Everybody I know is now reading this blog. Who knew that getting a brain tumor was the way to push blog traffic?
I wanted to get on here for a minute and let folks know that I'm still here, and I'm still me. Every day I'm a little more energetic--today, for instance, I didn't even take a nap. My body's adjusting to the anti-seizure medication, and although I'm feeling somewhat less steady on my feet (because of the medication and also probably because of the major trauma my body's been through in the last week), in general I'm myself. I can still read and think; I can still hold a conversation. I haven't been all that up in arms about sexism in the last few days, but never fear--it's only a matter of time. Biffle and I will both surely have ongoing feminist commentary about the medical industry, among other things.
So far the most annoying medical side effect I'm dealing with is mouth-related: I bit the crap out of my tongue in every seizure I had, so I have a fairly substantial open wound in my mouth. This means that my holiday diet has consisted primarily of soup, oatmeal, and ice cream. My tongue is healing, but slowly.
Oh, I should say here, to calm the fears Biffle raised in his last post, that Dr. Hollywood is not my neurosurgeon--he was the neurosurgeon on call at Summit Hospital in Hendersonville, TN. Due to fabulous family connections, my neurosurgeon is the chief of the division of neurosurgery at Duke University Medical Center. My brain will be in very good hands.
10 years ago
33 comments:
Looking forward to reading your views on sexism in the medical field. I am a new lurker, and have quietly been reading what occurred. I am glad you are beginning to feel better.
Alison! So good to hear your (virtual) voice. Let us know what we here in Charleston can do to help even before you're home - we can easily look in on your house/mail/cats if you need. Just let us know. Jess & Mel
While Alison may indeed be herself, it was actually Summit Medical in Hermitage, TN. Not Hendersonville.
Hi Biffle and Alison, What is the timeframe to return to Charleston? I want to be sure there will be a big pot of matzo ball soup awaiting you when you do. Sending love, hugs and all optimistic thoughts your way ... Jill
The first time I saw a baby being born, it was there. The nurses thought I was a total dipshit for crying for at least 30 minutes. I don't care- I got my tattoo two days later and saw y'all on that same day! At a dance performance at vanderbilt or somewherenearby! Loving you- (tell Christy Burks to be my internet friend, please)-and staying tuned. Hey, remember that time when...hehe,
love-abi
Jess and Jill, our plan is to be back in Charleston this weekend--Saturday, maybe?
Thanks for all the love, y'all!
Alison! I'm so glad to know you're OK! I was so worried! I'm so glad Dr. Hollywood is not your doctor. Will you have the surgery at Duke or is he going to get hospital rights in Charleston? I look forward to your feminist critique of the medical industry...I smell a new book!
Hi Alison! Glad to hear that you're feeling better. Let Paris and me know if we can help in any way back in Charleston. Sending good (and, always, feminist!) thoughts.
Cara
Alison--I am so glad you are feeling better, and please please let me know if there's anything I can do to help out. Need a dog walker? Animals love me. Errand girl? I am very organized. Snacks? I can cook anything. In fact, you should probably just make some snack suggestions before I make you a bunch of crap you don't really want. Y'all travel safely and take care!
Hi, Alison. Just learned about what's being happening to you from an e-mail Brian McGee circulated to the WGS listserve half an hour ago. Very scary--probably even more for Walter than for you. (I've seen seizures before--many years ago--in my own family, so I have some clue about the degree of scariness.) But at least things sound promising.
When all this is over, I have a potentially interesting contact suggestion, in Ireland, for your disability research project. (I saw the recent article in the Post & Courier, which you probably missed, under the circs!)
Don't bother replying; get some rest. Thinking of you.
--Richard
So good to hear your "voice" Alison. And to get to read all the comments and witness the loving support rolling in for you and Walter and Maybelle.
Glad to know it will be Duke. Keep us posted. Hoping you will post a date when you know.
Sending love
Kathy in Nashville
Sending you all the very best thoughts for healing and rest...and a big hug too. It's good to hear your "voice." I'll be back in town Sat. and am ready, willing, and able to help in any way needed. Including activities that involve scooping animal poo. ;) --Cass
Alison -
I believe you will always be you - no matter what. Maybe a different perspective on things that you wouldn't have otherwise had, but that isn't always a bad thing (still, a crappy way to gain it).
I'm in your corner - as I know countless people are.
If you need some music therapy and surgery suggestions - I'd be happy to help.
Love and hugs.
