2 Weeks!

It's hard to believe it's been 2 weeks already! Each day I feel stronger. The swelling is slowly going down. The pain is much less. I'm taking a lot less pain medicine too. I even can shampoo my head now, which feels great! The incision is healing nicely.

I've started walking down the street (a few houses and back) each day with a friend Joyce Morris. I've appreciated the many visits, calls, and comments on the blog and facebook. It does lift my spirits and breaks up the day!

Staples are Out!

I went to see the surgeon today and it went well. The most excitement was when he took out the staples; there was some minor bleeding and I nearly passed out. After resting for about 10 minutes and some water I was refreshed and he let me go. He wasn't concerned and said this was not too uncommon, and that I may have been a little dehydrated. I need to make sure that I'm drinking more. Everything else looks good, the swelling may take a few more weeks to go down, which is normal considering this is a second time around.

The biopsy concluded that it was a Craniopharyngioma, possibly residue from the first tumor. It's very slow growing, so we just don't know for sure. This is excellent news since it is not cancerous. We just have to continue to keep an eye on it with follow up MRIs down the road.

Now my biggest challenge is getting enough rest and managing the pain. The doctor did note that the pain was normal as well, especially since he's decreasing the dose of steroids gradually. The pain medicine helps as long as I take it soon enough.

Thanks again for all of the love and prayers. Now it's all recovery, which in some ways is more difficult than the surgery itself. This is truly a test of my patience and faith as I must accept that I'm not as strong as I used to be and may not be for awhile. However, with my Savior by my side I know I can accomplish anything I'm asked to bare.

Thank You All!

My heart is so full I don't know where to begin. Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, cards, flowers, gifts, and visits. Truly, I was carried into the operating room with my Savior by my side. I was calm the entire day going in, knowing it was only my Faith that would keep me going.

However, in many ways the surgery is the easy part. Now it's the daily recovery I face as I wake each day and must find ways to manage my pain (if there) and keep from becoming too bored (yes, I get tired of sitting still for too long). I've read some great books and I'm catching up on many television shows I haven't seen for awhile.

Even though I faced this once before, this is a new experience. I must continually ask myself, what is it I should learn from this? I look forward to reflecting on many of the experiences past and present.

For now, I'm just grateful for good family and friends who love and support me. I'm happy to have visitors anytime as I continue on this road to recovery.

Surgery update: post surgery

Holly's surgery went well. It was a little longer than the surgeons anticipated because of the previous surgery's scar tissue. Of course she is very sore and tired.
The surgeon said that it went well and they think that they got it all. They were glad to catch it before it got too big. She is currently in the ICU and won't be able to have visitors Friday. We will keep you posted on visitor status for Saturday. It all just depends on how she is feeling and where they have her. Again thank you for all the prayers in her behalf.