Last Tuesday, Mom went for three MRIs of her brain and spinal cord. Then on Thursday she had a spinal tap. She also went to the ophthalmologist to see if there was any pressure build up behind her eyes. He did not find any.
After the spinal tap, her migraine increased in pain, she was nauseous and had pain down her spine. The pain did not subside so on Friday I talked with her, and she had Dad call the hospital. Mom and Dad went in and after waiting for hours, they took her back and did a blood patch on her spine. They took blood from her arm and infused it into her back. She had an epidural afterwhich she had to lay flat for thirty minutes.
Friday night and Saturday, Mom felt better and her nauseous subsided. Sunday morning however, she woke up and the pain was as bad as it had been on Friday before the blood patch.
Today, Mom and Dad are returning to meet with the surgeon who will hopefully have some type of result from all of the tests that have been done. Please pray that he will find something that will take away the migraine and spinal pain.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Continue to Pray Please
Mom continues to have a constant migraine. Mom and Dad have gone to see an neurologist who was extremely unhelpful. They are looking into other options for doctors to find a solution to her migraine. Please pray that she will be completely healed from all of the pain.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Continuous Headache
I appreciate all those who continue to pray for my complete recovery. I am sorry that I haven't posted recently, but the headache continues...
On July 7 we went to the neurologist who spent about 30 minutes patiently talking and asking questions. Because the headache never ceases, and it moves around my head, he thinks that it is due to post-operative stress. He prescribed new medicine, and ordered blood work, an EEG and an ultrasound of the blood flow to and from my head. He said that the medicine should help the pain but to wait for the effect at least 1 week. So here I am 12 days later still battling a continuous headache. I tire easily and have to take a nap each afternoon. I do try to exercise daily either walking or going to water aerobics. In the midst of the pain, I am learning to be still before God, reading His Word, praying and trying to learn the lessons He has for me in this season of life.
On a happier note, last weekend I was able to go on a road trip with my friend Patty! She was the driver, I was the navigator to the OM USA office in Tyrone, Georgia where there was a craft weekend! Most people worked on scrapbooks, but also card making, jewelry making and counted cross stitch. It was so much fun to sit and chat as we worked. A great blessing was to renew friendships with OM women from early ship days as well as Austria!
Another unexpected blessing is in process! There is a regional Christian women's magazine called SHE. I have been selected for a make-over that will appear in the September issue! Surprisingly it includes not only hair, nails, make-up, and a new outfit, but also intensive skin care and weight reduction! (Since surgery I gained 15.5 pounds due to steroids and inactivity.) What a great way to finish my 50th, Jubilee year!!!
On July 7 we went to the neurologist who spent about 30 minutes patiently talking and asking questions. Because the headache never ceases, and it moves around my head, he thinks that it is due to post-operative stress. He prescribed new medicine, and ordered blood work, an EEG and an ultrasound of the blood flow to and from my head. He said that the medicine should help the pain but to wait for the effect at least 1 week. So here I am 12 days later still battling a continuous headache. I tire easily and have to take a nap each afternoon. I do try to exercise daily either walking or going to water aerobics. In the midst of the pain, I am learning to be still before God, reading His Word, praying and trying to learn the lessons He has for me in this season of life.
On a happier note, last weekend I was able to go on a road trip with my friend Patty! She was the driver, I was the navigator to the OM USA office in Tyrone, Georgia where there was a craft weekend! Most people worked on scrapbooks, but also card making, jewelry making and counted cross stitch. It was so much fun to sit and chat as we worked. A great blessing was to renew friendships with OM women from early ship days as well as Austria!
Another unexpected blessing is in process! There is a regional Christian women's magazine called SHE. I have been selected for a make-over that will appear in the September issue! Surprisingly it includes not only hair, nails, make-up, and a new outfit, but also intensive skin care and weight reduction! (Since surgery I gained 15.5 pounds due to steroids and inactivity.) What a great way to finish my 50th, Jubilee year!!!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Ongoing Recovery
It's Saturday afternoon here in sunny, hot Florence, South Carolina! Thank you so much for your continued prayers, cards, calls, rides to appointments, and meals as I continue the recovery process.
I'm counting blessings again today:
* Dr. Naso, my neurosurgeon, read the recent MRI- my brain looks fine, with no swelling!
* I have just completed 3 weeks, 9 sessions of physical therapy
* Dr. Naso released me to travel as a car passenger beyond the borders of South Carolina!
* I may begin swimming laps when I feel well enough
* Once the headaches are less severe I may begin to drive short distances
* I am scheduled to meet a neurologist on July 7 to find a solution to the headaches
Please pray for Joe and Elisabeth as they continue as caregivers. They actually have more tasks around the house these days because the headache pain is keeping me in bed or sitting much of the day and evening.
Dr. Naso said that people who have had headaches in the past are more likely to experience headaches after brain surgery. The physical therapist has explained that not only do I need more physical strength, balance and endurance, but also desensitization as well as cognitive training. He suggested the purchase of a Nintendo DS game called Brain Age, so this week I have begun to lower my brain age from the initial test of age 70!
The welcome mat is out for those of you who travel on I-95 and 20!
I'm counting blessings again today:
* Dr. Naso, my neurosurgeon, read the recent MRI- my brain looks fine, with no swelling!
* I have just completed 3 weeks, 9 sessions of physical therapy
* Dr. Naso released me to travel as a car passenger beyond the borders of South Carolina!
* I may begin swimming laps when I feel well enough
* Once the headaches are less severe I may begin to drive short distances
* I am scheduled to meet a neurologist on July 7 to find a solution to the headaches
Please pray for Joe and Elisabeth as they continue as caregivers. They actually have more tasks around the house these days because the headache pain is keeping me in bed or sitting much of the day and evening.
Dr. Naso said that people who have had headaches in the past are more likely to experience headaches after brain surgery. The physical therapist has explained that not only do I need more physical strength, balance and endurance, but also desensitization as well as cognitive training. He suggested the purchase of a Nintendo DS game called Brain Age, so this week I have begun to lower my brain age from the initial test of age 70!
The welcome mat is out for those of you who travel on I-95 and 20!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
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.
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
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
Friday, May 29, 2009
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