Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Hedi's Letter from Bangkok
Dear Friends and Family,
Before I begin the update, I want each of you to know how much I personally appreciate the time and thought you have given to my new sister's situation. Each of you reading this latest email from me has helped me in ways I can only share with each of you in person. You have each given me the help I have requested, and I shall always be thankful for your kindness. Being alone in a foreign country no matter how modern it is and having to deal with a life threatening emergency is one terrifying experience I would not wish on anyone! Believe me when I say how grateful I am for being there to support me when I asked each of you for help. I love you and hope to be able to express my gratefulness in person.
About Sonny, she was transferred from ICU to a regular room late yesterday afternoon. She was very happy as you can imagine. Her kidney function continues to improve each day. Her legs continue to show good granulation tissue, and her doctors actually think they may be able to close the leg incisions sometime next week instead of two weeks from now! I hope that this will happen soon so that we can further reduce her risks for sepsis. Next would be for complete return of kidney function so we can discontinue the central line necessary for her hemodialysis. The sooner these events happen, the sooner she will be discharged from the hospital and followed outpatient.
She gets daily physical therapy to help build both upper and lower extremity strength. Physical therapy will be ongoing even after hospital discharge so that she can regain mobility. We will not know for some time how much of her ambulation has been impaired. Given that about 50% of her leg muscle mass in each leg has been removed because of necrotic tissue, Sonny will have significant disability. However, I am still very hopeful that she can walk with the aid of her foot-ankle orthotic and with intensive hard work at physical therapy and exercise.
As worrying as her legs have been, Sonny's fierce determination and optimistic attitude to get better bode well for a very good recovery. The coming year will be very challenging for Lettie, her wife, and her two children Ben and Nina. However, Sonny has survived a very scary life threatening situation, and her body's ability to heal so quickly is very encouraging. She will continue to need your kind thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. I would personally appreciate it if you each can continue to do that for her.
As for Lettie and me, we are feeling much better with each day of Sonny's progress. We have tried to support each other in many different ways. We both appreciate that we are not alone in this world and feel supported by our friends and family back home.
Life is peculiar and can throw us in situations that are overwhelming, scary, and tragic. It is a huge comfort and source of strength to know that we are not alone. Wherever you are right now, please give yourselves a hug from me, from Sonny, and from Lettie. From a separation of these thousands of miles, we send our thanks and gratefulness to each of you.
Love,
Hedi
Before I begin the update, I want each of you to know how much I personally appreciate the time and thought you have given to my new sister's situation. Each of you reading this latest email from me has helped me in ways I can only share with each of you in person. You have each given me the help I have requested, and I shall always be thankful for your kindness. Being alone in a foreign country no matter how modern it is and having to deal with a life threatening emergency is one terrifying experience I would not wish on anyone! Believe me when I say how grateful I am for being there to support me when I asked each of you for help. I love you and hope to be able to express my gratefulness in person.
About Sonny, she was transferred from ICU to a regular room late yesterday afternoon. She was very happy as you can imagine. Her kidney function continues to improve each day. Her legs continue to show good granulation tissue, and her doctors actually think they may be able to close the leg incisions sometime next week instead of two weeks from now! I hope that this will happen soon so that we can further reduce her risks for sepsis. Next would be for complete return of kidney function so we can discontinue the central line necessary for her hemodialysis. The sooner these events happen, the sooner she will be discharged from the hospital and followed outpatient.
She gets daily physical therapy to help build both upper and lower extremity strength. Physical therapy will be ongoing even after hospital discharge so that she can regain mobility. We will not know for some time how much of her ambulation has been impaired. Given that about 50% of her leg muscle mass in each leg has been removed because of necrotic tissue, Sonny will have significant disability. However, I am still very hopeful that she can walk with the aid of her foot-ankle orthotic and with intensive hard work at physical therapy and exercise.
As worrying as her legs have been, Sonny's fierce determination and optimistic attitude to get better bode well for a very good recovery. The coming year will be very challenging for Lettie, her wife, and her two children Ben and Nina. However, Sonny has survived a very scary life threatening situation, and her body's ability to heal so quickly is very encouraging. She will continue to need your kind thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. I would personally appreciate it if you each can continue to do that for her.
As for Lettie and me, we are feeling much better with each day of Sonny's progress. We have tried to support each other in many different ways. We both appreciate that we are not alone in this world and feel supported by our friends and family back home.
Life is peculiar and can throw us in situations that are overwhelming, scary, and tragic. It is a huge comfort and source of strength to know that we are not alone. Wherever you are right now, please give yourselves a hug from me, from Sonny, and from Lettie. From a separation of these thousands of miles, we send our thanks and gratefulness to each of you.
Love,
Hedi