Hi guys
Alison, I'm just reading all this and will spare you a long description of the big emotional gush both Dino and I (and Olive who is looking confused) are feeling. Most importantly I want to say that we're here--literally around the corner once you get back, and I can do anything within a moment's notice. Would love to help with Maybelle (or anything else!)anytime. Safe journey and sending you all our best.
Sending you all the best thoughts right now, Alison. I know that you'll be the second - yes, second! person I know to have one of those nasty little tumors and come through it with nothing to show for it but a scar and a story. Obviously, like everyone else, I'll do anything I can to make your life easier when you get back to Charleston. Hang in there Biffle!
I just looked at baxter sez for the first time in days and got the news. Alison, my every thought is with you, and with Walter and Maybelle. Please let me know if there's anything I can do.
Alison, we're all thinking of you, and anything we can do to help out, let us know. We read all three posts together, so luckily we saw your message first: nice to have the suspense and shock avoided. Considering everything, it seems like you've gotten some really good news about the type of growth, for which we're very grateful. Take care, and send chores our way!
Joe and Susan
Alison,
We hated to hear this. And are so glad that you are feeling better. If there is anything we can do please don't hesitate to let us know. Anything. Hang in there and keep us posted.
Sending you well wishes by the loads.
Amy & Jason
Glad to read that you have not lost your spirit. Have a safe journey home and a better New Year's even than your Christmas eve turned out to be.
Von
Hope to see you back in Charleston soon, Alison. By the way, I saw your zines book prominently displayed at the NYU Press booth at MLA, complete with the cool little brochure. Sending out all best thoughts, wishes, vibes, etc.
Scott
Alison and Walter, we hope you are still hanging in there and can sense the oceans of goodwill and love and concern that we all feel for you. Roy and I are standing by to pummel hateful medical personnel, feed Baxter, admire Maybelle, obtain cookies from Sugar, or perform any other chores as needed. Just say the word. Thanks very much to both of you for keeping us updated. Julia, Roy, Ben, & Sara
More of all that is good and healing and family and healing and love and healing and quiet and healing. And quiet. More. That's what we send, we Biffles in Idaho. You're part of the family now, girl. Raise the sky!
2010 and 18 minutes and it is going to be a good year for the Biffle-Piepmeiers ... It is going to be a good year for the Biffle-Piepmeiers ... It is going to be a good year for the Biffle-Piepmeiers ... repeat as necessary. Love to you all
Alison! I'm glad to hear you are doing okay. I just got a call this morning, and was really worried. I love you! Oh,and I can't wait to hear about your feminist critique of the medical community!
-Brooke R.
Alison--Thanks for the update. I am definitely with you on the feminist take on the medical establishment--any time you want to have a bitching session, count me in (and I mean "bitch" in a good way, as I am sure you know). Glad you are feeling better. I am in Cookeville if (and when you are here) you ever want to hang out or let our toddlers intermingle. :) Much healing energy being sent you way...
Amanda R.
I, too, got relief via the blog updates almost as soon as I learned the shocking news. I can't begin to imagine how difficult these past days have been for you and Walter, but I also know that if anyone has what it takes to make your way through it all, it's you.
Thinking good thoughts,
Myra
I love you Alison
Alison, it is very nice to 'hear' you are better. We are keeping you in our thoughts and sending good karma your way.
Wishing you lots of intraoperative good vibes! So glad you got a kick-ass neurosurgeon. So glad that the earth still gets to benefit from your beautiful contributions.
XO,
Tammy F.
hi, just wanted to add another set of good vibes to the general chorus -- wishing you and biffle and maybelle the optimal for getting through this. and it's definitely a relief to hear dr. hollywood's not around for the rest of the story!
I'm thinking that you are back in Charleston so I will be delivering de matzo ball soup tomorrow. Please let me know if you need anything else at all -- groceries, reading material, diapers -- since I'll be dropping the food off anyway. No need to respond unless you are not at home. xoxoxoxox
Diva Alison, glad you still have your spunk and tenacity, and both you and Walt haven't lost your sense of humor- that gets us through a heck of a lot of rather overwhelming stuff, that, and the power of best friends...even the fluky, random, unexpected stuff like this.
That anti-seizure medicine is rough (preeclamptic my last pregnancy), I felt absolutely narcoleptic, but better than having a seizure- hang in there. I too look forward to your take on sexism in the medical field- book waiting to happen!
Wish there was something I could do for you all, but hopefully my thoughts count- still sending you thoughts of healing and infinite blessings to you, Walt and Maybelle, likewise to the surgeon, and much love.
Hi Alison and Walter, Just wanted to say that we're thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. Please let us know if we can help in any way.
Jeff & Kristen in Chas.
Post a Comment