Meningioma Information

Mom asked me to post this information about brain tumors and specifically meningiomas, which is the type of tumor that she had removed.

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month
I was surprised to read this as I gathered information from the American Brain Tumor Association!! That may explain why a few network TV shows incorporated brain tumors into their season finales this month, i.e. Bones, House, and Grey's Anatomy.

Some people have asked for more specifics about my brain tumor and surgery so here it is:

Meningiomas
Meningiomas arise from the lining of the brain called the "meninges." There are three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater. Meningiomas grow out of the middle layer -- the arachnoid. Accounting for almost half of all primary brain tumors, meningiomas are now the most common primary brain tumor

Preoperative diagnosis: large left posterior frontal, anterior parietal parasagittal meningioma

On April 1 the neurosurgeon performed a craniotomy.He opened the dura and excised circumferentially around its attachment to the tumor. The tumor expanded as it went into the depths. He debulked the tumor using an ultrasonic aspirator, a bipolar, sucker and scissors. The older part of the tumor in the center had calcified. The tumor was completely removed. After a graft, sutures, cranial facial plates, the skin edges were approximated with staples.

The pathologist reported that the tumor was benign!!!!

I will have periodic MRIs. It is unlikely that another tumor will ever grow, but if any cells ever appear, the neurosurgeon advises that a gamma knife is used.

Ship Information

Mom wanted me to post information about the two OM ships for those of you who are interested in them.

If you enjoy these short glimpses, you'll enjoy our website with longer articles and lots of photographs especially designed for Carolina folks! www.OMShips.org/carolina.

And the main OM Ships website is full of articles, photos and videos about life and work on board Doulos and Logos Hope. www.OMShips.org

Doulos
Current port is Keelung, Taiwan

Logos Hope
Current port is Cardiff, Wales - UK

Myrtle Beach

Mom and Dad at Myrtle Beach; it was Mom's first day trip since surgery.

May Update

Dear Family and Friends,

How I appreciate your many prayers for complete recovery! Since I wrote 4 weeks ago, it's time for another update.

Here are a few of the blessings of the month:

*precious friends from as far away as Elgin, Illinois and as close as in back of our fence stayed and/or visited, called while Joe was away on another ministry trip- this time in California.

*school friends drove Elisabeth to school and rehearsals

*returned to water aerobics class for 1 class

*celebrated Mother's Day with a joyful, thankful heart

*welcomed Aileen home from the 13th-26th and appreciated both daughter and nurse loving care

* welcomed Mom and John to Florence

*We all attended both performances of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory especially enjoying seeing Elisabeth as Mrs. Bucket on Saturday evening.

*doctors' appointments which gave answers, changed medications, and confirmed progress in healing

*enjoyed attending The King's Academy upper school awards ceremony - feeling both thankful and proud of Elisabeth's academic excellence during 9th grade

* celebrated Aileen's 22nd birthday by visiting Myrtle Beach for the first time

* celebrated Memorial Day with new friends and neighbors, while remembering all the Americans who have given their lives in defense of the USA

* OM ships continued sailing and visiting ports in the Faroe Islands, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Taiwan

We were told that the steroids would be in my system for 4 - 6 weeks after I stopped taking them. Sure enough on May 6, I began to experience pain in my head, neck, spine and stomach. In some ways I think my loved ones were relieved to see that I no longer raced around without sleep, and actually stayed in bed for naps.

During one of the times as I rested I heard Joni Eareckson Toda on the radio. She spoke about living with pain, and offering it up to the Lord as a sacrifice, learning to trust, thank and glorify God each day. How humbling those words were for me to hear, and silenced my complaining heart. Joni and other disabled people live decades with daily pain. What I am experiencing is all part of a healing process. I continue to desire God's will, to learn, listen and grow. Will you please pray that I will patiently wait on the Lord?

On Monday, June 1 a MRI is scheduled as part of the post-op procedure. I will also begin physical therapy. On June 24 is an appointment with Dr. Naso, my neurosurgeon. Hopefully, he will find that the healing has progressed enough that I may resume more normal activities such as longer travel, helping in Vacation Bible School, and maybe even driving a car.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers,
Badeen

Bath Time!

Thursday after I got home, the puppies each had a bath. This is Aida in the sink in the laundry room...she does not look too happy, but she loves the water and did not try to climb out as much as Bailey.

Monday

I have not updated this blog in a while, since I was finishing school and wanted to see how things were at home before posting again.

So, I finished school last Monday, packed up my dorm room, moved things to storage, and then drove home on Wednesday. It was great to see Mom, and she has improved a lot since I saw her last in the hospital.

Please continue to pray for her though even though she is improving, it is still a long process of recovery for her. It has been difficult for her for relax and rest. When she feels good, she wants to be up and doing things - cleaning the house, playing with the puppies, etc. But it gets to be too much, so she needs to learn to pace herself. Last Monday, she started having headaches, which could be from the steroids finally being out of her body. Then on Thursday, she started having pain down her spine and into her lower back. The pain has continued this week, and it is better in the morning and then worsens throughout the day. She has an appointment at Dr. Naso's office on Friday, so hopefully he will be able to tell her if this is normal and if there is anything that he can perscribe for the pain.

This past weekend, Grammie and John drove down from Pennsylvania and stayed from Friday until this morning. Friday night, we all went to Charlie in the Chocolate Factory at Elisabeth's school. Elisabeth was double cast for the role of Mrs. Bucket, so on Saturday night we went to see her perform. She did a great job and loved having a solo!

The tumor was on the part of Mom's brain that controls her emotions, so please pray that she will continue to heal and make a quick and full recovery. Please pray for Dad that he will have strength and patience. Also, please be praying for Elisabeth because she does not complain, but all of these changes are a lot for a freshman in high school. I will be home until May 26th, so please pray that I will know how to help them and around the house.