Stu just got back from a long walk with the physical therapist. As a treat, my sister brought Stu's dog to the front door of the hospital and Stu got to play with his 16 year old dog, Austin. Both of them were very, very happy!!
I haven't been able to stop the nose picking OCD... he just asked for a tissue because he said he has a "keeper". My sister brought Stu 2 boxes of Puffs Plus today to protect that cute little nose. The Puffs are absorbent--they absorb lots of blood and chunks. OMG--he just pulled another chunk out called it a "bad boy". Does brain surgery cause a person to pick their nose? He told the nurse yesterday "you can pick your nose, you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your friend's nose". Where does he come up with this stuff??? Do you think I can find a muzzle for a human nose on e-Bay?
Deb
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Post-op day 4: 9:30 am
I'm sitting beside Stu again while he picks his nose--he can get his finger in up to the second knuckle. It is getting disgusting. He just says "sorry" when I tell him to stop picking. After he was done with the "cornflakes", my sister brought him breakfast from Chick-fil-A, including the chocolate milkshake he requested. What a lucky guy.
The dreaded catheter is back in his bladder. Stu couldn't quite "empty" last night, and had to have it threaded back in. For all of you guys who don't know where a catheter goes, well, it just follows the stream of urine right up to the bladder. You don't get a general anesthetic to have it inserted, and you don't get any local anesthesia either. :)w
Stu has more physical therapy and occupational therapy today. Otherwise it should be a quite day. Depending on how his therapy goes over the weekend, he will either be home on Monday or admitted to in-patient rehab here at Mayo.
Deb
The dreaded catheter is back in his bladder. Stu couldn't quite "empty" last night, and had to have it threaded back in. For all of you guys who don't know where a catheter goes, well, it just follows the stream of urine right up to the bladder. You don't get a general anesthetic to have it inserted, and you don't get any local anesthesia either. :)w
Stu has more physical therapy and occupational therapy today. Otherwise it should be a quite day. Depending on how his therapy goes over the weekend, he will either be home on Monday or admitted to in-patient rehab here at Mayo.
Deb
Post-op day 4: 5 am
Stu and I watched a movie together last night--or at least I watched, he dozed. It was Iron Man--very good moving for those of you who haven't seen it. I tucked him in at about 8 pm last night. kissed him goodnight, and hopefully he had a good night's sleep. He wants a milkshake for breakfast (chocolate).
He wants to have visitors--5 West, room 2. If he is sleeping, let him rest. Keep the visits pretty short, but he said he wants the company. His parents flying back to Iowa tomorrow.
Deb
He wants to have visitors--5 West, room 2. If he is sleeping, let him rest. Keep the visits pretty short, but he said he wants the company. His parents flying back to Iowa tomorrow.
Deb
Friday, February 27, 2009
Post-op day 3: 5:00 pm
The day is getting better. Stu is enjoying his new room--he is in a t-shirt rather than the hospital gown. I gave him a sponge bath :) and had him shave and brush his teeth. We did another lap around the nurse's station. The PA came in a changed his head bandage. I saw the stitches for the first time..
Okay, so I am a plastic surgeon, and I see all kinds of nasty stuff--blood, guts, pus, etc. However, when I saw the stitches across his entire scalp, a huge wave of nausea hit me. Ugh. It is different when it is on family.
The OT (occupational therapist) came in to work with him this afternoon. It was fascinating. Stu had trouble telling time on the clock (he couldn't do it at all yesterday). He had to sort a deck of cards by suits, and after about 7 minutes, he still didn't have it complete. He had to count coins and make change, and was very slow. He wrote down his name and our address, and his handwriting was just a little bit different andhe wrote things out differently. The therapist said it was a huge improvement from yesterday, but it was subtleties that I wouldn't have seen otherwise just from conversation. He confuses time of day--thought he had a milkshake for breakfast, but it was last night. He recognizes everyone and remembers names without problems. However, his sense of humor is increased. He has been dancing as JT all day "bringing sexy back"....
