Hi there, it's Gloria.  Ada is out of ICU and in a regular floor at Memorial Sloan-Kettering (MSK).  After a few rough days, things are truly improving.  Her infection is under control and her white blood cell count is almost back to normal (the drop in white blood cell count is also a by product of the chemotherapy).  They had to drain liquid from her left lung since she was having problem breathing (she originally had liquid in her right lung).  After that was done, she is off oxygen and her breathing is much improved.  She still has a fair amount of liquid in her body which they are slowly trying to get out.  It is a balance since they cannot drain it too fast (through diuretics) or her blood pressure drops.

The goal is to have everything continue to improve, so that she can get back her ability to walk and function while also controlling the pain that is part of this disease.  She is scheduled for her next chemotherapy treatment next week.  We have talked to her doctors and they will be making a number of adjustments given how she reacted to the first treatment, so that, we do not repeat this cycle. Please say a special prayer for their wisdom in making the adjustments!

To all of you that have left messages, said prayers, sent cards, we are reading them and sharing everything with her.  We are truly grateful to each and every one of you.  Although she is not responding to messages yet, she is absolutely getting them.  We appreciate all that you do and ask for your continued prayers.  This is going to be a long road for her and she will need all the support that she can get.

A couple of nieces, Ali Mari and Cristina, have been with her while the sisters traded out.  My sister Tere will be with her starting later today and through next week.  We have learned that in the hospital, it is really critical that she have someone there and so we are making sure that this happens.

We have had a number of people ask where to send cards.  You can send them to her home address, we take them to her on a daily basis.

So, another day on El Camino...we keep walking.