I know some people from this list met with Monica, her dad and friend Sigrid for dinner the night before her surgery. 

I just talked to her dad and Sigrid on the phone--Monica is just now coming out of the anaesthesia and the doc says her blood flow to the brain has increased 4x and it looks great!  You folks have been a big help and relief to her, I know!

Hi Debra,

So nice to know that Monica has a "local" friend!  We (my husband and daughter) were with her, Thomas, Randy and Sigrid on Sunday evening.  We also had another recent Stanford surgical patient (Katie) and her family with us.  We had a great time getting to know Monica and her family/friends.  Today was a long day for everyone, but it was awesome to have Dr. Steinberg come out with such a good report!  When Randy called tonight, he said she was talking and feeling pretty good, which was wonderfully encouraging to them.  Hopefully Monica's recovery will continue smoothly.

Will you be heading up to the hospital at all?  It would be great to meet you!  I'll be back and forth to Stanford over the next few days, so if there's anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask!

, Jill

I just called Monica's dad at the hospital--and he said she was reaching out to take the phone from him--she's feeling better!  She sounded just fine; I'm going to visit on Thursday afternoon for a little bit. 

Jill, I'm so happy that you folks could all get together and share info and support--that makes all the difference in the world.  Thanks, everyone.  I'll pass on the good wishes and post an update after I see her.

~~Debra

Debra  here.  I spent the afternoon at Stanford University hospital with Monica, her dad and boyfriend, and passed along all your good wishes.  She and they are so grateful for everyone's support. Here's the scoop:

I had prepared myself for a wan, hollow-eyed invalid.  Wrong.  Two days since the surgery, and she looks and acts EXACTLY as always.  I saw no sign of any stroke damage (she says she sometimes can't quite find the word she's looking for, but I didn't hear any verbal fumbling.)  She's got a few bruises from IV needles and a dashing 5-inch swoosh running from her temple up just inside her hairline, accented by bunches of very punk stainless-steel staples which are due to come out next Wednesday.  They shaved only about 1/2 inch to either side of the incision, so she's still got That Wonderful Hair.  She's really in very good shape--I was astounded.  Right now she's taking some meds for headaches, all very much expected, but if all goes according to plan, when she's released--probably this Saturday--she'll be taking only aspirin.  She expects to fly back to Germany on October 11.  Everyone's ecstatic and relieved all at once.  She sends her thanks to everyone for their support and good wishes.........

Debra,

Thanks for the complete update on Monica.

Sounds like she is getting along quite well.

I'm so glad she was able to get to Stanford for treatment and to have you and Jill by her side.

Tell her we are all thinking of her.

Keep us posted on her progress.

Hugs,

Lore