Aunt Angie takes Stu and Natalie out for a holiday lunch!!We had a great time yesterday walking to downtown Los Altos for lunch at The Post. It was a fairly warm day and it was very special to have this time together while Sandi was with her friend, Kristi, for their holiday lunch.May your holidays be joyous!!
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
STU IS HOME!!!
Here’s a short update from Stu’s mom, Natalie:
The best holiday news is that Stu came home Friday after three weeks of working very hard with the therapists at Valley Med; it is an amazing hospital for anyone that needs intensive therapy. He had at least three hours of therapy six days a week, a pretty grueling schedule. The therapists were top notch and his doctor, Dr. Duong was so caring. Thanks to all of you who came to visit.
Of course the best thing is that Stu is now home. He will continue to get therapy (the therapists will come to the house). If you want to visit, please check in with Sandi to check on his schedule.
Happy holidays to you and your families.
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Where has the time gone?
Hey there!
Sorry for the delayed update! I just looked at the date today and it's already November 16!
The days have just flown by as we all waited for Stu to start to feel better. Every day was 100% better than the day before. Stu is doing well, although the right leg doesn't seem to be working now. I drove him home from LA yesterday and admitted him into Santa Clara Valley Medical Acute Rehab at 751 South Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA. He will likely be there for a few weeks of learning to use a wheelchair and possibly get some movement back in that right leg. We will have a better schedule of therapies and how long Stu will be there in a few days.
He can totally have visitors and I recommend visiting after 5pm and before 8pm if possible so that he can sleep. Day time visits are fine, just know that he might need space or privacy sometimes as he needs to attend to therapy sessions, rest between therapies or use the restroom.
Week days I'll plan to be with Stu from 9am to 2:30pm and so some evening company would be good. I'll pop in on week nights and weekends as I can between taking care of the girls activities. Feel free to text me if you are heading over there.
~Sandi
Sorry for the delayed update! I just looked at the date today and it's already November 16!
The days have just flown by as we all waited for Stu to start to feel better. Every day was 100% better than the day before. Stu is doing well, although the right leg doesn't seem to be working now. I drove him home from LA yesterday and admitted him into Santa Clara Valley Medical Acute Rehab at 751 South Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA. He will likely be there for a few weeks of learning to use a wheelchair and possibly get some movement back in that right leg. We will have a better schedule of therapies and how long Stu will be there in a few days.
He can totally have visitors and I recommend visiting after 5pm and before 8pm if possible so that he can sleep. Day time visits are fine, just know that he might need space or privacy sometimes as he needs to attend to therapy sessions, rest between therapies or use the restroom.
Week days I'll plan to be with Stu from 9am to 2:30pm and so some evening company would be good. I'll pop in on week nights and weekends as I can between taking care of the girls activities. Feel free to text me if you are heading over there.
~Sandi
Friday, November 8, 2019
Happy happy Friday!!
Stu had a rough go during surgery yesterday, but he is no longer under sedation and there isn't seizure activity so far, which is really good! Stu's mom and Aunt are there with him, so he sees smiling faces when he wakes up. He has wiggled his toes and the vitals are good.
Everyone is wondering... how I'm doing. Well, scared some times and very often hopeful and basically still just same old Sandi. I'm not depressed, desperate or unable to function from sadness. I haven't neglected myself in the midst of this. I see friends, I eat healthy, I exercise, I do fun things, I cry when I need to, I take care of myself and our girls, I'm not abusing drugs or alcohol (or caffeine). It's a lot, but as a wise women recently said "I can do hard things". She's right (love her!!)! And I'm taking care of myself and keeping the girls close (Teenagers!!! But that's another topic!). And Stu is soooo positive and just glad to fight and continue to work at being present for all of us. I love that man and I'm up for everything and everywhere our ride together takes us to. Stu takes care of us too. He folds laundry, pulls weeds and waters the lawn. He walks the dog, cuts the roses (and cut the pretty rose for me), he goes to movies and still kicks by butt at chess, goes to lunch with friends, is always present for the girls... see, awesome! We're good. We will always be good cause we are surrounded by so much love and support.
