Sunday, May 25, 2008

Day 10 - Good news

Here's the news I got from Silviana this morning, who with her mom, Paula, is spending the weekend in Rochester. Marika's health improved so much Saturday that her breathing tube was removed Sunday morning - Whew!

To provide some perspective, Marika has had three physical challenges to deal with between her last post and today: her disease, Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL); the chemotherapy treatments, of which she has sampled a few; and the sedation she needed in order to recover her lung capacity, which had become compromised during her hospital stay. Intrepid warrior that she is, Marika is gaining steadily on all three fronts.

Marika's other good signs are a decrease in her white blood cell count, healthy appetite for food, asking for her friends, and showing good stamina for the aggressive treatment she needs to recover.

All in all, things are looking up, yet the road ahead is still long. You can expect any minute she will be back blogging with you directly. ~Janet

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Marika,
The road you're trudging seems all uphill
Stick to the oath and keep your faith
Your uphill path seems like it will never end
But...imagine the relief as your trek becomes easier.
Imagine the feeling of being victorious.
I know your path, makes you feel like a goalie, having to block everything that comes your way.
Don't worry, stick to the path, keep your faith, and you'll be victorious!!!!!!

Marika WILL kick leukemia!
Love,
Paige Botie
(3rd cousin)

Anonymous said...

That's a lot of good news to hear! Ithaca misses you! Oh and i wanted to tell you that i had a dream with you in it! It was your birthday but you were sick so you had to be in a house of plastic, it was silly. But i got to see you and we went it and hung out and talked with you and laughed and it was mellow. But you were losing your voice.

Me being silly, i think the voice loss was me missin our babbling, ranting, sharing our similar romance sillys and other sillyness.

I miss you beautiful. :-(

-That girl who resided in Wright 101

wendy botie said...

Hey Marika I just read day 10 and that is wonderful news. I am so glad that you are doing better. I hope each day after this gets even better for you. Keep it up You are strong and will fight. Love Ya Wendy

Anonymous said...

Marika,

My thoughts are with you and it sounds like you are being really brave, it must be so hard to go through what you're dealing with. When I stayed at strong I was on the fourth floor in the adolescent unit.. it sounds like you're in a different unit.... but if you ever have a nurse named Sean he's really nice and funny! I hope things continue to look upward for you. I can sympathize with the bad food, lack of sleep and general hospital atmosphere but I can only imagine everything else you're going through. Good luck with everything and stay strong!!!

~Kirstin

Unknown said...

yaaaaaaaaaaah marika!
I'm so glad to hear you're doing better:-) We're all rooting for you and know you can do it!
<3<3<3!

David Morales said...

Oh man, I'm going to come visit, don't worry you one bit tiny. Or... just don't fret. We're a-comin' once the coast is clear and boone isn't guarding the parking lot.

hugs


Pancho

Anonymous said...

Marika, It is wonderful that Janet has kept us all informed on your blog. I read the blog everyday and think about you. Today's news is SPECTACULAR. Keep up the good work.
Marjorie

Zoƫ said...

So glad you've gotten better. I was worried when you weren't posting, so I'm really relieved that you're okay. You are doing an awesome job kicking leukemia's butt!Keep it up!!!!!

Zoe Van Nostrand

carrie said...

Marika,Holy Crap!I can't believe what I'm reading.It's good you're extubated. Sucks that you are losing your hair, but you have a beautiful face that we will enjoy all the more. We will keep You,Mom, Dad, and Greag in our thoughts. You are made of tough stuff and will prevail.

Anonymous said...

Marika,
Glad to hear that you are already kicking leukemia's butt! Keep fighting, you are such a wonderful and strong person. You are in my thoughts and prayers. You seem to have such a positive outlook on everything and I want you to know that you are such an inspiration.
--Juliet

Anonymous said...

Also a big bravo for Aunt Laurie for throwing the dart and hitting the buys eye on the first try !
Cousin Phil on Long Island.

Unknown said...

You are one of those amazon goddesses who will move through this experience with grace and power learning all the lessons this part of your journey has to offer.I have no doubt that your shining spirit will triumph.I love you so much!
Andrea

Unknown said...

dearest marika,part of life is opening ourselves to what challenges us.it sounds like you are doing just that.Stay soft,practice experiencing each moment,let it go, move to the next.each moment holds only what it holds and on you go.we are thinking of you and sending energy daily.lots of love,tim,annali,tom and melani.

wendy botie said...

Marika

I heard from Laurie that you are doing so much better. Girl you are getting better each and every day. God Bless you. You definitely are strong and bold and you most definitely will kick this. I am relieved that your health is improving over this matter. Keep it up. GO GO GO

You know I love you Wendy

Anonymous said...

marika!
katie and i want to come up and see you this weekend! but i di'nt know how you're feeling and things like that.. have one of your family members email me m28grie@siena.edu, we'd come up early saturday, prolly around 11.
i love you <3