staples OUT

I was excited for Monday.  The day started out rough since John was out of town and I was in charge of most of the morning routine getting the girls out of the door.  Cindy (my mother in law showed up around 8am) but much of the damage was done.  Ryan was upset about the way her pants felt (all 14 pairs she tried on) and she used every excuse in the book to mess with me, mia and grandma.  Cindy got them off to school - but 7 minutes late so i believe they got their first tardy slips of their school career. NOT a way to start this Monday.  Cindy came back after drop off to find me wilted.  It mine as well have been 10oclock at night.  I sat at the kitchen table near tears while Cindy helped out - dishes, laundry, and a bit of cheerleading to get me up and out the door.  Alice was going to take me - but after the rough start Cindy joined us.  I guess i needed a driver (Cindy -leadfoot) and a photographer since John was gone -(Alice the shooter)

We walked in the room and flat out - i said - "Is this going to hurt"  UGH, she answer... "I won't lie, it does hurt"  WHAT! really?  isn't there a topical you can give me. well - crap - i just had Brain Surgery - I can handle getting 25 stitches out (Jason had pointed out that i may have lost one or two from the 2 photos that I had posted from day 5 to day 10) but all 25 were there.  The first few at the bottom got my attention - it was red and irritated and they were really ready to come out. BUT -  the other 22, I didn't feel a thing.  20 some minutes later we were done. no sweat. 

It was my first day out and about and i swayed the ladies to go to Chick-fil-A, I had such a craving but we don't have one close enough that someone could bring me it to go, and it would still taste good. SO - a number 2 with no pickles and cheese with a lemonade and I was so pleased. (It was also Alice's first visit to chick-fil-a..... shocking)  After lunch a QUICK jaunt across the street to Costco.  I needed to buy some goodies for Mia to bring to girl scouts on wednesday. The troop is packaging goodie bags (boxes) to be sent overseas to the troops.  I bought fruit leather and some cookies and then quick i wanted to check for frozen cherries back in the coolers.  I got to the coolers, Alice got the cherries for me and my switch flipped. Just like that I powered down.  I had NO energy.  i was done, spent!  I slowly inched my way towards the front of the door - about as fast as Tim Conway on the Carol Burnet show and I sat down and waited for Alice and Cindy to check out.  Then Cindy pulled up and I got door service.  (that is the BEST)

We got home around 1:15 - a 2 and a half hour outing that seemed like a 12 hour day.  I got upstairs and in bed while they carried stuff in.  Alice came up and covered me up and i was OUT.  I didn't move an inch until my kids got home just before 4.  

at the doctors office getting staples out.  I love Cindys expression in the 2nd photo.

the nitty-gritty-growdy closeups

As long as you aren't eating lunch -

and if you are interested in some closer shots, click to enlarge and then you may be able to click it one more time to get it even bigger. (again, only if you aren't eating)   kudos to Alice the shooter. 

while relaxing

I have many friends stop by and visit and I have had the nicest time spent with them all.  

But when everyone leaves and I head upstairs to relax, this is what keeps me company thru the day. A laptop (blogs, facebook, and lexulous)  ipad (angrybirds and email) and phones (chatting, texts and bejeweled) and remotes. (netflix and lots of reality TV)   

It may be time to take an outing the bookstore.

My staples are itchy

My staples are itchy and they are becoming kind of loose and wiggly. I have to wait until Monday to get them out and I think they will drive me batty from here on out. My hair is also growing out pretty fast, this wicked scar of mine will be covered in no time.   However, it will be years before my shaved hair is as long as my current locks.

my itchy scar - day 10

Babysitters

I am usually getting a babysitter so John and I can go out - but this week it has been for Me. I guess it was assumed that I shouldn't be left alone - so my mom and my friends volunteered to stay with me when John needs to go out and about. John is also leaving this next Monday for work and while he is gone I have Molly staying on monday, Alice on tuesday and my mom on wednesday. I will need help with getting the girls fed, to bed and then up and dressed in the morning and out the door.