I hope we can take Stu home on Monday, but I'm not sure with all the seizures that have happened if he will need to stay longer or get to leave. It's a wait and see game right now.
Stu is up for brief visits if you are in LA. It's at 2121 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica CA. He's in ICU/Recovery at this time. You just ask where he is at the front desk if I haven't posted a room #.
Thanks for caring!
Sandi & Stu, Stella and Jaida too!
Everyone is wondering... how I'm doing. Well, scared some times and very often hopeful and basically still just same old Sandi. I'm not depressed, desperate or unable to function from sadness. I haven't neglected myself in the midst of this. I see friends, I eat healthy, I exercise, I do fun things, I cry when I need to, I take care of myself and our girls, I'm not abusing drugs or alcohol (or caffeine). It's a lot, but as a wise women recently said "I can do hard things". She's right (love her!!)! And I'm taking care of myself and keeping the girls close (Teenagers!!! But that's another topic!). And Stu is soooo positive and just glad to fight and continue to work at being present for all of us. I love that man and I'm up for everything and everywhere our ride together takes us to. Stu takes care of us too. He folds laundry, pulls weeds and waters the lawn. He walks the dog, cuts the roses (and cut the pretty rose for me), he goes to movies and still kicks by butt at chess, goes to lunch with friends, is always present for the girls... see, awesome! We're good. We will always be good cause we are surrounded by so much love and support.
I hope we can take Stu home on Monday, but I'm not sure with all the seizures that have happened if he will need to stay longer or get to leave. It's a wait and see game right now.
Stu is up for brief visits if you are in LA. It's at 2121 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica CA. He's in ICU/Recovery at this time. You just ask where he is at the front desk if I haven't posted a room #.
Thanks for caring!
Sandi & Stu, Stella and Jaida too!
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Out of Surgery and recovering
Stu was in surgery for 5 hours. I came back home to be with the girls and keep them in school.
The doctor and I spoke just now. 4:45pm
Stu had a seizure just as they were opening him up to get the gunk out. The seizures continued throughout the surgery and the doctor had to add different medications to help get things under control, but nothing was working. The doctor finally had to give a medication that induced a coma. They were then able to remove about 70% of the scar tissue and tumor, while still trying to preserve Stu :).
Language couldn't be touched, so we aren't sure how much talking Stu will be able to do. Motor function is looking good, so hopefully that right hand will start to function better for him in the future.
Stu is in ICU and his mom, Natalie is by his side. He is will remain in an induced coma tonight while all the medications leave his system. Hopefully he will be up and smiling tomorrow.
Prayers!
Sandi, Stu, Stella and Jaida
The doctor and I spoke just now. 4:45pm
Stu had a seizure just as they were opening him up to get the gunk out. The seizures continued throughout the surgery and the doctor had to add different medications to help get things under control, but nothing was working. The doctor finally had to give a medication that induced a coma. They were then able to remove about 70% of the scar tissue and tumor, while still trying to preserve Stu :).
Language couldn't be touched, so we aren't sure how much talking Stu will be able to do. Motor function is looking good, so hopefully that right hand will start to function better for him in the future.
Stu is in ICU and his mom, Natalie is by his side. He is will remain in an induced coma tonight while all the medications leave his system. Hopefully he will be up and smiling tomorrow.
Prayers!
Sandi, Stu, Stella and Jaida
Friday, November 1, 2019
Surgery Rescheduled to Thursday Nov 7th
Sorry for the delay in updating. Our wifi at our hotel wasn't so good.
We woke up Monday 10/28 to heavy smoke and sirens. The Getty area of LA hills was on fire. Stu had several pre op appointments that had gotten cancelled as many of the staff people working were evacuated.
On top of that Cobra decided that they would drop our insurance coverage, completely in error (there's a longer back story). I had to file a claim with the state of California's labor department and the insurance carrier just to get Cobra to review the file and see their error!! That was horrible.
Stu's surgery was delayed until we could get a timeslot.
Stu still had to get to his appointments so we ran from appointment to appointment and now everything is all set for next Thursday.
