Di and i are alternating nights in the ICU. This is a very easy, quiet place to sleep, much easier than any other ive seen.
Allison is making progress but slowly. I am afraid she is developing a transient phenomenon called cerebellar mutism, a complication from surgery. She basically isnt speaking. The neurosurgeons arent calling this yet but doctors, including myself, wish for the best and try to will and wish complications away. She is also having some weakness in her right hand and arm. We are all not sure what to make of the weakness. Sometimes things happen we cant explain. It sure pisses me off though when its my own daughter. I have to keep telling myself to calm down and not read the literature... ..........A bit of ativan for allison and triple the dose for me.
I think we are transferring to the floor today.
On the bright side, allison is taking ice chips and a bit of jello. She had her first smile, ear to ear, yesterday when she saw her picture on her website!!!!!!! I read her each and every comment so keep them coming. She is clearly interested and it sure makes di and i feel better. Di and i took a quick break yesterday and ran to our old house on Eudora to look at the tree i planted when she was born. It looked great, tall and strong. I broke off some new buds and they are sitting in water next to allisons bed.
I will let di handle the next post; its clear her posting skills are superior to mine.
Coco-Pipi Litvak-Winn!
Adopted by us on Thursday September 25th
Fun times at Sky High Hope
Allison paints Steve Withrow's hair pink and his beard green!
Hospital Blowdown pictures
Allison and Nick and other friends before the pinata bashing
Daddy covered in shaving cream
how silly!
Us, November 2007
These photos were taken by an amazing foundation, Flashes of Hope, which takes portraits of families during treatment as a keepsake or remembrance of the experience of treatment.
32 comments:
Brian, Diana, Allison and Emily:
Elke, Michael, Gideon and Rafi are sending you big waves of love and support from Atlanta. We are getting the news from this website, from Nona, and from Herb and Arlene. Gideon is sending his last summer's swimming buddy a special shout-out, and looks forward to seeing Allison when we come to Denver this summer.
And the grown-ups among the Davinsky clan, not really able to grasp the enormity of what you'all must be going through, are holding you in our thoughts and prayers.
One day, one hour, one minute at a time. Allison is lucky to have such great parents by her side.
love,
us
Brian, Diana, Allison, and Emily,
Please know that the Ellsworth family holds you in our thoughts and prayers. We loved your spring poem, Allison, and Carrie (whom you'll remember from Ms. Marsha's room when you guys were in preschool) is sending you lots of love and wishes for a speedy recovery so you can have a playdate soon.
Love,
Beth, Charlie, Millie and Carrie :)
Allison, we are thinking about you so much. We wish you the best and can't wait to see your smiling face again!
The pictures on your website are so sweet, and we loved your spring poem.
Mrs. Hovey and Mrs. Stuhr
GOOD MORNING! on my way to work this thought just came to me...Allison and Emily were gifted to your family for many reasons, one special one I thought of was the fact that their last names are "WINN"...And, they are WINNERS. Allison is going to WINN this challenge and defeat Cancer. If someone was good at drawing think of the interesting and fun ways you could portray the "Winn" sister...Allison...kicking out and banishing the bad cancer. Oh well, that's my thought for the morning - Brian, thanks for the update..I was going to call but thought this might be better
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo Gail
Brian,
It is so early in the blogging to call a clear winner in the superiority category, but she does have a slight edge due to paragraph breaks :-)
I have great empathy for your being a caring, loving and devoted dad, but I can only imagine what challenges you face with having the medical knowledge, but not being able to make everything "right". It would tick (piss) me off too!
Traveling back home tonight (Monday) and plan on being in Denver early Tuesday. Thanks for the update, it is a great blog (no matter who is writing).
Jim
Dear Brian, Diana, Allison and Emily:
I just learned of Allison's and your family's struggle from Nancy Christmas this morning.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and little Allison. You must know that so many people are pulling for her recovery.
Alan Kimura, MD
Good morning Allison!!!
I was just at school doing the Author's Tour with Maddie, Drew, Sarah and Shelby. We took our posters to Mrs. Sanders class and Maddie asked if she could run back and share yours since it was so awesome and she wanted everyone to hear it since today was supposed to be your tour day too. Emily's face lit up when we read "How to take care of Zebra Finches". She explained about their coloring and how they puff out their chests to make noises. Now all the 4 year olds know all about Zebra Finches- HOW COOL!! THANK YOU!!-Ms. Katie
We are so proud of you and you are such a strong girl!!! Keep eating your jello and giving your mom and dad big smiles!!! Maddie, Gia and Nick are sending you HUGE hugs. Maddie is very concerned about you and wants you to get better quickly so that you can do your egg drop plans together. Gia thinks Emily should borrow the walkie-talkies so that you and Emily can talk to each other at night.
