A note from Nancy, 12/22/09

If you happen to be checking this blog, thank you! (Some people tell me they are still checking daily. I apologize for not being able to keep up!!!)

My good news: I had the big follow-up appointment with Drs. Batjer and Fishman yesterday, 12/21. and they were both delighted with my progress. The biggest relief to me is that I can now drive. Just as Dr. Lisa Rosenberg was amazed weeks back that I didn't have double vision (and had perfect peripheral sight), so too, Dr. Batjer couldn't believe I was seeing normally... So, yes, I promise to stay on the right side of the road!

As you may have guessed, we opted to stay home this December instead of taking our planned trip to Naples. (I did pull the brain tumor card to get American Airlines to waive its $250 penalty fee to restock my miles back into my account ... normally, I would have never done that but their 2 options, worse and worser, made my blood boil.) Hopefully, a night downtown will be a good getaway for the kids!

I am still taking extra care of my right eye. Its vision is fine, but I must use drops or gel constantly as the 7th nerve is stubborn to relax. I still go to physical therapy, now, early in the morning while the kids are sleeping.

Again, I have so much to be grateful for this snowy holiday season. As it is difficult to multitask and personally shop for "just the right thing," the Glazers are truly having a more meaningful holiday. As ever, I am appreciative that you are thinking of me at this time.

Simply grateful,

Nancy

Happy Birthday Nancy!

From Nancy:

December 9th. It's my birthday ...

Simply put, this is my best birthday ever.

It's good to be alive!

I could end this post there, but I'm rather thrilled to share how well I am doing. Since my parole from RIC last Tuesday, my vision in my right eye has improved greatly (still not able to get through all the emails; sorry ...) My endurance has soared. When I get tired at night, I simply put my head back for 15 minutes and then go make lunches. I have totally ditched the grandma walker (took me 3 days).

My new physical therapist at RIC Northbrook calls me "super-high functioning." I passed every balance and physical test; I am simply working on endurance. To say the least, I love everything about RIC Northbrook, mostly because they are amazed and thrilled about how much I have accomplished since my ridiculously-long surgeries.

Of all days, my birthday, I am appreciative to have another chance at life. I am so fortunate to have had each member of every medical team. (And now my many doctor friends are giving me extra TLC for minor residual issues,)

Thank you so much for caring enough about me to check this post. Thank you, again, for honoring my crazy wishes. To those of you who are as stubborn as I am and did what you wanted to anyway, thanks, too ... sigh.

To paraphrase George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life, "No man is a failure who has friends ..." To say the least, I have never felt more loved than I do now. I have never felt more successful in life than I do right now. Thank you.

Nancy

A Post From Nancy

Dear All,

It's Friday, December 4th, both Abbe Berry's and Ed Zukrow's birthday(s). Happy, healthy to both of them! Also, happy (low) round number tomorrow to Pam Shimamoto ....

As for me, Barry brought me home Tuesday night. Orchestrating my parole out of RIC was a daily, ever-changing challenge. While I am beyond-belief appreciative to have the medical care I have had, to quote Dorothy, "there's no place like home." The little things truly mean the most ...

I have found in the last 3 days that I have been able to get around pretty well. Walking is not difficult for me. Nor are stairs. My greatest challenge is endurance so pacing myself is key. (Fortunately for us, we have a well-paid staff living at our house, happy to do laundry, make school lunches and even chauffeur.) I will be starting my outpatient rehab at RIC-Northbrook, 3 times weekly, next week. Thank you, in advance, for the rides.

Also, thank you all for following my crazy wishes. More than most, I understand how difficult of a position I put you all in; clearly, I created one of these "damned no matter what you do" situations. I get that. There are no rights of wrongs here. I know I just have to get through the way I know how.

Thank you, too, for your thoughts, prayers, kind words, etc. I am overwhelmed by the emails, and I have not yet ventured onto this blog. Please know I appreciative that you care.