He still is picking cornflakes (or branflakes) out if his nose, and doesn't realize everyone is watching. I hope that habit goes away!
Deb
Okay, so I am a plastic surgeon, and I see all kinds of nasty stuff--blood, guts, pus, etc. However, when I saw the stitches across his entire scalp, a huge wave of nausea hit me. Ugh. It is different when it is on family.
The OT (occupational therapist) came in to work with him this afternoon. It was fascinating. Stu had trouble telling time on the clock (he couldn't do it at all yesterday). He had to sort a deck of cards by suits, and after about 7 minutes, he still didn't have it complete. He had to count coins and make change, and was very slow. He wrote down his name and our address, and his handwriting was just a little bit different andhe wrote things out differently. The therapist said it was a huge improvement from yesterday, but it was subtleties that I wouldn't have seen otherwise just from conversation. He confuses time of day--thought he had a milkshake for breakfast, but it was last night. He recognizes everyone and remembers names without problems. However, his sense of humor is increased. He has been dancing as JT all day "bringing sexy back"....
He still is picking cornflakes (or branflakes) out if his nose, and doesn't realize everyone is watching. I hope that habit goes away!
Deb
Post-op day 3: 1:45 pm
Stu has busted out of ICU---he is free!!! He is now on a regular hospital floor, 5W-02. Yeah! He still had padded bed rails in case he gets a little rowdy, but otherwise he looks great. The physical therapists and occupational therapists (PT and OT) will start working with him more. He is a little wobbly on his feet, but seems okay.
Hopefully Stu will be able to get a little more sleep in his new room (me too).
:)
Deb
Hopefully Stu will be able to get a little more sleep in his new room (me too).
:)
Deb
Post-op day 3: 8 am
It was a much better night. I spoke with Stu's nurse at 5 am to check on him, and she said that he slept just a tiny bit, but wasn't the raging lunatic that he was the night before. The handcuffs are off. I left Stu with his cell phone last night when I left the hospital, and he called me on the cell at 6 am asking where I was and how soon I would be there. I think he misses me....
So, here I am, sitting quietly in the corner of his room while he watches golf. Somehow that part of his brain that likes Lifetime Movie Channel (aka "Chickalodian") just hasn't kicked in yet. I might have to give up on that idea.
He is heading down to get a CT scan shortly, and if all looks good, he will move out of ICU and to a regular room. Hopefully, he can get some sleep.
Stu wanted to me know this morning that he got 6 cornflake size buggers out of his nose last last night. He also said that he now has a reputation with the ICU nurses that he is a picker and a fidget (not complementary)-hence the handcuffs.
He is still wearing the bandage on his head--haven't seen the scar yet or the lovely haircut. That will be a fun one to post.
Deb
So, here I am, sitting quietly in the corner of his room while he watches golf. Somehow that part of his brain that likes Lifetime Movie Channel (aka "Chickalodian") just hasn't kicked in yet. I might have to give up on that idea.
He is heading down to get a CT scan shortly, and if all looks good, he will move out of ICU and to a regular room. Hopefully, he can get some sleep.
Stu wanted to me know this morning that he got 6 cornflake size buggers out of his nose last last night. He also said that he now has a reputation with the ICU nurses that he is a picker and a fidget (not complementary)-hence the handcuffs.
He is still wearing the bandage on his head--haven't seen the scar yet or the lovely haircut. That will be a fun one to post.
Deb
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Post-op day 2: 4:30 pm
The Starbucks in on its way--my sister Jennie is bringing in the Pike Place Roast with 1/4 inch of half and half, as requested. The cookie is on the nightstand...
