You know how when things are not going well, the family usually makes a statement like "the family requests privacy at this time." Think David Duchovny and Tea Leoni.
Our situation is a little trickier because we know so many caring people check the blog regulary out of compassion and concern. And yet, I have a hard time finding time to update the blog, or wanting to share news on the blog, or even type (I took Sammy to a nail salon the other day for acrylic nails. She insisted I get some, too).
This week has been rough. Sammy is experiencing some symptoms of frontal lobe damage because the tumor on the skull is invading the frontal lobe. There's really nothing that can be done to reverse it. On a more positive note, however, Sammy's pain management seems to be improving. She did have the knee/leg x-rayed at Dana Farber last week. No new growth showed up on the film but the leg is swollen and painful. Regardless of what the source of pain is coming from, the result is that Sammy can no loner weight bear on her leg. So she has no mobility and that is very hard for her.
We continue to take day by day and enjoy our time together. The visits to various Japanese steak houses are a lot of fun. Sammy sits at the hibachi with her journal, grades the food, service, cleanliness, etc. She takes this project VERY seriously and is really good at it :)
Most of the time Sammy's demeanor is pretty sleepy but heaven forbid she stay home. As soon as she wakes up she asks to go out. We have a hard time saying "No." Staying home is pretty boring.
Thank you so much for all of your ideas on literature. I especially loved a personal note mailed to us by someone who shared her own "other side" experiences. I have always believed in the types of things she shared so her note made me feel better.
The meals have been great. Thank you so much. I have a couple of thank you notes that I wrote weeks ago that are still lying on my kitchen table. I'm not sure when I'll mail them. I'm having a hard time functioning effectively right now. So, please, to everyone who has fed our family, THANK YOU so much. I always laugh when I see who is at the door or who has left something in the cooler because those chefs have some of the busiest lives of anyone I know. And yet, time is found to feed us Rotmans.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support.
Shari and David
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27 comments:
sammy, your nails look absolutely GORGEOUS!! (i dont no how to spell that) i am happy that sammy is in the food business, you should sample our food here at the lane house. keep posting!! with lots of love sarah lane
i check in often and get updates from lois via email. i wish we were close by so we could help out. to help pass some time at home, i'd like to suggest sammy and the rest of the family go to youtube and search for a comedian/ventriloquist named jeff dunham. he also has a couple of specials on comedy central. he's very funny. just an idea...
lots and lots and lots of love,
nancy, jeff, jessica and jon baskies
Shari - Thank you so much for updating the blog despite how hard it is for you, especially with your fancy new nails:-)) I think I speak for everyone doing meals for you, however, and must insist that you please STOP even thinking about individual thank you notes. We know your plate is overflowing (understatement of the year; no pun intended) and you have thanked everyone many times via blog and even the Bow Times. And most importantly, we don't want you ruining those gorgeous nails!!
Sammy - you are just so amazing with how much energy you have to go out every day despite what new development arises for you. You ROCK!!! We all look forward to the publication of your hibachi critique journal:-)) Did you and mom get the same or different color nails? I am sure yours are gorgeous as well!
Becca - hope those braces are getting easier to deal with. Keep up the great job you are doing as Sammy's awesome big sis - you ROCK too!!
You all remain in our thoughts and prayers. May your amazing courage, strength, love and compassion continue to help you through this journey.
Much love, J3
Hello Rotmans
I wish I could just give all of you one big hug and make all of this go away. Thank you for your time to share your life.It keeps me in the perspective that any complaining I want to do is really petty....I would love to know what restaurants meet Sammy's critical palate!! Also,I just heard about the comedian Jeff Dunham today and was informed he is very funny. All my love and prayers.
Ann Potoczak
Dear Rotman Family,
Daily we think of you. Daily we pray for you. Daily we send courage to you. Daily we send love to you. And yet, we wish there was so much more we could do. For today, wishing you cool, sunny, fall breezes and beautiful fall trees.
Sending love and support to all the Rotmans!
Heeey Sammy Cakes!!
I need to get my nails done too!! Maybe just a manicure though :) I gave myself my own little pedicure today in my friends apartment, so now I have nice clean feet!!
You seem to be going on quite a lot of adventures back in NH! I can only imagine how beautiful it is over there now with the trees changing colors. I remember a couple were on my way home from camp. It's staying hot here in CA with no maple trees to see changing leaves!!
I've been watching a lot of movies this weekend, which is soo nice and relaxing. I'm saving Enchanted for tomorrow :), though I've already seen Ella Enchanted and the Pursuit of Happyness :)
Tell Becca and your parents I say hi!!!!
I am a daily reader of the blog. All of you are very important to me and I love checking in on you. I saw the girls in "Guys and Dolls" last winter. I went not even knowing that they would be in it. It was a treat to see them up on that stage where they both belong. Keep up the posting :)
I look forward to seeing you around.
Lots of love,
Cristina White
Shari:
We check the blog all the time. When there are no new posts, we understand that you have so much on your plate that you haven't been able to get to this. This shouldn't be another burden on you. You shouldn't be worrying about us. The reason we check the blog and we cook for you is because we care, not because we need you to thank us or be concerned about us. If like the social worker suggested, this helps you, keep it up. If it's more work, don't. I don't think any of the people who read your blog will be offended or feel ignored. People will manage to find out what's going on either way and we will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers no mather what.