Heartfelt hugs,

Nancy

Nancy's Home!!

Big news - Nancy arrived back home late this afternoon!!

Thanksgiving Day Update from Barry

Below is a post from Barry. I am THRILLED to be posting more than 2 sentences!! For the first time in my role as Blogmaster, I am going to take a couple of creative liberties. First, as I read Barry's TOP TEN REASONS WHY THE GLAZERS ARE THANKFUL THIS THANKSGIVING, I realized there is a glaring omission. So, I am adding this 11th reason:

11. Barry. While I am sure Nancy will post later about how wonderful Barry has been throughout all of this, I wanted to say how thankful we, as Nancy's friends, are to Barry for his love and support for Nancy during all of this. Also, in addition to a full plate of responsibilities at the hospital, home, and office, Barry has made time to reassure us and keep us informed during the past week and a half. Thank you Barry - and get some rest this weekend. You deserve it.

Enjoy your time with family and friends today... Happy Tofurkey Day :)

Gayle

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All:

This is Barry, the current gatekeeper of Nancy's Network of Friends. I am pleased to report that Nancy quickly made it to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and she will be home as soon as she gets stronger. Pretty soon, she will be communicating with you via the blog.

First, an apology. Thanks to Gayle Byck, Pam and Scott Shimamoto, and Doug Wilson, this blog was set up for Nancy. I have tried to balance your need to know Nancy's status with my sense of privacy and superstition. There have been many highs and some lows, but I didn't want to take everyone on this rollercoaster or jinx anything. Thanks to Gayle for honoring my wishes.

Thanksgiving is Nancy's favorite holiday. Look what she had to do to get out of hosting this year.

The Glazer family has much to be thankful for at this time. HERE’S THE TOP TEN REASONS WHY THE GLAZERS ARE THANKFUL THIS THANKSGIVING:

10. Nancy's Legion of Friends. It was amazing to see the breadth of Nancy’s friends from all aspects of her life. From coast to coast, your thoughts and prayers have worked wonders. To the locals, we appreciate your honoring Nancy's wishes. Your day will come.

9. Robbins, Salomon, and Patt Ltd. Once again, thank you for your support. Sorry about the insurance premiums.

8. My Foxhole Friends (you know who you are). You always have been, still are, and will be there for me. A special shout out to Dr. Rosenberg and the Drs. Berkowitz for your medical interventions and translations.

7. The Mackeviches, Hesdorffers, Kings, and Mary. As always, thank you for being there. I can't thank you enough.

6. Nana, Fern, and Emily. Thanks for watching over the kids when I couldn't be there.

5. Northwestern Memorial Hospital. From the doctors to the nurses and everybody else, Nancy received wonderful care.

4. Drs. Fishman, Bendok, Koht, Joe, Brkic, and your teams. Led by Dr. Batjer, you are the Dream Team. Thanks for your fantastic work. By the way, the entire schwannoma was removed and Nancy will not need a gamma knife.

3. Dr. Hunt Batjer. You are THE BEST, leading Nancy’s “Fantastic Voyage.” Words are inadequate to thank the man who saved Nancy twice. We were so fortunate that you came from Texas in 1995. Sorry that baseball thing didn't work out for you. May we meet only over pristine MRIs.

2. Dana, Sami, and Tracy. Throughout, you guys put your mother first and were low maintenance. I will miss our nightly team meetings. And pumpkin pie really is a vegetable.

1. Nancy. I don't know why you keep having to confront these medical challenges, but your strength, courage, and attitude are amazing. We love you!

To everyone: A happy and HEALTHY Thanksgiving.

Barry

Tuesday News

As another sign of her continued progress, Nancy was moved today to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC). While there, she will be working on building up and increasing her strength and endurance before she comes home.

Another Monday Update!

Correction: Nancy is actually in REGULAR room, not a step-down room! She had an appetite today and continues to do well and make progress.