Surgery is completed! Surprise, however, this was NOT A Cavernoma, but is indicated to be a Meningioma. We are still waiting for the pathology report to figure out the total situation. It will take some time according to the Mayo Clinic. In the meantime, I am home now just enjoying there is no tumor in my brain anymore!!
The care at ICU was amazing. I was able to meet so many people who were there for one reason or another. It made me so aware that many people would have perhaps wanted my situation rather than the one they were in. Someone actually did not make it and died just before my family was allowed to come visit me in my room....I could tell my husband was upset by this.
To share this is difficult and yet so important... There are some who constantly fill my heart...my husband, my daughters,my siblings, my nieces, my nephews, my cousins....and of course my Mom. I attended Bible College many years ago, and so many friends have constantly remembered those young days when we sang together, shared our testimonies, and prayed so often for God's Guidance of our lives. Yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, my daughters,Amy Weires and TreeandSherry Marti finally shared the "special information" that I could not remember from my brain surgery, but needed to! They informed me that I told them about seeing my daughter, Geri Ann in Heaven, my mother, my father, my brother, my sister and many other family members in Heaven. That Jesus.... told me I could not stay...I had to come back because He needed me to do something still. I don't pretend to understand all of God's total plan, I read the Bible..I pray..I Believe, but this much I know..."this is not all there is"...this is just a wisp in this world..my daughter's told me that I had wanted to stay in Heaven,(this seemed to hurt them of course because they didn't want me to die) but Jesus said it was "not my time". I guess I was really asking the Nurses in ICU about this message...and then my daughter's were allowed to talk to me, only two people at a time..but the Nurses were not with me during surgery, only after...was this what is referred to as NDE (Near Death Experience)??? I have no real idea...
I was able to share the love of our Lord and Savior with the nurses who were constantly amazed at how much better I was doing. I just could not take oxycodone...ugh!! I really did not want to take Tylenol either, it really never helps me, but I let them put it in my IV...just so they didn't worry. I do so much better with Ibuprofin overall, and am still taking that as allowed to ease the pain in my head, I do have headaches right now, but ummmm...it has only been one week. Next week I go to have the staples removed and then I can wash my hair a little bit better.
My family has been so supportive. Between my Mom, my husband, my siblings, my children....and a whole slew of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends...my heart is so full of love and joy! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and the plans to be at my daughter's home will bring lots of good times!
My Neuro-Surgeon, Dr. Ricardo Hanel, was the best anyone could have at Mayo Clinic. He came to see me everyday making sure I was doing well.....and then asked me just 3 days after surgery if I would like to go home....of course I said "yes"!! Everyday, I have been getting stronger and feel so much better. The following were parts that were in the process:
1. Blood work to make sure all was well for surgery
2. IV's and more IV's
3. The beautiful surgery "dress"
4. A wonderful oxygen mask and then sleep
5. My head was infused into a "holder"
6. The left head was at the top of the holder
7. An 8 inch cut was made from the left ear up to the top of the head
8. They took out the bone
9. The brain was opened and then the fun stuff to take out the tumor took two MRI's to do it completely
10. Part of the good brain cells had to be taken out to get the tumor out
11. Everything was then put back together with new glue and staples
12. I do not remember talking, but guess I did according to my husband and family
13. Somehow I was given a medicine that had gluten in it which caused a problem with my left arm
14. My speech is difficult, I have forgotten some names and words, but eventually will get better
15. No lifting anything over 10 lbs for 3 weeks
16. Showers and tubs are okay and I have enjoyed them
17. My appetite is fine and I am quite thirsty as well
18. All the things that need to work, do
19. Writing is so much easier than talking
20. After having received the biopsies, we aren't done yet...this is chronic
We will always be so grateful for the extensive great work given to us on this situation that could have been far worse. Have applied for Social Security Disability, but not sure if it will be allowed as yet. My reports are not complete, however, I will have to continue taking Keppra for anti-seizure for quite awhile yet and not allowed to drive. Will probably need Speech Therapist as well. That being said, don't think my job will be able to be done properly since I had been involved with Customer Service.
We have received the "Final Report" concerning the Biopsy...evidently this tumor is very rare. The name given is "CHRONIC HYPERTROPHIC PACHYMENINGITIS" or Idiopathic Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis. They state that the findings are not specific and require clinical correlation. Therefore, once I have been allowed to heal from the craniotomy, there are more tests to follow, including Hematology.
After receiving this biopsy information, my husband and I had time to discuss the future expectations. We were told by our neuro surgeon that this type of tumor can re-occur. Between that information, my delays in obtaining a good enough speech to do my job, and my inability to drive, we decided it was time for me to quit my job. It was not going to be fair for my Manager to continue waiting for me to get to the level needed to perform my position. Knowing that at this time of year, when the company hires additional help for Christmas, his availability to hire a good replacement should be easier than any other time. It was so difficult to call him and let him know, but he fully understood. My sister-in-law took me to the office to collect my personal things that had been there since September 24th. While there, many of my friends and co-workers came to give me hugs. I had forgotten so many of their names...it hurt my heart. They were understanding, but I felt so bad to have forgotten.
I developed a constant drainage from the lowest part of my incision 2 weeks and one day after the surgery. It is light yellow, I called Mayo Clinic to find out how long this drainage should last. Immediately, they wanted to see me! When there, I had a CT Cisternogram to search for a possible CSF leak. Now, I cannot lie...this was the most painful test even more painful that the brain surgery itself that I have ever had! Thank God it was only about fifteen minutes of the "worst". I prayed so much on that table asking the Lord to help me through the pain and not letting it be a problem with CSF. The nurse let me "press" her hands, probably felt more like a "vice"..she was so sweet. When my head/brain was lowered and my feet raised , the headache was as promised...very bad, and the drainage came out in a huge quantity which made the Dr. immediately bring me back to an even supine position. My prayer was answered, no CSF, and I was given antibiotics to help this drainage, which after a week, has lessened greatly, although not completely gone....and now the headaches continue.
The drainage completely stopped on Christmas Day! Finally I could do things and not carry all the gauze and tissue all the time. We had so many good times through the celebration of Jesus' birth and then of course to begin a New Year with great expectations! My family and friends are so very thoughtful and supportive. The prayers continue, and I keep praying for the path I am on to complete what His plan is.
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