However, after being home a week today I was wondering if I could start being left alone a bit.
I am navigating the stairs OK. I was calling for an escort to go up and down, but I have been a lot better on my own. I don't feel like I am over doing it. I feel like I am being careful. I am not lifting more them my 10lb limit - i can be really creative when I need to scoot something across the table, or I ask one of my girls to help me.

I surely didn't expect to feel this good after being home a week - but I feel good and pretty consistent. I think instead maybe I could have someone on-call in case I needed anything.

Lets see what John (the gatekeeper) says.......

Thanksgiving

We sure do have a lot to be thankful for this year. It is a perfect time a year to undergo a major surgery like I did and come out on the othersie - Better, healing and oh so Thankful!

We celebrated Thanksgiving the Sunday before my surgery with friends and family. Alice was nice enough to host. We all had such a good time we thought it should be a tradition to have an early Thanksgiving with friends. Next year - I am hosting. It will be the perfect way to mark my year anniversary of my surgery and i hope my cure.

we filled every square inch of the rooms - 3 long tables.

For the actual Thanksgiving this Thursday we laid low. John made me mashed pototes and green bean casserole just to have in the house. And then later in the day Zach (Mr. Bastoky) brought us leftovers from his gourmet dinner he made all himself. My in-laws also brought over leftovers for us so we were set. During the day we put up our Christmas tree and we all decorated it.

It was a great day to be with my family and my friends and to count my blessings and our health. What a great day.

Brightening our days

I am so thankful for all of my friends and family.  We really do feel the outpouring of love and support that we have from everyone.  We received the most beautiful flower.   Our house is full of them and we are enjoying each bouquet.

25 staples in a nice straight line.

I have had a handful of visitors and surprisingly I am always kind of excited to show off my scar.  You won't be able to see it for long.  My hair will grow over it and very little is below my hairline at my neck.  I was not expecting it to be that long and to have that much hair shaved but I am used to it now.

my scar - day five.

11.16 as i remember it.

It has been a week (really?) already? I guess so since Thanksgiving is just 2 days away, but to me I am still stuck in early November... counting down the days to my surgery. I am not sure if it has really sunk in that it is over and I am on my way to healing.  Except for the fact that I am already sick of laying in bed and watching TV.

I will do a quick run-down as i remember it-

You all know i didn't sleep well on Monday night. I kept replaying Boardwalk Empire on tivo to drown out my snoring dog and my overactive thoughts and fears going thru my head.  I woke up at 5:03am and showered.  (with that red purel like surgery soap) - finished packing things up, sat onlline for a bit, idling to decide just what to post on facebook.  Then my girls got up and wandered into my bathroom for hugs.  I told Ryan - and then Mia that they could climb in my bed (they were cold) and i would come hug them and say goodbye.  WOW, THATS hard.  I knew the clock was ticking.  Johns parents were downstairs (they had the morning shift - taking the girls to school) it was 6:14 and we said we would leave no later then 6:10.  I gave tearful hugs and kisses and more hugs and kisses and said goodbye.  got downstairs - quick hug to cindy... and to darwin and out the door. John was a grump.  It was 6:20 (whooops)  He was driving like a mad-man.  By the time we made it to the interstate i told him to knock it off.... "i was saying goodbye to the girls and you have no idea how hard that was! "  i then reminded him that we may be late, but they HAD to wait for me.  yes, his biggest pet-peeve- but nothing we can do now - we will be late.  lets not get our heads out of the game over it.   so - 6:34 we parked and walked in to the hospital. (traffic and all)  Lots of paperwork and then waiting.  I was called back about 6:50 .... john and my mom stayed behind to wait.  I did all the quick tests.. pee in a cup - starting IVs, changing into an ugly gown.... getting comfy in bed.  i was trying to remember the healing blue light, the fact that i was being operated on my a specialist who knew very well what he was doing, and that i had so many loving thoughts, prayers and well wishes all over the world. (well, the U.S., and Australia)  :)

