posted
Hi everyone, I'm Liz O'Brien's husband, and she wanted me to inform everyone that she has not been ignoring the list lately. She's been in the hospital with a rare auto-immune encephalitis called ADEM. It was very serious and very scary, and, for a while there, we thought we might be losing her. She has made a great comeback with steroids and plasma pheresis, which is a blood washing, more or less. She'll have four more of these treatments and then will move on to a rehab hospital for some therapy for a month or two. She's still pretty weak, having some trouble focusing, and her speech is a little slow, but the doctor's are hopeful for a full recovery. Anyone who knows her and wishes to send a card or a note or a magazine or something (she's not too into flower arrangements...thinks they're too morbid) can send it to: Liz O'Brien 180 Metacomet St. Belchertown, MA 01007 I bring stuff to her on a daily basis, and it makes her feel good. But, what's really important right now are the positive healing thoughts that have been coming her way, so, if nothing else, please send some of these if you have a spare moment. She an unbelievable person, who considers you all her friends. We're all hoping she'll be back participating in your discussions soon. Peace, Steve O'Brien
[ December 06, 2004, 09:57 AM: Message edited by: Elizabeth ]
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Holy cow, I'd noticed that she hadn't been around, but I didn't think it would be something like this. I'm so glad she's okay. There's something I've been meaning to send her, and I guess this would be a really good time to do it. I'm sending it direct from the seller, so if you get a package from Colorado that you don't remember sending for, that's from me.
Hope she feels better. Posts: 2804 | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for letting us know. It's good to hear that she is expected to recover, though I'm sorry she had to go through this experience at all. Best wishes to her for a speedy recovery!
Posts: 3546 | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Steve, Thanks for letting us know. I am glad that she seems to be doing better, and she is in our prayers. I too had noticed that she wasn't around as much, but I figured taht she had just taken a quick break....with all the school stuff and your own kids it can get to be a bit much.
I will be sending a card this weekend, and JenniK and I don't live very far away; we live in Chicopee, so I imagine it won't take long for it to get there.
Thanks so much for letting us know! We started a thread just last week asking about her because no one had heard from her in a few days and we were very worried -- mainly because in her last post, she complained that her eyesight was getting very fuzzy and wouldn't clear up! So we knew she was thinking of going to the doctor.
It was so good of you to give us the update. I will definately send her a card, but in the meantime, she has my whole family praying for her.
posted
I'd been wondering where our wonderful lady punster was. I'm glad to hear that she is improving and I'm sending positive thoughts your way as I type. I'll be sending a card today. Thank you, Steve, for letting us know.
Posts: 2022 | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Steve, thank you so much for letting us know what happened. We were all concerned, I know, because Your Liz is special to us. She is lucky to have you (and you know you are lucky to have her! *smile*). I'm so glad she is diagnosed and recieving treatment. Please let her know that I am thinking of her and praying for her and your family.
(((Elizabeth, Steve and family)))
Posts: 1545 | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged |
No, wait, not just good thoughts. I mean, REALLY good thoughts. Heck, just really, amazingly super FANTASTIC thoughts Posts: 2911 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I had read that thread with fascination and kept waiting to hear back from Liz about what the doctor said. I figured she was just too busy, what with the holiday and all.
Is that your address? (I'm just making sure that's not where she is right now. When she's transferred to rehab, we can still send stuff to that addy, right?) It might make some sense for some of us to hold off for a week or two, or three, so that there isn't a huge rush of mail and then nothing.
So, Liz, glad you're doing better and I hope you get to feeling better soon. I'll wait to send you a card, though. Now, all I have to do is remember. . . Posts: 9871 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Liz, Steve, and the whole O'Brien clan -- We're praying for a quick and complete recovery. Please tell Liz that we miss her puns and her musical promotions. This must've been so frightening. Very glad to hear the good news that she's going to recover and that it seems the most threatening part is over. We're sending a package to liven up her convalescence, but for now please just tell her that we're thinking of her and miss her terribly!
posted
I'll be a-cardsendin' as soon as I'm back at school tomorrow. Thank you for sharing news with us, we'll be thinking of liz. Hugs and good thoughts for the family!
Posts: 3636 | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've been worried too. Thanks Steve, for letting us know what was going on. I'm glad that Elizabeth decided to go to a doctor! I'll be thinking of her, and look forward to when she is feeling well enough to post here again. I hope that you and the rest of your family are holding up okay--having a partner or family member go thought something like that would be hell, no doubt about it.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am alive and well and in rehab with a seldom used computer!
Thank you all sooo much for the good thoughts and wishes. You cannot know how much it meant. I knew I had posted here last about my eye issue and I wanted to make sure Steve somehow let people know what was going on.
It is a weird thing. ADEM or something, but they also call it Guiallaume Baree. I remember hearing about a couple people who had it once. I was very very lucky to get through it and feel a bit strange about life right now.
Rehab is SOOOO much better than the hospital, which was an excellent place (Kwea make sure you and Jenni go to Baystate if you ever have to-what a great hospital!)to keep alive, but I was so tired and down. Now I have wheel chair mobility and I feel a thousand times better than I even did this afternoon. I am not an in-room type. I am a talker and I like to have people around.
I am so touched by the gifts and cards. It is such a wonderful outpouring of love and support. Thank you all so much. I truly believe your thoughts added to the mix to bring me back from the brink.
Truly, deeply, and sincerely grateful for my Hatrack friends,
I'm so glad to hear that you're up and about. If the computer is not often used, it's probably degenerating. You'll need to use it frequently so it can build up its muscles.
::Good wishes and prayers for your continued recovery::
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Pfft. Everybody knows that autoimmune means that she can't be hurt by cars. It's like a superpower. Now she can freak people out by running out into traffic and stuff.
Elizabeth, that's so great that you're feeling better, and improving so rapidly! This just makes my day!
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Group Hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Best wishes Elisabeth and family.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Party]](graemlins/party.gif)
![[The Wave]](graemlins/thewave.gif)
![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Kiss]](graemlins/kiss.gif)