It has been a good afternoon. Stu took a little nap, finally, but still has his handcuffs on. He keeps the remote in his hand, and has just enough slack on the restraints to reach his "junk". He thinks this is heaven. He said he is really Bruce Banner, and all the nurses find are shreds of green clothing left on the bed. My friend Alison and I gave Stu and hand rub, and since he couldn't escape, we washed his feet and gave him a foot rub too. As we were massaging his calves, one of the male PA's came in the room behind us. Stu pulled up his jammie bottoms, and motioned with his fingers "up here". Yeah, get us in trouble! I think the surgery stimulated his sense of humor!
I'm definitely taking the wrist restraints home!
Deb
It has been a good afternoon. Stu took a little nap, finally, but still has his handcuffs on. He keeps the remote in his hand, and has just enough slack on the restraints to reach his "junk". He thinks this is heaven. He said he is really Bruce Banner, and all the nurses find are shreds of green clothing left on the bed. My friend Alison and I gave Stu and hand rub, and since he couldn't escape, we washed his feet and gave him a foot rub too. As we were massaging his calves, one of the male PA's came in the room behind us. Stu pulled up his jammie bottoms, and motioned with his fingers "up here". Yeah, get us in trouble! I think the surgery stimulated his sense of humor!
I'm definitely taking the wrist restraints home!
Deb
Post-op day 2: 2:30 pm
Stu is finally sleeping. I stepped out to the waiting room so that he will sleep. He did better later in the morning, and did another lap around the nurse's station. He ate lunch (chocolate shake, half of a ham sandwich) and a celery stick. He finally got his coffee!! The cookies are waiting for him tonight. He is still in handcuffs, but the leg restraints are off. My sister thought I should take the handcuffs home for later use... :)
Stu will have another CT scan tomorrow morning, and if all looks okay and he isn't crazy, he can escape from ICU and go to a regular room. I'm getting to know all of the families waiting in the ICU waiting room--kind of feels like prison--we all ask each other "what are you in for?".
Deb
Stu will have another CT scan tomorrow morning, and if all looks okay and he isn't crazy, he can escape from ICU and go to a regular room. I'm getting to know all of the families waiting in the ICU waiting room--kind of feels like prison--we all ask each other "what are you in for?".
Deb
Post-op day 2: 9:15 am
Stu had a rough night last night. He was getting agitated when I left, and it kept getting worse. The surgeon changed the bandage on his head about 8 pm because he partially pulled it off. He pulled it off 2 more times during the night, pulled out both drains in his scalp, and pulled out the lumbar drain (the drain in his back which decreases the pressure in his head). He was put in 4-point restraints (hands and feet tied) to keep him from injuring himself. The bed is padded on the side rails now. He has been reacting to the steroids ("roid rage"), and gets very agitated. When the nurse asks him to stop, he says "okay", and stops for about 2 seconds, then starts to pull at things again. He is very polite. He was asking for me early this morning, and asked if I had called. I am sitting by his bed as I type, and he is asking me to remove the wrist restraints. I breaks my heart...
Stu let me shave him a while ago--still have to tooth brushing to go. He really likes his nurses, Betti (day), and Dawn Marie (night). They have been amazing with him. Stu hasn't slept much at all since surgery, which adds to the confusion and agitation. Unfortunately, sedation is not an option with a neuro patient, as it would mask any symptoms of other problems.
I know that today and tomorrow will be bad days-the most brain swelling. It is so painful to watch the person you love the most in the world go through this--I would take his place in a second if I could.
Gotta go--the little Houdini just slipped out of his wrist restraints..
Deb
Stu let me shave him a while ago--still have to tooth brushing to go. He really likes his nurses, Betti (day), and Dawn Marie (night). They have been amazing with him. Stu hasn't slept much at all since surgery, which adds to the confusion and agitation. Unfortunately, sedation is not an option with a neuro patient, as it would mask any symptoms of other problems.
I know that today and tomorrow will be bad days-the most brain swelling. It is so painful to watch the person you love the most in the world go through this--I would take his place in a second if I could.
Gotta go--the little Houdini just slipped out of his wrist restraints..
