8/22 Marissa Update

Marissa got a little better Thursday, which seems to be the thankful trend.  Although most of the day she was running a fever, tonight that broke for a time, but was back up as I was leaving.  We discovered she gets “free” pay per view movies on her TV, although we all know it’s probably included in her daily bill.  Because this stay’s so cheap, right? So she fell asleep tonight watching “The Nanny Diaries.”  She’s very happy, to say the least, to be in her own room.  She’s also happy to be on a liquid diet.  She says the jello, popsicles and Sunkist soda are the best things she’s ever “eaten.” 

Her catheter came out today.  Pretty impressive for someone who showed up here last Tuesday in kidney failure.  Her chest is very sore.  She’s been coughing a lot, which is a good thing, to get all the infection off her chest.  Just, obviously, not all that comfortable.  As I was leaving they gave her pain medicine, which has knocked her out for the night.   

No real big medical updates today from her doctor.  She’s on less IV “stuff” then previous days.  That still includes a mixture of antibiotics, tube feedings, steroids and fluids.  Her blood sugar’s been a little low for a change. 

As far as physical therapy, she wasn’t able to walk the halls but she was able to walk around her room.  While she still feels extremely weak, she knows how important it is for her to “work out” a little but more every day.  That’s the "medicine" if you will to bring her swelling down.  She appears to me to look much better.  I think that little bit of movement brought down some of her facial swelling. 

We set up her own blog tonight.  Here’s the address:  http://mbsimonsays.typepad.com/marissas_maze/

Keep that one in your bookmark bar, as my updates will be ceasing after this one.  Apparently, myspace, facebook, and other social networking sites are blocked here because they don't want patients networking.  Go figure.  So if you want to talk to her while she's in here best thing to do is leave her a comment.  That's easy.  Just go to the bottom of the entry each day, and when you want to comment, just click on "comment."  She continues to appreciate all of them.  Tomorrow she'll be starting her own updates, as soon as we can find her computer charger.  It accidentally was left in her old room.

I also checked and she's allowed to get balloons and flowers.  Here’s her contact information if you need it.
She’s at Birmingham’s St. Vincent’s Hospital in room 481. 
Her phone number: 205-939-7481
Her address:
Marissa Simon
c\o St. Vincent’s Hospital
810 St. Vincent’s Drive
Room 481
Birmingham, AL 35205

That’ll do it for me.  I fly back to Anchorage later today.  FYI, this web page has been averaging about 250 hits a day, since I started.  All of us sincerely appreciate the care, love and concern for Marissa.  And I’ll surely talk to you down the road.

Comments

[Kasey]

Thank you for keeping us updated the last 2 weeks. It has put me at ease to read about it each day- since Im so far away and can't just see her when I please! MARISSA --Get your stregnth up girl- Im coming up next weekend! I sure do love you. Ill be looking for your blog tomorrow :) Love you so much

[Kelly De Ford]

Matthew, Thank you so much for all your effort in keeping us updated on our girl. We appreciate it very much. Have a safe trip home and blessings in all you do!

[spa soil screening]

Hey nice post. It has put me at ease to read about it each day- since I'm so far away and can't just see her when I please!