November 12: Happy Birthday

Dear Friends and well wishers, many of you have called or written in the last few days to inquire about Sujata’s progress. She is indeed getting better, but very very slowly. She has an intense case of GVHD (Graft versus Host disease) and while all the medication and treatment at the hospital is helping, she is still in a lot of discomfort, requiring intravenous pain medication and very high doses of steroids and, of course, many other drugs. The nurses who take care of her during the day and night are very efficient and caring and have done their utmost to make Sujata feel comfortable. We are eternally grateful to them.

It is hard to say when she will be ready to come home. Hopefully soon.

Today (November 12)  is Sujata’s birthday. A big thanks to all who sent in good wishes and have written cheerful messages on this site. Mount Sinai presented her a stuffed Birthday Bear and we brought her balloons to tie at the head of her bed. We could not bring in a birthday cake, since Sujata is on a low sugar diet. We will plan that for her next birthday -- at home, with many of you wishing her “Happy Birthday” in person.

PS. Photo above of the birthday girl with balloons