Late last evening, under the cover of dark, John and Jack bustled me into the car and we got outa Dodge! The trip home was filled with humorous chatter and serious conversation, some of which didn't have anything to do with my brain! What a relief!
Tired as we were, I realized we were still surrounded with the palpable encouragement and support of our family and friends and many wonderful people we don't know who were willing to pray for us throughout this time of trial. We send our heartfelt thanks to each one who lifted our needs before the Throne of Grace! Please know that our Heavenly Father answered your prayers.
The procedure went well. Dr. Jensen and her team labored faithfully and skillfully and made their decision to not coil the aneurysm based on its size, shape, location, and size of the artery involved. During the angiogram they actually left the operating room to look more closely at the images and spent time discussing the pros and cons of coiling and not coiling. Ultimately, Dr. Jensen made the call that she would leave well enough alone and have me check back for a CTA or MRA scan in six months to see if anything has changed and go from there.
As you might know, ours is a very goal-oriented family! When they told me in the operating room that they were not going to treat the aneurysm, I was disappointed and asked them for clarification....maybe I didn't hear right. But when Dr. Jensen showed me the aneurysm on the monitor, and explained her reasoning, I remembered that our prayer throughout this time was, not only for the aneurysm coiling to be done successfully, but above all that God's will, not ours, would be done and that He would receive the glory! At that moment I felt the peace of Christ that passes all understanding. All those requests for skill and wisdom for Dr. Jensen and everyone in the operating room were answered. All of those requests for my safety during the procedure were answered. All of those requests for peace for Jack and our children were answered. And many more prayers were answered, too, for safety, strengthening relationships, peace that passes understanding.....and many more requests were answered. Thanks be to God who is faithful to give us good gifts in accordance with His will!
So today I'm supposed to "take it easy". For a couple of weeks I'm not supposed to hoist any weights, but I can carry light grocery bags and small laundry baskets! No restrictions on driving or cooking! And later in the month we look forward to flying up to Maine and hike some easy (or maybe moderate) trails. Yes, I continue to live with a small brain aneurysm, certainly a known risk, but then all of life has risks. From the moment of conception all of us face the certainty that we will one day leave this earth, whether we know it or not! With that certainty in mind, all the more passionately I look to Christ as my Hope in this life and for all eternity and say with the Psalmist:
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you:
You hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
And afterward you will take me into glory!
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart
And my portion forever.
Those who are far from you will perish;
You destory all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
(Psalm 73:21-28)
So, I hope you will join with me today and say with confidence, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!" He has dealt kindly with His children! He is faithful and always will be!
To Him be the glory!
Love and thanks always,
Dolly
Thursday, September 4, 2008
On the other hand...
Good news! The CT scan showed no problems, so they let us go! We jumped in the car before they changed their mind, and we headed for Richmond. Looking forward to spending the night in more familiar surroundings. Long day.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Spending the night
Dr. Kahn has ruled out a stroke, and he has ordered a CT scan on Mom's leg to determine whether there has been some bruising (which should be able to fix itself) or some leakage from the artery (which would be more serious) that is causing the numbness.
They are doing blood work now and plan to take her for a CT scan in the next 20 minutes or so.
They are doing blood work now and plan to take her for a CT scan in the next 20 minutes or so.
Bit concerned in recovery
She's having some unusual numbness in her lower right leg. Calling the Dr. back to the hospital.
Exhaling...Good news, Bad news.
She's out of the operating room and she came through the arteriogram fine. Big exhale.
Unfortunately, they weren't able to coil the aneurysm. It wasn't of the size or shape to repair with the coiling method. She should be able to released this evening.
They want her to come back for annual arteriograms to monitor the status.
Unfortunately, they weren't able to coil the aneurysm. It wasn't of the size or shape to repair with the coiling method. She should be able to released this evening.
They want her to come back for annual arteriograms to monitor the status.
Now, the Big Wait
Dad, Steph, Kate and I waited in the small Radiology check-in waiting room, while the Espositos and the Brickers went to Family Surgical Waiting. After about 20 minutes, a nurse appeared to escort us back to where they had prep'd Mom.
She was in a 3-bay, white prep room with a couple of medical techs at desks and digital equipment lined along the walls. Each patient area was cordoned off with those thin, sheet-like curtains. A lady with a neck brace was in the first bay, sitting on the bed. There was no one in the second bay. Mom was in a hospital bed in the third bay. She beamed a plucky smile as we came in. She somehow had evaded the lipstick police--she still had her makeup on.
We each told her that we loved her. Dad prayed for her and her surgical team, and then Mom prayed. I don't remember what she said. I didn't want to close my eyes. It seemed like too much of a sacrifice to be so close and not to take her in. With the white hospital blankets gathered under her chin, her tanned face almost floated above the white sheet that covered the bed. Her eyes closed in prayer, I watched her and could only think that she seems much too young and beautiful to be going through all of this.
