Sharon Donovan, Author: Legend of Rudolph

Origin of the legend

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer is the only addition to the Santa folklore in the twentieth century. In 1939, Robert May, an advertising copywriter for the Montgomery Ward Department Store in Chicago conceived the idea for a shiny nosed reindeer, a Santa’s helper to distribute to parents and children. An artist friend, Denver Gillen spent hours at a local zoo drawing whimsical sketches of reindeer at rest and play. After many names, May finally settled on naming the reindeer Rudolph, the preference of his four-year old daughter. That Christmas in 1939, 2.4 million copies of the Rudolph booklet were handed out at Montgomery Ward stores across the country.

Rudolph was reprinted as a Christmas booklet sporadically until 1947. That winter a friend of May’s, Johnny Marks, put the poem to music. One professional singer after the next declined the opportunity to record the song until 1949 when Gene Autry consented. The Autry recording rocketed to the top of the Hit Parade. Since then, 300 different recordings have been made and more than eighty million records sold. The original Autry hit is second only to Bing Crosby’s White Christmas as the best selling record of all times.

Sharon Donovan

Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

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Charade of Hearts
Oliver’s story!
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/charade-of-hearts-p-4346.html

Her Biggest Fan
An edge of your seat chilling suspense
ISBN: 1-60154-813-3

http://www.TheWildRosePress.com/Her-Biggest-Fan-P-4234.HTML

Mask of the Betrayer
Book one in the Mask series
Filled with so many twists, turns and surprises, you’ll be
hooked from the first chapter.
ISBN: 978-1-936167-06-7

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/sharon_donovan/mask_of_the_betrayer.html

Echo of a Raven

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/echo-of-a-raven/7275809

UPDATES ON SHARON

3rd May

Sharon has made good progress this week! She was moved out of ICU Thursday and today when we (Mary Beth and family) went to visit, and was breathing totally on her own for over 7 hours today. She was in good spirits and they are starting back with physical therapy and she has been out of bed a bit taking some steps to get her strength back.

She wanted to talk and talk although it makes her very dry and still no water allowed until she passes her "taste test". They tried this earlier in the week but she wasn't ready yet -- they need to still get her throat muscles stronger before she will be able to eat or drink but the pulmonary doc was in and said she was making good progress.

They are talking about moving her soon to possibly another rehab location that will give her longer pt and resp therapy every day.

From where she was a week ago, she is making great strides.

26th February

Latest update from Mary Beth

She (Sharon) is back on the ICU floor she started in. She was very alert and mostly breathing on her own (had “vent assist”) which gives her help in her breaths. They said her breathing was good, but she was excited and taking too many breaths per minute so they gave her a little anti-anxiety drug to relax her. She wanted to talk like crazy but they did not have the speaking valve she was used to in rehab, so she was speaking over the vent which was hard for us to decipher. She was able to have ice chips (much to her delight!) but sparingly. This is all she wanted with swabs of water (said she would pay a million bucs for more water!) Poor thing is so dry. She told us last day in rehab they gave her frozen orange juice which she said was so wonderful.

We were able to see heart dr and ICU doc. They told us they had run a lot of tests so far to see where bleeding is coming from but all indications are it is old blood and no new bleeds in stomach which is good news. Heart doc thought the feeding tube was irritating her stomach so they have her off this for now; just getting IV fluids. They started her on 5 antibiotics and tested her for bacteria infections...... she has a bit of edema in legs and arms and concerned about her low blood pressure so started her on a heart med that will make her heart pump more blood out to push fluids out. She is still on the chest tube to drain fluid from lungs. They plan to move her to cardiac floor as soon as room is available, but hopefully if other two bacteria tests come back negative and no other big issues, they can send her back to rehab soon. This is all she wants as they were ready to start her on some soft foods like oatmeal, but until they know her stomach is better they don’t want to try any food yet..

So all in all so far this seems like a minor setback if her edema gets better and she doesn’t get too much fluid in lungs, which could turn to pneumonia.

24th February

Sadly, sharon's had a bit of a setback and is back in ICU with stomach problems. Please pray that the doctors can sort it for her and she'll soon be back in rehab. Lyn

20th Feb- update from Mary Beth

Well guess who I just got off the phone with!! My mom called me and said Sharon’s voice was stronger today and they gave her a phone! I just called and had a nice conversation with her! Her voice is still weak but sounds so good! The longer she is off the vent every day the stronger she will get!

Yippee!! Hope this keeps up --- I could hear a spark in her voice so I know she is getting stronger!

