Talked with the patient a moment ago!

I just called Annmarie's husband Rich to get an update and he immediately put the call on "speakerphone."

Lo and behold: Ann was awake and began talking to me! We had a long (about 10 minute) conversation.

She has been released from the hospital and She and Rich are staying in a nearby hotel room for this coming week's recovery period.

Annmarie sounded clear and did not appear to be in any extraordinary heavy pain. She gave me some anecdotes (talked story) about how she must have been an ogre to family and to the hospital staff during the days when she was in extreme post-op pain:

"Is there anyone on this planet and in this *%#Xxº!!ø** hospital who can find some way to stop my nasal drip??!! It is making me cough and hurting where the *%&#?#@•!!staples are!!!?" Grrrr

Annmarie seemed to smile when she described how they gave some Maui coffee gifts to some of the hospital staff and felt grateful to all of them for putting up with her and to thank them for caring for her through this very delicate operating procedure and follow-up.

It looks like her doctor will return to Maryland this Thursday and Annmarie is expecting him to take the staples out during her appointment this coming Friday.

More info as it comes in...

Updated: Friday June 25

Annmarie had a rough day Wednesday. She felt nauseous and did not want to walk or eat. Clear fluids were not going well. She showed quite a bit of anxiety and complained about being "pushed" and was exhibiting a bit more anger than the family wanted to hear. Rich had a conversation with the nurse who then gave Ann a shot- and she was out and resting within 30 minutes- and all was well.

Thursday things went a lot better. A friend from Boston who has had lymphoma and is a survivor and Cancer Society worker flew down to Maryland to see Ann and livened up the room. Annmarie feeling much better today; she is eating again and walked two laps.

Doctor likes her progression and she may be dismissed in a few days.

Update Sat June 19

Talked with Rich for several minutes yesterday. Annmarie's dad drove down to Maryland and is staying with Ann and Rich in the hospital room. Rich says Ann is back to "normal"- complaining to her buddy Kirsten about how awful everything is going- but the surgeon and Dad and Rich are ecstatic about the results of the operation, the prognosis and Ann's progress so far. Things are looking great! Everything looks good right now- I will keep posting here often.

Just talked to Annmarie's husband Rich: The complicated operation was very successful and, so far, the prognosis is very, very optimistic. Ann is resting now after the long procedure and, Rich- after having been in the hospital for the past 18 hours- is going back to the hotel to get a shower and some much-needed sleep. He feels very good after talking to the surgeon. There are only five doctors in the country who do this type of surgery and Rich and Annmarie feel very fortunate that her type of cancer and particular diagnosis made her a viable candidate for this costly and complex procedure.

Annmarie Landry, one of my closest friends, has been diagnosed with a rare abdominal cancer and has just flown to Baltimore, Maryland with her husband, Rich, in order to undergo a complicated surgical operation at St. Agnes hospital on June 16th. The travel expenses and medical treatment incurred will be enormous and I am currently asking all of you who read this to donate something/anything- from $5.00 to $500. (Any amount will help, believe me). You can easily sign up for a PayPal account if you don't already have one and this would be enormously appreciated. Residents on Maui are being asked to drop in to any branch of First Hawai'ian Bank and make a donation to the Friends of Annmarie Landry Account. Anyone may make a PayPal donation (large or small) by signing in to PayPal and giving what you can afford.

Thanks in advance for your help and consideration. Please call me if you have any questions or need more information.
- Charles Laquidara (808-268-1525)

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