Deb
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Post-op day 1: 5:45 pm
Stu just had dinner--yummy yellow jello, rainbow sorbet, and orange drink. Ohhh-such wonderful hospital food! I can't believe people actually buy Jello in cafeterias or other restaurants--it is meant only for hospitals and recovery.
Stu did a whole lap around the nurse's station for his walk this afternoon. It kind of pooped him out, but he is ready for a swim. He is ready for his Iron Man training!
I'm signing off for the night, and will try to get some sleep tonight. I'm tired.
And by the way, his nurse today is Nurse Betti.. (she is great)
Deb
Stu did a whole lap around the nurse's station for his walk this afternoon. It kind of pooped him out, but he is ready for a swim. He is ready for his Iron Man training!
I'm signing off for the night, and will try to get some sleep tonight. I'm tired.
And by the way, his nurse today is Nurse Betti.. (she is great)
Deb
Post op day 1: 3:20 pm
Well, no coffee or cookies for Stu yet--just that wonderful hospital delicacy of orange Jello. He let the nurse, then me, spoon feed him. He is still asking for Starbucks, however....
The physical therapists are in the room right now getting him out of bed and in the chair again. He is happy to have the catheter out of his bladder, but it hurts to pee. He has been watching golf, moaning,
Oh my goodness---forget the chair, he is going for a walk!! His cute little butt is sticking out of the back of his gown. They are testing the strength in his feet,a nd he is a little wobbly, but seems to be doing fine. The surgeon just came in the room, and said he is doing very well. The brian will have maximum swelling at day 2 and 3, so he may get a little groggy tomorrow and the next day. He will stay in ICU until then, and in the hospital until at least next Monday. All is well so far, and God has been listening.
Thank you for the e-mails and comments. I have been reading them to Stu, and he loves it!
Deb
The physical therapists are in the room right now getting him out of bed and in the chair again. He is happy to have the catheter out of his bladder, but it hurts to pee. He has been watching golf, moaning,
Oh my goodness---forget the chair, he is going for a walk!! His cute little butt is sticking out of the back of his gown. They are testing the strength in his feet,a nd he is a little wobbly, but seems to be doing fine. The surgeon just came in the room, and said he is doing very well. The brian will have maximum swelling at day 2 and 3, so he may get a little groggy tomorrow and the next day. He will stay in ICU until then, and in the hospital until at least next Monday. All is well so far, and God has been listening.
Thank you for the e-mails and comments. I have been reading them to Stu, and he loves it!
Deb
Post-op day 1: 10:15 am
My my, I have a very impatient husband. He wants to get out of bed and sit in a chair (then his catheter can come out of his bladder). The nurse wants him to wait for the physical therapist, but he wants it NOW. I'm thinking that bringing in his bike on the trainer would be a good thing.
And, he wants coffee, with cream, and a cookie. He is a hungry man. I'm in his room watching CSPAN (true love). I tried to convince him that he really loves to watch Lifetime, but I couldn't pull that one over on him--yet.
Deb
And, he wants coffee, with cream, and a cookie. He is a hungry man. I'm in his room watching CSPAN (true love). I tried to convince him that he really loves to watch Lifetime, but I couldn't pull that one over on him--yet.
Deb
Post-op day 1: 9:20 am
Stu is back from his CT scan, and I am waiting for results. Stu's parents are with him right now. He looks MUCH better this morning, and is much more comfortable. He said that his head hurts just a little, and he is able to lie still. He is drinking a little bit of water, and may sit up in a chair later today. He is in ICU (I thought it was intermediate care, but was wrong).
I'll be here all day checking in on him, testing the new software. I love my Stu....
Deb
I'll be here all day checking in on him, testing the new software. I love my Stu....
Deb
Post-op day 1: 4:30 am
It has been a long night. The ICU was full, and Stu didn't get a room assignment until midnight. They let me in the recovery room to see him, and then again at midnight when he got to his room. I just saw him again. He hates the bandage on his head, and says that it feels like a wire is wrapped around his forehead. He hurts. He also hates the catheter in his bladder, and said "I have to take a bladder busting piss". When Alison went in to see him, he said "Hey Alison, I'm peeing, having a catheter blasting pee". He is just tossing and turning in bed, twisting himself in all of the cords.
