Yet another fairly uneventful day. Have had time to look back on where we were a couple of weeks ago. While it may be unpleasant being hold up in hospital awaiting surgery, I thank God Tony's 1000 times better then he was just two weeks ago. His condition was frightening. To think we came close to losing him still seems unbelievable.
Today I got him up out of bed, and sat him in a recliner. He was a good boy and stayed in the chair for several hours, reading his book and checking email, and watching a bit of television. We especially enjoyed a new program called Orangutan Island on Animal Planet. As he sat watching the tele, I washed and cut his hair.
Aurrie came to visit and brought some home-made salmon chowder and fresh bread. Heavenly!!!! Aurrie is our Sunday School teacher, and a most excellent teacher at that! We've now discovered she's a master chowder maker! Thank you so very much Aurrie!
Greg E. also came to visit. I wish he and Tony had more time to spend with one another, as I know Tony's quite fond of Greg. Helps that he's also a Brit! Speaking of Brits... Britt also came to visit. It sure lifts Tony's spirits to have friends from the mother land by his side.
John and Carol came in the early evening for a visit, while I had a visit from my school mate friend, Laura. She's been a dear, and it's always nice to see her as well. Laura's also fond of Starbucks, so we have several things in common!
As the day progressed, it seemed Tony was having a difficult time keeping the pain of the chest tubes under control. With the aid of his mighty mouse little nurse, that issue was soon resolved. We're so very thankful for the nurses in the BMT unit! They're quite fond of Tony, and make sure he's well taken care of. The other day one of the nurses reported the team had a pow wow and decided they were going to have to attend Becket and hear Tony preach!
Tony's eating very well, so it may be time to get more home cooked meals in to him. His bottom is still a bit sore, and doesn't look very nice, but we think it's getting better. All in all he's doing very well, which is good news considering surgery looms on the horizon. We're now being told to expect surgery any time between Monday and Wednesday of this coming week.
More information about the lung and the condition they're treating:
FIBROTHORAX: When pleural (the thin lining/space around the lung) inflammation is intense its resolution may be associated with the deposition of a thick layer of dense fibrous tissue on the visceral (Referring to the viscera, the internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest) pleura (thin covering that protects and cushions the lungs). The patient is then said to have fibrothorax.
As a result of the marked pleural thickening, the hemithorax (one side of the chest) becomes contracted, and its mobility is reduced. {You can see where this would pose a problem, if left untreated} Radiologically, a peel of uniform thickness surrounds the lung. Calcification occurs frequently on the inner aspect of the peel and provides an indicator by which the thickness of the peel can be accurately measured. The only treatment available for fibrothorax is decortication, which involves removing the fibrous peel from the visceral pleura.
The way Dr. Graber described the peel: The normal size of the pleura is like the thickness of a child's balloon. Due to the thickening resulting from infection, the peel can grow to the thickness of a rubber tire.... with no elasticity.
Dear friend forwarded this CNN Video to me. Check it out.
Roller Derby Resurgence -- Women accross the country are suiting up for some excitement playing roller derby. CLICK HERE to view report by CNN's Larry Smith.
MEGAN UPDATE:
BURMA WEEK AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
The Amnesty International group at Portland State University will be hosting Burma Week on November 13th, 14th, and 15th.
All events will be held in the Multicultural Center, room 228 in the Smith Memorial Student Union on campus. The scheduled events are:
Tuesday, November 13th 7pm - 9pm
Edith Mirante, author of "Down the Rat Hole: Adventures Underground on Burma's Frontiers" and "Burmese Looking Glass", and founder of Project Maje, will give a keynote introduction to the human rights situation in Burma.
Burmese exiles will speak and share their personal experiences.
Portland native Matt Blauer's latest film "Prayer of Peace: Relief and Resistance in Burma's War Zones" will be screened along with other recent documentary films on Burma.
----->Wednesday, November 14th 7pm - 9pm<-----
Local Burma activists Edith Mirante, Tara Horn, Ian Petrich, and Megan Clavier will share their stories of activism for Burma, as well as address the question, "What can we do to help?"
Thursday, November 15th 12pm - 4pm
This will be a day dedicated to showing solidarity with the people of Burma. The focus of the evening will specifically be around the local Burmese refugee population, and also the monks and citizens still within Burma.
Latest News out of Burma:
Suu Kyi 'optimistic' junta's path democratic
Detained Burmese Nobel winner meets members of her party for first time in 3 years
RANGOON–Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi met leaders of her opposition party for the first time in more than three years, telling them yesterday she believes Burma's military rulers intend to work toward democracy after decades of repression.
The ruling State Peace and Development Council allowed Suu Kyi to leave the home where she has been under house arrest for years and meet for an hour with three party executives, along with the government "minister for relations" who serves as a liaison officer to her.
Looking "fit, well and energetic," Suu Kyi, 62, told her colleagues she is "very optimistic" about the prospects of dialogue with the junta that cracked down on her National League for Democracy party after it won elections in 1990, said party spokesperson Nyan Win.
"She believes that the ruling (council) has the will to achieve national reconciliation," said Nyan Win, after attending the talks at a government guest house.
The junta faces renewed international pressure after crushing September protests led by Buddhist monks in the land also called Myanmar. It allowed Suu Kyi to meet her party officials after the latest visit by UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, which ended Thursday.
Outside observers were dubious.
"My reaction is extreme skepticism that this will lead to real dialogue between her and the (junta), or genuine political change," said Donald M. Seekins of Japan's Meio University in Japan. "The (military) likes to move Suu Kyi and (her party) around like pieces on a chessboard, to satisfy the international community."
Suu Kyi said the junta could be conciliatory by releasing political prisoners but seemed to concede she would stay under house arrest for now. She said she would ask the government for two liaison officers of her choice to speak with colleagues and also ask the "minister for relations" Aung Kyi to arrange for her to see others as needed.
The UN special investigator for human rights in Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, was invited to visit for five days starting tomorrow.
ASSOCIATED PRESS: Nov 10, 2007 04:30 AM
