Willie here again at 5:40pm. Debbi is out of surgery and currently in Recovery until about 6pm. Her surgery took approx 5.5 hours. We were able to see her for a couple of minutes, but expect to see more of her once they release her to NICU where she'll stay for at least a day before transitioning to her room. Dr. G suggested she most likely will go home either Saturday or Sunday.

Although I don't know how much she'll remember, she was aware of everything. She had head pain and some in her stomach as well. Although as recently a this week, there was some brief discussion around having retro sig instead of Translab, but she stayed the course with Translab. Dr. G. suggested afterwards that it was the right decision based on what they found. He was able to get most of the tumor out and only left a little on the facial nerve. Dr. G. didn't believe at this point that there was anything to be concerned about in terms of it coming back as a result of this decision and this is what Debbi would have wanted as well.

Debbi has some minor numbness on her right side, but Dr. G believes it should go away in 4-5 months as the nerve monitoring proved that she had a good signal throughout the nerve. She's able to close her eye and will no doubt get much better as the swelling goes down.I'm sure Debbi will want to get online just as soon as she can and fill you all in on everything. I'll share with her all your best wishes - it will mean so much to her as it does to all of us.

Thank you all again.
WAB

Ethel-ectomy Underway...

Hopefully I do this blog justice as I've not done this before. Here's an update for Debbi as of 11:20am on 4/30.

We arrived in NYC yesterday late afternoon and relaxed awhile before an early-bird special dinner at 5:45pm. Funny how that doesn't sound so unreasonable as time goes by. Nice dinner with Debbi's folks and a dear friend of Debbi's.

Debbi's folks back to Peggy's apartment and Debbi & I to the hotel in time for American Idol. We slept in shifts as this has become our new norm - and up at 5am. A quick sprint to NYU where we met Debbi's parents at 6am. We were one of only several people who were in Admitting at this time of the day, so we quickly found our little pre-surgery waiting room. Many doctor and nurse visits later, our little quiet Admitting area quickly filled up with many more nurses and 12-year old Doogie-like doctors. It got so bad and noisy, I quickly came to the conclusion that we no longer wanted to experience the frenzy that oozes from newbie thrill seeking Xgames wanna be surgeons....OK, the truth be told, we knew this was a training hospital and I've possibly watched one too many "ER" shows, and I'm sure they're all great doctors, but man they looked so young and so eager to spawn their way into the OR as soon as the doors mysteriously opened.

Debbi was, as she always is, in full control and was pressing to move this process along. We eventually got the all systems go at 8:30am EST where she boldly walked herself into surgery with a nurse in tow - no doubt describing to the nurse how she wanted this gig to go down.

We expect to hear something by 1pm, so I'll share what I'm sure will be great news as soon as I can.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support,
Willie

The Final Countdown...

Wow, hard to believe that tomorrow is THE DAY. My emotions are on a speedy rollercoaster ride by now - anger, fear, panic, calm, optimistic, more fear and on it goes. At least none of these emotions last for long!

Finished all my client work yesterday, and go my office ready for my absence. My brother in law, Philp, arrived from Alabama last night so we had a great visit. He gets special kudos for making the trip up here to look after his parents while Willie is with me in NYC. Phil (father in law) is still in rehab, but doing so well that I won't be surprised if he is home before me!

This morning, I am getting things in the house ready - clean sheets and towels for when I get home, etc. Also finished packing for the "trip" - pretty easy in my case, as I won't be needing much in the way of clothes - ha!

We'll drive into the city this afternoon and get settled - mom and dad at Peg's place on E. 50th and Willie at a hotel near the hospital. Once we've got everyone settled in, we'll meet Kura for dinner at Josie's, a health food restaurant. This will allow me to maintain my veggie regimen right up through "the last supper." I need to be at the hospital very early tomorrow morning, so we'll all head to bed early tonight and hope for at least a little sleep.

Dr. Roland called this morning just to confirm things and to confirm that I am "first up" tomorrow morning - eek! It's so official now!!!!!

Willie will post in the next day or so with an update on my surgery. I probably won't be back "in person" for at least a week. Feel free to leave comments in the meantime, though.

Debbi

Sunday at the Northern Compound

And all is quiet - at least for now.

I took time out yesterday for a little "retail therapy" - shoes, a new handbag and a spiffy bag for the hospital. The hospital bag is a bright red quilted thing - quite festive and perfect for little toiletry items and a book (which I'll probably be too dizzy to read.) Willie will be bringing it over to me from the hotel after I get settled in NICU - he is quite concerned about walking around NYC with a bright red, quilted bag! Ha ha! I told him to just look as manly as possible and walk with 'tude...

I am on my self-directed healthy eating plan now - lots of veggies, only lean proteins, and whole grains. Not really different from the way I usually eat, but I am trying to make sure I really push the leafy greens even more than usual. Gotta keep the engine running perfectly!

