One month ago this past Friday, Elizabeth had surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. We have been amazed at how quickly she has recovered. While she initially experienced some slowness with thinking of words, she has really regained 100% of her speech. Her biggest hold up right now is being tired, but because she is on medical leave from school, she has plenty of time to nap.
The first ten days at home were a bit scary. Elizabeth's pulse was high and she broke out in a rash. After a run to the emergency room (which was probably the most traumatic experience of the entire journey), we ruled out a blood clot and treated her for anxiety. Her family doctor has been extremely helpful as we worked to figure out if her symptoms were related to the surgery or the medicines. The symptoms have subsided, and she is on her way to full recovery.
Last week, we received the final pathology report, and the oncologist was quite pleased, indicating her tumor was indeed stage two and requires no follow up treatment such as radiation or chemo. We will return to the Mayo Clinic in late May/early June for a follow up with the surgeon. For rest of her life, Elizabeth will need an MRI every six months. We can handle that.
One of my colleagues in the Psychology Department invited Elizabeth to speak to the neuro psych class, and after talking for an hour, they invited her back the next day to answer questions. It was an excellent opportunity for her to talk about the tumor and the journey. She has realized, like the rest of her family, that she is remarkably lucky. So many people who are diagnosed with a brain tumor do not have this positive news.
Right now, our family is working to raise money for the American Brain Tumor Association. On April 18, we are holding a garage sale and then on April 19, we are hosting a breakfast at the Main View in North Manchester. The owner will give us 10% of the proceeds plus tips towards our goal. On April 27, 2014, Elizabeth and I, along with family and friends, will participate in the 5K walk in Chicago for the American Brain Tumor Association, and all of the money we raise will be donated at this point.
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you for your patience as we have all moved back into a sense of normalcy. Elizabeth is going to take classes this summer, and she hopes to graduate with her classmates in May 2015. We could not have gone through this journey without you!
The first ten days at home were a bit scary. Elizabeth's pulse was high and she broke out in a rash. After a run to the emergency room (which was probably the most traumatic experience of the entire journey), we ruled out a blood clot and treated her for anxiety. Her family doctor has been extremely helpful as we worked to figure out if her symptoms were related to the surgery or the medicines. The symptoms have subsided, and she is on her way to full recovery.
Last week, we received the final pathology report, and the oncologist was quite pleased, indicating her tumor was indeed stage two and requires no follow up treatment such as radiation or chemo. We will return to the Mayo Clinic in late May/early June for a follow up with the surgeon. For rest of her life, Elizabeth will need an MRI every six months. We can handle that.
One of my colleagues in the Psychology Department invited Elizabeth to speak to the neuro psych class, and after talking for an hour, they invited her back the next day to answer questions. It was an excellent opportunity for her to talk about the tumor and the journey. She has realized, like the rest of her family, that she is remarkably lucky. So many people who are diagnosed with a brain tumor do not have this positive news.
Right now, our family is working to raise money for the American Brain Tumor Association. On April 18, we are holding a garage sale and then on April 19, we are hosting a breakfast at the Main View in North Manchester. The owner will give us 10% of the proceeds plus tips towards our goal. On April 27, 2014, Elizabeth and I, along with family and friends, will participate in the 5K walk in Chicago for the American Brain Tumor Association, and all of the money we raise will be donated at this point.
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you for your patience as we have all moved back into a sense of normalcy. Elizabeth is going to take classes this summer, and she hopes to graduate with her classmates in May 2015. We could not have gone through this journey without you!