Saying goodbye to Riverside

Madeleine’s Blog

October 16, 2012

So do not fear, for I am with you

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God

I will strengthen you and help you

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Isaiah 41:10

Dr. Gailani with Madeleine

Madeleine has just achieved a very important milestone: she has made it through six rounds of bio-chemo, which is quite an accomplishment! As she finished up the last of her infusions today, it was also time to say some thank you's and good bye's to many of the people here at Kaiser who have helped make her treatment time a little more bearable. 

There are many people who I could name - the tech who always accompanied Madeleine for her central line; the special social worker who developed a relationship with Madeleine over the weeks and stopped by today with some chocolate muffins for her; the patient care assistant who helped meet our practical needs (and who would even bring by hot towels in the morning for our comfort); many nurses who stand out as being exceptional in their caring and their skill;  our favorite nurse - who drove over to see Madeleine last night (on her own time) in order to say good bye; and I honestly could go on and on. There really are so many people who have been helpful that there is no good way to list them all without leaving someone out. If you have to have difficult treatment like this, then it really helps to have some quality people around to help you through. 

Of course, there is also so much we could say about Dr. Gailani. He has the perfect combination of expertise, sincere care, dedication, and a sense of humor that has kept us laughing even with everything that is being faced. We are really grateful that he has been here to help us make it through all of this.

Madeleine's Facebook post from tonight really sums it all up:

During these past five months, I've been through six rounds of bio-chemo treatments. That's 42 days in the hospital (24 hours a day), 30 days of treatment, 6 central-line placements, one too many pills to count, shots to my stomach, lots of tears, and WAY too much nausea.

It still hasn't hit me that I have managed to stumble, trip, and climb my way over this hurdle. Although this is not the end of the journey, I am so glad I will finally get a break!

I owe so much to my doctor, nurses, parents, aunt, and friends who have helped me during these 5 horrific months.♥

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1