Stu's mom and Aunt Angie will help us with Stu coverage so that I can be at home a while with the girls, then we will come down to LA for the weekend and drive home.
Stu, as always is in good spirits.
More when we have more info.
Thanks for caring.
Sandi
We woke up Monday 10/28 to heavy smoke and sirens. The Getty area of LA hills was on fire. Stu had several pre op appointments that had gotten cancelled as many of the staff people working were evacuated.
On top of that Cobra decided that they would drop our insurance coverage, completely in error (there's a longer back story). I had to file a claim with the state of California's labor department and the insurance carrier just to get Cobra to review the file and see their error!! That was horrible.
Stu's surgery was delayed until we could get a timeslot.
Stu still had to get to his appointments so we ran from appointment to appointment and now everything is all set for next Thursday.
Stu's mom and Aunt Angie will help us with Stu coverage so that I can be at home a while with the girls, then we will come down to LA for the weekend and drive home.
Stu, as always is in good spirits.
More when we have more info.
Thanks for caring.
Sandi
Monday, October 21, 2019
Heading back into surgery Oct 29th
Hey there,
Long time, no post! It's been a wonderful summer filled with relaxing moments with family and friends. Stu has been very healthy and as always remains super positive. Stu celebrated his 50th birthday with Ken and some close friends. It was awesome! My 50th was celebrated over and over again! I really think 50 is the new 30!!
Stella completed an internship at a biotech company that a great friend connected her too. She had such a great time learning new skills and meeting some really amazing people! Her boss was our friend and she really liked learning from him.
Jaida attended summer school, camps and had lots of playdates.
Stu and I both have friends from work, from Amsterdam and all over constantly integrating us into their plans, from stopping for lunch from the east bay, to dinners, to hosting my birthday... so many friends and so much love! Thank you.
Now Stella is back in high school as a cheerleader and caption of the JV cheer team. She spends her weekends slumber partying with friends and enjoying teenage life!
Jaida is happily adjusting to middle school. She has made some really awesome new friends, and she still really enjoys those friendships she's made from elementary school. She is enjoying running, playing soccer and the many girl scouting events she gets to take part in.
Stu and I have traveled to LA almost every week for a clinical trial that Stu is in since November (new trial started April 2019 after the last surgery). We just go for the day, which isn't such a big deal. We've run into a few friends on our flights out of San Jose, which is such a bonus!! We like our doctor and the staff at Providence very much.
Huge thanks to Grandma Nat for driving Jaida back and forth to school while we travel.
Stu has been dealing with inflammation since the November 2018 trial. The doctors think that he is getting so much inflammation due to the clinical trial actually doing its job. But it's becoming too much once again and so Stu will need to head back into surgery on Oct 29th. We hope that the surgery will allow him to talk more and relieve the symptoms.
We have our family and friends both new and existing jumping in to offer help make Halloween week special to the girls. Thank you!!! A huge thanks to my sister Lynda for once again taking vacation time and staying with our girls so that they can just be at home while we are away. She has been amazing! Everyone has!! Shout out to Ken for always stopping by with a cute niece or nephew to make everyone's world better (they are adorable!!), for being an awesome uncle to the girls!! He's a great brother!!
We'll let you know when Stu is up for visitors via this blog. We will be in LA thru 10/28 through 11/3 if anyone wants to reach out to me to set up visits.
Happy Fall everyone.
Sandi & Stu
Long time, no post! It's been a wonderful summer filled with relaxing moments with family and friends. Stu has been very healthy and as always remains super positive. Stu celebrated his 50th birthday with Ken and some close friends. It was awesome! My 50th was celebrated over and over again! I really think 50 is the new 30!!
Stella completed an internship at a biotech company that a great friend connected her too. She had such a great time learning new skills and meeting some really amazing people! Her boss was our friend and she really liked learning from him.
Jaida attended summer school, camps and had lots of playdates.
Stu and I both have friends from work, from Amsterdam and all over constantly integrating us into their plans, from stopping for lunch from the east bay, to dinners, to hosting my birthday... so many friends and so much love! Thank you.