Mom and Dad are still working their fingers to the bone here. Yesterday, they both weed-whacked all over the property - their hands were so numb from the weed whackers that neither one of them could life a cup of coffee. I may have to chain them to the motor home soon - just so they get some rest.

Things are relatively quiet at rehab - Phil now has permission to leave his bed at night and travel several feet to the commode unaided. He's been given specific instructions on how to do this without killing himself. We hope he complies...

Meanwhile, Willie is over at the Far Northern Compound today spearheading a big "de-cluttering" effort. He's rented a storage space and is going pry some of the treasured possessions from the dark corners of Butternut Rd and liberate them. I'm sure there will be some good stories to tell, but you won't hear them from me --- I plan to stay as far away as possible.

Willie and I are now sleeping in shifts. He took the first shift last night while I watch Top Chef on TiVO; then he took the second shift for some F-1 racing; I took the 3 Am shift for a little light reading; back to Willie in a few hours for more F-1. I don't think things have been much better in the driveway where my parents are no-doubt sleeping in shifts. (And, no, they're not sleeping in the actual driveway - they are comfortably ensconced in their 35-foot deluxe motorhome!) Maybe once I'm in the hospital and Ethel is safely removed from my head, we'll all finally get some sleep. I plan on demanding morphine every five minutes if necessary! :)

Rocket and Phoebe and crazy dog Carrie are on their best behavior - well, sort of. Rocket still has an occasional spot-monster attack and Carrie is still neurotic. Phoebe is just ... well, she's just Phoebe - into everything and totally clueless. She loves to help herself to salad greens and other veggies when no one is looking - aparently she isn't aware that cats are supposed to be carnivores...

well, that's the latest from the northern compound...

I Spoke Too Soon

... about all being calm at the Northern Compound.

When Willie talked to him Mom last night, he learned that Phil had left his bed the prior night to use the commode (yes, with two bad knees and a broken hip) - against ALL orders! Good grief - like we don't have enough going on without Phil becoming a "flight risk!" Willie is going over tonight to try to talk some sense into his dad - I may just head over there myself with a 2 x 4 to try to "talk" some sense into him (kidding, of course!) Arrgghh!

Yes, Kay, I am in need of a swing - might as well swing now because I'm sure that will be on the list of forbidden activities post surgery for awhile!

Breath, Debbi, Breath...

Off to the spa this afternoon for a much needed facial and massage - I'm leaving my cell phone in the locker. Ahh, peace and quiet and no emergencies for a couple of hours...

Signing off from the Northern Compound...

Is it Really Just Six More Days???

All quiet today (finally!) at the Northern Compound.

Of course, now that the rest of the family has finished falling apart, I have more time to focus on myself which isn't necessarily a good thing. I am somewhat embarrassed to confess that I am having occasional moments of self-pity. This morning I went to get my hair "touched up" (yes, that means exactly what you think it does - I have no idea what my "natural" hair color is at this point!) While I was sitting there with chemicals on my head, I started thinking - gee, this is my last stereophonic experience at the hair salon - poor me. Of course, then someone's child started shrieking and I immediately prayed for instant (albeit temporary) deafness. How do children achieve that nearly ear-drum piercing pitch anyway?

I felt a bit weepy in the car on the way home - and then told myself how completely unproductive I was being. Honestly, when I think about some of the truly terrible things people have to live with, I just want to slap myself! Then again, I am entitled to at least some moments of fear...

So, that makes me wonder - what exactly is it that I am afraid of? Well, I already know I'll be deaf in one ear - but I am afraid of how that will really feel; and afraid I won't handle it as well as I should. And, I am afraid of having problems with facial movement and that, if I do, people might stare at me in public. (I know - so what?) I guess it boils down to be afraid of the unkown - and I am pretty certain that, no matter what happens, once it happens, I'll be okay. That's good to know! And, hell, who wouldn't be at least a little afraid six days before brain surgery?!

Okay, all better now!

Besides, I have a wonderful husband, incredible parents, amazing friends, amusing pets - and a freshly stained deck!

Good to go!

And the Doctor Laughed...

So, off I went, in a near-panic, to my doctor today ... headached, congestion, achy - all the symptoms of allergy onset. Naturally, I was so nerved up when I got there that the minute I saw the doctor I started blathering away telling him what my "diagnosis" was. After nearly passing out from lack of oxygen (hard to draw a breath when you are talking mile-a-minute) I suddenly had an epiphany. I looked at him and said - "I'd better shut up - YOU are the doctor!" He and I both had a big laugh.

So, he is aggressively treating me for allergies - need to make sure I don't get a sinus infection. (Kay, I was horrified to hear that you actually had to have your surgery posptoned for similar reasons!!) I put a call into the surgeon to make sure I can take a nasal steroid spray (at the request of my PCP).

I do find that my sense of imbalance increases significantly when my sinuses are affected. I have been feeling a bit "wonky" all day - same as when there are barometric changes. Feels like I've had just a bit too much to drink, or almost like I've gotten up to quickly or something. Not bad, just weird.

Well, hopefully nothing else to be reported today from the Jersey burbs...