Brain met surgery Thurs. morning

[StephN]

Things went faster than originally planned.
Got a call yesterday morning to see if Hubby and I could meet with the docs in the mid-afternoon. We agreed and met up there at 2pm.
The Gamma Knife rad onc was there and a top notch neuro-surgeon who only works on the brain. We looked at all the scans starting from last year and on to see how things went.
If the PET/CT were not showing as much contrast I might be inclined to wait, but it is, and this is a light week ahead so no reason not to take the opening on Thurs.

I have full confidence in this brain surgeon, I just am not crazy about having the general anethetic as I don't do so well with them. Blood pressure stays depressed.
If I could have a biopsy of this stubborn met to see if it is necrosis or tumor (or both, very likely) I would. But there is just a little bit of boney structure in the way!
The area of concern is much smaller than the original 3cm tumor, so the Gamma Knife did its job. We will see what the pathology says.
My markers are all normal - including CEA which was way over normal with the brain mets before and the new Bayer Her2 serum test which came back well into the normal range.
The docs all agreed that I am very healthy otherwise - and I will NOT NEED DECADRON for more than a very few days. It is easier to get over the effects of the anesthesia than the Decardon!

[AlaskaAngel]

That is fast, Steph! I wish there was some sci-fi way to just open up the bone a wee tad and sample it and then have it close up as if it never opened. Your sharing of the journey all along the way is precious to us as we want to know how you are doing with all of this. It should at least give you more info on how well various tests and signs and symptoms work in keeping you aware of what is going on with it, and those sound like they are looking good, as you say.

I'm there with you in spirit, you know.

AlaskaAngel

[karenann]

I will be thinking of you Steph and will send lots of healing thoughts and prayers.

Karen

[jo50]

It is moving along fast - sorry it has to be the surgery you don't particularly want but if it's going to happen then probably best to get it over with as soon as possible. I'm so glad your markers and general health are good. Your attitude continues to amaze and inspire me. I don't have mets (yet, and touching every bit of wood I can see!) but posts like yours put things into perspective. I'll be thinking of you and sending prayers and good thoughts your way. Let us know as soon as you can how you are. All the best, Jo

[Barbara H.]

Hi Steph,
I'm glad you are getting this over with so that you don't have to think about it. I'm sure that they will watch your pressure very carefully. I also think you will be surprised how well you will feel, especially since you won't have to have much decadron.
We will be anxious to hear from you when you are back home. You should be able to enjoy a good Valentine's dinner.
Best wishes and good luck!!!
Barbara H.

[Becky]

Steph


I will be thinking about you all day. You are a pioneer survivor and an inspiration to me (personally). Let's just get that thing out so you can move on.

Love, Becky

[lisahammo]

Good luck Steph. I will be thinking of you, and keeping all my fingers and toes crossed. I don't blame you about the anaesthetic. I don't come out too good either.

Love Lisa

[Karen t]

Steph, you are definitely a role model; just seeing your photo on this site and reading your comments is comforting for many of us. You will be in our thoughts and prayers as you go through yet another challenge. Take care, be well.

[Sheila]

Steph
You will be in my prayers as always...and positive vibes to keep up your pressure and your chin through all of this...it is sad..everytime we have conquered a mountain, another hill develops...put on your hiking boots and kick this once and for all. A big hug to you!

[pattyz]

Steph,
Sending good hugs and hope that the smallest amount of dec does the job in fast order! Then kick that bad boy to the curb !

Thinking of you,
love,
patty

[Lyn]

Hi Steph, you are going into this with the right attitude so it will be a success. I always make a point of apologising to the medical team before I go under just in case I swear at them when I am coming out, but it just seems like "lights out" lights back on", when I have anaesthetic, but I know what you mean with the low blood pressure when coming out, I always look as white as a ghost and feel just as bad. We will all be holdingt your hand and our Love & prayers go with you.

Love & Hugs Lyn

[RhondaH]

Just said a prayer for you. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

[Tami]

Steph - I will keep you, your surgeon and medical team in prayer all day Thursday. May you bounce back quickly.

[Barbara]

I am thinking and praying for you. It sounds like you have a great medical team on your side.

Barbara

[Unregistered]

You know Steph I will be praying for you and waiting for good reports soon. hugs, Sandy

[Lolly]

Dear Steph, you're going into this with strength and courage on your side, and all of us keeping you in our thoughts, so rest easy and heal quickly. I'll be eager to read your report of how it all went; your willingness to share your experiences is, as someone else mentioned, a precious gift to us. I'm less afraid of brain mets now, knowing from you and Christine, the Patty's, Kim and other's that it's doable. Keeping you in my thoughts.

<3 Lolly

[Julie2]

Steph,

Thinking of you and sending best wishes.
Julie

[michele u]

Good luck Steph!!!!!!!!

[sherri]

Dear Steph,

I'll be thinking of you and sending you lot of healing energy. Good luck,
Big hug,

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

Good luck to you my friend - sending my angels your way.

[Maryanne]

Steph,

You will be in my thoughts and in my prayers as always.
You are a true inspiration to all of us on this board.

Maryanne

[Shell]

Steph-


Thank you for sharing - I echo the thoughts and prayers mentioned by the other board members. Think positive thoughts.

Shell

[kristen]

Dear Steff,

Moving Fast is kinda your speed isn't it? I don't see you waiting around long to get anything done, so this must be meant to be. I hate to see any of this happening to you. You have been through so much already. I know your strong willed and everything will be alright. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. You know how much I respect and admire you. Go get em., get rid of it and get NED again. love to you my friend.

[mts]

Dear Steph- I'll be praying for you. Also, please know I always look for your posts and comments to others... your knowledge and experience are an incredible resource to this website. Please do well and hurry back!
Maria

[Joe]

Stephanie,

All of our prayers will definately be with you.

