the Beginnings of the Triumphant Return

Greetings from Chloe’s friend, Emilie,

This being my first foray into the world of blogging, I'm a bit nervous about living up to the fantastically-entertaining style that Chloe has established here.  But I’ll do my best.  =) Our dear friend Sommer and I got to visit her in the neuro ICU this evening (I suppose it’s now yesterday evening), …just as the nausea was setting in.  After a few golden hours of mere drowsy/achiness (play along with the post-brain surgery definition of “golden”), she had reached the impossibly uncomfortable point between doses of pain and anti-nausea meds when most of us would have given up and started cursing indiscriminately at anyone within a mile radius (not that there wasn’t cursing, mind you.  If there hadn’t been, I would have known something was very wrong ;).  But, being Chloe, she passed every humor test we threw at her (laughing graciously and even spotting some “that’s what she said”s that we missed)!  Basically, a beautiful illustration of the wonderfully irreverent, fiercely self-determined spirit that will get her through the challenges of recovery in the coming weeks.  She was resting when I left, finally able to get some sleep after all of the poking and prodding of the day.  Gathering her strength for addressing you all herself as soon as she is able, I have no doubt.  I am absolutely filled with relief and happiness to see her on the other side of this process.  Let the journey back begin!

Many thanks to the amazing neurosurgery team that brought her through this process safely, and to the dedicated medical staff continuing to watch over her as I speak.  I know that her friends and family thank each and every one of you for all that you’ve done and continue to do!

Stay tuned everyone!