The night before the anesthesiologist had called and asked some questions about my history with surgery and being under.  I had no history.  None - not even with my wisdom teeth, i just had a local to get them removed.  He was kind of beside himself, i could tell this meant he had a bigger job ahead for himself.  I met him a little before 8 that morning and i could tell he had done some extra homework, or at least taken a little extra time to prepare me for hours of surgery.  We discussed that I would get a cocktail of drugs to make me happy and then we would move back to the pre-op room where they would prep me. 

Dr. Oro came in (you have seen the pictures that John posted) that was really emotional.  I was so glad to see him there, and WELL and able to operate on me and "cure" my Chiari.  He told me that he was ready, I told him I was (gulp), ready.... and he said he was going back to check out the operating room.  He told John he would send someone out during the surgery to tell my family and friends how it was going, but that he would not come out until it was over.  

saying goodbye - john and i walking in to the hospital - healing blue light - me awaiting surgery

Moments later I was saying goodbyes and I love yous to John. (my mom had been in earlier) and then I got that happy cocktail.  I don't remember anything after that moment.

I opened my eyes to (what i remember to be) a lot of chaos.  People moving me every which way, a nurse talking to me- telling me I was waking up from surgery.  I had so many cords which seemed to be wrapped all over me. Some they were unhooking and some they were rearranging.  The entire room was blue. bright streaming blue rays of light.  I hadn't thought about at the time but that is the moment that my angel left me.  That was when everyone was looking over me and unhooking me and smiling and telling me how good I did and that it went well.  Everything seemed to be moving really fast.  They introduced me to my pain pump and hooked it all up - I think I used it at that very moment.  The nurse said that she would be moving me when my ICU room was ready and my pain was better.  I asked her what time it was because I was wondering how long everyone had to wait to hear the good news that I was out of surgery - and I was wondering if Alice made it to school in time to tell Mia I was OK, and to help in kindergarten.  I think she told me it was around 2:30. That made me nervous that something had gone wrong.  My surgery was scheduled from 8:30am - 12:30pm.  so, 6 hours under?    I asked the nurse if something was wrong that it went longer and she said everything went fine.  (i didn't really believe her)  .. I would wait to ask John when I saw him in ICU.

I DID IT }

I guess you don't really need any details of the week since John has done such a good job updating my blog and keeping everyone posted on the daily events.  I thought I would have much more time to blog for myself, but it turns out that when you have brain surgery you are kind of wiped out.

here is my hospital stay - for the archives.
ICU was easy - my staples were protected with a cushy bandage and i had the pain pump and a wonderful nurse named Kate.  The night nurse, Sue wasn't so hot so i found myself watching the clock for 7am when Kate would be returning. It was on Sue's watch that someone told John that I was bleeding and going to get a scan - and he rushed down. I think it really took his head out of the game.  Things were going along so positive and everyone was celebrating and then that (false) info really set him off.  

So - then Wednesday sometime they broke the news to me that i was moving to a regular room and that I had to say goodbye to my pain pump.   It also meant that Physical and Occupational Therapy would by knocking on my door and asking me to get up and move around.  I wasn't really ready to - i was pretty one with my bed but I was also anxious to see what I could do.  Could I walk?  to the bathroom? down the hall?  I think it was pretty slow going at first, I was getting really exhausted going to the door and back.  Then I had them teaching me how to put on my socks and dress myself.. the simple things where the rules have changed (for now)  Wednesday I laid low. 

