Sunday, September 19, 2010

WHAT A DIFFERENCE 24 HOURS CAN MAKE

Tuesday evening 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday evening 7:00 p.m. Soooooooo thankful this one is blurry!!!! (LOL)

Basically, it's been a "whirlwind" of a week down here in Davie where I'm supposed to be queeeelting but can't seem to get back to it ; and here's how that "whirlwind" has played out.

Friday ... MRI of the Brain.

Saturday ... Report back showing Brain Tumor. Radiologists thinking that it is benign.

Monday ... met with Dr. T (Oncologists). She sends me immediately over to
the Hospital for a CT Scan. She would not give an opinion just yet on whether we were dealing with a Benign tumor or a Metastasis (hate that word ... I'm not even sure if I know how to spell the silly thing) to the Brain.

Tuesday ... by the Grace of God, with the help of Dr. T and with the expertise of my Dear Sister-in-Law Tracey, who works with all the Doctor's at U.T. Hospital in our home town (Knoxville, TN), we managed to get in to see one of the best Neursurgeons in the Country, Dr. Wolf, down at Doctor's Hospital in Coral Gables, FL, which is about an hour, give or take, from our house. He said it was not a benign tumor ... that it was malignant and needed to come out immediately, so I went home, got some things together and we went back and checked in through the Emergency Room that evening.

After getting settled in the Room, I was blessed with a wonderful male Nurse, who happened to be ............................... yes a "quilter!!!!!!!!" Amazing :) There's a lot of paperwork involved in a "check in;" but it took us much, much longer cuz we couldn't quit talking about "queeelting!" (LOL)

Wednesday 5:00 am ... was taken down to the "Gammal Knife Room" and they miraculously and totally uninvasively sent that nasty tumor to timbucktwo with radiation galore and equipment that probably costs more than ... uhmmmmmmm, let me think ... let's say the "Tajmahal!"

Wednesday 5:00 pm ... Because the tumor had damaged my brain's normal ability to move the fluid around, was taken down to surgery for the insertion of a shunt in my brain and a long tube to push that fluid down to my tummy.

The following night was shere misery ... brutal headaches and the worse steroid buzz on the face of the Earth. I didn't think it would ever end; and all I could think about was our Daughter and all the steroids and pain meds she had to take through the years. That sweet child was definitely with her Little Mommy that night ... I felt certain she held my hand and got me to the other side :)

Thursday ... Made it back home ... absolutely no place like it :) We still had one more hurdle to cross, as we were waiting for the pathology report from the spinal cord fluid. There was a possibility that the brain tumor from the devil himself might have let go of some cells into the spianal cord fluid. We were told that if that was the case, there would be nothing anyone could do for me. I'm happy to report that I slept like a baby ... I had a sense of peace surrounding me that was so sureal. I felt like I was wrapped in the comfort of God's arms and that He spent the night listening to all the many prayers that I knew were going up. It's the most amazing feeling in the world to put all your trust in God and the people who are praying for you ... an experience of a life time!!!!!!!!

Friday ... Well, I'm happy to report that the spinal cord fluid was clear; and now that the evil malignant tumor is gone, I go back to fighting the initial culprit, the Breast cancer, next Thursday :) God is good :)

There are no words to describe the appreciation Gene and I have in our hearts for all the prayers that we know have been said on our behalf. May goodness and mercy follow all of you good folks all the days of your lives :)

There are also no words to describe the appreciation Gene and I have in our hearts for the love, support and help beyond comprehension that we received from my Dear Brother-in-Law, Paul, and his lovely Bride, Betsy, this week. They were our God Send's because we literally could not have survived without them. We are so abundantly blessed.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God , which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phillippians 4:6-7)

13 comments:

  1. Hi! Jan, so happy to hear from you was thinking about you yesterday! OMG, girl, what in the world, I have never heard of anyone going thru what you have been through. I do feel such a strong sense that what God says is soooo true, and that is His Grace is sufficent! Thank you Lord for Your Grace; and please forgive me when "i" complain! Girlfriend you are so in my Prayers, and that may Our God restore you soon. LOL! Nana

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  2. And you are on your way to a total recovery.

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  3. Praising God in His faithfulness in helping all the pieces of the puzzle fit this week. I am so sorry to hear about the blip in the Brain but glad to hear that they could blast it out! Praying this was your "bump" in the cancer journey and that the rest of your trip will be less eventful. Praising God that He let you rest in His Peace--may this continue. Speaking totally from my own experience, with God, YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!
    Prayers being sent your way!

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  4. OH thank GOD !!!!! I'm SO happy to hear that nasty brain tumor is SO OUTTA HERE !!!!! Now you go kick that brazen breast cancer IN THE BUTT !!!! HUGS HUGS HUGS !!!!!

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  5. Dear Jan, Praising God for His hand on you and keeping the tumor from getting into your spinal fluid. May His grace continue to carry you and use you for His purpose in encouraging others who are battling for their lives.
    Hugs and blessings.
    Noreen

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  6. It is so good to hear from you! You have been in my prayers. Thank goodness the spinal fluid is clear!! Take care of yourself!!
    Big HUGS)))
    Donna

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  7. Love and hugs to you, your sweet Mr. Gene, Paul, Betsy -- and of course I can't forget Dolly!
    Mary Lynn

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  8. My goodness, Jan...you are the bravest person I know. Praise God that you are okay and have a difficult problem behind you and you can continue to tackle what you need to do to get better. Our God is an awesome God, isn't he? Just continue to put your faith and trust in him.
    My prayers will continue to go up for you.
    God bless you always,
    Nancy

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  9. Praying constantly for you and for Mr. Gene. And I join the masses who are so thankful for what Paul, Betsy, Diane, Eleanora, Scottie and others have done for you. You deserve every blessing you get.
    Love you Friend,
    Debbie

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  10. God is good! So glad they were able to get rid of the brain tumor. I hope they have as much success with the breast cancer and you'll be back to queeeelting soon! :) *hugs*

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  11. Thank God for your ability to write these wonderful words! Now on to a full recovery -- May the peace of the Lord be with You Always!

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  12. I am so glad they were able to zap the brain tumor and you are back to your treatments. I am praying for you and hope your treatment reactions aren't too severe...hang in there girl!

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  13. I'm catching up my dear. You've been to hell and back haven't you. I'm so sorry. I'm so glad your family has rallied around and is taking good care of you. My prayers to you.

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