Serendipity

serendipity |ˌserənˈdipitē|nounthe occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way : a fortunate stroke of serendipity | a series of small serendipities.
Last night we enjoyed the Dave Matthews Band at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island.  The concert was a great revue of his songbook. We (thousands) all laughed, danced, clapped and sang.  Towards the end of the concert, Dave played a song that neither Kelly nor I had ever heard before: "Sister".  
For the first time since October 11, we held each other tight and cried, just like that not-so-distant day when Kelly was first diagnosed with a brain tumor. Only it was different last night; our tears were of pure joy and happiness, love and compassion.  We truly depend upon one another!

" ... I had a younger sister and when we were little kids we used to say that somehow when she was born her heart ended up in my chest and my heart ended up in hers." - Dave Mathews

"Sister"

Pass the time with you in mind
It's a rather quiet night
Feel the ground against my back
Counting stars against the black
Thinking bout another day
Wishing I was far away
Whether they were dreams or worries
You were there with me

Sister, I hear you laugh
My heart fills full up
Keep me please
Sister, when you cry
I feel your tears running down my face
Sister, Sister keep me

I hope you always know its true
I would never make it through
We could make the sun go down
Just by walking away
Playing like we used to play
Our kingdom will never go away
Feel you beating in my chest
I'll be dead without
Sister, I hear you laugh
My heart fills full up
Keep me please
Sister, when you cry
I feel your tears running down my face
Sister, Sister will you keep me?

I would never make it through
Hope you always know its true
You could make the heaven's fall
Just by walking away

Sister, I hear you laugh
My heart fills full up
Keep me please
Sister, when you cry
I feel your tears running down my face
Sister, Sister keep me 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3r50pQ3aRI&feature=player_embedded

The reason for this post's title, "Serendipity", is self-evident: "Sister" came at the right time and under the right circumstances, bringing a happy confirmation of our love for one another.

Love, Ani

PEACE LOVE & HAPPINESS

Onward...with a smile :)

One Week Later...

A note from Mama and Pops:

Hello Family and Friends,

This weekend we spent a lovely time with family, basking in this wonderful mountain air while bundled up in lots of woolies to keep warm.  The skies have been radiant blue and the sun brilliant, causing the fall colors to be so spectacular.  The family has enjoyed raucous meals around kitchen and dining room tables, enjoying hot apple cider, hot biscuits dipped in butter and honey, scrumptious apple pies and varied wines.  Everyone enjoyed carving funny-looking pumpkins, filling them with candlelight and placing them on the stone fence along the dark country lane to add to the Fall festivities.

Today we enter the next stage of Kelly’s journey and ask for your continued and fervent prayers.  

This morning Rabbi Goldwasser called to give us an initial update on the pathology report and the Brain Tumor Consulting Team of the Presbyterian Hospital met later in the day to review Kelly’s case.  Their current conclusion is that Kelly’s tumor contains a mixture of oligodendro, astrocytoma and neuronal components, making for an aggressive cancer.  The Consulting Team will forward us more specific details and recommendations.

In the meantime, we have processed an authorization allowing the hospital to release the MRI and pathology reports, which we will take across the street to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for a second and third analyses by both their leading neuro-pathologist and neuro-oncologist.

The cancer currently diagnosed is graded as a Type 3, and approaching a Type 4 (cancers are rated 1-4 in terms of malignancy, 4 being the high end).  Kelly will probably undergo both radiation and chemo therapies.  We do not know how long Kelly will need to undergo therapy or any other details of her upcoming treatment.  At this point we are unsure whether we will return to Panama briefly or remain in the U.S.  Of course, first Kelly must fully recover from her surgery so that she begins any subsequent therapies at her maximum physical strength.  In fact, that part of her recovery is apparently well advanced, exceeding all expectations.

Yesterday Dr. Stieg’s assistant Amanda, called to ask Kelly how she was doing.  She asked her if she had any headaches? No... fever? No.... Dizziness? No.... Nausea? No ...other symptoms? No.  I heard Kelly say, “Yup, I’m feeling great!  Just can’t move my head too fast ‘cuz I get a woozy feeling.”  Amanda told Kelly that her recovery was a medical marvel.  They had never had a patient undergo brain surgery and not show any signs of discomfort.

Today the incision on Kelly’s head looks completely sealed.  It’s the cleanest looking surgery that any of us have ever seen.  And she now wears her hair combed back naturally - showing only a tiny trace of the cut near her ear.  The temperature has dropped the last two nights, leaving frost behind in the mornings.  Last night Kelly came in from outside and as she was peeling her coat off she made the comment, “Wow, it’s so cold out there, I actually feel my staples...they feel like they’re frozen!”