Thursday I woke up and felt a lot better - I ordered myself all of my meals (consisting of toast and cereal)    There was more physical therapy with neck exercises and also a shower. I was so anxious for a shower.  It is hard to let someone else wash your hair - it would have been easier if it weren't so long - but my only job was to keep my balance.   I had new washed braids and then a visit from my little ladies.  It was so great to see the girls!  50 some hours is the longest I have ever been away from them.  Everything had been going A-OK at home.  John was doing the mom-gig with flying colors. (just like I knew he would be)

On Friday all the nurses started talking about me going home.  I might have over-done it on thursday, cause I didn't feel so hot.  John came to visit with Alice  -and Mia in tow.  Turns out Mia didn't finish all of her homework and was worried she would get in trouble so she opted to stay out of school for the day instead.  It took a lot to hold it together in front of Mia.  I really wanted to lay there and moan and groan. The big talk of the day was that it was better for me to be home then in the hospital - so that I didn't catch anything in the hospital and so that i could heal faster in my own bed.  I think that John was resisting with me.  He wasn't ready for the responsibility.  John left and spent the day getting ready for me to come home... just in case.  And in the afternoon my dad & family flew in from Iowa.  They visited me in the hospital and around that time we got word that I was cleared by OT and PT and i was headed home (like it or not)  Well, wait  - they said i could stay, but i would run the risk of my insurance not paying for it since i was progressing.  I guess that helped us be OK with their decision.  About 85 hours after checking in the the hospital tuesday morning we were headed home.

me and my surroundings.  

I was so glad to at least not be fighting rush hour.  My Dad, Pam and Kim took our girls out to dinner while we got home and settled.  I had a station set up.  The laptop, iPad, cellphone  - chargers, and then a tv tray of things I might need and some new fluffy blankets... and 2 bored dogs waiting to keep my company.  The girls got back - tucked me in.  John set all the alarms on his phone to wake up every 4 hours to remind him to medicate me and then I was off to zzzzzz.  It was an adventure of a week.  Now, more healing.

leaving the hospital room

Happy to have her home...

I don't really have anything to add to this. I think Olive says it all.  We are glad to have you home.

Day 3.. Lisa comes home...

Big day yesterday. The girls were excited for Friday. Friday meant that they would again get to see mom, but also their Grandparents from Iowa were coming into town. Honestly I wasn't ready for Friday. I couldn't sleep so when I finally drifted off around 4am I knew morning was going to be rough. Of course since their was excitement in the air Ryan decided to get up around 6:45 to start the day. We were out the door on time got up to school and dropped Ryan off at class. Mia was weepy and not nearly as enthusiastic about the day so I let her play Hooky from school. Finally a good smile from her. Even though I have been trying to keep things normal I think all of the craziness had gotten to Mia. We took off with Alice in tow and headed down to the hospital to see Lisa. Of course Lisa had a request for and Iced Grande 8 pump Soy chai, so we made sure we had that when we showed up. I was thinking Lisa would be having a good day. The night before she was really together. Maybe it was all of the excitement of finally seeing her babies again, but I expected the same for Friday. We showed up and she looked good, but you could tell she was not in the same state as the day before. I guess these first few weeks there will be lots of ups and downs. From what the Doctor has told us there is a lot of things going on inside. Things are moving around and changing. The main reason Lisa had to have the surgery was due to the syringomyelia.It is a disorder in which a cyst forms within the spinal cord. This cyst (syrinx), expands and elongates over time, and it starts to destroy the spinal cord. When the Doctor performed the operation he said that her spinal cord was very flat. It had been extremely flattened due the build up of fluid. Now that there is room things are moving around and hopefully her spinal cord will start to get back to its normal shape. So now knowing that I think there will be lots of swings in how she feels. I know it freaks her out and I can't blame her for feeling that way. It has to be a pretty scary thing to feel the way she does.

