My primary doc messaged me today and shared that my tumor has not changed in size since my initial scan! This news is a huge relief since I’ve been feeling an increase in pain/pressure and a decrease in my hearing the last few days. At least I know those symptoms aren’t a result of Norman’s growth.
Part of my pre-op prep involves another MRI scan – with and without contrast. My initial scan from August would be 5 months old by the time I have my surgery, and the doctors require a scan that is no older than 4 months. The order from California was faxed to my clinic this morning and the radiology scheduler was able to book an appointment for me this evening. Once I have a CD of my scans, I’ll be able to upload them to the UC San Diego portal for the doctors to review. I have noticed the presence of Norman more these last couple of weeks and am praying there has not been an increase in growth over the last four months.
Jake’s grandparents invited us to come for dinner tonight. While we were there, Shecklet #3 got to show Grandma Lois the game he made using SCRATCH.
He has really enjoyed learning how to code and has a friend at school (as well as his teacher) who he shares his games with and gets feedback for improving them.
Shecklet #2 made a bird last spring for an eco-arts festival his school attended. It has been residing in the kitchen (peeking down from the kitchen cabinets.) Today we needed to make room for the mini houses we display during Advent and Christmas, so Jake and #2 found a new place for the bird to keep watch.
I’m not big on pictures of myself. Never have been (as an adult, at least.) I’m pretty self-conscious, and thus, tend to shy away from having them taken. I know of at least one article out there on the interwebs that talks about how it’s important for you to take pictures with your kids and for them to see pictures of you as an adult. Not just formal family pictures, but everyday, no make-up on, real life pictures. As I approach my surgery date, I’m trying to be more open to that – though I wish that wasn’t the reason for my change in perspective. I have no idea what the impact to my facial nerve is going to be post-surgery. As I look back on pictures from the last several years, I can see that when I smile, my right eye doesn’t close the same way as my left. It’s not something that anyone else would likely notice, but I do. My hunch is that Norman is to blame.
I continue to pray that the only side-effect from the removal of the unwelcome guest in my head will be SSD and nothing else long-term. I’m trying to keep my anxiety over the unknown that I cannot control, in check. On a related note to that, the number of people who continue to come up to me and tell me they’re praying for me and my family continues to blow me away. And I know it’s people’s prayers that are getting me through this time of waiting. How appropriate that we’ve now entered the season of Advent.
The reason for today’s selfie is to document my current ability to smile as well as my new haircut. I had coffee with a friend this morning and afterwards, instead of going home to pick up the house, I decided to shorten my locks. I realized last week that when they shave the section of my head for the incision, my current haircut would look really lop-sided due to the layering I had. I had about 4 inches chopped off and now it will hopefully hide the incision a bit better next month.
Two recent trips to Target were not complete without a stop in the Christmas section.
Shecklet #4 took a few calls from Santa and the elves. (I had to tell her which way to hold the phone – she wasn’t sure why it had a cord!)
The boys found themselves heading the wrong way down the chimney.