Now Stella is back in high school as a cheerleader and caption of the JV cheer team. She spends her weekends slumber partying with friends and enjoying teenage life!
Jaida is happily adjusting to middle school. She has made some really awesome new friends, and she still really enjoys those friendships she's made from elementary school. She is enjoying running, playing soccer and the many girl scouting events she gets to take part in.
Stu and I have traveled to LA almost every week for a clinical trial that Stu is in since November (new trial started April 2019 after the last surgery). We just go for the day, which isn't such a big deal. We've run into a few friends on our flights out of San Jose, which is such a bonus!! We like our doctor and the staff at Providence very much.
Huge thanks to Grandma Nat for driving Jaida back and forth to school while we travel.
Stu has been dealing with inflammation since the November 2018 trial. The doctors think that he is getting so much inflammation due to the clinical trial actually doing its job. But it's becoming too much once again and so Stu will need to head back into surgery on Oct 29th. We hope that the surgery will allow him to talk more and relieve the symptoms.
We have our family and friends both new and existing jumping in to offer help make Halloween week special to the girls. Thank you!!! A huge thanks to my sister Lynda for once again taking vacation time and staying with our girls so that they can just be at home while we are away. She has been amazing! Everyone has!! Shout out to Ken for always stopping by with a cute niece or nephew to make everyone's world better (they are adorable!!), for being an awesome uncle to the girls!! He's a great brother!!
We'll let you know when Stu is up for visitors via this blog. We will be in LA thru 10/28 through 11/3 if anyone wants to reach out to me to set up visits.
Happy Fall everyone.
Sandi & Stu
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Happy Summer Everyone!
Whew! We've been busy over the past few weeks! We have been traveling to LA for a new clinical trial in Santa Monica. We just go for the day and we are home by 8pm, so don't think of us as always out of town.
Stu is feeling really good and responding well to the clinical trial, the chemo and to the new device he wears called Optune. This device sends electrical waves through his head to slow the growth of bad cells.
Stu gets the chemo just once every 6 weeks, he gets the clinical trial medication once a week with 2 weeks on/1 week off. Stu wears the Optune device on his head as long as he can every day. It doesn't hurt, but it gets warm sometimes which makes it hard to be out in the full sun at high noon.
We snuck away during his week off of treatment to go to Kona Hawaii for a little summer vacation. We left a very hot Northern California to hit 90* temps in Kona... not quite as tropical feeling as we had thought. The pools, beach and snorkeling with Manta Rays were all still amazing. All in all, it was a really relaxing trip.
We are hunkering down now for the rest of the summer as Stella has an internship at a really amazing company with a wonderful friend overseeing her progress and education. We are so proud of Stella for taking the leap and trying out a work experience like this!
Jaida is in summer school and is having the time of her life! She absolutely loves her classmates and it's pretty likely that not much actual work is taking place....
We are keeping Grandma busy helping out with the driving on our travel days to LA and she has been really supportive of our kids busy social activities.
Stu is totally up for visitors! Please text both of us if you want to stop by... sometimes Stu doesn't check his phone, whereas mine is usually near me. My cell is 650-776-6476/ Stu's is 650-776-6559.
Happy summer everyone!
Stu and Sandi, Stella and Jaida too!
Stu is feeling really good and responding well to the clinical trial, the chemo and to the new device he wears called Optune. This device sends electrical waves through his head to slow the growth of bad cells.
Stu gets the chemo just once every 6 weeks, he gets the clinical trial medication once a week with 2 weeks on/1 week off. Stu wears the Optune device on his head as long as he can every day. It doesn't hurt, but it gets warm sometimes which makes it hard to be out in the full sun at high noon.
We snuck away during his week off of treatment to go to Kona Hawaii for a little summer vacation. We left a very hot Northern California to hit 90* temps in Kona... not quite as tropical feeling as we had thought. The pools, beach and snorkeling with Manta Rays were all still amazing. All in all, it was a really relaxing trip.
