I have a titanium WHAT in my head?

I went in for another doctor's appointment yesterday and discovered that I have a titanium plate (plus a few screws) holding my skull together as it heals. This is something they neglected to tell me after the surgery, so it came as a surprise. I'm not sure why, as it makes sense that SOMETHING would need to do that job, but it did.

I have no idea if this is something they would remove after a set amount of time, but as they haven't discussed that possibility with me I seriously doubt it. I also don't think this will set off alarms at airport security...but you never know. I have to admit, it would be really entertaining to have them wave the wand all over me and discover that the alarm is coming from my head. I've already had an MRI with no problems (it would be a poor neurosurgeon who puts a metal in your head that wouldn't work with his diagnostic tools) and I can't think of any other scenarios where this would be a problem...

Inevitably, after sharing this news with my family, it became a source of amusment.

"Does this mean that you could actually have a 'screw loose' at some point?"
"You know...submarines are made out of titanium. Do you think you're an attack boat or a boomer?"
"What about a periscope attachment?"

Ah, family. Feel the love.

Stitches out, physical therapy done!

I had my last physical therapy session this week! I've been cleared for limited activity (although apparently I'm not supposed to lift more than 10 lbs for another 2 weeks...something they neglected to tell me as I left the hospital) but am supposed to call for another appointment if I hit a "wall." I'm also not allowed to swim in a pool or do aerobic exercise for at least another 2 weeks--the most I should be doing are two thirty minute walks per day. Irritating, but being that I get tired just shopping in the mall for about 25 minutes, clearly there's a reason for this.

The stitch removal was slightly painful, but I'm THRILLED that they're out because I can finally wash my hair!!!!! Having braids is fine, assuming that you choose to have them, but I've really missed my curls these past few weeks.

Still sleeping alot. It's really bizarre to feel almost completely normal but need about 12-16 hrs of sleep a day.

My last appointment is July 7th!!!

Flowers for all

Sorry guys, forgot to upload the flower picture. Here it is!!

..and the verdict is: BENIGN!!!!!

Hello all!

I know that many of you, myself and family included, have been anxiously awaiting the report from the pathologist. While hearing that there is an 80% chance that my tumor is benign was reassuring, there was always that niggling 20% chance that it would be something more serious hovering in the back of our minds. No more!

After a few days of my harrassing my neurosurgeon's nurse (she was very understanding), we got word today that they sent my tumor to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. As many of you know, Mayo is one of the best medical facilities in the world, so hearing that they felt it was necessary to send it there immediately sent up a red flag in my mind. However, I was assured by the nurse that this is a common practice in the hospital and does not necessarily mean the dreaded cancer. In any case, she told me that the results wouldn't be in for two to three weeks!! and that I should call back then. I was not amused (it seems like they kept pushing off a diagnosis here, which of course begs the question of why they were doing that...perhaps there was something they weren't telling me?).

But within 10 minutes of that phone call, the nurse called me back to inform me that they had already received results from Mayo (thank goodness) and my tumor is BENIGN!!! Of course, she used some very large medical terms for what kind of tumor it is, but the part I hooked on to were the words "low grade, level one" and "benign." Apparently a grade one tumor is as benign as it gets!!!

It's funny how you don't realize that something is stressing you out until it's resolved. I feel like I was carrying around a bowling ball that has now magically disappeared.

On to better things! I have two pictures for you all: one of which is me in the hospital with a very special hat on that some people should recognize, and the second is me today. I'm wearing these hats (trust me, this is a good thing for everyone) and I have my cane. In front of me is the garden of flowers that everyone sent me over the past week or so. I have to tell you, they made my experience over the past few weeks so much more bearable than it had been. There's such a lovely perfum in the air in my home, thanks to you all.

Today was my first physical therapy appointment from home. Although they aren't very strenuous, I was exhausted at the end and needed to sleep right away. I feel like an old woman much of the time--I need to sleep after the littlest bit of exertion, and usually for 2-4 hrs! I also took a look at the pictures of my brain the doc gave me today. They are quite graphic and detailed. Wasn't quite expecting that, but it was interesting nonetheless.

Thank you so much for all your support! More updates will follow as they arise.

First day home was Wednesday

Rachel is racing around the house with her cane. In occupational therapy a couple of days ago, it was tiring for her to go up three steps of stairs. Now she is ascending and descending all four sets of 7 steps each in our house. The computer & entertainment center are on the lower level and her bedroom is on the upper level--so she is motivated.

Rachel wanted to go to Target yesterday to look for a hat. She took her cane, bought 3 hats and did real well in navigating around the store. Her friend Steph came over to watch a movie with her and stayed for dinner. She had a BIG day and realized she may have done too much, so she is resting this morning.

Kris

I'm home!!! (and not a veggie...at least, not yet ;) )

...but typing is hard, as my right hand doesn't want to work.

First of all, thank you SO MUCH for all the support during the last 5 days. I won't say it's been easy (ha! as if you would believe that) but I'm making do the best I can. Part of the reason I've been able to get better in record time (even drs / nurses are surprised) is because of you guys and the love you've been sending my way. It makes me want to weep when I think of it--seriously--and I did, a bit, when I was in the hospital. The support, through this blog and all the wonderful things you sent to the hospital were fantastic. I can't believe how lucky I am to have people like you all in my life.

I can't remember what my family posted (as I just read it and the drs weren't kidding when they said short-term memory loss) but as you know, I've had some good, almost normal days and some hideous days. The convulsions were a particular delight, let me tell you. Let's just hope that's all behind me.