Stu's resting heart rate is 48 (yeah Iron man!!), which is freaking out the nurses. When he is agitated, his heart rate goes up to 65... (zone 1.03). Freak.
He is scheduled for a CT scan of his head around 8 am, just to check out the inside of his skull. Last night when I saw in the recovery room, he said he was "still working on the UPS problem". I asked him what UPS problem, and he said "delivering to the right house". Where did that come from?? He hadn't solved the problem by midnight--I'll ask him again today.
Time for a shower and some breakfast. Like Tom Boudette says, I'll keep the lights on....
Deb
Stu's resting heart rate is 48 (yeah Iron man!!), which is freaking out the nurses. When he is agitated, his heart rate goes up to 65... (zone 1.03). Freak.
He is scheduled for a CT scan of his head around 8 am, just to check out the inside of his skull. Last night when I saw in the recovery room, he said he was "still working on the UPS problem". I asked him what UPS problem, and he said "delivering to the right house". Where did that come from?? He hadn't solved the problem by midnight--I'll ask him again today.
Time for a shower and some breakfast. Like Tom Boudette says, I'll keep the lights on....
Deb
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Surgery Day: 6:45 pm
I saw Stu in the recovery room. He is awake and talking to me. His head hurts (duh), and he wants the bandage off. I will make sure that I get a picture of the skull cap and post it on the blog. His upper lip is a little bit swollen, and his face just a little bit puffy, but not bad. His parents haven't seen him yet, but should be able to soon.
Stu will have a CT scan in the morning (routine). He has a drain under his scalp to drain any blood from under the skin, and lots of IV's coming out of his arms and neck. Yes, he has a catheter in his bladder, in case any of you guys want to know.
I'm here for the night, camping out on a chair or the floor. Stu can't get rid of me no matter how hard he has tried!! What a lucky guy....
:)
Deb
Stu will have a CT scan in the morning (routine). He has a drain under his scalp to drain any blood from under the skin, and lots of IV's coming out of his arms and neck. Yes, he has a catheter in his bladder, in case any of you guys want to know.
I'm here for the night, camping out on a chair or the floor. Stu can't get rid of me no matter how hard he has tried!! What a lucky guy....
:)
Deb
Surgery Day: 5 pm and DONE!!
Stu is out of surgery!!!! He is doing very well, talking in the recovery room, counting fingers, knows who he is, and says that he loves me!!!!! The tumor is benign, and everything went well. He will be transferred to intermediate care in about 2 hours, but they will let me see him in recovery very soon. What a very long day.
YEAH!!!!!!
The software upgrade has been installed. The stumor is gone!!!
Deb
YEAH!!!!!!
The software upgrade has been installed. The stumor is gone!!!
Deb
Surgery Day: 3:40 pm
Good news from the OR--they are closing!!!!!!! He should be out of surgery by about 4:30. I am waiting for the call that the surgeon is waiting to talk to me. YEAH!!!
More in just a little while.....
More in just a little while.....
Surgery Day: 3:00 pm
The day is getting long--lots of people have come and gone, the cafeteria (camp Stu) is clearing out, and the dinner crowd will be coming soon. The last update said that Stu is still doing very well, stable as a rock, and although slow, the tumor is coming out bit by bit. They haven't given me a time frame yet of how much longer. I'm hoping that when he gets to the recovery room that they will let me in to see him. Otherwise, he will be there about 2 hours before moving to the ICU.
I will be here all night with him, and keep the posts going.
Deb
I will be here all night with him, and keep the posts going.
Deb
Surgery Day 1:40 pm
Just got another update--the same, still doing well. No estimate yet about how much longer. They have most of the tumor out, but now is the small tedious stuff. Stu is stable.
