#84

We are baffled, as are the doctors! Today, Elaine went for her last MRI on her lungs to confirm that the spots are not cancerous. Well, it turns out that not only are they not cancer, one of them has completely disappeared and the other is almost gone. The experts could not offer any sort of explanation! As we have shared before, numbers of doctors from around the country were certain it was cancer. We are certain of one thing - Elaine is a miracle!

After that piece of great news, Fred and Elaine continued on to therapy this morning at Hoag for two hours. It went well and Elaine continues to improve. She is exhausted after a very long week of therapy and doctor appointments! Unfortunately, she has another one tomorrow to check her heart, but she gets a much needed three day weekend off of therapy while Paul is away at a conference. The kids stopped by quickly to visit a tired Elaine, give her a hug, and drop off the cookie Taylor made (and saved) for Nammie at cooking class this afternoon. We are hoping Elaine can get some sleep tonight and rest tomorrow before the doctor. She has been on the go a lot!

Richie and Julie left this morning to head to Montana for the next few months! There are not the right words to show our appreciation for all they have done for us all, especially Elaine. When this first happened, they flew out here two days later and have been our angels ever since and we mean that from the bottom of our hearts. We simply could not have gotten through these last three months without them. They have cried with us, laughed with us, yelled at doctors with us, spent countless hours in the hospital with Elaine. Julie has cooked up a storm and really been there for Elaine, in a role that neither Fred nor Staci could.  Richie has been Fred's rock and his right hand man. They have lived this nightmare right along side us. They even shared Bella with us.  The list goes on and on. They are two of the most wonderful people on earth, and we are so lucky to have them in our family. They have selflessly spent the last three months doing anything and everything they can to help out our family, physically and emotionally. They have put their lives and interests on hold for us, and never complained - not one time. They have been such an amazing gift to us and we are so grateful. They have always been second parents to Staci and to have them there during the most difficult time of our life has meant the world to us. You are the best brother/sister in the world Richie and Julie! We love you so much! Thank you for everything!

Our families also wish to send our most heartfelt condolences to Cece. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May Randall rest in peace! We all feel so lucky to have known such an incredible man!

#83

Elaine took a huge step toward getting her life back today. She has clearly made tons and tons of progress, but she accomplished something that is incredibly important to her.

After 12 long weeks of thinking about it, today Elaine held Brian while standing up!!!!  It was almost as if he knew that she wanted to hold him, and that he understood that she couldn't - until today. He was so excited and had a huge smile on his face when Staci handed him to Elaine. As soon as Elaine had him, he immediately laid his head on her shoulder. It was an incredibly touching moment, and it is difficult to describe how powerful it was to watch. It was been one of the hardest things for Elaine, not being able to hold her grandkids, and today she made measurable progress towards her "normal" life.

Elaine had therapy this morning. She was a little distracted and had the giggles for some reason. She also came clean about a little "lie" she told Paul a few days ago. Here is how the story goes:

P: Why are you always singing?
E: I love to sing. (she sings often and very random songs)
P: (looking at the piano in their house) Do you also play the piano?
E: Yes!
P: You play and sing? Well I know you don't sing that well but do you sing when you play?
E: Yep
P: So at Christmas does your family all sit around singing while you play?
E: Yes they do (she says with a smile)
    (now we can barely write this with a straight face)

Elaine confessed to all of us that she had told a lie and today she decided to let Paul in on the truth:)

After her confession, Staci and Brian picked Elaine up for lunch. Ben met us, too. Elaine wanted to walk into Neiman's after and then we went home to pick up Bella. Elaine really wanted to surprise Christi at school by picking her up from school. It was a double surprise for Christi - Nammie picked her up and so did Bella. Christi was so excited and walked proudly with both of them, introducing them to her friends and teachers. Christi has shared Elaine's story with her friends at school so they were excited to meet little Mighty Mite in person.