Cancer is a strange disease; each case is different and each patient responds differently.  We must not allow ourselves to fall into the trap of gauging Kelly’s path by Internet reports of past cases.  Cancer brings its struggles and its hard moments, just like any virulent disease.  It requires a lot of courage to face the day-to-day treatments and that comes from a strong positive attitude.  When we gave Kelly the news from pathology this morning, she looked at us and said, “Well, we will do what we have to do.  I was prepared for this ever since Dr. Stieg said in our first meeting that the need for follow-on radiation would be possible.”  We wouldn’t have expected her to give any other kind of response, right?!  This is a true Kelly common sense statement.  She is a strong girl and with your continued positive support, Kelly will come through this the same way she came through the brain tumor operation...with flying colors! 

So, we leave you today with this latest information and ask for your continued prayers and positive vibes.  We will keep you informed via the blog as further information becomes available. 

Mari and Mark

A Thousand Smiles

A post from Pops:

Last Sunday we attended Mass at a small neighborhood church in Cornwall, N.Y.  As providence would have it, the Gospel reading included this passage from St. Paul:

            I have competed well

            I have finished the race

            I have kept the faith

While Paul’s entire message speaks of the great difficulty of maintaining an enduring faith, the same progression of spirit is certainly needed to endure an illness.  And what is the reward for such dedication of purpose?  For us, the prize has been the greatest of blessings: Kelly’s apparent return to good health.  And so we continue to pray with increased confidence for others, like young Peter Marotta and beautiful Nikki Meyer and their families, that they too will experience the joy of God’s grace and a return to good health.

P.S.  See Peter’s story at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/petermarotta

"Living It, Loving It, Sunday Riding"

Check out this great video filmed by Kelly's friend Blake a couple of years ago in Jax! The whole family was laughing this morning, watching Kelly enjoying a good ol' time...especially at the end!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48mipLpzZmk

Up, Up and Away!

Tonight's update from Mom:

   Since early this morning family and friends have been flowing in and out of Kelly’s hospital room bringing laughter, good cheer, flowers (including the strangest BRAIN flowers from France) and yummy goodies (Magnolia Bakery cupcakes and chocolate-dipped cherries!)  It has been quite an eventful day.

   Now that the storm has passed, we have time to reflect on one of our biggest blessings: finding the best neurovascular surgeon in the world to perform Kelly’s operation, Dr. Philip Stieg. His hands were guided by God.  How can we ever thank him for bringing Kelly through this delicate operation with such success? We will remember him forever!  If any of you ever needs a neurovascular surgeon, he’s the man!

   Kelly had her post-op MRI early this morning before we arrived.  Dr. Stieg reported this afternoon that the MRI came out fine (we will submit MRI and biopsy results to a few recommended oncologists for second opinions). He also announced that all her vital signs are normal and the leakage from the brain has diminished considerably, allowing him to approve her discharge tomorrow!  Yahoooooooooooo........

   After Dr. Stieg left, a skillful medical practitioner removed her head bandages and drain tube (Ani’s got it all on a video)!  We were so surprised at how little of her hair had been shaved and how clean and neat the cut was stapled.  It literally looks like she has a thin headband on her head.  It’s just incredible how the body adjusts to a major surgery and begins to mend so quickly when it is in the hands of experts.  

   So, the plan is that the Dillon’s will head back to Mountainville tomorrow and the wonderful hospitality of Tio Kurt, Tia Bea and our young cousins, Charlotte and Ernesto.  On November 9, Kelly returns to Dr. Stieg’s office to have the staples removed.  On November 10, 2010 we fly home to Panama!  Next week we receive critical info from pathology to determine whether or not she will need radiation. If necessary, our return date to Panama may change.

   If you ask Kelly, the highlight of today (aside from the meals prepared by her personal chef) was being able to wash her hair!!!!  The little pleasures of life!

~Mari

NYC Snapshots

"Hi Everyone...feelin' alright (like my favorite song by Rebelution says)!"
~Kelly 

"Me and my man yesterday in the ICU :) He keeps a permanent smile on my face every second of the day!" 

~Kelly

La Familia :) Yesterday in the ICU

Pops hanging out this morning in the lobby down the hall from Kelly's room.

Check out that amazing print on the wall behind where Pops was sitting!

One of the many views she has from the 14th floor...

Thomson and I on our way this morning to deliver Kelly some flowers from the Fabrega twins and BethAnn.


**I am sorry for the "grainy" photos; they were taken with Blackberrys, which have very low resolution. I will try to upload better ones this coming week!**