‘Touch & Go’ but Cheerful
It’s Thursday morning and, because of Chloe’s high school graduation, we haven’t visited Lina in 10 days. But, in our absence, many of you have traveled to Boston to visit with her and we really appreciate it.
Last night I called Lina’s main Dana-Farber doc, Dr. Armand, for advice on how to report her condition to you all. He said that there’s not much change in the past week. Except… that her back was finally healing; her “gut is quiet”; her diet options have expanded to include eggs, waffles, tuna and coffee. And she is eating some of it — ‘very little’ — but some.
Lina is still being fed intravenously and, still has her 24/7 ‘sitters’ guarding her.
But, as he did last week, Dr. Armand said while there’s been some progress – he didn’t want to make it sound like she was doing well. He said, “Lina’s condition remains very delicate. She’s very weak – she’s touch & go and because of the acute Graft vs Host Disease (aGVHC) she could take a sudden turn for the worse at any moment.”
Lina’s mental confusion remains. But she is still cheerful and having ‘wonderful’ adventures. This week she told me of trips to Italy, Texas and Barcelona. And, of her Ob/Gyn appointment this week in Maine to test for pregnancy – “too bad, it’s a negative,” she said.
Chloe, Moriah and I will again spend Friday-Sunday in Boston.
Chloe’s graduation from Cape Elizabeth High School was last Sunday afternoon. Her grandmother, Evelyn DeLeeuw, and her aunt and uncle, Priscilla and Bob Barrowclough flew up from New Jersey. They rented a car and drove back Monday via Boston to visit Lina and show her the graduation photos. We had a pre-graduation champagne brunch at our house with the DeLeeuw’s and Chloe’s other ‘paternal’ grandmother – my mother Ruth, and my sister Leslie and her family. It was great for Chloe and us.
Chloe has decided to attend the Savannah College of Art & Design – but, with all this going on, will defer for a year – and will plan to start in the fall of 2009. She wants to travel and volunteer. She is hoping to work with Safe Passage (http://www.safepassage.org/) in Guatemala. And she is excited with her summer job: sewing for Ann Veronica (http://www.annveronica.com) here in Cape Elizabeth.
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Craig, thanks for continuing to keep us all updated. Sounds as though Lina is holding her own and thankfully, she also sounds as though her mind is taking her to some positive places. Love the graduation photos. Congratulations to Chloe!
Joan and Michael
Congrats to Chloe and love the pictures…also glad to hear what her plans are. The year away from studies sounds like a great idea. I’d love to share Guatemala stories at some point. I support a little girl there and have been to her home in the mountains in the south. I have also been to those garbage dumps and I can’t think of a more rewarding place to put energy. You go girl! I had also been waiting to see which school she picked, not that I know much about either, but now I will learn more about the one in Savannah. I was also glad to hear that the extended family could be there at graduation, and know that Lina was there in spirit for sure. Give Lina a hug from me and tell her how much I admire her strength and coping mechanisms!! I’m planning a trip to Maine in August and will surely stop by to give her a hug in person. Craig, Chloe and Moriah, be good to yourselves too as you surely deserve a break. There is no “right” way to deal with such stress and you will look back on this time with amazement. Peace and thanks and love to you all! Susan
Craig, Lina, Chloe, and Moriah – Congratulations to Chloe! Her next steps sound exciting and so important to humanity. What gifts she has and what a gift she is to this planet!
Thanks for the photos, both girls looks so beautiful and grown up. I remember Lina being very pregnant with Moriah and Chloe being a curious toddler.
Enjoy this father’s day, Craig, you deserve recognition of this wondeful job you’ve done and are doing. My love and strength to Lina. Please give her a hug from me and tell her the summer sun and ocean breezes want her home soon. Love, Nancy
Happy Fathers Day Craig,
What a gentle man and father you are.
Tell those darling girls you want breakfast in bed at the Marriot. The celebration for Chloe’s graduation was very special. I spoke with Lina Sunday and she was so pleased to be eating something and having tea ( on the phone). She is grateful for all your love and believes that Fathers know best!
Love much Mary Eileen.
Craig,
I don’t know what made me to decide to Google Lina’s name today after so many years. She and I were roommates back in the early ’70s in Memphis, a couple of years after she had graduated from Southwestern, if I remember correctly. I left to go to college in Vermont and she left to work with ACORN. We lost touch until today when I first found the article about Bert, and then stumbled onto your website.
Lina is one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever known. While our paths may have parted, she’s been in my thoughts many times over the years. It saddens me to see all she’s had to go through in the ensuing years — she’s such a beautiful, sensitive, talented woman.
In reading about Chloe, it seems so incredibly natural that she would be an artist like her mother. I’ve heard great things about Savannah’s art school — I’m sure she’ll make you, her sister and her mom very proud.
I don’t know if she’ll remember me, but whether she does or doesn’t, all my love and positive energy is shooting her way from Boulder, CO. I’m so glad she has you and the girls in her life, as well as so many, many wonderful friends and family members.
Linda
Chloe was so radiant at graduation, and so beloved by all of her classmates. She’s one of my son Fritz’s oldest and best friends. They’re both passionate photographers now, but I stlll see them on the swings together at Maiden Cove Day Care when they were five.
And yes, Chloe’s certainly a product of that wonderful home – the generous big-heartedness of Craig combined with the flair, vision and fire of Lina. I’m so glad to hear that she has plans for some next steps…she’s so talented and deserves to go out and make her mark on the world. For now, though, I know that her spirit is entwined with her mother. As it should be. May they continue to nurture each other with the best of honeys from the hive.
Hi all,
Craig, I don’t know if you remember me, but I think of you all often. I was sent your web site by a mom of a classmate of Chloe and Bobby. There is a girl up here in the Farmington area that is joining Safe Passages next year before college. If you want info, Chloe, just email me or call.
We continue to do well up here in the mountains. Bobby will be going to UCONN in August and I’m going back to school as well. Jon is happy and Dave is still with Hannaford, though in a different job that is challenging and enjoyable.
Bob and I thought about coming down to graduation, but his was the day before and we had lots of family in-not to mention that we were graduated out.
Chloe, I hope we’ll see you before you leave-either on Scarborough Beach or up here in Farmington.
Again, our thoughts are with you all,
Ellie Duley