We are hunkering down now for the rest of the summer as Stella has an internship at a really amazing company with a wonderful friend overseeing her progress and education. We are so proud of Stella for taking the leap and trying out a work experience like this!
Jaida is in summer school and is having the time of her life! She absolutely loves her classmates and it's pretty likely that not much actual work is taking place....
We are keeping Grandma busy helping out with the driving on our travel days to LA and she has been really supportive of our kids busy social activities.
Stu is totally up for visitors! Please text both of us if you want to stop by... sometimes Stu doesn't check his phone, whereas mine is usually near me. My cell is 650-776-6476/ Stu's is 650-776-6559.
Happy summer everyone!
Stu and Sandi, Stella and Jaida too!
Friday, May 10, 2019
Happy Mother's Day!
Stu and I have just been trying to take things easy, so that he can recover from brain surgery #4. Ok, I needed a little recovery time too. Surgeries take a toll on everyone involved!
Now that all that gunk in Stu's head is gone he is able to finally get off loads of medications and really heal. We will start a new attack plan in a few weeks, once Stu gets the go ahead from the doctor. Stu remains in really great spirits with a big smile to start each day and the occasional salsa sashay as we listen to morning Shakira songs on Alexa. The dog gets lots of good walks in with Stu and I, and we've rewatched all of the GOT episodes to date!
Although the speech isn't totally back yet, Stu gets his point across pretty easily!! He is up for seeing friends, getting calls and texts, as well as emails. If you want to visit, just shoot him a message.
We are going to spend the weekend watching The Man in the Iron Mask, Zorro, The Count of Monte Cristo and finish off with the latest episode of GOT on Sunday! Stu really wants to see some sort of sports in there (we'll see).
I'm looking forward to Mother's day weekend and I hope you are as well!
Hugs to all the mothers out there! You are awesome!!
Sandi (Stu, Stella and Jaida too)
Now that all that gunk in Stu's head is gone he is able to finally get off loads of medications and really heal. We will start a new attack plan in a few weeks, once Stu gets the go ahead from the doctor. Stu remains in really great spirits with a big smile to start each day and the occasional salsa sashay as we listen to morning Shakira songs on Alexa. The dog gets lots of good walks in with Stu and I, and we've rewatched all of the GOT episodes to date!
Although the speech isn't totally back yet, Stu gets his point across pretty easily!! He is up for seeing friends, getting calls and texts, as well as emails. If you want to visit, just shoot him a message.
We are going to spend the weekend watching The Man in the Iron Mask, Zorro, The Count of Monte Cristo and finish off with the latest episode of GOT on Sunday! Stu really wants to see some sort of sports in there (we'll see).
I'm looking forward to Mother's day weekend and I hope you are as well!
Hugs to all the mothers out there! You are awesome!!
Sandi (Stu, Stella and Jaida too)
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Last Night at UCSF!! (Goal Achieved!!)
Stu woke up at 7:30am and impressed the Doctor so much that he feels Stu is ok to go home at some point tomorrow!!
For tonight and tomorrow Stu will be on the 8th Floor of the Long Building (L Elevator) room 835/Bed 1.
Stu is open to visitors, however we aren't sure what time he'll get his checking out.
Send me an email early in the day if you plan to stop by so that I can keep you in the loop.
Yay!!!
Sandi
For tonight and tomorrow Stu will be on the 8th Floor of the Long Building (L Elevator) room 835/Bed 1.
Stu is open to visitors, however we aren't sure what time he'll get his checking out.
Send me an email early in the day if you plan to stop by so that I can keep you in the loop.
Yay!!!
Sandi
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Recovering Nicely!
Thank you so very much for being in our corner! What an incredible group of friends and family we have! We've gotten emails and posts that have lifted our spirits and helped Stu to know he has an awesome support team. It was a rough day, as it isn't easy to let someone operate on your brain... nor is it easy on a mom, a wife or kids (or anyone who cares really)... but you certainly make it better to know we've got some positive energy coming our way!
Stu got out of surgery late today and is recovering in Neuro ICU for the night. He is doing great! The doctor said Stu is the best patient ever :).
