Graduation Pics

Here are some graduation pictures (thank you rachel) of me as a redhead. Hopefully more to come.

home!!

hi again!!
i'm home at last!! i got to walk at graduation and everything (pictures hopefully up soon. if not, there's always facebook for those who have it). i'm doing well at home: checking temp and weight every morning, mid-day and night (i lost a lot of weight. lad to get new clothes... scary) and hopefully i can actually keep the health up this time. i leave on the 7th for strong again for six days of chemo and when i come back, the doctors tell me that i'll be drained so i want to see everyone while i'm in town THIS time (unless you're sick).
hope to see you all!!
much love,
marika

still safe!

hey again! it's marika
still out of the ICU (going for a record here)
i want to thank ronnie and brig for the hats. i got out of the shower and there was a package on my bed, which was amazing. i love packages. and mail. thanks guys! i wore the coke hat around the hospital today.
three procedures tomorrow: heart sonogram, spinal tap and a bone marrow biopsy, so they won't let me eat or drink from midnight until after the last procedure, which starts at 1pm tomorrow. not looking forward to that.
they scheduled my discharge for wednseday, so hopefully i'll be home for graduation!!
-marika

I lost count of days....

hey everyone!! marika here! trying to keep everyone updated as much as possible.
i'm out of the ICU (hopefully for good. would be nice) and on to a regular diet, walking, have only one tube (which is unattachec at the moment) and feeling fine. i want to go home!! the doctors are hinting at maybe me being home for graduation, which i would LOVE, but they don't like to make any final decisions until the last second here.
last night, prom night, marcus (boyfriend for those who don't know) came over in a tux and the nurses decorated a room for a mini prom. most fun i've had here so far. thank you everyone!!
i miss everyone and can't wait to come home to you all. thanks for the love + support.
-marika

Better still today

Marika is coming out of all the interventions doctors needed to use to help her recover from the pneumonia. Her breathing tube is out! She is breathing on her own, and only getting better as time goes by.

Marika is winning.

Things are heading in the right direction. Still in ICU, Marika is conscious, she wants to talk and write, but the tubes are more than a little frustrating! She is surfing the waves of your love and encouragement. ~Janet

"Things are good this morning." ~Dave Warden

Marika has had a big turnaround. All the vital statistics that matter in her current situation are improving: blood pressure, oxygen saturation and the condition of her lungs. Those at her bedside are relieved. She's coming back and you are helping! ~Janet

Day 36 - Still in ICU

Marika is now on full life support in critical condition. She can have no visitors. Her parents want you to know that your comments, the love you have sent and the myriad ways you have lent your support and solidarity have strengthened them. And that is good for Marika. As she recovers, I will update, but if her condition worsens, I am not sure that I will be able to post that. Your comments yesterday help her and help everyone who is concerned about Marika to feel connected. I know they helped me. Please keep them coming. ~Janet

Day 35 - Marika is in ICU

Today the news is bad. Marika has pneumonia in both lungs. She is in ICU at Strong Memorial , sedated and intubated again. She is fighting for her life.

Marika needs us all to send her our faith, our love and our hope. If you have the slightest sense inside that Marika is going to survive this, please do what it takes to make that sense grow strong and certain. ~Janet

Day 34 - Back to Rochester

Marika had a wonderful weekend seeing her friends. She loved your visits on Saturday and felt quite tired by Saturday evening, in a good way! She developed a fever Saturday night and the decision was made to check it out at Cayuga Medical Center. Now the fever is down, but she is in some pain, which causes concern. Doctors are sending her back to Strong Memorial in Rochester on Sunday afternoon, June 15, 2008. Consider this a minor setback. With leukemia, the doctors are careful to take every change and symptom seriously. ~Janet

Home: Celebrate!

Marika and her family welcome all her friends and supporters to drop by her house on Saturday, June 14th, between 1 pm and 4 pm to say hello and see for yourself that indeed she is kicking leukemia!

Marika comes home

Marika is coming home on Friday: It is official. Her family is hosting an open house for her this weekend. All are invited (who are not contagiously sick of course). Date and time to be announced. Whoopee!

day 27?

hey everyone!! it's actually me, marika this time. i'm back out of the ICU and SOOO ready to go home... the doctors say that if there are no more complications, i could be out of here on friday. i feel fine even though my voice is still hoarse but i miss everyone to DEATH and cannot wait to get back to ithaca.

sorry about not posting the last few days. was very sedated and i don't really remember much from it, but thank you janet for keeping everyone posted and updated. all the support has really helped.

as an update on the hair: cassie jenis discovered a new talent of hers as she helped me trim down and gave me an extremely cute haircut, unfortunately, it's obviously still coming out. i've got a few hats and wigs for when i decide to just shave it off or whatever and i should be back in ithaca and showing them off soon.

anyway, i'm back to eating solid foods :D so that's good news. i miss everyone/everything about home and hopefully i'll be seeing everyone soon. good luck with the final week of classes IHS!!

much love,

marika

Day 20-something - Coming out of the woods

Marika is out of intensive care and looking forward to visitors! Please comment here if and when you think you could come up to Rochester, and of course, keep the other comments coming, too. Your comments are visitors that can't be quarantined! ~Janet

Week 4 - Saturday

Doctors treating Marika have learned that her seizures were a result of some recent cerebral strokes. Her doctors have ruled out the possibility that her cancer had spread from the bloodstream, so that is good news. They found blood clotting in her pancreas and kidney which is causing her severe pain. She is still sedated to help her cope with these conditions. Her medical team and family is watching over her in intensive care.

It goes without saying: Keep the positive coming, keep the love coming, keep the faith. ~Janet

Week 4

Marika came back with her characteristic force last week: Yay! But she had two seizures in the past day or so. She is back in intensive care today. Stay connected! People will read her the comments you leave here and she will gain strength from them. ~Janet

Day 17 - a bit of a downturn

Marika and her doctors are working to resolve some new issues these past few days. She's not feeling as good as she was. Keep the love coming. She'll be talking to you again soon and is listening to you now. ~Janet