19th February

Sharon has made some good progress this week! Even though they are still draining fluid from her lungs, they were able to start some resp. therapy and pt. They have her moving around a little every day, sitting in chair, and Weds when I went into see her she had a big surprise! They had her totally off the vent (temporarily), breathing on her own, so she could talk!

Her voice is weak, but it sounded so good to hear!!! This is part of her therapy as they want her to practice with her vocal cords for some time each day, if all else is good. She goes back on the vent at night as it is hard work for her when she is off it but this is what is strengthening her lungs. Thursday she was unable to tolerate it, but yesterday she was doing well with it again. Her main complaint is she is so dry and not allowed any water yet as they don’t want any fluid in her lungs. This is agonizing for her as she is so thirsty. She is able to get a sponge with water just to wet her mouth but she cannot have too many of these even and she constantly asks us for more when we are there I think she would pay money for water! But the good news is she is making progress, although slow, but she is much stronger and we keep telling her to keep up the good work so she can progress to the next step! The nurses and therapists here seem very good and know what they are doing. Also they are very friendly, which is wonderful.

13th Feb- update from Mary Beth

Sharon had to go back to the hospital her first night in the rehab due to bleeding in her stomach. They’re not sure if this is till from surgery or what but they determined at hospital it was not serious enough to keep her and sent her back again to rehab late Friday night. Poor thing back and forth like a ping-pong ball! So they got her settled in and we went to visit her yesterday. She was in good spirits but really itching to get the trach out and talk again. They said they will not start the rehab with breathing until her lungs are totally clear which they are not yet. She is still having fluid drained. Ugh! Everything is so slow for her to get through! But she definitely looked good, wanted to talk (mouth) her words and was writing away on her clip board. She was hungry for news and what’s going on so I filled her in best I could. She also asked for her book tapes and recorder, and this was the first time she wanted this so I know she is feeling stronger. She said she was so bored! I can’t imagine!

Her new address is:

AGH – Suburban Campus

5^th Floor – Rm. 3

100 S. Jackson Ave.

Pgh, PA 15202

***

9th Feb - update from Mary Beth

I just got a phone call from hospital that they are moving Sharon this afternoon to rehab facility which is only 5 minutes from my parents’ home. She has been medically released from ICU as they are pleased with all progress other than weaning from the vent and this facility will work with her exclusively on the weaning and getting her up and moving about! She will stay at this center until she is able to breathe on her own but this is the best news we have had in awhile!

6th Feb - update from Mary Beth

They did have to tap her lungs yesterday to remove fluid. Fluid buildup is from the cath test --- the dye they put in is pushing her kidneys to work and she is retaining too much fluids. Hopefully she will start flushing out her kidneys and get rid of this fluid. Other than that she was in good spirits yesterday and even spoke a few words! Although nurse told her definitely don’t try and talk yet as she could do damage to her vocal chords. But it was so good to hear her voice!

***

2nd Feb - another update from Mary Beth

(Sharon recently had a slight setback with a stomach upset )

"Just talked to Sharon’s nurse tonight.

... they did a bronchoscopy today to remove any fluid in her lungs ... She came through the procedure fine...They said her digestion seems better with the new feeding tube so they are pleased with her progress here since the weekend. Dr said they still want to do the heart cath, maybe later this week if she continues to do well with the feeding tube and stomach issues.

So that’s where we are (kind of same place we were a week ago due to the stomach setback).

I always tell the nurse to tell Sharon everyone loves her and she knows this and I’m sure it keeps her going. We all know what a fighter she is and know she can get through these hurdles and back to breathing on her own soon!

Ok whew! I know we all want some bit of good news to hear so this is a bit of good news and continued prayers to get our girl stronger and on her path to recovery!"

23rd Jan (Mary Beth)
Went to visit Sharon today (did not make it in yesterday due to bad road conditions, we got quite a bit of snow and ice). Today weather was better. Well what a nice surprise when we walked in her room and found her sitting in her chair and wide awake and very alert! She looked wonderful (even got her hair washed!) and was so happy to see us and when I told her about Charade of Hearts winning, well you could see her whole face light up! She was so happy

22nd January, latest from Mary Beth

Yesterday my parents went to visit her and she was more alert and they again told her about her book winning and she raised her right hand to acknowledge. Nurse said she is aware now of what is going on. Drs. were still very pleased with her progress and just taking it slow and steady. ....thank you for the well wishes – she will be so happy to read these when she gets home. She may still be in the hospital quite a while I think – they are talking about rehab stint after she is out of ICU, but not sure if this will be in hospital or another facility. (since she will be so weak and will need breathing exercises, from being on the vent so long)"

15th January
Mary Beth says: "Finally – some good news to report! Today my parents and I went to visit Sharon. She is still on vent and sedated but she was moving her right arm like crazy and wiggling her toes. We talked extensively to one of the drs. He told us they did an extensive heart test last night which showed a slight improvement in her heart function. They have removed her chest tube, another pump which was helping her heart to pump, and another heart assist machine which was helping her heart. As of today, she was doing just fine without all these assists, and they continued to draw down her meds, and she was responding well. She still is on the vent to help her breathe, as they don’t want to do anything too fast. I know the prayers are working! Please tell everyone to keep them coming!"