Stu told me almost immediately that he will be coming home on Friday. I'm going to wait to hear what the doctor says, but I love how goal oriented he is.
I'll post Stu's visitor status tomorrow.
Thank you for being there for us.
Sandi and Stu
Stu got out of surgery late today and is recovering in Neuro ICU for the night. He is doing great! The doctor said Stu is the best patient ever :).
Stu told me almost immediately that he will be coming home on Friday. I'm going to wait to hear what the doctor says, but I love how goal oriented he is.
I'll post Stu's visitor status tomorrow.
Thank you for being there for us.
Sandi and Stu
Monday, April 22, 2019
Time for surgery again
Thanks for checking out the blog. Your support through all of this has been so awesome! Thank you!
It looks like I'm heading back into surgery this Wednesday at UCSF.
It looks like I'm heading back into surgery this Wednesday at UCSF.
Sandi will give updates as she has them.
I'll likely stay in the hospital through Saturday then come home.
Please send emails to me at selefant_2001@yahoo.com or you can post comments on the blog. Please don't send texts.
Thanks again for your support.
Stu and family
Thursday, March 21, 2019
March Madness!!!
(Stu 3/21/2019): March Madness is upon us! I really do not care who wins (but might as well be Michigan!!!). Ashby is taking us out for the Regional Finals!
My tumor is still there: a little decreased in size, but a bit crazy because there is necrosis which could increase in size. I'm going back in a month as the doctors are keeping a close eye on my brain.
A new wave of favorite cousins made to it town. Cousins Beth & Jason and I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, drove down Lombard St, toured Alcatraz Island (and even met a former prisoner), ate hot fudge sundaes at Ghirardelli Square, hiked through Big Basin State Park, played around at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and lots more! Next, we have Cousin Ally visiting from Florida. Maybe, we will do similar things!!!
Ken, Mom, and I just returned from Israel. We went to a cousin's wedding, visited the Dead Sea, Masada, Wailing Wall and a amazing times! That was my first time to Israel and it was awesome!!!
We also celebrated Stella's 15th birthday by attending Jaida's performance as a flower in the Jungle Book, which was held at her school. Later Stella and I took the cousin's to Duarte's Tavern in Pescadero for artichoke soup (yum) and berry pie (double yum)!
More later!
My tumor is still there: a little decreased in size, but a bit crazy because there is necrosis which could increase in size. I'm going back in a month as the doctors are keeping a close eye on my brain.
A new wave of favorite cousins made to it town. Cousins Beth & Jason and I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, drove down Lombard St, toured Alcatraz Island (and even met a former prisoner), ate hot fudge sundaes at Ghirardelli Square, hiked through Big Basin State Park, played around at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and lots more! Next, we have Cousin Ally visiting from Florida. Maybe, we will do similar things!!!
Ken, Mom, and I just returned from Israel. We went to a cousin's wedding, visited the Dead Sea, Masada, Wailing Wall and a amazing times! That was my first time to Israel and it was awesome!!!
We also celebrated Stella's 15th birthday by attending Jaida's performance as a flower in the Jungle Book, which was held at her school. Later Stella and I took the cousin's to Duarte's Tavern in Pescadero for artichoke soup (yum) and berry pie (double yum)!
More later!
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Good news from the doctor
Sandi and I went to LA yesterday for a check up. The scan show that the clinical trial is killing the tumor cells! The inflammation is starting to subside and I'm feeling really good about how well I'm doing with talking. The doctors are really impressed with how well I'm recovering.
We have friends coming from Amsterdam and cousins coming from Colorado and Miami. Friends from work keep stopping by. It's been a great recovery thanks to all the support coming our way.
Hope all is well with you.
Stu
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Just back from the Galapagos!!!
(Stu at 8:30 PM): Happy New Year everyone!! We had a great time in Quito and the Galapagos. We have so many pictures to share with you! Enjoy and hope to see you soon!
The famous Blue Footed Booby
A hawk taking a Nazca Booby away for dinner.
This guy had too much to drink on NYE 2018!
Red Footed Booby (the most colorful of all the Booby's)
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