I was a little concerned with what Mia thought of mom not feeling as well, but I think she did OK. We ended up visiting with Lisa for about an hour that morning. I watched her go through some of her physical therapy. Walking up and down stairs, doing her neck exercises. There was talk about her being able to go home, but I thought there was no way they would let her go. I was secretly hoping she would have one more night at the hospital. Not that I didn't want her there, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to take care of her. Plus the housekeeper hadn't shown up yet. I still had to get new sheets and other things to make Lisa more comfortable. I just wasn't ready. Just in case we took off and started our errands. We dropped Alice off, hit costco, Ricos for lunch, and ran back home to start many loads of laundry. We picked up Ryan from school, then went back to the hospital to meet up with Lisa and her Dad. Kimberly, Dr. Oro's nurse showed up and gave us another run down of what lisa was experiencing, how she was progressing, and letting us know that Lisa was ready to go home. You have to be kidding me.

Seriously I wasn't ready. I wanted to make sure everything was perfect for when she got home. I still had things to do. She said not to worry, and that I could pick up Lisa anytime before midnight. Lisa's dad took the girls and they all went out to dinner and to watch a movie. I was on turbo mode running back home, getting prescriptions filled, laundry, feed the dogs, walk the dogs, throw some cat food out, more laundry, make the bed with all the new linens. Oh, had to run to walgreens to check a few things off my list. Back to the store to pick up prescriptions and get gas. Then a text from Lisa, don't forget.... Ok, back home, pick those things up. Grab a pillow and blankets for the ride home.. another text.... don't forget a camera. OK, finally I think I have everything and I was off to the Hospital to get Lisa. I showed up and she was ready.. She had most of her things packed up. She was relaxing watching food network and eating french fries. We called the nurse in and had her go over everything I needed to know. I wanted her to show me what meds she needed, what times, what order. Don't give her this one until 9. Make sure this script is for 2mg if it is not, you don't want to combine it with this one. You have to worry about this. Make sure you don't overdose her. WTF? Should she really be going home? With the crash course in medicine Lisa and I were on our way out of there. We made it home about 8:45 and she went straight upstairs. She was met by nurse Ryan who was there to make sure she was comfortable. Fluffing pillows, getting water, Ryan was ready. The dogs of course were super excited to see her and I have a feeling will not want to leave her side. Luckily I think I have cracked the code on the medicine and think I can handle it. I think Lisa had a pretty good nights sleep. I am sure it was better than being in the hospital. I don't think Lisa noticed me starring at her most of the night to make sure she was breathing. I was on high alert last night. I set all my alarms to make sure she had her meds at the right time and we did just fine. thank goodness. We are all happy to have her home.

Photos from ICU.

I thought it was important for Lisa to see what here surroundings looked like minutes after she arrived in ICU. I was honestly expecting her to be asleep, definitely not talking,  and no expression. It was so nice to see a little smile and to hear her say "I did it." While we were there it was nice that she got visited by a hospital therapy dog named speckles.   So gentle, so eager to please. It was cool to see how they both enjoyed the experience.

The girls finally believe me..

