I\'m totally just pasting an email I sent out this morning, so you all will know too. Here goes:

On Wednesday, Janci and I learned that my mom was going into the hospital for emergency surgery. They suspected it was her appendix, but were uncertain and by the time I spoke with my mom that morning, she was being prepared to be taken in to surgery, so it was difficult to discern what was going on from her. Eventually, we found out that she was at Scripps Memorial in La Jolla, although I still couldn't learn anything from the nurses at the hospital, because once they began operating it was clear that the infection had spread throughout her abdomen and what should have been a one hour surgery lasted at least four. Janci and Nat and I decided to just go down there, even though we were unsure what was really happening. I left last minute, so I apologize to those of you who were left in the lurch re. meetings or who wondered why I dropped off the face of the earth, etc. I have much catching up to do now that I'm back.

To make a very long story short--Mom was in the hospital until Saturday afternoon. I was able to be there with her 24/7--I think it was clear to the nurses that it was pointless to try to get me to leave. Wed. Thurs. and Friday she was really sick, but by Saturday she was feeling much better and we got to bring her home. When they went in to operate, they discovered that her infection had spread throughout her abdomen, making it unclear whether it started in the appendix or in her fallopian tube, which was also infected and distended. We are lucky. We are lucky. We are lucky. The doctor really feels that if they didn't operate when they did, she might not have made it. We know now that the appendix wasn't the culprit (unfortunately, since that's what they removed, in addition to a lot of infection, in the surgery). They've had her on powerful antibiotics since Wed. and we're hoping they'll knock out the residual infection. If not, they'll need to operate again in a couple of weeks. They are warning us that there's a good chance a second operation will be needed...Until then, we just keep our fingers crossed and thank our lucky stars she's here and she's doing MUCH MUCH MUCH better.

I appreciate all your love and support and well wishes. If you know mom and want to send her a card or somethin' (any ideas on keeping THAT woman calm and cool for the next week or so would be appreciated ;) let me know and I'll get you her addy.

I'm a bit behind here (obviously), so thanks in advance for your patience. I had a ton on my plate before all this happened, so you can imagine what six days' absence means for an already obese schedule.

Kiss and hug and love your loved ones...You never know what's around the corner. My mom and Janci and Nat have all been a huge inspiration to me over the last few days, proving that there are always people who will surprise you with their grace and kindness and ability to overcome adversity.

April 2, 2002