It seems like the longest six weeks of my life, and yet - so much has happened so quickly, I can't believe how much has changed in such a short time. I was reviewing, for my own benefit today, exactly what happened and when. I have felt like I have really lost track of time through this whole adventure. It might also catch you up on some details you missed, since I have not been posting very regularly lately.
Dec 29th - 1st Doctor's appointment to ask about my daily headaches.
Jan 6th - 1st MRI, my doctor tells me that what she feared we would find is confirmed. There is a tumor - I need to consult a neurosurgeon.
Jan 7th - I meet with the neurosurgeon and learn that I have a large tumor, but that it is easy to get to and remove, and usually benign. I will need surgery.
Jan 11th - SURGERY DAY The tumor is successfully removed, we later learn that it is benign, but a Type II, which means a slightly higher rate of recurrence, and we will need to monitor it. Praise the Lord - no chemo!
Jan 12 - 15 - Spent recovering in ICU, then time to go home.
Jan 16th - Early am - so much for going home. Back to the ER after a bad night and fainting episode. Doc removes a large amount of spinal fluid from the surgery sight - big needle, lots of fluid - Yuck! Re-admitted for observation.
Jan 17 - 19 Back home, but swelling returns on the outside of my head.
Jan 20th - Readmitted to hospital to install Lumbar drain to help reduce the accumulating spinal fluid at the surgery site. Back in ICU.
Jan 21st - Severe headaches and another MRI indicate the drain is working too well. Lumbar drain is turned off, but not removed.
Jan 21 - 27 Still in ICU, with severe headaches. Fluid isn't as much on the outside of my skull, but has accumulated inside the skull, where the tumor used to be, which is causing the severe headaches. Doc drains the fluid from inside the skull with another big needle - Yuck!
Jan 27th Lumbar drain removed.
Jan 28th Moved to a regular room, no more ICU
Jan 29th Blood patch procedure to plug a possible spinal fluid leak from Lumbar procedure - should finally stop severe headaches. It works for the headaches, but I develop back spasms.
Jan 30 - 31 I could go home from the hospital, days are better, but nights are not - can't seem to control the pain at night. Doc adjusts pain meds and it is finally under control. A final MRI indicates that swelling due to fluid is not returning.
Feb 1st - FINALLY GOING HOME!!
Feb 3 - 10th - New complication: Severe leg cramps in my hamstrings limits my movement and severe spasms keep me in bed. Early on, I thought they would get better on their own, but they continued to get worse, the worst days being on the weekend when we can't reach the doctor to prescribe a muscle relaxant or some type of relief. At least I am still at home.
Feb 11th - Follow up appointment with the neurosurgeon. Amazingly, the leg cramps are minimal today - I don't know what made the difference. The doctor recommends physical therapy for my atrophied muscles. Finally a good day! It has been one month since the surgery.
So, I'm not sure if it has been a long or short six weeks - but certainly the most surreal six weeks of my life.
In another post, I will talk about some of the spiritual impact of the last six weeks.
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