I think I will have to ask if they can stimulate the part of the brain with "romance", "flowers", "diamonds", and "cuddling".....
Deb
I think I will have to ask if they can stimulate the part of the brain with "romance", "flowers", "diamonds", and "cuddling".....
Deb
Surgery Day 12:45 pm
Just got another update from the OR--most of the tumor is out, but now they have to work on the little parts by the base of the brain. It is the "detail" work, so will take some time. They didn't give any estimates of how much longer, but Stu is stable and doing well.
Thank you again to everyone for the e-mails and prayers. I know that the blog site is freezing up when you try to post a comment, but keep trying. I love the comments!!
Just got a note from the anesthesiologist--"Stu is making our job very easy! Nice and smooth".
Deb
Thank you again to everyone for the e-mails and prayers. I know that the blog site is freezing up when you try to post a comment, but keep trying. I love the comments!!
Just got a note from the anesthesiologist--"Stu is making our job very easy! Nice and smooth".
Deb
Surgery Day, 11:40 am
Just got an update from the operating room "Doing well.... good bit of the tumor is out".
Deb
Deb
Surgery Day, 9:55 am
The surgery has started--they called me at 8:45 am to let me know the incision has been made and he is doing well. The nurse anesthetist will text me about every hour with updates. So far there are 10 of us invading a space in the cafeteria just waiting--we are pretty much camped out.
The picture is the gang in waiting...
Deb
The picture is the gang in waiting...
Deb
Surgery Day, 8:10 am
Stu is in the operating room now. They wheeled him in right at 7:30--I kissed him goodbye and told him that I love him--then I cried. One of my friends, Alison, was waiting for me in the surgery waiting room to take me to breakfast. I should get a call about 8:30 when they actually start the surgery. Stu's parents will arrive soon, and my parents will be here today as well.
Thank you to all of you who have been sending e-mails, comments on the blogs, and prayers. We have heard and felt them all. This is the day I have been dreading. I am always really good as a surgeon to make sure that I talk to families in the waiting room right away after surgery, as I see the stress they endure (even for very simple operations). Now I am in their shoes, and I hate it here.
Keep the prayers coming all day.
Deb
Thank you to all of you who have been sending e-mails, comments on the blogs, and prayers. We have heard and felt them all. This is the day I have been dreading. I am always really good as a surgeon to make sure that I talk to families in the waiting room right away after surgery, as I see the stress they endure (even for very simple operations). Now I am in their shoes, and I hate it here.
Keep the prayers coming all day.
Deb
Surgery Day, 5;15 am
It is the big day. It is still dark outside, but the nurses are busy with Stu. He is getting lose lovely white stockings on his legs, and the OR crew will be in his room to take him to the OR holding area in a few minutes. Stu didn't sleep much last night, since the nurses were checking on him frequently. He isn't quite as chipper this morning as he was last night (neither am I).
Surgery will start at 7:30 am, and is expected to take anywhere from 8-10 hours. I will keep frequent posts throughout the day. Please keep Stu (and the neurosurgeon, Mark Lyons) in your prayers.
Deb
Surgery will start at 7:30 am, and is expected to take anywhere from 8-10 hours. I will keep frequent posts throughout the day. Please keep Stu (and the neurosurgeon, Mark Lyons) in your prayers.
Deb
Monday, February 23, 2009
Hospital Admission Day
Monday, February 23
The arteriogram is done, and Stu is doing great. There were very few blood vessels to the tumor, which is a really good thing. They didn't embolize anything, since there weren't any vessels there. The test took only 2 hours. Stu was having fun with the nurses--they had to shave a little bit of the groin before putting in the IV catheter, and he asked the nurse to either shave in the shape of a heart or the Nike "swoosh". I haven't checked yet to see what he got....
He has already had his Starbucks coffee, a cookie, and is now asking for a barbecue chicken sandwich. I'm off to the cafeteria to meet his hunger needs. He has to stay flat on his back for 5 hours (so that the groin site won't bleed), which I'm sure will drive him crazy. He did have success filling up the urinal, but expected the pee to be purple and radioactive. Oh well. We are just waiting on a room assignment for the hospital bed.
