Bob Massie

End of a 14 hour day at the hospital and I am tired. Relaxing now at the guest house in the lovely living room – doing email and catching up – sipping Makers Mark and nibbling chocolates thanks to the tender care of my sister in law Susanna.  Bob’s metabolism is still a little freaked out – hot then cold, occasional sweats, etc but he seems to be evening out and gaining strength.

We had some surprising visits today, Stuart Knechtle brought the hospital COO to say hello and ask Bob how he was doing. We had glowing reports for him on his staff and the great care they provide. Even more surprising was when the knock on the door revealed Richard Besser acting director of the Center for Disease Control. Not because he was concerned that Bob represented any pandemic risk but Bob was a good friend of his sister Karen and my mother knows his parents and let them know about the surgery. Every day more amazing connections emerge and welcome and care for us here. My great friend Alison is going to come by on her way from Madrid to NJ – (slight detour).  Allan Sandlin and Jon Gunnamen continue to help us out almost daily and Nancy Newman is checking in regularly too.

When I have a minute to get out of the hospital I find myself in the midst of a beautiful college campus – (as if a hospital were built on the site of Murray Dodge for you Princeton folks). The beautiful undergraduate library is across the way and the main college green with the art museum is adjacent. Some good cafes are at the other end of the green.  It is all green and gorgeous too.  There is even a stone bench in memory of one Sam Tate to make me feel at home. 

John is having a great time at the Duke Marine lab and Sam has relocated to Kunming China and calls when he can. Katie is at the lake in Maine with my folks and, as of this evening, her great friend and cousin Milena. We miss her a great deal, though she does make it clear that she is glad to be in Maine and not hanging around the hospital.