12th January
Not too much news. Mary Beth reports that the doctors are weaning Sharon off some of the stronger meds and she did not know yet when they would try to remove the vent breathing tube again but so far all numbers are good. They want to try and get her stronger before they try to remove the breathing tube again. She says:"I know everyone is so concerned and praying and so are we. Hoping Sharon is resting well, getting stronger and can get through this. We know she can!"

8th January

Sharon had a bit of a setback this morning with breathing issues. They were able to get her off the breathing tube last evening and she was doing well and even spoke a few words to her Mom on the phone, and was telling her nurse all about her writing and was doing well. But this morning she was struggling to breathe on her own and her oxygen and other levels were dropping, and they had to put the breathing tube back in.

They told her family they would keep her sedated for the next few days until they think she is strong enough to try and take tube out again.

But the good news is they did a heart echogram and said her heart is where they thought it would be which was good, so they believe she is just too weak yet to try and breathe on her own.

Please keep the prayers coming for Sharon to get stronger after a few more days’ rest.

As Mary Beth said when she told us the above - She is so strong and we know she can do this!

***

7 January Sharon's sister, Mary Beth, and her family saw Sharon today. She is conscious, although unable to talk as she still has a breathing tube in. She was able to respond to them by nodding her head and squeezing their hands. The doctors are pleased with her progress so far though, She is apparantly feisty and wanting the tubes out!

Thanks again to everyone who's been sending prayers messages of love and support. Mary Beth has told her about them and I know they will be helping her. Please keep up the prayers, I'll let you know as soon as I have further news.

***

6th January 2012
Sharon went through heart surgery yesterday, after problems with her heart pump which she had after her heart attack nearly eighteen months ago.

Miraculously, her heart was found to be strong enough now to be restarted. Our prayers have been answered, but please continue to send your prayers and messages for her progress and recovery. It will be a while before she is able to be at her computer again, but we know she'll be anxious to get back to wrting those wonderful romances.

Get well soon Sharon, we love you!

Lyn

A selection of UPDATES after Sharon's surgery

Latest update: 9th October 2010

Wheeee! See who's left a comment at the end of all the messages on her 'Get Well' post!

Welcome back Sharon, you've certainly been missed. We know it'll be a while before you can type as much as you'd like to, but even a few lines is great, and proof of your determination and the fact you're getting stronger every day. Go girl, go, we're all right behind you!

(I've removed some of the updates as there were quite a few of them, but I've kept the 'milestones' and it's wonderful that now Sharon can once more post to her blog herelf!) Lyn

***
Latest update: 3rd October

Sharon's home again and telephoned me all the way across the pond this morning! She's feeling much better and getting stronger and able to read messages and emails on her computer, although she can't manage to type replies herself yet, but she wanted me to let you know how much all the wonderful messages, love and prayers have helped her, and that she really appreciates each and every one. She had a great time a her Book Release party at the Author Roast and Toast on Friday and having so many visitors stop by and join in the fun made her so happy! Lyn

24th September
Mary Beth reports: "Sharon was feeling better this afternoon (Thursday) The first thing she said to me was “my book comes out tomorrow!” She is very excited about this news...She is anxious to talk to everyone and continues to amaze us with her will and courage to get through this hurdle and continue her recovery."

21st September
Sadly, Sharon is back in ICU after becoming very weak and tired, and needed a blood transfusion. I know you'll join me in prayers that she'll be stronger soon and able to return home.

19th September
Mary Beth says Sharon is making good progress and finding it hard to wait until she is able to use her pc again. She has her first clinic visit at the hospital this coming Wednesday. Thanks again for your continued messages of support and love, I'm sure they're helping with her recovery.

5th September
Mary Beth wanted me to mention that Sharon's brother Tom and his wife, Priscilla, have been staying with Sharon's parents ever since she was hospitalized and have being handling the brunt of the caretaking. So on behalf of Mary, myself and Sharon's many friends, I'd like to say thank you to Tom and Priscilla, and to Mary Beth and of course Sharon's parents, for being there for our dear friend and taking such wonderful care of her. For all she's been through, dear Sharon is truly blessed, in having such a lovely, caring family.

