I've just arrived home and all I'm doing now is hoping for the best for my friend, Christian de la Furente. I am still somewhat in a state of shock.

Tonight it was great to sit in the audience, relaxing and watching the dancing from the sidelines. I realized for the first time how much pressure there was on that dance floor. When you're in it, you're so caught up in it you don't realize how much the adrenaline is pumping. But being able to look from the outside in, I could see it in each one of the dancers. It's really tough!

Marissa and Tony did a very impresive Tango, with Marissa giving it her all. I agreed with the judges, it was her best dance yet. Christiann and Cheryl's Walz was full of class and grace and I loved the piece featuring Christian's daughter. What a beauty she is and everyone could tell that Christian is clearly a most wonderful father. And I loved the subtitles!

Shannon and Derek had a great Tango that burned across the dance floor. Jason and Edyta's Quick Step made the audience jump to their feet and I told him afterwards that I was so proud of how he keeps pushing the envelope each week. Kristi and Mark were superb as always but I must admit that I was surprised to see the judges fault Krisiti for a turn that wasn't done properly. I saw it as well but wasn't sure until they pointed it out. Mario and Karena sizzled and I could see the detemination on Mario's face to get out of the bottom two position he found himself with me in from last week.

Then it was time for the second set of dances. Once again, Marissa gave the Rumba her all and it was such fun to see pull something new out of her repetoire and be sexy and sultry. Krsti and Mark brought down the house with their Cha Cha and I loved Mario and Karena's smoking Mambo moves on the floor. Shannon and Derek's Mambo had plenty of sizzle too (I loved the fake bum revelation! Hilarious!) but it was Jason and Edyta, decked out in Miami Dolphin colors and dancing to what I found out later to be the theme to "Monday Night Football" that brought the audience (and me) to our feet. I think it was the first time I ever saw he was a bit breathless. I must admit I didn't see Edyta's foot come off the ground as Carrie Ann did but that's why she's there!

But all during Shannon's, and Jason's dances, it took all that I could muster to keep my mind from going to how Christian and how he was faring at the hospital. When Christian came to the floor to do his second dance, I turned to his wife to give her a thumbs up. Buut no sooner than half way through his dance, than those happy thoughts turned to concern as I watched from my front row seat as Christian's face darkened and he grabbed his left arm in pain. He made a valiant effort to continue with the dance and even Cheryl seemed to me to look at him as if he had only taken a misstep. At the end of the dance, he grabbed his arm once again and shook his head. hen I knew something was really wrong. It wasn't until Christian fell over because he was unable to catch Cheryl in the final turn that she knew something was seriously wrong too. Afterwards I saw her say that she had heard something pop and thought at first it was her dress. But it wasn't her dress; it was Chrstian's arm.

At dinner with Jason and his wife, his two college friends, Fabian and my interpreter Jack, all we could talk about was Christian. Here's a man who worked so hard, a devoted husband and father who was so excited to dance and now he was at the hospital waiting to find out if he will be able to dance next week. Now I'm at home thinking about my friend Christian who brought humor and class and not to mention red hot sex appeal to the show each week. But most importantly, when I was sure I was going home, it was Christian who tried to cheer me up and who said the kindest words after I was eliminated. As I am writing this now, my heart goes out to him and his wife and most importantly all his fans. I hope that he can make a full recovery and I guess we'll just have to wait until he gets back from the hospital before we know what his prognosis will be. Christian, you'll be in my prayers tonight.

I will be back to watch the show this week and next week I'll be there for the 100th show. Meanwhile, Fabian and I are still rehearsing (we will be performing on the last show) and we are having a blast at Louis' dance class, along with our pal Lisa Rinna. What a great workout!

Be blogging soon,

M