We hugged and kissed her. Somber, but hopeful. Glad to be proceeding. Steph, Kate and I left. Dad and Mom spent a few minutes together.
The nurse did not want to commit to a time period for completion. We expect it will take two or three hours, but we don't really know.
We're camped out in something called the Surgical Family Waiting Room. It's filled with dozens of those ugly hospital-vinyl chairs. The hypnotic drone of daytime television is coming somewhere from the corner of the room. Clots of people are in various states of semi-consciousness.
We're all the way in the opposite corner, near the door. Joe and Janice have already been asked to leave (no food or drink allowed). It seems like there is some high-tech electronic shield around this room that prevents any wifi or cell phone signal from penetrating. We wait.
She was in a 3-bay, white prep room with a couple of medical techs at desks and digital equipment lined along the walls. Each patient area was cordoned off with those thin, sheet-like curtains. A lady with a neck brace was in the first bay, sitting on the bed. There was no one in the second bay. Mom was in a hospital bed in the third bay. She beamed a plucky smile as we came in. She somehow had evaded the lipstick police--she still had her makeup on.
We each told her that we loved her. Dad prayed for her and her surgical team, and then Mom prayed. I don't remember what she said. I didn't want to close my eyes. It seemed like too much of a sacrifice to be so close and not to take her in. With the white hospital blankets gathered under her chin, her tanned face almost floated above the white sheet that covered the bed. Her eyes closed in prayer, I watched her and could only think that she seems much too young and beautiful to be going through all of this.
We hugged and kissed her. Somber, but hopeful. Glad to be proceeding. Steph, Kate and I left. Dad and Mom spent a few minutes together.
The nurse did not want to commit to a time period for completion. We expect it will take two or three hours, but we don't really know.
We're camped out in something called the Surgical Family Waiting Room. It's filled with dozens of those ugly hospital-vinyl chairs. The hypnotic drone of daytime television is coming somewhere from the corner of the room. Clots of people are in various states of semi-consciousness.
We're all the way in the opposite corner, near the door. Joe and Janice have already been asked to leave (no food or drink allowed). It seems like there is some high-tech electronic shield around this room that prevents any wifi or cell phone signal from penetrating. We wait.
On Her Way!
Good news! We were at the height and bustle of the lunch hour when the Espositos arrived. Loaded down with hugs and flowers and chocolate, kisses and prayers. Just in time! Mom's cell phone rang. It was Mom's nurse. The bloodwork came back fine, and they're ready for her to come back. Joy! Then a few tears of realization that this is really happening.
We hunted through the cafeteria to find Fred and Dad, who had gone off to locate provisions. We gathered in the middle of the lunch crowd to pray for Mom, and then she and Dad went back to Radiology.
We hope to be able to see her before they wheel her in for surgery.
We hunted through the cafeteria to find Fred and Dad, who had gone off to locate provisions. We gathered in the middle of the lunch crowd to pray for Mom, and then she and Dad went back to Radiology.
We hope to be able to see her before they wheel her in for surgery.
The Wait
Hello Folks!
It's Dolly here....sitting in the cafeteria, waiting with Jack, Steph, Mary Kate, John, Joe and Janice. We're waiting again for the blood results to come back and for the surgeon to complete her morning emergency surgery. The table is loaded with wraps, huge sandwiches, pistachioes, chocolate, salads, coffee, cokes, chips....and I have to admit I'm geting a little bit hungry!
The company is great, lighthearted and the time is passing pretty quickly.....
so we wait.
Thanks for sticking with us!
We'll post again when something happens.....something that does not involve food!
Love,
Dolly
It's Dolly here....sitting in the cafeteria, waiting with Jack, Steph, Mary Kate, John, Joe and Janice. We're waiting again for the blood results to come back and for the surgeon to complete her morning emergency surgery. The table is loaded with wraps, huge sandwiches, pistachioes, chocolate, salads, coffee, cokes, chips....and I have to admit I'm geting a little bit hungry!
The company is great, lighthearted and the time is passing pretty quickly.....
so we wait.
Thanks for sticking with us!
We'll post again when something happens.....something that does not involve food!
Love,
Dolly
Waiting on Waiting
Turns out that the surgeon is occupied with an emergency surgery. They've taken Mom back to do her bloodwork to make sure that she's able to handle the arteriogram.
Waiting...
Steph and Kate are here! Mom checked in at 8:30, and she's first in line for brain surgery. Apparently, there are a lot of wrists and elbows in line in front of her.
On the road again...
We're on our way to Charlottesville. Everyone is in good spirits. We'll keep you updated...
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Early-Bird News
One of the radiology nurses at University of Virginia Hospital called me a little while ago to tell me that we should be there at 8:30 AM tomorrow for the procedure. We were pleased that they could take me early in the morning when everyone (especially the doctor) is fresh!