The Montero-Stern's
Hi all,
Just wanted to say hello and let you know we are always thinking of you. I'm glad to hear the daily adventures continue and I also would like to learn from the critique. I pray daily for each of you to have the strength and courage to get through that day. I'm glad to read the updates and also agree with others that this blog should not be about us on the outside, it should be for you and your family. If it is too much for you please don't do it, focus on the priorities first, your girls, yourself and your husband. All of the family and friends will hear in other various ways if there are any new updates. We love you and wish we could help in other ways. Take care and be well until next time.
Love,
Ashley
Hi Sammy!
I would love to hear about your restaurant reviews. I think you'll need to come up to Syracuse to critique my two favorite restaurants, how does that sound?!
I'm really jealous you got acrylic nails; I've always wanted some. My nails are sooo long, they really need to be done! So today I bought some bright pink polish, so I'll give myself a manicure later :)
It is so so so hot here at school today, I hope that up in NH it's not too bad!
Shari--there is no way to explain how truly incredible you are...you are an inspiration to me, and to so many.
Love to you all,
Jen Kracoff
Hello,
This is Ashley Buckus...I used to manage the Clinique Cosmetics counter at the Bon Ton and now I work at Naser Jewelers. Hopefully you remember me. You and Sammy came in to the mall today and stopped by to see me and Holly Coburn (a co worker of mine). I just want to let you know how incredibly saddened I was to see how upset she looked when she came in. I checked out her site and it brought me to tears to read that the cancer had spread. Last time she came in she was showing me how she could walk with her new leg. She is such a beautiful girl and I hate to see her so down. I don't know if I ever told you this, but I lost my mother recently to a rare form of bone cancer (she would have been 54 Sept. 13). I also wathced my brother go through a rough battle with cancer when he was 18, and lost my father to a heart condition in 1999. This is part of the reason that I instantly fell in love with Sam. Although I have experienced all of these losses, I still can't seem to figure out exactly what to say to comfort you. All I can possibly express to you is that I know what it is like to watch loved ones deal with the devastaing effetcs of cancer.I know how unexplainably difficult it is and I am truly sorry you are in this situation. My mother LOVED children and I am quite certain that she is looking down on your little girl and praying right along with me. I still dabble in the cosmetics field, so if there is ever a time that you guys feel up to it, and you would like me to do another "makeup session" I would be more than happy to travel to you! Please give your beautiful daughter a hug for me and come see us again soon. Keep your head up and try to keep smiling. -ashley
Hi sammy!
I am so jealous of your nails..let me guess you got them done pink, just because its your faviorte color! I remeber painting your nails alot this summer. I love going to Habachi, i think its the best japanese food ever...i wonder it would meet your standerds?! I think about you every day and miss talking to you on the phone. I love you sammy and your always on my mind sweetie!
thinking of all of you,
Erica your big sister!
Sammy--you rock. You are such an inspiraation. You don't feel good and you just keep going and keep a smile on. Thanks Love Meghan.
Much love to you all and as always since we have meet you, your family is our prayers. Sammy your such a special young lady and meeting your family was such a blessing for us! If I can do anything for you Shari please let me know. Justine and I send our love to you all!
Many prayers and much love,
Jane and Justine Williams
Hey, Sam,
I'm so excited that you're my new reading buddy!!!! What fun it is to read with you.....
Love you lots and will see you tomorrow...can't wait! Grammy
Shari and David Thank you for posting on the blog, even though it must be so hard at times. I'm sure there are many people like us who, although we don't have contact with your family on a daily basis, we think about you with LOVE ALL THE TIME. xoxoxoxo Love Sue Peterson
Hi Rotman family!
I worked as the head of the pool this summer at YJ and it was a pleasure to have both girls at camp! Sammy amazed me every day and was always the first kid in her group to jump in the water. I loved how much she enjoyed herself and we all loved having Sammy and Becca at camp. Sammy had so much energy and always had a smile on her face!
I read your blog all of the time and I want to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you always. You are an amazing family and Shari, your writing is inspirational. Thank you for the updates. I will be thinking about you all.
Love,
Ali Lewinter
Can't wait to have some girl time with the Rotman ladies!! Alright, David...you can join too. Miss you all and can't wait to see you:) --lisa
Just an idea for the next blog:) Maybe Sammy could post her reviews so that her 'audience' knows what Japanese restaurants to visit!
Love to you all!
Deb Gibbens
Hey Rotman crew,
We know that "have to get out of this house feeling"...Feeling crummy at Panera or Borders is sometimes just better than feeling crummy at home.
We love you lots, and think about you everyday (okay...about a hundred times a day.) You just keep on keeping on, okay?
Love you guys,
Becky and the Forrestall crew
Joining with the rest of your neighbors, friends, community and family, we are sending Sammy and the entire Rotman family our prayers, good thoughts and strength. We hope you are having a great day, Today!! The Goulds
All of our prayers are for the Rotmans today.
Stuart, Laurie, Jake & Hannah
Thinking of you today.
The Labbe Family
To the entire Rotman family... my deepest sympathy to all of you. You have shown us all how to brave when we are actually very weak at heart. You have shown how strong a family is through the many writings in your blog. Sammy was an incredible child who has more heart and strength than any adult that I know. She will be a true leader amongst the angels.
the Curran's (Michelle and Samantha) send our love and prayers for all of you. We check regularly to see what next adventure Sam has taken...
hugs to the whole family
{{{{{{family}}}}}}
I am so sorry. I had no idea that Sammy was sick on this day. I believe this was the day we talked briefly outside of the nail salon. I am so sorry.
from
candy stahley {melanie's mom}
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