Overall this has been a very positive experience. Great care. I can’t say enough about my surgical team. Experienced. Compassionate. Communicative. Kind. Team oriented. Everything you want when undertaking complicated procedures.
Now I’m looking forward to rest. And Mail. And eventually visitors. I need to figure out my new normal first.
Thank you to everyone for your support I’m so grateful for my village! 🥰🧠❣️
My recovery is exceeding all expectations!
When I left the ICU I walked the entire length to my room which was considerable. I've been eating healthy, walking every day several times, and resting.
My mom and Barley have settled in.
My surgeon and his team are incredible. If you're planning to have Brain surgery, you want my doc!
Everyone is getting good care. I expect to be going home tomorrow. Still a little shaky on my feet so being cautious. Plus they saved my hair!
Thanks for all the support village! I couldn't have done this without you all!
FEBRUARY 25 UPDATE:
Surgery went really well as did the first night. Ingrid is both talkative and engaged, keeping the doctors nursing staff amused and on their toes.
She is expected to remain at the hospital for 3-5 days in total, first in the ICU and then on a step-down unit. If you want to come visit, short visits are welcome but she gets tired. Will let you know when first visits can happen.
I have been asked to provide details about the day of surgery which is Monday February 24th.
Home to recover until my next doctor appointment on March 10th at 10 am. I cannot drive to this appointment and will need a ride there and back. I expect this appointment to last 2 hours with drive time. If you want to celebrate my staple removal, let me know. By celebrate I mean hang out and get me to and from. 😉 Thanks to Donna for offering to celebrate with me!
* For those interested in the technical aspect of my procedure, I am having an Acoustic Neuroma Resection with a Suboccipital Approach with Auditory Brainstem Response Test to monitor my cranial nerves 8 and 9. These nerves control hearing in my left ear and facial muscles on the left side of my face. They are being very careful to not damage these are I may loose hearing or fascial muscle control.
Unfortunately, in December I received a concerning diagnosis. I have had a benign brain tumor for a while now and it has presented symptoms that is resulting in my having brain surgery on February 24th. My recovery will be between 6 to 8 weeks but I’m planning to take the full two months to recover. I mean...brain surgery!
The surgery will take 8 to 10 hours which is a little frightening. The good news is I have one of the best surgeons who has done thousands of these before. Plus, I’ve become so adept at navigating the medical world. My friend will be there for the surgery and my cousin is coming to take care of me for several days after. I’ll probably be in the hospital for three days and then home for two weeks before I have the staples removed. Youza! ...staples in my brain?
Barley will have a short vacation visiting the Rose a founder of the rescue agency I got him from. (A huge thank you to Rose! Go donate to Keller's Cause that rescue blind, deaf, or both dogs.) As I’m not allowed to lift more than 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) or even blow my nose (!), Barley will visit his old friends for a while.
As for my mom, she can’t monitor her medications, cook, or do basic household chores so we are moving her to respite care for at least two weeks. She will be at Vibrant Senior Living in her own apartment. It’s expensive but I cannot be worried about caring for those that rely on me right now.
My focus needs to be on my recovery. More good news is that I have short term disability insurance so I’ll have 60% of my pay and can take the time off my job that will be there when I return.
There is also a chance that I may lose hearing or facial muscle control on the left side of my head. The surgery will ‘debulk” the tumor rather than remove all of it. It is shaped like a dumbbell that wraps around my auditory and facial cranial nerves. Removing it is too dangerous but making it smaller will preserve my vision, hearing and balance (that has also been affected.) The goal is to set me up for the future so that as it grows (which it has and probably will continue to do) I will be a good candidate for radiation which is much less invasive and safer. Doing this now while I’m younger is also safer.
To top this all off, I had two crowns in January! It seems as if my whole head is falling apart. Fortunately, as you can see my sense of humor is intact. Join me in my journey to learn more about what is happening and how you can help in small and bigger ways.
Thanks for being a part of my village!
... in my recovery 🏨! I went back to work 💻 this week. It was challenging as my 🧠 is not functioning at 💯 yet. From the ample food deliv...
