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Andrea Eliscu

@4andrealee

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Today was a delightful postop appointment — one week and two days after her heart surgery, and she passed everything with flying colors.

Chest x-ray: great. Echocardiogram: perfect. She’s been discharged and flies home tomorrow!

Then she asked if she could see the video of her own aortic surgery, and we watched it together with Dr. El-Hamamsy. How incredible to watch him transplant her pulmonary valve to her aorta, and then watch her heart start beating again, so beautifully. Just miraculous.

Afterward we walked home from the hospital with a couple of side trips — a 4-mile walk, and Alicia did every step of it.

She was in optimum health going in, aside from the aortic valve, but the surgery Dr. El-Hamamsy and his team performed is truly breathtaking. by @4andrealee

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a month ago

New York City has not been anything like what we see about it in the Orlando media. It has been kind, giving, and wonderful to Alicia, Shy, and myself.

As many of you know, Alicia came to New York to have the Ross procedure on her heart, performed by famed cardiac/aortic surgeon Ismail El Hamamsy, MD, PhD.

Last Monday we had her pre-op appointment, and Tuesday she had her aortic surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital. She was in the ICU for two days, then the step-down unit for two more, and came back to the apartment we rented on Saturday. It really is quite miraculous — she’s had no pain, and when she’s had discomfort, Tylenol has taken care of it.

On Sunday, her brother Max and sister-in-law Kate came for brunch. We had a lovely visit, and the bagels, bialys, and rugelach were yummy — there must be something in the water in New York that makes them so delicious. That evening, I met Max, Kate, and my granddaughter Mimi for dinner and a walk back to the apartment.

One of the things about New York is how much walking there is, and how kind everyone has been — stepping aside, giving directions, just generally sweet.

Each day Alicia has walked farther and farther, which is exactly what she needs to do post-op. She’s feeling great.

Today we took an Uber to Brooklyn to visit Mimi. We had a beautiful time — her apartment is adorable and her neighborhood looks like something out of a storybook. We walked around, stopped for Mediterranean food, and grabbed a coffee.

This procedure, the surgeon and his team, and how safe and comfortable we’ve felt in New York City — it’s been eye-opening.

We are very grateful. by @4andrealee

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a month ago

Happy 20th birthday to my granddaughter, Cady! We’re in NYC for a weekend of celebrating before her mom’s surgery next week.

Last evening we had a great time visiting with Cady’s cousin, Leo, who’s moved to the city for his first job at Bank of America after graduating from Georgetown. The cousins had so much fun laughing over old memories.

Today we were awed by a private tour of the World Trade Center — absolutely a must-see, and also so devastating. Then breakfast at a diner, and on to something I could live the rest of my life without doing but the girls loved: thrifting.

Home to clean up after 7 miles of walking, then out for a birthday dinner. It’s so much fun watching these girls together and seeing how much they love their parents. by @4andrealee

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2 months ago

Today is a big day for our family. My grandson, Leo will be graduating from Georgetown just like his father did. He has a job in New York City that starts in a couple of weeks and I am just so excited for him. by @4andrealee

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5 months ago

This Thanksgiving weekend has been nothing short of incredible, filling my heart with immense gratitude and joy. I'm truly blessed to have had all my grandchildren under one roof, sharing unforgettable moments and creating lifelong memories. Our evening at Max and Kate's home was especially fabulous, surrounded by loved ones and engaging in wonderful conversations. Today, the Sorensen women embarked on a fun-filled adventure, starting with a 4:30 Pilates class at Club Pilates in Winter Park. Cady and I have been enthusiasts, but it was a first for Eden, Payton, and Alicia, who were thoroughly impressed by this holistic approach to exercise and stretching. We then headed to Ulta, where we indulged in a world of makeup and lipstick, discovering new favorites. I did find myself in a bit of a predicament with a stubborn lipstick stain, but a quick Amazon order for a remover should resolve the issue. This evening, Alicia treated us to the Advent sponsored Christmas experience at Leu Gardens, which was nothing short of magical. As we strolled through the beautifully lit gardens, arm in arm, taking in the sights and capturing memories, I felt my heart overflow with love and appreciation. Before the girls depart tomorrow, we snuck in a photo shoot on Park Avenue, cherishing every moment. I couldn't help but think of Edward, knowing he would have reveled in every moment, and we all shared that sentiment. As I reflect on this extraordinary weekend, I'm reminded of the profound love that comes with watching my family grow, evolve, and flourish. It's a love that's both humbling and uplifting, filling my heart with immense pride and gratitude. by @4andrealee