Hugs and warm regards
Christine and Joe

[TriciaK]

Dear Steph, Again let me add my thoughts and prayers to all the others on this board who love and admire you. I know we were all praying for you yesterday so maybe this fast decision and move is part of the answer for you. We'll all be sending positive vibes and prayers your way tomorrow. Hugs, Tricia

[Kim in CA]

Steph,

Just sending my love and lots of prayers and positive energy to you. Wishing you a speedy recovery, and will be waiting to hear from you soon. Love ,Kim

[jojo]

Dear Steph,

I am so sorry for not having had the chance to timely email you back last night, as I just got home from the hospital around 8pm or so. I guess I am too late to shoot you off an email before you start your craniotomy tmw morning, huh?

Anyway, it is extremely important to focus on important parts, especially wehn you are getting ready for a craniotomy. You are charging in just to get this bugger out of your system. Keep in mind that you are being pro-active about your brain situation. Your neurosurgeon has had a LOT of experience in brain surgery, so you are in very good hands. Remember that once you are done with the surgery, you will be in a much BETTER place, after all!

If you do get a bit scared of having the upcoming craniotomy, just keep reminding yourself to take deep breaths, take prayers or meditation, and do little easy things that can take your anxiety off the surgery.

And do NOT feel bad if you happen to be anxious about the craniotomy; it just goes to show that you are very human and VERY normal! :-) God will be with you in EVERY step, as you go along.

Warm hugs sending your way from Sunny California here. :-)

Steph, you will be in my prayers & thoughts.

[StephN]

You all are such dear ones and so empathetic when you need your energy for your own healing and life - that is the beauty of this board; that we are here for each other like long-lost old friends. And maybe we are - just had to come together in a different way in another life!
I was once told that I was one of the "old souls" whatever that meant. The woman was a little odd, but I do recall her comment and she seemed sincere enough.
Off the subject - with all your whole-hearted support I can face this next speed bump. JoJo and Barbara2 say it is not a difficult surgery to recover from and also not very painful. The surgeon says that it will only be the muscle healing that will hurt at all.
Hospitals are usually noisy and it is difficult to really rest unless you are zonked with pain meds. Will let you all know ...

[Vi Schorpp]

Steph

I'm sending all my good thoughts and prayers your way. You were very helpful discussing my husband's gamma knife procedure, decadron, etc. I will be thinking of you tomorrow (along with everyone else), so you will feel a rush of good feelings throughout the surgery and recovery.

Take care, be well, stay well.

[CLTann]

I just want to add my belated best wish for a speedy recovery from the surgery. You are one of the VIP in this group and we need you.


Ann

[Berta]

Steph: Good luck. My thoughts and prayers are with you. BERTA

[mamacze]

Good Grief Steph!

Never again will I dilly dally about checking onto the discussion boards again! I check in tonight and am blown away to see you are going in for a craniotomy tomorrow! How on earth could I have missed this?! Thank God I have time to pray for you before you go in tomorrow. I will ask God to wrap his loving arms around you and cradle your mind body and soul all day tomorrow. He will be holding one of his angels and protecting you; the temple of his spirit...hang in there for us and please post as soon as you are on your feet. God speed my friend.
Love Kim from Connecticut.

ps tell Emil the Big Nose was spectacular...:>)

[al from Canada]

Dear Steph,

Both Linda and I are wishing you the speediest recovery from this "speed-bump" in the road. You are a role model for all of us who visit here. We will be thinking of you and also your husband, who will also need strength to carry both of you through this.

Your Canadian friends,
Al and Linda

[Leslie S.]

Steph,
Please know that you are on my mind and in my prayers. Lots of love,
Leslie

[brittd01]

I'm praying for you Steph!!

Love,
Brittany

[lu ann]

Dear Steph,

You are loved by so many. I will be thinking of you and praying for you for a speedy recovery.

God Bless You, Stephanie.
Lu Ann.

I'd like to pass a little advice on to those who know they are having upcoming surgery with general anesthesia. It is too late for you, Steph., but here goes.

About 2 weeks prior to my hysterectomy, I omitted meat from my diet. Meat takes the longest to digest and remains in the bowel longer then fruits and vegetables. I ate healthy fruits, vegetables, grains, and water. Twenty-four hours before surgery I went on a fast. I drank broth, 100% juice, and plenty of water. This was followed up by an enema, (prescribed by Doc.), the following morning. The gas and bloating that many of us get following surgery was kept to a minimum. I was up and walking the next day, which also helped in my recovery.

Always check with your Doc. before doing this, as you may have other issues to deal with.

Blessings. Lu Ann.

[Marlys]

Steph,
You are in my prayers today. I can't remember what it means but I do know that being called an "old soul" is a great compliment. And from what I have obsewrved on this board you are one.
Love & hugs,
Marlys

[Cynthia]

Steph,

I too wish you a speedy recovery. You are truly inspirational.

Cynthia

[StephN]

Thanks so much, everyone!
Wanted to reply to Luann's advice.
I had just 2 days to prepare for the surgery and did choose to eat light and hydrate myself well.
This really paid off - I was walking the second day and came home yesterday - day 3.
Will post more above. But I had NO nausea this time and not much gas either, so heed what Luann says about presurgery food and liquid intake.

[sherri]

Thank God, you are up and running as usual. I was in Seattle UW for my second Vaccine on Friday, I wanted to come and see you so much, I wasn't sure you were in the same hospital and I thought you may not want stranger visitor after a surgery. But I'm so happy you are doing good and I hope you get a very best result.
Big hug,

[Diane H]

Hoping all went well, prayers coming your way, heal quickly.