Elaine went home for a nap after her very busy afternoon. She is taking some pain medication to help with Little Darlin' which is providing some relief. She has been in constant, intense pain and that is wearing her down, too.

She woke up and baked some cookies with some help from Franny. Julie and Richie were coming over for dinner for the last time tonight. They are leaving tomorrow for Montana. The house smelled delicious. Elaine has her (hopefully) last CT scan in the morning on her lungs and then two hours of therapy. She has had a very busy week. It is hard to keep up with her and her busy schedule. We can't figure out, for as ill as she is, where she finds all her energy.

#82

April 17, 2012

No pain, no gain? Unfortunately, that seems to be the case lately for Elaine - especially when it comes to Little Darlin'. Elaine is battling some pretty intense, and non-stop, pain in her left arm. We remain confident that the pain comes from the nerves reawakening, but we sure wish the actual hurting would lighten up. It was so awful today that this morning's Occupational Therapy was cancelled.

Despite the pain, Elaine fought through another long and productive day. She went to therapy at Hoag where she absolutely kicked ass and impressed everyone who was there to watch. Check out these videos of her dominating at the arm row and then successfully mastered the Rocket!









After an incredible therapy session (especially given the level of pain coming from Little Darlin'), Elaine and Fred headed over to Pizzeria Mozza for some gourmet pizza and out of this world Budino dessert. There they ran in to Staci who was enjoying a birthday lunch with Taylor and Ben (Thanks to Fred for surprising us with the Budino and for buying lunch!).

Following a delicious lunch, Elaine and Fred headed back up the coast to see Dr. Bae for a check-in. They are working on a few options for the pain. But mostly, the doctor was completely floored by Elaine's progress just since her last visit. He says that there is no doubt that she is a walking miracle, and that this miracle only is coming true thanks to her unmatched and unbelievable work ethic and desire to get her life back. He tells that a lot of people give up and become satisfied with a lack of progress, but not Elaine. She is truly one of a kind!!

Elaine went home after that and took a much deserved rest before a big night on the town to celebrate Staci's birthday! The whole crew piled into cars and headed over to Fleming's for steaks and ice cream birthday cake. Happy Birthday to Staci who was so grateful to spend the evening with her favorite people in the world. And a quick congratulations to Fred and Richie who both took down two pieces of cake after some pretty big meals.

#81

Elaine had a very big job today! She was responsible for Bella (the dog they "share" with Richie and Julie). Richie and Julie went to Vegas to visit their son and left Fred and Elaine in charge of Bella. Elaine was very excited for her babysitting duty.

Elaine had a great two hour therapy session with Paul today. He shared with Elaine a story he had never told us about her. When Elaine was in the ICU, a doctor asked if Paul wanted to visit their latest stroke victim. The doctor explained to him about Elaine, her situation, which they were painting as very grim and dire, and asked if he would want to try and help. Paul loves to help people and wanted to meet Elaine. The time he first meet her, she couldn't move her left side at all. He happened to be in the room when one of the many doctors came by to check on her. The doc reminded us all that this would likely be her lifelong condition. Paul said he will never forget walking in her room. He said you instantly felt the strong love that we had for Elaine and how heartbroken we all were. He remembers the tears in Fred's eyes. He was very moved by it and knew that he wanted to try and help Elaine. He was disappointed that the doctors would make such strong and heartbreaking statements, but he knew the odds were not on her side.

Fast forward almost 12 weeks, and he calls her the poster child for stroke patients. Her recovery is incredible! He wants to use her story as incentive and encouragement for others. He has helped her so much, and we are so incredibly grateful to him for his commitment. He said he's never had a patient like her in his life, with her passion and desire but also her wit, humor, and the way she talks back to him. She has been known on occasion to break out in song during their sessions. One of their walks recently she started singing the theme song from Mr. Ed, "A horse is a horse of course." They both started to laugh and she almost fell. He said, this is going to be great, you are going to fall and I'm going to have to explain that you were singing about Mr. Ed!

