I really did believe that I was getting the hang of our routine. Kids, work, school, sports, family, and the like. I thought I had it all under control. It is funny how life comes along two hours before trick-or-treating and turns it all around for you!
I don’t know when they started, but sometimes I would have spells that caused my head to thump really loudly when I went from sitting to standing or vice versa. I didn’t pay much attention to them until last week when the thumping was accompanied by migraine-like pain. Not taking migraines lightly, but by Wednesday the pain was about 15 times that of a migraine. It was strange, only hitting me sporadically when I was transitioning from sitting to standing and then the thumping and pain would go away; always worse in the morning and practically disappearing in the evening. Like a good girl, I thought it was weird so I decided it was worth checking out, my oncologist agreed and emailed me a script for a brain MRI which I promptly scheduled for the soonest date available at our local hospital, Saturday.
On Thursday during one of the headaches I got sick in my office trash can and in the process felt a pop in my left hip. Although I made it to both boys Halloween Parties that afternoon, I could hardly walk when I returned to work. Over the last couple of years the popping and pain are things I have come accustomed to but this time was different. After a lot more pain and a trip to the local Emergency Room, we found out my pelvis is fractured.
The ER plan was to keep the pelvis stable until it could be reviewed by the Orthopedic Oncologist who put the rod in my femur in 2008. Once again Brad was helping me in and out of bed, in and out of the shower, and in and out of the chair. Well, that WAS the plan as of Sunday morning.
I went ahead with the MRI on Saturday and on Sunday my family doctor called to say the MRI had been read and the radiologist had called him. Yeah. I have a cancerous lesion on my brain, the cerebellum at the base of the brain. After about a half dozen calls and e-mails, I had a steriod perscription. This morning (Monday) my oncologist called with an appointment at 1:30pm in Baltimore with the Neurosurgeon so he could see the Mri film on CD's. She told me to be prepared to be admitted for surgery so I quickly packed a suitcase and got ready. (Well, I admit I really dont' move quickly, but whatever). I really liked the surgeon especially when he said they see this in metastic breast cancer, it can be removed, and they have a lot of success. But he did say that it needs removed in the next two weeks, we can't wait four. Special thanks to Glen and Cindy for driving all the way out here this morning to take Trent to school and Ian to their house. And special thanks to my dad who drove me to Hopkins, navigated a wheelchair through the parking garages, buildings and offices!
The Neurosurgeon sent me home with instructions to contine the steriods and his secretary was busy planning my preoperative set up next Tuesday (November 9th) and brain surgery on Wednesday (November 10th). That said, he wants clearance from my Orthopaedic Surgeon because the surgery on my brain will be perfomed face-down and he wants to be sure the hip won't break when they flip me. So at some time they will have to address the hip too. As far as the brain goes, I may need to have radiation as well. I'm guessing this will all lead to a change in drugs too, like chemo. For now though, I cannot drive and I have to keep my pelvis as stable as possible. If you know me, you understand that sitting at home in a filthy house is NOT what I do best but I will do it.
Tomorrow is a new day and I have a list of questions for a list of people. So I will work on that then! Thanks to Glen and Cindy again for making the treck out here to pick up Trent for school again tomorrow and sending home chicken noodle soup. Thanks to my co-worker and friend, Aly for driving out here with a pumpkin pie the other night! And thanks to my boss, Steve and his wife for the food and drinks tonight! The brownies were a big hit!
I know everyone will be concerned and I know from past experience that you want to help. I know in the next couple of weeks there will be many things we will need and I just need to catch my breath and get organized. I appreciate everyone's text messages, I really do and I apologize that I can't answer all of them, but I do read them and SO much appreciate all your words of support! Please know I will let you know when we need help and what we may need. If you have specific questions the best thing this week is to just e-mail me and feel free to pass along this blog address to those who might be interested. Brad is wiped out from trying to do everything and talking on the phone around here has always been a challenge and most of what I have to say or explain is bigger than a text message. I will try to keep this blog updated when I get information too!
Right now we just really need prayers. They have never failed me before!!
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