Yes, the girls finally believe me. They actually got to see their mom tonight. It was getting difficult to keep them at ease. I think they thought mom took off for a nice beach vacation without us, but tonight they found out that wasn't true. I am glad that I waited for the girls to go visit. I definitely did not want them to see Lisa in a state that was totally foreign to them. I have been trying to keep everything as normal as possible around here. Trying to walk them to school, pick them up, eat dinner with them, etc. I didn't think it would be hard to do, but it was a little more difficult than I imagined. So today I told them if mom felt good enough I would pick them up early from school and they would get to go to the hospital and see her. I spent the morning with Lisa. She had an occupational therapist come in to see her. I watched her to some exercises, watched her do all the things that we take for granted. Brushing her teeth, washing her face. It was those simple things that made me so sad and so happy all at the same time. I can't imagine the pain that is involved with all of this and to see Lisa push through it and work on the healing was very inspiring. After a few hours there I left Lisa to nap and get ready for the girls. I left the hospital grabbed a quick bowl of Pho soup and went to the school to pick up my ladies. It was about 1:30 when I went down there. The girls told me they couldn't miss lunch so I had to make it a little later. Mia had a special lunch date with Eva and her teacher and Ryan was excited for Macho Nacho Day. I was surprised to find out that both girls had forgotten about me coming early to get them. Once they remembered why I was there it was all smiles. We had a list of things to do before we would be ready to go. First thing we did was take the dogs for a walk. I think this was really great for everyone. Next was snacks and showers. I had to make sure the girls didn't look scrappy when we went in. The last thing I want is to have Lisa think I am not doing my job. Lisa's mom came over with soup so we all had dinner together and went to see Lisa. As we walked up to the hospital I tried to give the girls an idea of what happened that day. I was showing them where we walked in, where I got my coffee, the waiting room. I pointed out where everyone sat, other places we went. I wanted to make sure they could try and piece their own story of what happened that day. As we rode up on the elevator I could tell they were a little nervous. I just told them to go in there give her some love and everything would be fine. When we walked in Lisa looked really great. She had on a familiar clothes and seemed to be looking like "Mom". It was nice to see Lisa's eyes light up when she saw them. I think that look was in everyones eyes. They gave her cards, hugs, kisses, and then they wanted proof. They wanted to see what all the talk was about. I asked to make sure they were ready and of course they said yes. I decided to show them a photo on my phone of what it looked like first. Just to make sure they were ready. After a quick glance they were both ready to see the real thing. I have to say that the look on Ryan's face was priceless. I honestly don't think she really thought it was real. it was a scared look at first, then a look of "is that real?" I could tell Ryan was trying to figure out why they put staples in her head. I had to remind her that this was a special Dr. Stapler and not the same bedazzled stapler she had at home. All Ryan wanted to do was look at her scar. I honestly think Ryan could have been fine looking at it all day. We stayed for about an hour and left for the evening. Of course at bed time we had lots of questions about mom. I reassured them that she will be ok and with our help she will heal faster. When Lisa comes home they will be official nurses to mom. I think we are going to make some outfits to help them play the part. I also told them that they have special nurse authority while they are on duty. If they see mom doing things she is not supposed to do they have the power to call her out on it and make her stop. They are pretty excited about that. Lets hope that excitement lasts more than the first afternoon.

Lisa is out of ICU

So yesterday was a big day for Lisa. She was out of bed, sitting up, eating, and looked liked she felt pretty good. I have heard that the first day post OP could be bad so it was a nice surprise to see her doing all of those things. She was able to make on post on Face book but that is all the strength she had. I decided to let her sleep, go have thanksgiving dinner at the school with the girls and check in with her later. I talked with Lisa later in the afternoon and she told me she was moved to a new room out of the ICU. After picking up the girls from school we went to my moms house and had some dinner. It has been nice to have at least one good meal a day other wise I think I would try and survive off of coffee and pistachio nuts. I left the girls to go out shopping with my parents while I went to the hospital to check in on Lisa. I was hoping for more improvement in her, but I think the bad post OP day had set in. She was in a lot of pain and seemed uncomfortable. She had a big day. She probably did way more than she should have and it all caught up to her. She is also now not armed with the pain pump so that seemed to make it more difficult. I left her last night about 7:30 with new medicine falling asleep while watching Survivor. I passed out with the girls when we got home, but woke up about midnight and called to check in on her. The nurse said that she was kind of nauseous and she had just given her medicine to help with that. I sure hope lisa had a good nights rest and has a good day today. It is now getting difficult to keep the girls away. They are getting suspicious about the whole thing and they need to see mom. I am hoping that I can take them later today to see her. I just really wanted the girls to see mom as normal as possible. Everyone here seems to be surviving. The girls are happy and eating like kings. The cat needs love, the dogs need more walks, but seem to be pacified by unpatrolled "treats" Cheeto leaves in her box. Its the little things that is keeping them going.

More updates later.

I wish I didn't call...

