Oh I forgot to mention, hanging in Philadelphia in the middle of February, NOT SO GREAT.

Since this is our anniversary it is most appropriate to appreciate how great a wife I have.  As I said to her last night before I went to sleep, I would rather be with her, in some crappy hospital in Philadelphia, during the middle of winter, dealing with all of this then be anywhere else with anyone else.  I am still in awe of her strength and courage to keep fighting and battling not only for herself but for Jesse and me as well.  I don't think I could still smile and laugh and keep a positive outlook for the future if I had dealt with a fraction of what she has gone through.

Many thanks to all of you who have continued to stand by and support Elana and our family.  Every act of support, whether it is a phone call, text, email or invitation to do something is meaningful and makes a difference for Elana's spirit and her eventual recovery.

Its time for me to go and see my beautiful bride at the hospital.

Regards,
Lance