Since arriving home after our whirlwind excursion across the ocean and across the frozen landscape of Minnesota, we have tried to be as normal as possible, even as the reality of the situation settled in. Lucas had several ball games as did the Manchester Univesity Spartans. Our family, slightly obsessed with sports, finds great enjoyment in basketball games, and these teams did not disappoint us. We also have been blessed by visits from friends and family, each offering us comfort through their laughter, warm hugs, and delicious food.
Yesterday, Brian, Elizabeth, and I drove back to Rochester, Minnesota. The sun was shining and the roads were completely clear. With few delays, we arrived easily and spent the evening watching the Olympics in our hotel room.
An early appointment meant that we had to arrive at the Mayo Clinic by 7:30 this morning. For nearly 2 and a half hours, Elizabeth participated in her functional MRI. The functional MRI will provide her surgeon with important information about which parts of her brain control partical tasks. As a psychology minor, she found this "test" quite interesting. Lying perfectly still, she had to respond to images that required her to identify differences in patterns as well as rhyming and correlations between words. Ironically, the one she remembers clearly is the phrase "country: Denmark." She quickly pressed the button to indicate they are correlated. Brian wonders if the MRI screen didn't jump a bit when her brain lit up with an emotional response to Denmark.
Of course, those several hours seemed to last a lifetime for us waiting to hear about her experience. Perhaps it is training for the nearly ten hours we will have to wait on Friday as they operate.
This afternoon, we meet with the coordinator of the clinical study in which she is participating. Until then, we are hanging out in the little metropolis of Mayo, browsing in the little stores, enjoying a cup of coffee, and tapping into free wifi. Yes, we are waiting, but we also are realizing that a lot of good comes to those who wait, and the best part of this waiting are the conversations we have had as a family.
Thanks for waiting with us.