For the past year, I’ve been holding it together and functioning like everything is going to be ok thanks to the confidence my neurosurgeon, Dr. Schwartz, had that he resected my entire tumor. I missed the call from my other surgeon, Dr. Friedman, today but he left a message letting me know that my MRI “looks gorgeous” and I don’t need another one for four years.
I’m crying tears of joy and breathing a huge sigh of relief! Thank you, Lord!
It’s snowing today and everything is covered in a fluffy blanket of powder. Typically, I wouldn’t venture out (other than to go to and from the bus stop) but my MRI was scheduled for 9 AM. Glad I didn’t have to drive far – though 4-wheel drive worked splendidly.
The scan took about an hour and I walked out with the disk of my images in hand.
I took a look at the scans when I got home. Obviously I’m not a radiologist, but I didn’t see the same tumor blob as on my last scan. The sinus infection I had during my first scan cleared up nicely as well – ha! (The right side of my head is on the left side of each of the images below.) I was able to see some of the titanium mesh that was screwed into my skull as well as what I believe is the fat plug they took from my belly to fill the space left by the tumor. I will, of course, wait for “official” word from my surgeon that things look ok, but for now, I can wait patiently and not feel anxious.
For reference, here is the post with images from my first scan where Norman is clearly visible.
Today marks 1-year since my surgery at UCSD to remove the acoustic neuroma pushing on my brain. (I can’t believe I just wrote that!) So much has happened over the last 365 days. I give thanks to God every day for the gift of continued healing. We celebrated my ANniversary (Get it? AN = acoustic neuroma) by having dinner out. Then we came home for chocolate vinegar cake – Grandma Lois’ recipe.
Jake and I took some time this morning to reflect back on 1/23/18. Some of it I remember clearly and some I don’t. It’s probably a gift that the meds I was on also kept me from recalling a lot of what I experienced immediately post-op. There are times I think back to what has transpired over the last year and a half and shake my head in disbelief. Did I really go through all of that? Then the reality of my lost hearing, my scar, my hair that continues to grow back, my tongue that has lost its sense of taste on one side, all “prove” to me that yes, I did in fact experience all of this. And God has shown me His faithfulness throughout all of it. I am changed. I’m definitely not the same person I was before my surgery or even before my diagnosis. And that’s ok.
Next up – 1-year post-op MRI to (hopefully) confirm zero regrowth.
We were out of taco seasoning so Shecklet #2 helped make a quadruple batch – some to use now and some for later.
This kid got a swurfer swing for Christmas and her dad made it possible for her to use is in the heated garage during the winter.
I even gave it a try. Shecklet #4 made sure I had a helmet on for safety!
We didn’t get the usual post-mass family or kid pictures like we typically do. Instead, we opted for photos by the tree. They got off to a bit of a rocky start for the youngest Shecklet, but eventually we were able to get some real smiles out of her ❤️
I met my mother-in-law at Bachman’s this morning. We had coffee & quiche, had a chance to catch up a little (she had a busy fall, so we didn’t get to see her much.) We also took some time to wander around the store to check out all of the Christmas decorations. We even stopped for a picture at the “selfie spot.”
I got to celebrate my birthday with this great group of family and friends. Michelle and Angelo hosted us for dinner and an amazingly delicious pumpkin layered cake.
Gift opening (on the 24th) was full of fun surprises from Jake, the kids, my in-laws, and my aunt Deb, who made a cathedral pane lap quilt using pieces that my Grandma Fran had intended to use for quilting, but was unable to due to her failing eyesight.
We made our annual trip to the orchard where Grandma Patti works every fall. We went through the corn maze, washed apples, ate apples, picked apples, and selected pumpkins. It was a great day!
We had a bunker crop of grape tomatoes this year. We couldn’t believe how many grew off of two plants that we never thought would even make it. I went out today and harvested the final batch, including green ones we hope will turn red.
