2ND MRI AND BRAIN SURGERY

We met with our neuro-surgeon, Dr. Ricardo Hanel at the Mayo Clinic.  He was so informative and professional, and yet he held my hand while talking about my lesion. He ordered a new MRI with a higher gradient level and special slices.  He also prescribed the drug alternative in generic form for me instead of Keppra which is far less expensive under our insurance program.  I have started taking it as prescribed for my seizures.

The new MRI was done on Nov 8th at 7:30am.  My daughter, Sherry took me since there were no other appointments made for that day.  We went up the night before and had a wonderful mother/daughter time!  On our way back to the other side of Florida, Dr. Hanel called me at 10:30am.  He said that the tumor had grown just a little bit, but was convinced it needed to be removed sooner than later.  He also said he would have to rule out primary or metastic cancer as well.  He said he knew that Thanksgiving was coming up and wanted to see what I thought about Nov 20th or the 27th.  My response to him was whatever he could work out for us would be fine.  He said, he would try his best for the 20th.

A bit later, his nurse, Kim, called to say everything was being scheduled, however, there was a delay for the 20th for anesthesia, so she would not know for sure until the day after Veteran's Day, Nov 12th.  I told her I understood and we would wait to hear.  In the meantime, looking at airfares for my brother and sister-in-law, I called them and we decided it would be so much cheaper for them to fly in on Nov 15th, Friday, and made those arrangements.

So, again we waited.  I did not want to upset too many people to tell them what we knew so far because we did not have a specific date.  And then, Kim, called me on Tuesday, Nov 12th to say that all was being scheduled for surgery Wednesday, November 20th.  I thanked God for answered prayer immediately, and said as much her.  What no one knew except our immediate family is that November 27th was the "angelversary" of my brother, Williams death ,10 years previous.  I am so thankful this was not the date.

Now, with this surgery being scheduled for this year we also will have the more affordable choice since our insurance is being changed through my husband's company and we will have a higher deductible starting January 1st by triple the amount currently.  Another answer to our prayers!

I found a wonderful "blog" about what to expect when you are having a craniotomy...hope this link works here:
http://head-nurse.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting.html

So now, we are planning to have a bit of Thanksgiving this coming Sunday at our home with all of our family that can be here.  I get to make the turkey and some of our special foods we all love.  Something simple, because quite frankly, I get a bit tired now due to the medication.

Prayers are being said constantly, and my thankfulness to our Lord is undeniably constant.  The blessings continue to come and this journey will be to His Glory.  I will be asking Dr. Hanel to pray with me before the surgery for God's guidance in his work and my recovery.  If by some chance the Lord calls me Home, I will also be praying for my family to be comforted knowing I will be waiting for them on the other side.