So we're on for 8:30 AM. Look for blog updates as the morning and afternoon progress!
Thanks for praying.
Love,
Dolly
So we're on for 8:30 AM. Look for blog updates as the morning and afternoon progress!
Thanks for praying.
Love,
Dolly
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thinking of Wednesday
For those of you who are curious about what Mom is expecting Wednesday, the surgery has two components. The first is an exploration and mapping of her brain to determine how her 12-year old anuerysm repair has held up, and also to learn some more about the nature of her second anuerysm.
If the anuerysm is repairable, then the surgery team will move to the second phase: filling the anuerysm with a coil of wire. This causes a clot to form at the anuerysm site which will allow the artery wall to then be strengthed at that location. Check out the picture to the left for an idea of what the coil would look like.
(I am just a juris doctor, not a doctor-doctor, so you might want to consult with an expert before you try this at home. Remeber, if guys like me don't do our jobs well, we just file an appeal.)
Something to keep in prayer is that Mom would be a candidate for the surgery. The anuerysm needs to be the right size and shape to receive and safely hold a coil of wire (and the resulting clotting and cell growth).
If the anuerysm is repairable, then the surgery team will move to the second phase: filling the anuerysm with a coil of wire. This causes a clot to form at the anuerysm site which will allow the artery wall to then be strengthed at that location. Check out the picture to the left for an idea of what the coil would look like.
(I am just a juris doctor, not a doctor-doctor, so you might want to consult with an expert before you try this at home. Remeber, if guys like me don't do our jobs well, we just file an appeal.)
Something to keep in prayer is that Mom would be a candidate for the surgery. The anuerysm needs to be the right size and shape to receive and safely hold a coil of wire (and the resulting clotting and cell growth).
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday afternoon report
After finding out that my procedure couldn't be done today because tests came back showing that my blood wasn't "just right" for the procedure, we settled into the hospital cafeteria for a late morning snack (I think I was the only one who ate!) and chat with everyone who had come to support us. As we gathered around the table with Joe and Janice Bricker, our pastor Steve Shelby, John, Maria, Stephanie and Mary Kate, we bowed our heads in a prayer of thanksgiving for God's faithfulness and the way the medical team at the hospital used care and caution in their decision to postpone the procedure.
We are back home now, and I've got a new prescription for meds that should take care of my blood numbers as we look ahead to next Wednesday, September 3 at 12:30 PM for my new check-in at the hospital.
So there you have it: Wednesday, September 3 at 12:30 PM is our new target time and date!
Thanks for praying for us and encouraging us throughout these recent weeks, especially the last couple of days. Look for us to post again next week.
Love,
Dolly
Rain delay
Just got the news that Mom's blood work came back showing that there's a number that's off. Out of an abundance of caution, they don't want to do the surgery today (elevated risk of a clot).
It looks like it's going to be postponed.
It looks like it's going to be postponed.
We're here!
We arrived in Charlottsville at about 8:50 a.m. this morning. Coming up I-64 in the rain was a mixed blessing. We were thankful for the rain, but it made our travels a bit slower than we expected.
We checked in at Radiology at UVA hospital a little before 9:00, and after a little bit of "Here's the beeper" and "sign here," and Dolly went back. Steve Shelby is here with me and my Dad. His presence (and the ability to talk sports with my Dad) is a blessing.
The Brickers came into the waiting room right after 10:00, and Kate, Steph and Maria walked in right behind them. Coming in to meet them through the opposite door, from the bowels of the hosptial was...Mom!
Apparently, the first patient of the day, who was scheduled for a two hour procedure, was undergoing some additional "treatment." (At least that's what the nurse said.) Mom is free to go wherever she wants, so long as she stays within cell phone range of the hosptial.
The nurse said that if she hasn't been called for her procedure by noon, then we should check back in at Radiology at noon.
We're hanging out in the Cafeteria. Like Maria says, "it's like being in an airport, and our flight's been delayed by rain."
Stay tuned...
We checked in at Radiology at UVA hospital a little before 9:00, and after a little bit of "Here's the beeper" and "sign here," and Dolly went back. Steve Shelby is here with me and my Dad. His presence (and the ability to talk sports with my Dad) is a blessing.
The Brickers came into the waiting room right after 10:00, and Kate, Steph and Maria walked in right behind them. Coming in to meet them through the opposite door, from the bowels of the hosptial was...Mom!
Apparently, the first patient of the day, who was scheduled for a two hour procedure, was undergoing some additional "treatment." (At least that's what the nurse said.) Mom is free to go wherever she wants, so long as she stays within cell phone range of the hosptial.
The nurse said that if she hasn't been called for her procedure by noon, then we should check back in at Radiology at noon.
We're hanging out in the Cafeteria. Like Maria says, "it's like being in an airport, and our flight's been delayed by rain."
Stay tuned...
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