Here is the big kicker--when Stu arrived back in the recovery area after his arteriogram, he actually let me feed him a cookie, and give him sips of coffee with a straw!! Wow!!
The arteriogram is done, and Stu is doing great. There were very few blood vessels to the tumor, which is a really good thing. They didn't embolize anything, since there weren't any vessels there. The test took only 2 hours. Stu was having fun with the nurses--they had to shave a little bit of the groin before putting in the IV catheter, and he asked the nurse to either shave in the shape of a heart or the Nike "swoosh". I haven't checked yet to see what he got....
He has already had his Starbucks coffee, a cookie, and is now asking for a barbecue chicken sandwich. I'm off to the cafeteria to meet his hunger needs. He has to stay flat on his back for 5 hours (so that the groin site won't bleed), which I'm sure will drive him crazy. He did have success filling up the urinal, but expected the pee to be purple and radioactive. Oh well. We are just waiting on a room assignment for the hospital bed.
Here is the big kicker--when Stu arrived back in the recovery area after his arteriogram, he actually let me feed him a cookie, and give him sips of coffee with a straw!! Wow!!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 22
Tomorrow Stu will be admitted to the hospital for an arteriogram (dye injected into the arteries to look at the blood supply to the tumor), and possible embolization (clotting off the feeding vessels so that there won't be as much blood loss during the surgery). The arteriogram is scheduled for 8 am, and will take up to 3 hours. He will be admitted after that. He is in good spirits tonight and seems to be handling things very well. He says he really just wants to be "darted", and wake up 3 weeks from now and have it all over. I don't blame him. His mom and dad arrived from Iowa today, and his older brother, Greg arrived yesterday.
So, the "stumor", as Stu calls it, will be history in a just a few days. He is worried that his head will look ugly when his hair is shaved....
Deb
Tomorrow Stu will be admitted to the hospital for an arteriogram (dye injected into the arteries to look at the blood supply to the tumor), and possible embolization (clotting off the feeding vessels so that there won't be as much blood loss during the surgery). The arteriogram is scheduled for 8 am, and will take up to 3 hours. He will be admitted after that. He is in good spirits tonight and seems to be handling things very well. He says he really just wants to be "darted", and wake up 3 weeks from now and have it all over. I don't blame him. His mom and dad arrived from Iowa today, and his older brother, Greg arrived yesterday.
So, the "stumor", as Stu calls it, will be history in a just a few days. He is worried that his head will look ugly when his hair is shaved....
Deb
Monday, February 16, 2009
The journey begins
Monday, February 16, 2009
Stu's diagnosis of a meningioma began on February 3rd, 2009 when a MRI diagnosed a large "olfactory groove meningioma". It is about the size of a tennis ball. His only symptom was a decreased sense of smell and taste, which he started to notice last summer. He attributed the decreased smell to the chlorine in the pool or the Flonase he uses for his allergies--who knew. His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th, and it will be a very, very long day. He will be admitted the day before surgery for an arteriogram (dye injected into the arteries to look at the blood supply of the tumor). I will try to keep all of you posted through e-mails and this blog. Please keep Stu in your prayers for a fast and easy recovery.
Deb
Stu's diagnosis of a meningioma began on February 3rd, 2009 when a MRI diagnosed a large "olfactory groove meningioma". It is about the size of a tennis ball. His only symptom was a decreased sense of smell and taste, which he started to notice last summer. He attributed the decreased smell to the chlorine in the pool or the Flonase he uses for his allergies--who knew. His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th, and it will be a very, very long day. He will be admitted the day before surgery for an arteriogram (dye injected into the arteries to look at the blood supply of the tumor). I will try to keep all of you posted through e-mails and this blog. Please keep Stu in your prayers for a fast and easy recovery.
Deb
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