Dianna and Brian- you are in our daily thoughts and prayers!! Thank you for sharing when you should be saving ALL your energy for yourselves and your family. We are here whenever you need us- for ANYTHING!!!
Much Love- Maddie, Gia, Nick, Katie and Carsten
Hi Allison-
Troop #25 sends you lots of love!!! We are preparing to share our information we learned about Mexico at Wed. night's mtg. We will be sure to share about the "VERY OLD" ruins you visited on your trip- as well as the pesos and beautifully colored woven fabrics that you told us about (and maybe even that you can eat ice cream in the pool at the hotel :)
Keep up that Brownie Smile and YOU GO GIRL!!!!
Ms. Katie, Ms. Julie, Ms. Lacy, and all the girls of Troop #25
Brian, Dianna, Allison and Emily:
Know how much we are all thinking about you. Kohelet is sending out particularly strong prayers for you, and I know that all of the kids at Hebrew School are sending their love and healing wishes your way. You've touched so many lives, and you should know that every single one of them is now sending hugs, kisses and healing thoughts in your direction.
Thanks so much for keeping us posted this way.
Much love,
Chuck and Robyn and the Kohelet Community
Brian, Dianna, Alison & Emily -
Just a note to let you know that we're holding you all close in our hearts. Alison, Gracie has always looked up to you! After she checked out your super-decorated cookies at her birthday party she told me that she was going to be like you some day...maybe when I'm in first grade, she said.
You're at an amazing place, and I hope that brings some measure of comfort to the time ahead. Here's to the day that you get to come home and be smothered by all of us who care for you and your family!
We'd love to have Emily over for a sleep over or play date - please let us know when it would work. (No bloody noses this time, I promise.) We're totally open this coming weekend and after school.
Jason, Christine, Grace & Delilah
303 868 8979
Brian, Diana, Allison and Emily,
We just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you and wishing you all the very best. Our thoughts and prayers are with you daily! Alexis keeps on asking about Emily and Allison and wanting to know how Allison is doing. Your website and the posts are amazing and we really appreciate being able to follow Allison's progress. Thank you so much. We hope you feel better soon Allison!
Love,
Rachel, Dan, Alexis and Chloe
Dear Brian, Diana, Allison and Emily,
So sorry to hear the news. Best wishes during the challenging times ahead. Stay strong and know that lots of people are praying for you and sending good thoughts your way.
Brian Joondeph, MD
Brian - great post - and mostly good to hear. We'll keep hoping the same way you are, Amigo.
I'm sure you got what you need, but if you need something from the stapleton crew, send out a message and we'll be on it.
Ric Poland
Dear Brian, Diana, Allison, and Emily,
It's great to hear about Allison's ear to ear smile.
The Blog is such a great help to those of us who are concerned but also want to respect the time you need to deal with this as a family and work on healing.
We are here to help in anyway that we can and would love to have Emily over for a play date soon. It was nice to see her for a bit yesterday at Beth's house.
Allison- I read your poem to everyone here and we loved it. Be well sweety, we are all thinking of you and hope you are feeling better soon.
Leah wants me to tell you that, "I love you. I hope you feel better. Maybe we can have a play date soon."
Love, Carla, David, Leah and Adira
Hey Brian, Diana, Allison and Emily,
Allison, I know your Dad pretty well and I remember you from one day when you were going to Turtle Park. I am sending you best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery so you can get back to playing.
Brian and the rest of the family, hang in there and please let me know if I can do anything at all to help; Theresa is a mean cook so I'll get her on the dinner list.
Dave Johnson
Allison,
Everyone at Westerly Creek misses you so much, especially me. How about a pizza lunch date when you get back to school- you can pick the toppings ( Idon't like pepperoni)- we have many other surprizes planned too. I went into Mrs. Sander's class today (Your sister's room) and some of your classmates were in there reading their "How To" posters so Mrs. Sorrensen read the class your "How To" on setting up a bird cage. I was quite impressed, you are so smart. I was wondering if your birds every have babies and if they do if you would consider letting me buy a pair of them from you? I would love to set up a cage in my office and have it there for when kids come in and visit.We will see you soon, get well and I will write again soon.
Love, Mrs. Lea
Brian,Diana, Allison and Emily,
We are all thinking of you and can't wait for you to be home.
Lots of love and get well soon
wishes,
Shane, Cyndie, Ryan and Dino
Hey Allison,
We sure do miss you a lot here at school! We did the "kangaroo relay" today using balloons. Was fun watching all the boys and girls hop around with the balloon between their knees. We only popped two balloons all day! Amazing! We are going to do some more relays this week as well as some parachute activities.
Your class is doing a great job on the point chart. You are all looking more like second graders every day!