So after a long day of waiting I went home to check on everyone. The girls were happy. The dogs were happy after food and a walk. I went over to Alice and Scotts house to see the girls and have some dinner. It was nice to be out of the hospital and back to somewhere familiar. About 8:30 right before we were getting ready to leave I thought I would make a call to check in. I thought that if she was awake we could all say hello to her. I got a hold of the nurse and asked to speak to Lisa. He said that she was not in her room and took her downstairs for a procedure. I asked what that meant and he said she went down for a scan to see where and why she was bleeding. They did not know where and needed to find out. She was stable but they had to give her 2 pints of blood while upstairs. I hung up with the nurse thought about it for a few minutes and decided to leave the girls in good hands and race down to see what was wrong. After running home and letting the dogs out I was on the road to see Lisa. I have to say I was pretty freaked out. Of course I had this fight with myself about if she is ok or not. I would try to think positive then all of the sudden I would get hit with the bad thoughts. My heart was racing but I was trying to stay calm. See we already had warning early in the afternoon with Lisa having blood on her pillow. That image kept coming back into my head and seemed to be all I could think about. I parked ran up stairs, made it to the ICU and went down to Lisa's room. I walked in and found Lisa in bed talking on the phone. She was talking to her mom acting like everything was normal. She got off the phone and I fired off the questions. Are you OK? What procedure did they do? How much blood did you get? ARE YOU OK? She looked at me with glassy eyes and said, "yeah i'm OK, why?" I told about the brief conversation with the nurse and why I rushed down. Apparently the nurse had given me the information for a patient named Johnson, not Johnston. I was really upset but so relieved to find out that she was just fine. I admit that I didn't hold it together and feel bad that I broke down in front of Lisa. I am so glad she was alright. Here is the photo I took of her before I left last night.

After Surgery

Lisa finished up surgery and stayed in recovery for about an hour and a half. They were having troubles keeping her pain down after waking up. Once they got her feeling better they moved her to ICU. We got to go in and see her about 4:oo that afternoon. My friend Scott, Penny, and myself were the ones that went in to see her. She was pretty loopy from all of the pain meds, but seemed to be comfortable . From what I have heard from the Dr. and the nurses, she will have quite a bit of pain the first couple of days. We talked for a little while, she asked me what the Dr. told me. I asked her about what she remembered and she said she remembered telling the anesthesiologist that she was busy facebooking people. She also started dropping the F bomb like a gangsta. I wont post those stories here, but if you want to know just ask me. Lisa's mom took off after a few minutes. She had a brief moment where she almost hit the floor after seeing a little blood, but she recovered well. She said her goodbyes and was out of there. Scott and I stayed for a few more minutes but it was time to let her rest.

Lisa is out surgery!

Thanks to everyone for all of your well wishes, your healing thoughts, and support for us all. I am happy to say that Lisa is now out of surgery. The Dr. just came out of the operating room and gave us the good news. He said that Lisa did well throughout the surgery. I think the operation seemed to go fairly normal. He ended up having to shave some of the C1 and C2 bone in her vertebra, the brain tonsils we pretty tightly compacted so there was a little extra work there. There were some other little things that he mentioned, but maybe more of that later. I am so anxious to see her. Way to go Lisa!

The final Stitching...

Just got a call from the nurse in the operating room. Lisa is doing fine and they are on the final steps. They are closing everything up and should be finished within the next 1/2 hour. I am so anxious for all of this to be over with. Lisa you are so brave for going through all of this. I can't wait to see you soon.

Latest update...

Just heard from the nurse in the operating room. Lisa seems to be doing fine. They are now into the heart of the surgery. They have moved all of the tissue and muscles and now ready to cut through her membrane and expose her brain. Now is the time that they will make more room and begin to attach the titanium plate.

This is so scary to me, but it is nice to have friends and family here. A new update to come soon.

Update from the waiting room.

So here I am. Sitting here. Camp is set up in the waiting room and I have to get down to business. Lisa will be upset with me if don't start posting updates. We got to the hospital around 6:30 this morning, checked in and was ready to go. I am pretty sure Lisa was wishing to sneak in a last minute soy chai, but that wasn't going to happen. They took here back about 7:15 to get her changed and start the process. I was able to go back with her and spend some time before the surgery. Here are some photos from behind the scenes.