After therapy, Ron came by for a visit and talked with Fred and Elaine. He asked Elaine if she is sick of therapy yet. We all know the answer has to be yes. She is so determined that she said no. She just wants to get better! She continues to amaze us. The kids came by to visit Nammie, Ampa, and Bella. They fed Bella dinner and took her on a walk after. Elaine made it farther than Bella! It was a fun day!

Elaine continues to make us proud every day. We don't know how she does it and can't possible imagine how she is feeling. We just love her every minute of the day so grateful that she is alive and getting better. The situation absolutely sucks, there is no sugar coating it, but she is getting better every day! Her strength and will to succeed is inspiring.

Tomorrow brings more therapy at Hoag and a visit to the doctor. We are really hoping he can help with pain management for Little Darlin'. On top of all she is going through, to be in intense pain 24 hours a day makes the days even longer.

#80

April 15, 2012

Elaine was "taxed" today! She didn't get a very restful night of sleep. When she laid down for bed, her heart went into A-Fib. It wasn't as bad as it used to be and didn't last as long as usual. We talked to our trusted doctor friend about it. He said as long as she is on the Coumadin and her levels are where they need to be and her heart didn't race really high, it is ok. We were relieved to hear that!

Elaine spent the morning and afternoon with the Francois family. We went to brunch this morning and then relaxed at home. Despite the chaos, Elaine did manage to get a little rest and lots of pampering by her grandkids! Brian gave her a foot massage, Taylor a head massage, and Elaine helped pull Christi's front tooth out! She then enjoyed lunch in bed with Christi. We really enjoyed having Nammie with us and hope we didn't scare her off too much to come back. The kids love her so much and constantly want to sing to her, dance for her (or with her), and want her attention. Fred played golf and then came over after and Brian never stopped saying "Ampa" from the second he walked in the door (until now, many hours later). They are going to enjoy a quiet dinner and get caught up on some rest (we hope). Elaine has a long week of therapy, scans, and doctor appointments ahead. We are hoping the doctor will be able to give her some medication to ease the pain in Little Darlin'. She was extremely achy today.

#79

Elaine had an incredible day of therapy. Paul said there were things she was doing today that she couldn't have done last week. Its really amazing. We were saying today that after 11 weeks of the same old thing, it is unbelievable that Elaine finds the strength and motivation to not only keep going, but work harder and harder! We have some great videos of her working that GGA and also practicing picking up ball, similar to her picking her ball out of the hole after draining a long putt! We are so proud of her!! She inspires and amazes us daily!








She was rewarded with her hard work today! Elaine and Julie went for manicures and to get their hair blown out. They had so much fun and enjoyed the afternoon! They laughed a lot, as usual. Fred and Elaine are going to be lost without Richie and Julie when they leave on Thursday:(

The four of them celebrated a great week with a big dinner at Mastro's and butter cake, well and some pecan pie too! Go big or go home right!

#78

April 13, 2012

Eleven weeks today, Nammie, "got stroke" as Taylor calls it. The girls think getting stroke is like getting the flu. The other day, Christi asked Elaine when she was going to be done with her stroke. Based on Elaine's progress, it will be soon!

Today was a nice day off of physical therapy today for Elaine. Instead of working hard on straightening her leg as she walks, Elaine focused on "life therapy." It started first thing in the morning when she made breakfast for Fred and herself for the first time in while. Fred had his usual hard-boiled eggs while Elaine enjoyed cereal! Nice work Elaine. A big step toward normalcy.

Thanks to today's Southern California monsoon, Fred and Elaine cancelled their plans to go see a movie. Instead she stayed home and organized the house. She spent a significant amount of time trying to figure out where they were going to put all of the clothes and shoes Elaine recently requested from her closet in the desert.

All that organizing builds an appetite, and Fred and Elaine enjoyed home made enchiladas for dinner. All in all, it was a nice, easy day with a much deserved break from therapy for Elaine. She will be back at it tomorrow working her way back to wearing all this high heels in her closet.