Is it really over?

Friday, February 18th was the day of my "brain surgery." My appetite had been little or non-existent, but water, ginger ale, and coffee were still very much in demand for my liquid menu. My surgery was scheduled for sometime around 2:30PM so I had to go from midnight to mid afternoon with nothing to drink. NOTHING can you say torture?
Around 8AM the nurse came in with my breakfast tray - oops... sorry you don't get any. Noon, the nurse comes in with my lunch tray - oops...sorry, you don't get that either. Well thanks a lot! My mouth was literally so dry that I could not talk. Have you ever had that happen to you? It is miserable. It is like your tongue and the roof of your mouth are velcro. Anywhere you move your tongue it just gets stuck there - very pleasant.
Finally the sweet nurses came to take me to pre-op. David, Lee, the nurses and I  were laughing so hard at the nurses. They got me into the pre-op and again I asked for some TUMS - but they hooked me up with something better that tasted like sweet tarts :) Then for the first time in 4 days I was allowed to stand up and walk around a little.
Of course I don't recall the operating room but do remember coming out of the anestisia and hearing the words NG tube.

Tubeless

Leigh Anne no longer has any tubes coming from her, or any machines connected.  We are hopeful to be released from the hospital to the hotel later today and may be able to travel back to NC Wednesday.

I hear the Daffodils are starting to come up, can't wait for spring in North Carolina!

On the Road to Recovery

Lot's of action and progress today.  Leigh Anne sat upright in a chair for an hour or so this morning and took a short walk down the hallway this afternoon.  They also removed one of her IV's.  We are having trouble finding a comfortable setting / position for the neck collar she is wearing which is causing both of us to be a little grumpy.

Leigh Anne say's she loves everybody!

Suboccipital Craniectomy with fusion to C2 complete

Leigh Anne is in recovery, Dr. Henderson said everything went well and as planned.  She has a difficult 24-48 hours ahead of her as she has taken quite a "smack"

Suboccipital Craniectomy with fusion to C2 underway

Leigh Anne entered surgery around 3:00 this afternoon.  Just prior to going in she was able to get out of the bed for the first time since Tuesday.  All are in great spirits.

The Calvary

The Calvary arrived last night in the form of Lee Morphis, one of Leigh Anne's closest friends from Greensboro.  Lee has rejuvenated both of our spirits and has been a welcome help.  Leigh Anne is doing much better today, resting more comfortably and very talkative.

Her surgery is scheduled for 2:30 this afternoon.

Prayers

The second day is always the worst

They say the second day after embarking on a new fitness regime, or working in the yard after a long winter, is the worst for sore muscles.  I guess the same can be said for surgery.  Today has been tough for Leigh Anne as she struggles with an all over body ache caused in part by the operation, but mainly by being on strict bed rest.  Fortunately medications have helped keep her as comfortable as possible.  It has been a very quiet day.

Our former Pastor and friend David Fischler paid a visit yesterday afternoon lifting both of our spirits.  Very good to see him.

We have not yet confirmed the time of tomorrow's procedure and will update as soon as we know.  Leigh Anne is maintaining a positive attitude and we continue to be blessed with prayers and well wishes from around the world.

Lunchtime

Garden salad with hard boiled eggs, ranch dressing and fruit cocktail.  Leigh Anne is resting comfortably on her back and sides, in very good spirits.  Dr. Henderson saw us at 7:00 am this morning and confirmed everything went well yesterday.  She will be on bed rest until the second surgery Friday.  She does get to lift her head 10 degrees tomorrow, which she is already anticipating.

She is especially enjoying the compression stockings on her legs and the electric ice pack on her back.  Now time for her afternoon meds.

We are humbled and thankful for all of the support we are receiving from our friends and family, those in Greensboro especially.

Smiling

Leigh Anne is partially awake and smiling, so nice to see her smile!  They hope to move her to her room in an hour or so.

Tethered Cord Surgery complete

Leigh Anne is out of surgery and is resting comfortably, Dr. Henderson said everything went well and was about what he expected.  We will learn more tomorrow.  I'll update once I see her.

Tethered Cord Surgery underway

After some negative reactions to the anti-biotic she was administered prior to surgery, Leigh Anne went into surgery around 1:00.  Estimated time of the procedure 3-5 hours.  Good thoughts and prayers.

It feels like a Red Zinger Day...

It feels like a Red Zinger Day... I think I'd compare Red Zinger to a light bodied, very berry, flavorful Pinot Noir with a lingering note of Rose Hips. Please don't get me wrong. I'm not a sommelier just an enthusiast of the fermented red grape varietal. 

Rose Hips remind me of my Grandmother Harris who lived to be 105. She was very ahead of her time and a very intelligent lady. Harris didn't like doctors much less hospitals. She took great care of her mind, body, and spirit but at about age 95 her appendix ruptured and she didn't tell anyone for two days. Finally, she was taken to the hospital. Harris would go to the dentist because she thought it was very important to take care of her teeth but she would not have any drugs! None! I'm not that tough. In fact, I want my mother but she needs to be in Spartanburg.

It is increasingly difficult for me to carry on an intelligent conversation. Yesterday at preschool some of the moms from Grace's class put together a baby shower for the teacher Mrs. M-J. It was so sweet and fun but I was struggling to keep it together. Well, as it has been going these days The Lord took control. Out of the blue I find myself standing in the hall with four other moms, calendar in my hand, and next thing you know Grace's pick up schedule is filled until Feb. 25th. Everything is covered. I can't believe it. And, to put the cherry on top, a dear sweet mom sent me an e-mail saying she wanted to help me with Grace's schedule, too. 

My heart is breaking at the thought of leaving Grace for so long. The crazy thing is that as hard as this situation is I must be at peace with it and again put my faith in The Lord that she will be okay. As I drove down Friendly Avenue and passed the beautiful Junior League of Greensboro’s Headquarters I thought about how much I’m drawing from my league experiences to deal with this imbroglio, then I thought about how much I’m drawing from other life altering experiences and I realized that is all cumulative. Like an eight grade Pre-Algebra test but this is life.

And, as I try to ignore the ever present stabbing behind in my eyes and high-pitched screeching in my ears (tinnitus) I thought, “Could this be it? Could this monster called Chiari be my life’s purpose? No, it’s not the Chiari. It’s how I’m supposed to deal with it.” It’s all a culmination of what I’ve learned in life and this is my test…how will I deal with it?

If you would like to know more about Arnold Chiari Malformation, Tethered Cord, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or other related conditions please visit www.csfinfo.org

Thanks so much for reading! Have a GREAT DAY! Leigh Anne