Here I am

2:15am. Am i really expected to be able to sleep tonight? The pressure of being told to get a good nights rest is the exact reason i am sitting here typing. I had weeks to prepare for this surgery and I was doing something on my list until 12:40am. I guess it would have been like that regardless, would i have been able to get it all done? no - there would always be something else to do. The one last thing on my list that was incomplete is this post on my blog. I don't have anything particular written in my head, but I wanted to make one last post before I turn this over to John to update tomorrow and in the coming days.

When you are having brain surgery - lots of people call. I many times today was talking on my cell phone, as my home phone was ringing (or vice versa) and at one time while John had one phone and I had the other - my video chat rang as well. I feel the love. all of you. The calls, the emails, the texts, the cards, the extra time spent - it has meant the world to my family. We feel so loved and taken care of. I know there are prayers being said by people who love me, and by people who don't know me. I have good thoughts, good vibes, and well wishes.

I laid in bed from 12:45 to 2am - i believe i slept for a bit but was awoken by Tootie. of course. Her snoring, licking, snorting, smacking sound she makes. and since it is the only thing I can hear. I turned on the TV to drown her out - but no luck. I took her into the girls room and tried to transplant her happily on some fluffy blankets - no luck. She is now laying in my spot - resting on my pillow and snoring as loud as a grown man. John is resting well. I am so glad. He will probably say that he didn't sleep, and he may not have slept "well" but he is rested.

More than they will say about me. it is now 2:30 and my stomach is growling. I stopped food and water at midnight. My last snack was 1/2 and orange and some walnuts (brain food) at about 10:45. I should have eaten more. What was i thinking. I guess i was thinking I would be asleep at midnight and not have time to be hungry in the morning.

Off to kiss my babies again and move this snoring dog.

All of my love to John and to my girls and my parents and sister and family and friends. I am only glad that it is me who is having this surgery in the morning and not any of you. Tomorrow when I count back from 100 and make it to 97 the hard part for me will be over and really just beginning for my family and friends waiting to hear the good news that I am in recovery. (yippee)

The first set of stitching

Just got an update from the nurse. We are now getting close. They are now stitching the durainto place. Next on the list, screwing in the titanium plate. Hang in there lisa, you are almost done. I love you..

in the flesh

John and I went to meet with Dr. Oro this morning for a quick overview of what to expect tomorrow. I have not seen him since September 1st when i was in hysterics after he told me that surgery was no longer and option, but a MUST. It was good to have time to sit down with him, and with john and my composer and listen. We heard what his procedures are and then the risks of this and that... most being 1-2% and some point John was aware enough to remind me to breathe.....and then Dr. Oro seconded that idea, "yes - let's take deep breaths" ahhhh. I feel VERY confident that I am in excellent, capable hands. I am glad that Dr. Oro has healed and is able to do this surgery tomorrow.

Today I don't feel so good = stress + being overwhelmed + a weather change (all on a monday) I think Indian Buffet may be a great way to mend my stresses and ease my mind. You would think with my surgery being delayed a month I would have crossed all my T's and dotted my I's - but there are STILL things left to do today. I better get to them.

I have to also mark this day as the last drive thru starbucks for me for awhile.  I am here everyday between 8:30 and 9:10.  I am sure I will be missed by the baristas at 1-25 & hampden.

project - complete

yes, I am persistent and when I get an idea in my head I am not able to let it go until it is done. Case in point - my new sewing space. It just took one mention for John to say he thought it was a good idea to get that room done so that when I felt better I had a happy place to go and sew. With that - we picked a paint color and woke up early on saturday morning. I know John grumped a bit, but it was a quick few hours donated to the cause. He said later that he had hoped to do that for me while I was recovering in the hospital - but I was glad we had time to do it together. All in the name of healing.