I was able to see Veronica in the PACU. Fr. Joseph said that I was there with her for an hour and a half yet it seemed like 15 minutes. Her caregivers are helping manage her pain. She is talking when she is awake. Right now she is being moved to the ICU. I will spend more time with her tonight in the ICU, then go to bed to prepare to help care for her tomorrow. She is so beautiful.
I get to see Veronica very soon! She will be in the ICU at least overnight, and then rehab starts. Thank you, everyone, for your prayers and thoughts.
Norman is officially evicted! Dr. Freidman just stopped by and said that the tumor was completely removed, and her facial nerves are responding well. Dr. Schwartz’s team will now close up the access to the tumor and then the recovery can begin. Dr. Freidman is going to have a well-deserved nap.
Dr. Friedman just came to me and said, “everything is going well. Everything is exposed and there haven’t been any complications.” Dr. Schwartz and his team are now going to remove the tumor.
I’ve been planning the title of this post for months. Today is the day. No turning back.
I didn’t sleep last night. I rested fairly peacefully (outside of some intial tears when I laid down,) but I feel relatively peaceful right now. The last two nights I’ve slept with the prayer shawl that was given to me after mass on Sunday. Not only did the soft yarn bring a physical comfort, but it was emotionally and spiritually comforting knowing the number of prayers that were offered up during it’s creation.
We’re supposed to report to the hospital at 6:30 AM local time. There’s a short surgery before mine and then the operating room will be turned over and I’ll be brought in. I’ve never had general anesthesia, so there are many unknowns for me. I’ve been told the first couple of days are going to be especially rough – nausea, dizziness (from losing my balance nerve,) and pain. After those hard days, it’s supposed to get better. Lots of walking = how my brain will learn to compensate for the loss of the right side balance center.
Please keep up your prayers for me. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. So many unknowns surround the one surgical known – I’ll be single-side deaf. But there is also one known that is bigger than all of this, than all of us. God’s love for me is unfailing and I believe He has been and will continue to guide me on the path to healing – wherever and however that healing needs to take place.