[Choir] Fwd: Art is doing better!

[Bronwyn Fryer]

Fantastic news!

Bronwyn Fryer
Writer/Editor

Bronwyn at bronwynfryer.com
802-272-1195 (o)
339-223-7611 (c)




> On Dec 11, 2016, at 10:46 PM, Richard Riley via Choir <choir at unitarianchurchofmontpelier.org> wrote:
> 
> Dear Choir,
> 
> My great thanks for your meaningful music making tonight at the Carol Sing! 
> 
> Below is some new - and good - news about Art Stukey. 
> 
> Sue would appreciate any soups that could be dropped off at her house.
> 
> Dick 
> 
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: amy tatko <amytatko at gmail.com <mailto:amytatko at gmail.com>>
> Date: Sun, Dec 11, 2016 at 8:25 PM
> Subject: Art is doing better!
> To: 
> 
> 
> Dear Friends -
> 
> Art is doing much better and really seems to have turned a corner. His neurologist at the hospital will evaluate him again tomorrow to decide when he can move into rehab. He'll likely go back to Fanny Allen, where there are intensive rehab therapies and round-the-clock nurses and "sitters" in the room.
> 
> Art was up and walking the halls when I arrived today! He was more alert and clear-headed than I've seen him these past four weeks. He is eating well, gaining strength, and able to hold a conversation with many lucid thoughts. He still has a long way to go, but the improvement today was drastic. The drug that caused a big setback is out of his system, and the doctors will avoid it from now on. Art has been sleeping better, and that is having a big positive effect. He seemed like himself in spirit, with his characteristic facial expressions, turns of phrase, smiles, and laughter. He really lit up when I talked about how many of us are rooting for him, missing him, and sending love. He expressed several times both his awareness of how much he has improved and disbelief at what has happened to him.
> 
> The doctor is again trying to wean Art off the steroids that he's been on for months to control the inflammation in his brain. The dosage has been reduced almost by half without ill side effects. Once the steroids are out of his system, the doctor will order a new MRI and spinal tap to learn more about the white matter in Art's brain, which is the underlying problem that he's been struggling with for more than a year. In the meantime, the doctor hopes to do a "pet scan" this week, which would show if the problem in his brain has spread to any other areas of his body. In other words, if there is cancer in his brain and it is spreading, a pet scan would show this - and avoid the need for a brain biopsy, which is very invasive and potentially risky.
> 
> There was a hopeful spirit in the room today, and I expressed to Art many times how awesome it is that he has made huge progress and how happy all his beloved friends would be to hear this welcome news. 
> 
> TIME FOR MORE SOUP! Sue would love for us to drop off more soups this week. GLUTEN FREE, meat OK. Please pass this along to other close friends and choir members who have expressed an interest in helping or might be willing to join the effort to keep Sue well fed and supported.
> 
> Love,
> Amy
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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