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Post by fauxmaha on Mar 17, 2020 17:22:08 GMT -5
Been a crazy few weeks around here. And honestly, with all the other bad news here the last couple of months, it seemed like holding off on this was the right call.
The extremely abbreviated version of the story is that my oldest daughter, Sarah, 31, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
The good news, such as it is, is that what she has is an acoustic neuroma, and her ultimate prognosis is good. The neurosurgeon assures her this is not expected to be terminal.
The bad news is she is certain to lose the hearing in her left ear. Additionally, depending on how things go, there is a small possibility of nerve damage that could result in some facial drooping/paralysis, but that seems like a reasonably remote risk. Plus the inherent risks of a surgery of this magnitude.
Not good stuff, in any case. She has four kids, all under 10, the youngest barely two.
Then in an even more bizarre twist, she went in for surgery Monday (yesterday). Unfortunately, she had an adverse reaction to one of the anesthesia drugs, her O2 levels plummeted, so they aborted the surgery without even starting. She ended up spending the night in the ICU, and came home today.
They are going to try again on Friday. If I was nervous going in to yesterday morning, I'm doubly nervous now.
Her husband is a solid guy. He's been great. Sarah is an RN, which I suppose is both good and bad in this situation. By and large, she is handling it well, although she was incredibly disappointed coming out of anesthesia yesterday to discover that it was not, in fact, over. I can sure understand that.
So now it's slog through until Friday, and pray for a complete outcome.
So, that's what's up.
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Post by millring on Mar 17, 2020 17:26:45 GMT -5
You must be pretty wrung out yourself too?
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Post by brucemacneill on Mar 17, 2020 17:28:18 GMT -5
Best hopes for her, Jeff.
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Post by Russell Letson on Mar 17, 2020 17:36:15 GMT -5
Our nephew-in-law (that is, my sister-in-law's son-in-law) was diagnosed with one of the nastier brain tumors--the kind where survival is measured in months. He had surgery and they got almost all of it--the surgeon decided to leave a little rather than risk, say, paralysis--and then put him through all manner of treatment. Five years later, he's still with us, fully functional, with regular scans showing no advancement in the remnant of tumor.
So: There is ample reason for hope. And caution around anasthesia is very prudent. If I were going in for work, I would pay as much attention to the anasthesiologist as to the surgeon. I'll hope right along beside you.
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Post by RickW on Mar 17, 2020 17:38:52 GMT -5
That’s awful, and somewhat hopeful, Jeff.
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Post by howard lee on Mar 17, 2020 17:39:56 GMT -5
Best of luck to her, Jeff. And fortitude to all of you.
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Post by Cornflake on Mar 17, 2020 17:46:57 GMT -5
This must be very difficult for all of you, including her dad. Best wishes.
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Post by Village Idiot on Mar 17, 2020 17:51:31 GMT -5
That's not great news, Jeff. What a difficult time for your family. Because of my job I've worked with more than a whole lot of kids with brain tumors. Over the past 25 years, it's literally astounding at what medical experts can to with them now. I'll be thinking of you and your family, wishing you all the best.
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Post by aquaduct on Mar 17, 2020 17:55:34 GMT -5
God bless my friend. My sister had something like that in her forehead a couple years ago and I went up for it. The surgeons used something called a gamma knife and a big steel cage to stabilize her head and it was simply incredible. Vaporized the tumor and she was checked out of the hospital by noon.
Just offering some hope and plenty of prayers. Keep us posted.
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Post by billhammond on Mar 17, 2020 17:56:06 GMT -5
Dear Jeff, my heart goes out to you and yours, such a heavy load of considerations and challenges at a time when the world is already reeling from being at profound health risk. But I am sure that being the wise and loving guy you are, you are seizing on the positives inherent in this scary situation: the tumor type is certainly not the worst, you have (assuming here) the insurance and other resources to get the best treatment possible, your son-in-law is a rock, your daughter is an informed patient and the prognosis is solidly optimistic if all goes as is hoped.
Still, I know what you're going through emotionally, believe me, and all I can say is that I/we are here for you, brother man, and anything you might need, just say the word.
Hugs, good man.
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Some Stuff
Mar 17, 2020 18:02:02 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by TKennedy on Mar 17, 2020 18:02:02 GMT -5
That’s a big deal Jeff. I am glad it is not one of the really bad ones.
I have been deaf in one ear since birth presumably from auditory nerve damage from birth trauma. I have done OK but the big problem is not knowing where sounds are coming from and some loss of balance.
On the other hand you can sleep anywhere, just put your good ear down.
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,910
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Post by Dub on Mar 17, 2020 18:09:51 GMT -5
Jeff, Joy and I are so sorry. Thanks for letting us know. We’ll be praying.
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Some Stuff
Mar 17, 2020 18:47:48 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by coachdoc on Mar 17, 2020 18:47:48 GMT -5
What Dub said. I feel comfortable in predicting an excellent outcome. God bless.
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Post by fauxmaha on Mar 17, 2020 18:55:04 GMT -5
Thanks all. One of the entries in the "good news" side of the ledger is that they both work for one of the bigger health systems (CHI) here in town. Sarah is a nurse, Jack is some sort of manager in their supply chain bureaucracy. They have both ample income and good insurance, so finances are not a factor on any of this. More good news: Thanks to all this, I got to spend the afternoon with three of my grandsons. The little guy with the glasses is Elijah, Sarah and Jack's third. Left to right, that's Sunnie (Rebecca's oldest), John (Sarah and Jack's oldest) and the aforementioned Elijah.
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Post by Marshall on Mar 17, 2020 19:30:47 GMT -5
WOW. That's big stuff, Jeff. Certainly hope all goes well for you and your daughter and her family.
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Post by t-bob on Mar 17, 2020 19:43:20 GMT -5
Jeff, hugs and prayers....
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Mar 17, 2020 19:57:59 GMT -5
Jeff, you have my sincerest wishes for a good outcome. There is so much stress going on now in the general population, I don’t know how anyone deals with extra stuff. Hang in there.
Mike
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Post by dradtke on Mar 17, 2020 20:39:56 GMT -5
All the best for your daughter and you, Jeff.
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Post by Rob Hanesworth on Mar 17, 2020 20:48:25 GMT -5
Prayers for a good outcome!
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Post by epaul on Mar 17, 2020 21:54:20 GMT -5
Hugs and prayers ...
er, I mean, a firm, yet commiserative, handshake and as much prana as I can send you way.
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