4th September (From Mary Beth)
Dear Sharon was released from the hospital today! ... we were at the hospital all day getting trained on her heart pump and all her new medications and we all had to take a written test to succeed in taking care of her at home so it was a long process and she finally got released with many hugs and kisses from her doctors and nurses (about 5 pm tonight). She got good chicken soup from her dear friend Karen when we got home but poor thing was so exhausted by the end of the day was just ready for hopefully a good night sleep without getting woken up and pricked for more blood. My brother and sister-in-law will be here until Monday and after that my parents will be her main caregivers and I will help and visit as needed as I live about 30 minutes away...Sharon was progressing very well and will have home therapy (both physical and occupational) and her hand/arm is improving every day!
***
29th August

Mary Beth says:Sharon is settled in her regular room back at Allegheny General. She was feeling very good yesterday – they are giving her stomach meds via IV and she was comfortable and had a better appetite. She was sitting up in her lounge chair and was very gabby and we had a nice visit. The drs. Have taken her off the blood thinner for a few days as they cannot do the scope test until her blood has thickened up a bit. They hope to do this test Monday to see what is going on in her stomach. The bleeding has stopped but they still want to do this test. Also she has some fluid in her lungs they want to drain. I believe this will also be Monday. Other than that her heart dr. was very pleased yesterday and said instead of sending her to another hospital again for the physical therapy she may even be able to go home for this and get a home therapist so we will look into these options next week. She does not want to go back to the last place, West Penn! She did not like them there and they did not treat her so nice! Her dr. agreed he would not send her back there! He is so very nice and wonderful bed side manner as well as a great surgeon.

27th August

(From Mary Beth) I wanted to let you know that Sharon had a bit of a setback last night and got transferred back to her original hospital, Allegheny General, back in the ICU.

She had a very low sugar episode the night before (Weds) and yesterday was really feeling out of sorts and later in the day she got very sick to her stomach and was bringing up some blood so they wasted no time in getting her back to the ICU where her heart drs. Are. They are going to run some tests today to determine where the bleeding is coming from but did say this is not uncommon after this surgery and she is on blood thinner as well, so hopefully it is just a matter of adjusting some of her medications. She has also had stomach problems in the past which maybe contributing.

Keep the prayers going and I’ll go to see her this afternoon and get back with an update.

PS – Lyn I read her all the reviews you sent yesterday and boy did that perk her up even as sick as she was feeling.

Aug 16

Mary Beth reports: "Sharon is progressing very well today was sitting up, alert, and asking very many questions. We have been reading to her all the wonderful well wishes on her blog, and she has been very touched by the outpouring of love! "

Please keep the messages and prayers coming, they mean so much to Sharon, we make sure they get passed on to her. I don't think she realised just how many friends she has and how much she is loved.

You're surrounded by love, Sharon, sweet friend. We miss you and pray you'll soon be back on form again

9 comments:

Sharon Donovan said...: I hope you enjoy this legend as much as I did. Merry Christmas!; December 11, 2011 2:36 PM
Oliver said...: I'm serving drinks with a wink and a smile so belly up!; December 11, 2011 2:40 PM
Hywela Lyn said...: Hello Sharon and Oliver

What a fun post -I've always been fond of Rudolph but have to confess I didn't know his origins.

Oh some mulled wine would be lovely Oliver, thank you. Cheers!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ...; December 11, 2011 3:37 PM
Oliver said...: A fine goblet of mulled wine it is Lyn my lovely, and a chocolate strawberry. Let me feed you, wink; December 11, 2011 3:55 PM
Beth Caudill said...: I love Rudolph. I even have an old book version of Rudolph and Twas the night before Christmas.

My oldest says he's outgrown the cartoon specials but the youngest just had to watch when the special came on TV.; December 12, 2011 4:01 AM
Oliver said...: Hello Beth dear, a nice toddie perhaps. Wink; December 13, 2011 6:26 AM
Sharon Donovan said...: Hi Lyn, dear friend, we do love our legends! I always find a little more lore with a little searching.; December 13, 2011 6:32 AM
Sharon Donovan said...: Hi Beth, who doesn't love Rudolph. One is never to old. The legend lives on...; December 13, 2011 6:33 AM
Mary Ricksen said...: You are something else my friend. Where do you get the inspiration!!! I'll just sit here Oliver and listen to Sharon tell us Christmas tales.
One hot chocolate please! Thanks, take care of Sharon...; December 16, 2011 3:14 PM

Sharon Donovan, Author

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Legend of Rudolph

9 comments:

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