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10 months ago

OMG! This morning I spent time time with Isabel Allende whose book I am reading. She lives in Belvedere and my friends stopped at her house to drop off a birthday present. She is BEAUTIFUL. This was incredible. by @4andrealee

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1

a year ago

My young cousin wrote me that this happened during last night, two blocks from her apartment. She says it is terrifying. She is glad that her children slept through the noise and shaking. I appreciate all of you who are sending thoughts and energy to the civilians of Israel and Iran. by @4andrealee

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1

a year ago

Many of my friends know or know of my cousin Joann who grew up with me in Chicago, married an Israeli, lives in Tel Aviv and has 4 children and 8 grandchildren.

I’ve talked to her and it is very terrifying over in Israel as you can well imagine. I just received this text from her daughter who has a new baby girl and an adorable three-year-old. Sigal and family live a few blocks from her Mom and Dad. “ A rocket fell in our neighborhood tonight very close to us. Was a huge blast and very scary. We are ok and the kids are sleeping 🙏”

The airports are closed, so no flights and no flights out, and I cannot even imagine what it is like to be living in the midst of a war yet again

Please send your energy to keep them safe and all of the innocent people in both Israel and Iran. by @4andrealee

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3

a year ago

More on my kitchen living renovation. You may recall I was trying to get somebody that would fix my table that weighs 800 pounds and really had to be worked on in my condo. I had pretty much destroyed its beauty with orchids that have bleached through and made spots that I could not remove.

I loved the island that I had re-done so I called Cabinet Kings to see if they could help me. They told me they were not comfortable doing the table because it’s just not their place of excellence, but they told me they would come and prep the space and put up the tent with a zipper if I could get somebody to strip it and re-stain it.

Thank you to my very very special Kim who is also extraordinarily talented and she offered to revive my table. It is so beautiful and I am so thrilled. by @4andrealee

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0

a year ago

To my family and friends, who know me, you know that I very rarely sit still. I love to fill my day with both giving and receiving and not wasting a minute resting.

Well, I think I’m finding out something about myself. I have been up at the farm for a week now and I am so incredibly happy. This is truly a slice of heaven and I am so grateful that Edward and Rick decided to buy this 25 years ago. Each day is extraordinary, especially in May, which is truly spring popping out of the ground.

When I arrived last Wednesday, I thought none of my plantings from last year had survived. I was told to be patient that there had been frost just two weeks earlier. But it still looked so barren. Well what I’ve learned is up here in Wisconsin is that when spring arrives -every hour something happens. It is almost like watching a video in slow motion. My plants are popping out of the ground, and then those plants are becoming flowers and those flowers are offering color and that’s all in one week.

And the birds, I cannot begin to tell you about the birds, which actually I sit still to watch. I have four birdfeeders and I have seen Orioles, robins, Blue Jays, bluebirds, sparrows, crackles, owls and woodpeckers. It gives me great joy, which is a quiet thing and most of you know I’m not very quiet.

I’ve played golf three times and was absolutely in the zone. The grass and the greens are totally different. It is very hilly and you have to really understand how the ball is going to move on the hillside. It was so much fun and I felt so empowered which is not how I actually feel about golf most of the time.

Our horses are happy and love being fed both apples and carrots. It is simply beautiful to sit on the deck and just look out and be grateful. I wish I could bring each and every one of you up here to my slice of heaven. by @4andrealee

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a year ago

What a lunch treat in Baraboo,WI following golf. We stopped at Emma’s Mexican Market and Tacqueria. Every thing we ordered was delicious. They’ve just opened and could not have been nicer. I felt like I was back in Mexico. by @4andrealee

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1

a year ago

This weekend I went to Boston to be able to watch my granddaughter Payton, who is a senior at Amherst in a pole vaulter and my granddaughter Cady a freshman at Smith and also a pole vaulter compete at the New England field and track championship in pole vaulting at the New Balance Center. Both girls had a great meet. It was so exciting to watch them.

Just being with them at the competition and then going out to eat and hanging out was awesome. I am grateful to their coaches for letting them stay with me Friday night so we could go to dinner and hang out. Then on Saturday, they had to go back to the Meet to watch their teammates and I flew home to Orlando. https://share.icloud.com/photos/038uS7oWzLBANSsv0o5EY9TnA by @4andrealee

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2 years ago