Uma was a theatre person at Oxy. I was never close to her, but was always amazed by her immense talent and her vibrant personality. I'm going to copy from another Oxy theatre person, Erik's (I believe that is who wrote this) to really get the message right here:
Uma is a smart, mischievous, funny, irreverent, snarky, deeply passionate 27-year-old woman. On Tuesday, January 30, Uma flew out to New York City to visit her fiancé John, a musician who was in New York for a gig and who had proposed to Uma on Christmas eve. Uma's usually the type of person to take her time before making any big decisions—if you watch "Grey's Anatomy," Uma is very Cristina Yang—but this was a moment that I think Uma was secretly hoping for, waiting for, ready for; she said "yes" to John immediately and then started calling her closest friends. I've never heard her sound so happy. John has been by her side at the hospital since this happened and he will be with her every step of the way as they continue on this journey.
Early in the morning of Wednesday, January 31st, Uma had a series of seizures. Fortunately, she was with John and he was able to get her to St. Vincent's Hospital, where they discovered she had a brain aneurysm, which had burst. By that afternoon, they had coiled the aneurysm, but Uma was in a Stage 5 coma and the doctors told John that Uma was probably going to die or remain in a vegetative state the rest of her life. That was a scary freaking day. BUT:
That was 27 days ago. And Uma has repeatedly confounded her doctors (in a good way) since that scary freaking day.
Uma has had many ups and downs this past month—including a stroke—but despite what the doctors told us on that first day, her health and neurological condition continues to improve. On Day 13, she opened her eyes for the first time; on Day 15, she started focusing her eyes on us and really waking up. Since then, she's been trying to talk (the tracheostomy in her throat prevents her from making any sound, but she is TRYING), she's been trying to move the right side of her body (this is the side of her body that was affected by the aneurysm and has shown only limited movement, but there is SOME movement), she's been smiling, she's been frowning, she's been rolling her eyes at us when she gets annoyed, and she's been laughing at (some of) our jokes. She's also been getting frustrated at her inability to communicate as she becomes more aware of where she is and the journey ahead of her.
She is showing us many signs of Uma-ness. Every day is like a little miracle. The doctors are weaning her off of her ventilator, as well as weaning her off of all of the other tubes and machines that she's currently connected to. This is all very exciting.
Early in the morning of Wednesday, January 31st, Uma had a series of seizures. Fortunately, she was with John and he was able to get her to St. Vincent's Hospital, where they discovered she had a brain aneurysm, which had burst. By that afternoon, they had coiled the aneurysm, but Uma was in a Stage 5 coma and the doctors told John that Uma was probably going to die or remain in a vegetative state the rest of her life. That was a scary freaking day. BUT:
That was 27 days ago. And Uma has repeatedly confounded her doctors (in a good way) since that scary freaking day.
Uma has had many ups and downs this past month—including a stroke—but despite what the doctors told us on that first day, her health and neurological condition continues to improve. On Day 13, she opened her eyes for the first time; on Day 15, she started focusing her eyes on us and really waking up. Since then, she's been trying to talk (the tracheostomy in her throat prevents her from making any sound, but she is TRYING), she's been trying to move the right side of her body (this is the side of her body that was affected by the aneurysm and has shown only limited movement, but there is SOME movement), she's been smiling, she's been frowning, she's been rolling her eyes at us when she gets annoyed, and she's been laughing at (some of) our jokes. She's also been getting frustrated at her inability to communicate as she becomes more aware of where she is and the journey ahead of her.
She is showing us many signs of Uma-ness. Every day is like a little miracle. The doctors are weaning her off of her ventilator, as well as weaning her off of all of the other tubes and machines that she's currently connected to. This is all very exciting.
To get an idea of how much love is out there, look at www.theumafund.blogspot.com In less that 3 days, over $13000 has been raised to help cover the costs of Uma's medical expenses and, more specifically, to be able to fund the medical helicopter ride that she'll need to get to rehab in LA as soon as she is stong enough. Theres more info on the Uma Fund blog, and I now have links up for Erik and Erica's blogs, which are updated regularly with more info.
But, more than that, I was driving home today and thinking about how amazing it is that not only has Uma's fiance and father been at the hospital with her, but there is a constant flow of friends in and out of New York, from Boston, and from LA that have been there. It got me to thinking about how amazing that love of friendship is, and how I hope that if, G-d forbid, something terrible happens to me one day that the same will be true.
Also, in my life, there are others in need of our prayers and thoughts and good vibes. There is a 2nd year UJ Rabbinical student who was recently diagonsed with lukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. Although I have never met Joel, his wife, or his young children, I am inspired by the community around him and all of the support that has been outpouring.
Unfortunately, the third person who has been in my thoughts prayers, my friend Brian's brother, lost his battle yesterday. He lived a full life, and fought with everything. Now my thoughts and prayers continue to be with the rest of the family as they struggle through this difficult period.
And so, to borrow from some of the great thoughts I've read from those who are closest to Uma and are putting out "requests" to the world: take the time to contact the people you love. Those who you talk to regularly and those who you haven't spoken to in a long time.
Take care of each other. Make sure those that you love know that you love them. Keep sending good and vibrant and happy thoughts out into the world.
lots of love.
~a
But, more than that, I was driving home today and thinking about how amazing it is that not only has Uma's fiance and father been at the hospital with her, but there is a constant flow of friends in and out of New York, from Boston, and from LA that have been there. It got me to thinking about how amazing that love of friendship is, and how I hope that if, G-d forbid, something terrible happens to me one day that the same will be true.
Also, in my life, there are others in need of our prayers and thoughts and good vibes. There is a 2nd year UJ Rabbinical student who was recently diagonsed with lukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. Although I have never met Joel, his wife, or his young children, I am inspired by the community around him and all of the support that has been outpouring.
Unfortunately, the third person who has been in my thoughts prayers, my friend Brian's brother, lost his battle yesterday. He lived a full life, and fought with everything. Now my thoughts and prayers continue to be with the rest of the family as they struggle through this difficult period.
And so, to borrow from some of the great thoughts I've read from those who are closest to Uma and are putting out "requests" to the world: take the time to contact the people you love. Those who you talk to regularly and those who you haven't spoken to in a long time.
Take care of each other. Make sure those that you love know that you love them. Keep sending good and vibrant and happy thoughts out into the world.
lots of love.
~a