I will keep you updated on the activities we are doing in p.e. and also in the building.
I am very anxious to see you.
I know you will keep getting stronger, because you ARE a strong little girl!
Take care...I'll write more later.
Lots of Love
Ms Salter
Hi Allison -this is Anna, Ellas Mommy. I wanted to tell you that a long time ago I was in a car accident, and I had surgery on my brain, too! I even had some of the same things happening with my arm not working right!! I want to tell you that it took me a little while to get better, but now everything works just like it used to. I know you are probably feeling a bit yukky right now, but that means that you are getting better.
Ella is missing you a LOT!! She is writing you lots of letters to read when you are feeling better.
Keep smiling!!
Anna Noble
We just want to thank yu so much for keeping us up to date. We really appreciate it. You're in our thoughts and prayers at all times.
Love,
Arlene and Herb
Hello Allison...You may not recognize my name, but I met you once at your house when your mom hosted our book club meeting. My husband and I and my two very cool teenage step daughters are sending many hugs through the air and into your hospital room! One day when I am at your house for another book club meeting, I hope you will let me give you a real person-to-person hug.
Feel better, my dear.
Tanya Caughey
Brian, Diana, Allison and Emily:
You've all been in our thoughts and prayers since we heard of Allison's diagnosis.
Thank you for taking the time and energy to keep everyone updated on Allison's progress.
Please know we're sending love and prayers.
Loved the beautiful poem and pictures of Allison!
Dan, Lisa, Molly and Theo Culhane
Ok Allison, Nicole (leiser) said I was real "cheesy" with my last comment, and that I emarrassed her....teeeeeheeeeeee
Love Aunt Gail
Dear Dianna and family,
Praying that God, family, and friends carry you through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dawn Bunyak
Brian, Diana, Allison, and Emily:
Brian my posting skills are equally as poor but I kept thinking about you and your family today - so I had to write. Your hero, Lance Armstrong, beat this brain cancer thing and so can your daughter! She's a lot stronger and a much better role model! The great part for me is, that when this whole thing is over, an we look back, your true hero can be your wonderful daughter Allison and your terrific family.
As Liz said, we continue to prey for you and your family. I know in my heart this will have a great outcome. Heck, she'll win eight tours!!
Live strong,
Frank
Brian, Diana, Allison and Emily:
We're so thrilled that Allison is making such wonderful progress. Our thoughts are with you everyday and we appreciate the updates on the blog from such caring parents.
All our love,
Cindy, Howie, Ben and Brinna Sales
I can hear her now - when Allison is an old woman wearing purple, she'll tell the story for the thousandth time about how she licked cancer as a kid before going on to do all the great things she's going to accomplish.
Sydney told us she was sorry that Emily's sister is sick but is glad that she isn't going to throw up...she sends her five year old perspective on Allison getting well soon.
We're holding all four of you in the Light.
With lots of love from the Maysmiths - Sydney, Zoe, Nancy, and Pete
Hi Allison!
This is Mary, Zoe's mom. I've been shy about posting on the blog and cheating by writing emails directly to your mom and dad. Now that I know you like hearing the responses, I'm being brave and figuring out how to "blog back." All of us have been thinking about you so much and hoping that you feel better real soon. Tomorrow is Tuesday, you know. I'll be thinking of you at playdate time and missing the funny (okay, sometimes weird) things you guys think of to do - you know, things like the long wedding of Nala and Simba! We can't wait to see you soon. Zoe has been working hard on putting together a bag of gifts to bring to you, and she's excited to share it with you. The first thing she said when we told her you were at Children's Hospital was that she wanted to come see you! When you're feeling up to it, there's a Zo-Zo who wants to see her pal.
Love,
Mary (and Lee and Maya and Zoe who are all asleep right now)
Dear Allison, Emily, Diana & Brian, We send our love, friendship, hopes & prayers. Allison, may your recovery be swift and complete. You are always in our thoughts. Much love, Donna & Howard Lutz
Dianna, Brain, Allison & Emily
You are in my thoughts constantly and if my prayers and wishes mean anything, you will be well soon.
Hugs,
Debbie Frank
Hey All,
The kids all sat in silence and sent loads of great energy to Allison today.
You are in our thoughts and we can't wait to play with the entire family soon.
In art class the kids all commented on Allison's extraordinary talent!
All our love,
The Children's House of Stapleton
Beth, Carla and the kids!
Allison,
We hope you get better each and every day. Katie and Nicholas do not know about your surgery yet, but when they come over this weekend we will share the news with them. I am sure they will want to come and visit if that is ok, and Katie will definitely be looking forward to more play dates this Spring and Summer. We love you Allison and you are in our thoughts every day.
Katie, Nick, Todd and Jim
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