I can't drive for a month, due to anti-seizure meds (Linz, we should talk, I know how you feel now...those convulsions were as close to a seizure as I've had, not to mention the meds) but as I complained about that, the nurse pointed out that if I wasn't on the meds and had a seizure, I wouldn't legally be able to drive for a year. So, I'm on the meds with a smile.

Med care was fantastic, other than a crazy roommate (they moved me soon enough, so that was good). I'm sorry that I declined visitors, but that day was the day of the convulsions--and I really didn't think it would be good for anyone, including myself, to have visitors see me in that condition.

I have a cane! Yes, ladies and gents, a stylin' cane. At least it's better than the walker I needed to use just 2 days ago. I probably won't need it soon (claim the physical therapists) in which case maybe we'll modify it into something less harmless...like a cane sword, or dartcane...hmmm. Heh.

Ah, I'm definitely getting a bit woozy and tired. Time for another nap. Know that I love you all, and REALLY appreciate all you've done for me. It's wonderful to "see" you all on the other side.

A Good Day

This is a day of "no's"
No more bullet hole in the forehead (mark left from clamp that held Rachel's head still during surgery; look at "thumbs up" picture)
No more IV drugs dripping into arm
No more seizures ("knock on wood")
No more nausea ("knock on wood")
No more lack of appetite (although not great--except for Dairy Queen Blizzards)

Rachel is in good spirits, walking slowly down the hall. From Dad: "Regrettably, the trauma to the brain did not affect incessant prattle."

Kris and Tom

Improvement

The area of the brain that Dr. Zhu, Rachel's neurosurgeon, operated on affected the motor skills on the right side and was close to the five senses. Before surgery, Dr. Zhu told us that Rachel would need physical therapy, her speech would most likely be "blurry" and she would probably have some short time memory loss. Both speech problems and memory problems would be corrected over time. So far, Rachel has had NO speech problems and does not seem to have any memory loss. (She is blessed.) She does need the therapy.

On Saturday morning Rachel began both physical and occupational therapy--a half hour of each. Physical therapy includes standing, walking, balancing, muscle tone, etc.; occupational therapy includes daily activities like getting dressed, combing hair, etc. The nurses also walked her around the ward.

She is also starting to eat real food. Saturday at noon she had some chicken noodle soup, orange sherbert and hot tea. That evening she ate macaroni and cheese. Sunday morning she had an omelet. By the time we saw her on Sunday, she had been taken off of all IV solutions. The medication that helped control nausea which dripped into her system was also gone and she was very sick. This, too, is not unexpected. So, she was put back on the IV with the nausea control. She has lost some weight, but does NOT recommend non-eating hospital stays, surgery or liquid diets to maintain weight control!!!

Yesterday Rachel had 8 visitors during the afternoon, plus her family, and was very cheerful. She was finally "up" to seeing people and chatting. She told us that it had been a good day. Thank you for all your support, cards, e-mails, etc. Remember, that she can have some bad spells and needs lots of rest, so if you do visit, do not be disappointed if she tells you not to stay long.

We look at her surgery as a three part process. 1) The surgery itself was very scary, but successful (Dr. Zhu's opinion and our opinion). Rachel was amazingly brave. 2) We are now praying that the pathology report will bring us the good news that the tumor is on the benign side of the spectrum instead of the agressive side. Evidently there is a gradation of tumor growth between the two. We will get that report Wednesday. 3) Rachel's recovery will be swift and complete. Dr. Zhu told us in the pre-surgery discussion that he expected all to go well during the surgery; that Rachel is young and highly motivated to get on with her life; that she should be ready to return to BU this fall and continue her graduate studies. So far, so good. There have been no negative surprises, only positive ones of no "blurry" speech or memory loss.

Kris and Tom

Out of the ICU

Rachel had a more difficult day. She had five episodes of convulsions at different times. Her doctor told us that this was to be expected. She still has intermitant numbness in her right leg. It is the right side of her body that convulses. She has been moved from the ICU to the sixth floor, room 248 at Methodist's Hospital. Rachel's departure from the ICU (a day early) shows that she is making good progress in her recovery. She is up and walking around a bit, but very weak. She is on a liquid diet--does NOT like the salty broth, the jello is okay.

She was given a post-operative MRI, results pending. We are also waiting for the results of the pathologist's tumor biopsy. Hopefully both will bring good news. She's extremely tired and needs lots of sleep. Her attitude is excellent. She wants to get well.

Thanks to all who have posted notes on this site or sent e-mails. Rachel receives them all and appreciates the kind words.

Kris and Tom

Sharp, yet stale

Now for the news that you all have been waiting for: Rachel made it successfully through brain surgery!!! We are all (needless to say) very relieved. Furthermore, Rachel is herself. She is talking profusely (no surprise there) and in very little pain. She even feeling well enough to be witty about the whole thing:

Sometime after the surgery, she had a visit from the neurosurgeon. He asked her if she still wanted pictures of the procedure. He was surprised when she answered in the affirmative.

She explained, "How often do you get a chance to see your brain?"

"Still a sharp cookie, I see," said the surgeon.

Of course, Dad (trying to be funny) thinks Rachel is more of a stale cookie... (You be the judge: sharp or stale?!)

Medically, Rachel will be in ICU for two more days. If her vitals remain stable, she will transfer to the main hospital afterwards for about a week. Right now, this timeline seems quite likely. Her only complaint is some numbness in her right leg.

***Rachel has requested no visitors, unless they are approved by the family. She is not feeling well enough to see people, just yet, but thanks you for your concern.

Colleen