Shirley Carson had her lung cancer surgery at Braddock Campus on March 19th. She spent about seven days in the Cardiovascular Unit and then was moved to the Fifth Floor where she stayed for maybe another four days. She is now in the Extended Care area of the hospital, where she is receiving both physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Shirley Carson Receives Her Scrapbook

Since arriving in the Extended Care unit, Shirley has shown a marked improvement in her progress. Early in Shirley’s stay at the hospital, people were advised not to visit her because she was so very weak and tired out by the slightest distraction. Even now, it is not recommended that people visit for more than a few minutes at a time. Shirley is a very sick woman and recuperation is going to be a slow process. We need to give her every opportunity to rest so that her recovery will be as speedy as we would like it to be.

You have all seen portions of her scrapbook and, for the most part, everyone has written an excellent message to Shirley; the book was completed late last night and I delivered it to her today. Mary Schaver and Diana Aman were present at the time, and Dolores Stone arrived within about twenty minutes with a friend. Shirley was happy with the scrapbook. The Ladybirds are near and dear to her heart, and the book brings back memories of lots and lots of happy times. For the last two days, Shirley has wanted to sing a song. Yesterday, Mary, Shirley and I sang Oh, You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby, and today we sang Let Me Call You Sweetheart and The Blessing. Shirley says that singing makes her so happy!

Shirley is so appreciative of all the beautiful cards, flowers, gifts, and prayers. She can still use all the prayers you can utter. She says she has experienced several small miracles and some not so small miracles. Prayers work miracles; please keep the prayers coming!

Mary Schaver Eats A Snack

I have been sending email updates on Shirley’s condition on a regular basis, and I will continue to do so. Dolores and her friend Pat Blubaugh brought Shirley some balloons and also a duck which plays Singin’ in the Rain. That brought a smile to Shirley’s face.

The nurses and family members have been talking with Shirley and have encouraged her to make goals for herself and to try to acheive these goals. She said that she’s working on being able to walk to the bathroom without having to call for assistance. That’s an excellent start; one goal will lead to another, and good progress can’t help but happen with this strategy.

Diana Aman Visits Shirley Carson

From what Shirley has said, she had no idea of what to expect after her surgery, and she was really shocked at the extreme pain and discomfort she has been experiencing. Also, she has had several changes in her medication, which was actually too powerful and she was too much “under the influence.” She is now on less potent medication and is so much more alert.

Shirley Carson & Her New Toy

We’re so happy for Shirley that this surgical procedure is over for her and that she is on the road to recovery. We wish her every success in her rehabilitation. May she progress rapidly and focus on herself one hundred per cent!

Shirley Carson’s Flowers