Good News...

Hi, Folks. It's me again - after a long and healthy absence.

During the Christmas holidays, while I was back east, I was fortunate to have an consultation with a neurosurgeon (Weingart) at Johns Hopkins. He had reviewed my MRIs and the reports and noted the absence of my symptoms of hydrocephalus. He saw no need for immediate surgery (hurray!). And he pretty much left matters in my hands. If I simply can't stand the thought of something growing ever so slowly in my head, The surgeons at Hopkins will be all to glad to operate. But if I go along symptom-free, I just need to have an annual MRI check-up so that doctors can track growth. You can bet I took option #2!

This was better news than I ever expected. What a Christmas gift!

So, I expect this to be my last "blog" for quite some time. No need to check in again unless you get an e-mail from me alerting you to new "Sue's News".

Thanks, again, for being such a great support. It has truly made a difference to me.

With much love...Sue

Amazing -

- that I'm home already! The surgery went perfectly. You can imagine how grateful I am to all the staff at Univ. of Colorado Health Sciences Center. They were excellent. The only sign that I've had surgery is a small area at the top of my head that was shaved and stapled. Staples come out in about a week. My symptoms (off-balance walking) are going away.

My gratitude extends to you, my friends, for all your care and concern. It was like a warm blanket wrapped around me. Hold on to that blanket until my second round with the surgeon. In a couple of months - maybe three - I'll probably go back to have the actual tumor removed. (This operation simply gave the backed up spinal fluid a place to go.) But for now, I'm enjoying life and intend to make the most of the coming holidays.

Love - Sue

10/12/07 comments

Sue is recovering well.

Yesterday afternoon when I returned to the hospital, the staff had removed the 10 to 15 cables and tubes that anchored her to the bed and wall and she was sitting in a chair, crossed legged like a Buddha, reading.

She is out of intensive care but still in the ICU area until they get a bed for her “on the floors”. I believe this means in another area of the hospital and not literally on a floor because I did not bring our cots or sleeping bags.

Her appetite is back and in full swing – I expect “we” will be on a diet soon.

She did walk down the hall to put a survey in a box and I think her walked and stability seemed improved over last weeks. The doctor could already see some drainage starting to take place, but it is expected that full re-adjustment and alignment will take a awhile.

I knew she was better when she asked for her knitting bag and she is talking about going home today, seeing a show Saturday night, and going to church Sunday.

Thanks for your thoughts.

dave

Surgery

Monday 10/22/07

0545 arrived at hospital
0630 - ~ 0830 Prep-ed for surgery and had another MRI plus EKG
~0830 - ~ 1100 surgery
~1130 - ~1330 recovery (some was in part to waiting on an ICU room becoming available)
~1400 Talked to brother and kids.

Expected to be in the ICU for 24 hours

Release from the hospital is event driven, but probably(and hoping for) a Wed or Thur release date.

Thanks for all the thoughts

dave

The Countdown

One more day before surgery on Monday. Since I'm scheduled to report in at 6:30AM, we have decided to go up to Denver on Sunday to be close by. Snow and wind are predicted for tomorrow, so we want to allow plenty of time to get there.

Today, it's a sunny 77 degrees, but by tonight the temp should drop almost fifty degrees! That's the way it is in Colorado!

Many have asked, so here's what's happening. Dr. Ojemann will perform an endoscopic ventriculoscopy - that means he won't be exposing my brain to a very great extent. This is good. The less exposure to air the better. The operation will take about three hours. I expect to be in the hospital (University of Colorado Health Sciences Center)about three nights. Recovery time should be a matter of weeks.

Dave has offered to take over the blog, maybe posting one on Tuesday.

It has amazed me to discover how many people have had brain surgery! Thank you for coming out and talking about it. That has been a real comfort to me. Your experiences have bolstered my confidence.

The love and care of friends have been truly wonderful. Thank you all.

- Sue

Surgery Scheduled!!

After being told that I had more than a month to wait to be seen, Dr. Lillehei (head of the Neurosurgery Dept. at the Univ.) had a talk with the surgeon. Now I'm set for surgery next Monday!

Dave and I will go up to Aurora for the pre-op exam tomorrow and meet with the man who will do the deed. He is Steven Ojemann, and apparently he is pretty well know for this kind of work. As long as he has steady hands, he's my man.

Hold a good thought for me on Monday....

Love to all - Sue

Moving On....

After being told I would have to wait up to six weeks for surgery, it looks like Dr. Lillehei has intercede on my behalf. This Wednesday, the 17th, Dave and I will travel to Aurora for my pre-op tests and paperwork. I'm excited.

Things were looking pretty grim over the weekend, but now I'm really smiling! Imagine that. I'm happy that I'll have brain surgery!

Thanks for checking in on my blog. Stay tuned.

- Sue