Sunday, January 29, 2012
Finally out of the hospital...
I want to let everyone know that Ferdousi has been out of the hospital for 5 days now. She is grateful to be back in her home and is trying to slowly (very slowly) regain some strength. The nausea and pain are under control through medication. A nurse came to the apartment to show Mom and my sister how to give her saline through the IV in her port. She has to have the fluids every other day to stay hydrated. She'll go through chemo #3 on February 1st. I've been here for a couple of days and I have to tell you that when I saw my sister on Friday, I could not believe how tiny she looked. She's lost so much weight - she's down to 79 pounds. Now that she can keep her food down , hopefully she'll slowly start to gain some of the weight back. This chemo has caused a lot of hair loss so she decided to have her head shaved (thanks Chris). Mom has been knitting cute little hats to keep her head warm - I think shes made 3 so far. She looks like a tiny Sinead O'Connor. As tired as Ferdousi has been, when she is well-rested, she has some of her "spunk" back. You guys know exactly what I mean right? =). Keep sending those letters, emails, texts, etc. to share your thoughts, wishes, etc. Shes especially thankful for all those who came to Minneapolis to see her in the hospital - Paul, Sara (thanks for everything you did for my sister and for me!), Neda from Chicago, Janine from Calgary, Cara from Wisconsin, Rafique Uncle from Tennessee, Jahanara Khala, Imran Khalu, Ismat, Iffat, Farhat, Karen, Lori & Chris from Wisconsin (she was really touched by your visit). I know I'm forgetting names so please forgive me. I hope my sister will have the energy to post a blog soon.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
My Sister's Journey...
Ferdousi has been at Abbott Northwestern Hospital for almost five weeks now. A CT scan on December 25th showed the need to start another round of chemo as soon as possible. She completed chemo #1 on December 29th. Her second chemo was scheduled to be on January 11th, but was delayed due to a low blood count and then a high fever due to an infection. She was also suffering from extreme nausea for such a long time. It took a while for the doctors to control the nausea as well as the pain by continuoulsy adjusting various medications. On top of that Ferdousi had to deal with the side-effects of the medications. One of those side-effects was extreme sleepiness; I was with her on a few of those days where she dozed in and out and she most often dreamt of and spoke David's name. David - if you're reading this, your mom loves & adores you so much! I think one of the dreams she had was taking you camping (at least that's what I interpreted).
Another CT scan on January 16th showed the need to start chemo #2 again as quickly as possible. So, she went through the 46-hour chemotherapy starting on January 17. Then on January 20th (yesterday), a blood test showed that she had an infection which attacks the small intestine. She's receiving antibiotics for this and it is expected to get better.
Our parents returned to Minnesota several weeks ago and go to the hospital each day. If prayers alone could save a person, then surely the prayers of our mother & father would have healed my sister and she would be running another marathon somewhere in some exotic place.
Lately Ferdousi has been able to eat a little better and sometimes mom cooks something special for her and brings it to the hospital. The sad thing is that her taste buds have dulled so much that it's hard for her to taste & really enjoy anything. So, Ferdousi has been eating a little better than before, but it's not saying much. She is down to less than 80 pounds now. We are hopeful that if her nausea and pain continue to be under control, if she can drink and eat a bit more and regain her strength to start walking more often, that she may be able to leave the hospital the middle of next week. She has some work to do to get there, but if anyone can do it, it is my sister. I'm going to see her again in a few days and I can't wait to see my big sister, hug her, hold her hand....and maybe some of the incredible & amazing strength that she has in her little body will rub off on me.
Selina
262.490.2436
Another CT scan on January 16th showed the need to start chemo #2 again as quickly as possible. So, she went through the 46-hour chemotherapy starting on January 17. Then on January 20th (yesterday), a blood test showed that she had an infection which attacks the small intestine. She's receiving antibiotics for this and it is expected to get better.
Our parents returned to Minnesota several weeks ago and go to the hospital each day. If prayers alone could save a person, then surely the prayers of our mother & father would have healed my sister and she would be running another marathon somewhere in some exotic place.
Lately Ferdousi has been able to eat a little better and sometimes mom cooks something special for her and brings it to the hospital. The sad thing is that her taste buds have dulled so much that it's hard for her to taste & really enjoy anything. So, Ferdousi has been eating a little better than before, but it's not saying much. She is down to less than 80 pounds now. We are hopeful that if her nausea and pain continue to be under control, if she can drink and eat a bit more and regain her strength to start walking more often, that she may be able to leave the hospital the middle of next week. She has some work to do to get there, but if anyone can do it, it is my sister. I'm going to see her again in a few days and I can't wait to see my big sister, hug her, hold her hand....and maybe some of the incredible & amazing strength that she has in her little body will rub off on me.
Selina
262.490.2436
Saturday, January 14, 2012
more to come
This morning felt my hair as it came out in clumps. How sad and dreadful it seems. I knew with this second regiment of chemo it would, but I guess to what extend I did not know
Being this long in the hospital is becoming so boring and unfavorable to say the least.
Every morning is such a journey; do I feel pain, do I feel nauseated, do I feel dizzy, do I feel tired, etc. I am trying hard to keep it all going, but sometimes its not so easy. In those days I remind myself of the amazing people
that surround me.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to come see me. It was wonderful seeing you and spending some quality moments. To all others who have kept in touch in another manners I thank you too. Keep on doing exactly what you are doing.
Being this long in the hospital is becoming so boring and unfavorable to say the least.
Every morning is such a journey; do I feel pain, do I feel nauseated, do I feel dizzy, do I feel tired, etc. I am trying hard to keep it all going, but sometimes its not so easy. In those days I remind myself of the amazing people
that surround me.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to come see me. It was wonderful seeing you and spending some quality moments. To all others who have kept in touch in another manners I thank you too. Keep on doing exactly what you are doing.
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