The Final Chapter--11 weeks post op

It is time to say good-bye to the blog. If only I could have seen this day several months ago, the aches, tears, and stress of a brain tumor would have seemed so small. Stu is doing so well--he has been back at work for a week, 4 months ahead of schedule. His eyesight is clear and 20/20. He is out on a bike as I write, getting back in shape to compete in Iron Man Arizona in November 2009. I have no doubt that not only will he finish, but he will surpass all of his other previous Iron Man times.

For all of you who wonder if the surgeon zapped the Lifetime Movie channel part of his brain, the answer is "no". But, Stu has done laundry every day during his recovery, loaded, washed, and unloaded the dishwasher, and folded the cleaning towels into the neatest little piles. He did not do that (okay, rarely did that) prior to surgery. His mood is calm, he smiles, and has a great outlook on life. A good friend called last night and told me that Stu is so incredibly different from just before surgery--he described Stu as "soft and calm, like the Stu he first met years ago". God answers prayers in the strangest ways!

So, thank you for following the blog and thank you for the posted comments. There are over 200 people who have logged on! For me, the blog has been a way to sort my thoughts, keep myself sane, and keep in touch with friends and family. Mostly however, the blog is a record for Stu, so that he can go back and see the amazing journey he has been on, and how far he has travelled. He will have regular MRI's every 3 months to make sure the "stumor" hasn't returned, but I have not doubt that whatever comes, we can handle it together.

Isaiah 43: 1-3
But now thus says the Lord:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you:
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the water, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Thank you God, for giving me Stu back.

With love,
Deb

Week 7 post-op

As you may have noticed, I am only updating the blog every week now--guess that means Stu is doing great!! He loves is "wings" (read 'car keys'). The freedom has been wonderful to both of us, and nice for all of our wonderful friends who have been driving Stu around. Stu goes to the gym almost every day, walks/runs on the treadmill, rides the stationary bike, and now lifts some weights. He still hasn't been on his road bike out on the open prairie for fear that he may fall and truly crack open his skull. That would be messy. He plans to get in the pool on Wednesday and join his swimming buddies in a workout.

Stu's 46th birthday was Saturday. He is a little more bald, thanks to the head shave, but that is temporary. We went out to dinner, and he enjoyed the texture of his food (best he can do without a sense of smell!!).

Stu isn't sure when he will be back at work, but it takes 3-6 months for the brain swelling to completely resolve. He will have another MRI at 3 months post-op, and I think that will give a better idea. For now, he is focused on gaining back some strength and endurance, resting well, and recovering. Happy Birthday!

Deb

6 weeks post-op

Stu is back on the road!! He just got permission to drive, and I'm sure that he will be out in the truck before I even get home today... Stu's dad has been here for a week helping Stu get to appointments, the gym, dinner, etc., and he has been a blessing. What a great father-in-law!!

Stu continues to get better every day. His double vision is completely gone. His puffy cheeks from the steroids are going away, as are the extra pounds from the steroid-induced eating. His nose has healed, and the scar on his head actually looks pretty good (he will tell you otherwise). He is sleeping well, although his snoring keeps the rest of us in the house from catching too many zzzz's. He has physical therapy just once a week now, just to keep an eye on his progress, but he can do most of it at the gym by himself. I don't think it will be long until he gets out on his road bike. Ironman Arizona is only 7 months away, so he will need help from his IM friends to get back in shape.

Keep the comments coming--Stu reads the blog every day!

Deb

5 weeks post-op

How nice it would have been to just skip over the last 5 weeks and jump to today. What a difference. Stu is doing fantastic--he was released from occupational therapy (OT), and now only has to go to physical therapy (PT) once a week. He has surpassed all of their milestones for recovery. He had an eye exam last week, and still has a little bit of double vision, so no driving yet.

Stu had an old friend from college visit over the weekend and the guys had a great time. They went for a hike on Saturday and Monday--slower than pre-surgery, but steady! The watched TV, laughed, ate, laughed, ate, and generally had a good time. Brad flew back yesterday, and Stu's dad arrived today (surprise!!) to help with the driving. Stu was very surprised (and pleased) when his dad walked in the door.

Stu doesn't know yet when he will be released to go back to work or to drive, but he is getting ready for both. I'm sure that being stuck at home gets pretty old after a while.

Deb

Amost 4 weeks since surgery

Stu went to Phoenix Sun's game last night and had a great time--it was a big outing for him! The picture posted is a little dark, but Stu is on the left, and Kyle, his Iron man training partner is on the right. He had a great night of basketball, beer, hot dogs and nachos.

It is hard to believe that it has been almost 4 weeks since surgery. Stu has started working out at the gym in addition to his physical therapy. He walks on the treadmill for about 20 minutes, and then spins on the recumbent bike for about 20 minutes. His double vision is almost gone, so that helps him a lot. He hasn't had a nose bleed, and he has been faithful following the doc's instructions to keep foreign objects out of his nostrils.

Stu won't let me post a picture of his head scar yet.....

Deb

Three weeks, 2 days post-op

The visit to the ENT doc went well yesterday. My dad stayed with Stu until a friend arrived to take him to the doctor's appointment. No ambulance was needed, and the crime scene is clean. I haven't been put in shackles yet. Stu was told to keep the inside of his nose moist with Vaseline or Bacitracin ointment. Otherwise, NOTHING is to go in the nose--no tissues, no Q-tips, and especially no fingers. We shall see....

The double vision is improving each day. Stu isn't wearing the pirate's patch anymore. Anyone need a parrot??

Deb

3 weeks, one day post-op

It is amazing what a difference 3 weeks can make. Stu is at home alone this week, as I returned to work on Monday. He is a little bit bored and feels stuck at home. Yesterday was his last dose of steroids (yeah!!), and his last dose of seizure medication. His double vision is getting much better (most likely a side effect of the seizure medication). He is wearing a ball cap rather than a do-rag, which is much improved. Most days he takes a shower and shaves (yeah again!)

The nose-picking OCD is not better. In fact, he has picked so much that Stu now gets regular nose bleeds. This morning I walked into the bathroom and found him standing at the sink with blood everywhere--on the floor, on counter, all over his face, and a trash can full of bloody tissues. It looked like a crime scene. As I was cleaning the floor with a wet rag and Chlorox, I could only imagine that CSI would still know that there was blood everywhere, and they would still suspect the wife. The "bloody nose" excuse just wouldn't cut mustard....

So, Stu is going to the ENT doctor today for official treatment of the bloody nose and hopefully to decrease the nose-picking habit. More to follow...

Deb