This is how my head feels

But not how it really looks.

Dara's Doc's came by this morning to look in on her,  her bandages are off and her face looks great, nothing like this picture.  She is feeling better and she is off her IV and eating real food. 

We expect to go home sometime Saturday.  Johnny and Michelle F. went home today at 12:30pm.

Carole W.  leaves today.  Dara is doing terrific and we are gonna try and go for a walk around her unit in the next hour or so.

I have taken a picture of her with no bandage (beautiful) and a pic of her incision (yikes).  I will post those later.  Johnny and Michelle F were there when the bandages came off.  Johnny told Dara that the top of here ear was missing but her hair would probably cover it.  She did not fall for that, but I did see her reach up and touch her ear a second later to double check that her ear was still there.  Michelle F did not even blink when Dara's bandage came off, way to go Michelle.

There have been some questions about if we will be keeping Willie.  I can't speak for Dara but I did not like Willie when he was in Dara's head and I just don't want him around the house.  Who knows what he will try and do next, that no good Willie has got to go.

 Sometimes it is better to collect stories and friends and leave the souvenirs behind.

Art

Road to Recovery

It is 10pm, Dara's dad and I are back at the hotel.  We just got some time with Dara,  she has had a tough day.  Dara spent a good part of the day resting and sleeping, she has been able to sit up in a chair and ate half her dinner and held it down. She needs to keep her eyes closed so she doesn't get dizzy when she moves.  Our neighbors Dan and Carol stopped by to check on her.

The girls, Carole, Linda and Michelle F are keeping an eye on her for the first half of the night.  

Again thanks for all love I am keeping Dara updated on all your notes.

Art

Ouch my f'in head!

Good Morning!

I arrived at the hospital at 5;40am am to relive Carole from Dara duty.  Carol was a hero last night, her nursing skills were put to work.  She took great care of our girl.  Dara was in pain and throwing up from the meds, Carole was there to make it as easy as possible.

At about 6:30am things took a turn for the better.  Dara was able to hold down a few ice chips.

Dr. Mastrodimos came in at about 9am and checked out his handy work. Dr. M is a man who does not mince words, he told Dara that she was "very lucky" and he seemed to mean exactly that.  She said thank you, thank you and he told her that she was really really welcome.

He wanted to see again for himself,  her smile worked fine, her tongue in working although a little numb.  After that she had a few bites of Jello and her status was changed from ICU to normal.  Because of a lack of rooms she is remaining in ICU but she should be able to move around a bit by this eve.  Her mom and dad have been in to see her for a few minutes. 

Michele F and Cathy, Bill and Nancy are here for support and laughs.

She is still hurting quite a bit but she looks and sounds better every hour.

Thank you all for your posts,  I will be reading her all the notes tonight.  

Dara and I know how blessed we are and both feel like every prayer and good thought made a difference.

Art 

Super Success Story

We are so blessed.

Our love Dara is recovering now.

Dara was rolled into surgery today at 12:30 pm. 

She never lost her positive attitude,  her Dr's told me she went to sleep with the most serene expression on her face.  At 7:00pm I received a call from the O.R. that Willie was free and they were closing up. At 8:00 pm the Dr's came to the waiting room and discussed the details of the surgery with our family.  Dara's tumor was very vascular and was difficult to remove, it was stuck to her brain.  Her nerves that control her eye, tongue and face were also stuck to the tumor and had been kinda smashed, they were not broken.  After the removal the nerves were tested for conductivity and they all appear to be functioning,  the nerve for her right side of the face is weak but should recover over time.  After a long day we can all rest and know that Dara will be fine.  She is expected to make a full recovery.  Thanks to all for your thoughts, notes, posts and good vibes, we know it made a difference.

Art

The Perfect Day!

We grabbed breakfast by the ocean on the way down to San Diego.  It was a beautiful morning.  We said goodbye to Michelle, Madeline and Mason and started our journey.  Michelle flies back to Colorado today and I want to Thank her for everything. Grammy Judi and Pops Syl are holding down the fort and keeping the kiddos safe.  I feel good and can't wait to come home to Maddie and Mason.

My best girly from AZ, Carole Woodhouse, came in and I am happy to see her sweet soul.  She is a nurse with mad skills that I am gonna put to the test.  How lucky am I?

The Last Supper!

For Willy of course and it was Mexican.  Daddy is here and I feel safe and ready to go.  My best girlfriend, Michelle Foteh from Texas, of 35 years is here and has kept me laughing since the minute she stepped of the plane.  She asked me if we could keep it?  I said I dont know, good question!!  Art and Carole complete the Freed team and we are having a really great time!  I can not believe we all here together.

Mommas Here!

Now the party can start!  The Freed team grabbed late night dessert and laughed all night.  Thank you again to everyone that made this happen.  I wasn't expecting to see her so soon and I love it.

                 

Dara and My Men! Free Willy!

I love, love, love my doctors .  Art and I had a really great pre-op appointment with Dr. Mastrodimus and Dr. Cueva this afternoon. They have been working as a team for 12 years assisting one another with  AN removal surgery and have been surgeons for over 20 years each.  We went over the surgery procedure again and what to expect every step of the way.  They were very clear to mention again the possibility of facial paralysis, swallow and tongue issues related to the size of the tumor, along with the hearing loss.  They  proceeded to explain some follow up techniques to resume some or all of those difficulties if they do arise.  I was grateful to know we still have some options later down the road if need be.   We felt really confident, excited and ready to face tomorrow. 

On our way out to schedule my 2 week appointment after surgery Art nudged me towards a young man about 25 yo in the lobby with the classic AN surgical site.  I knew this was the young man the doctors told me about last week that had a AN near the size of mine that they removed successfully.  This was his two week follow up.  So I walked over to him and said I am getting mine out tomorrow. I see they nabbed yours.  How are you doing and how big was it?  He looked a little miserable and answered big 3.5.  I am having difficulty with dizziness and major headaches.  I said DUDE you can move your face, thats so COOL!  Move it again!  Smile for me! Thats Amazing! That got a grin out of him and he cheered up a little.  I said goodluck and thanks for making my day!  Art reminded me on the way out that he probably hasn't had a baby without an epidural(not by choice-missed the window), so I may have an edge on the pain issue.  Bring it on!  I am ready to go!

**Goodnight Madeline and Mason, Mommy and Daddy miss and love you!

On a more serious note.

Today was a little surreal.  I felt like I was going through the motions, but with a certain awareness.  Is this the last time I will get my kids up and ready for school?  Is this the last time I kiss and hold the children and Art?  Is this the last time I put them to bed?  Is this the last time for almost everything I did throughout the day.  I tried not to go there, but could not help myself. I had butterflies in my tummy and had to make myself eat.  It was a comfort to have Art home from work and Michelle by my side.  I felt a certain sense of peace and joy this afternoon.  I contribute this blessing to the numerous cards in the mailbox, that comforted me immensely.  I can not express the love I have witnessed in prayer from everyone.  My friends from childhood, high school, parents of my friends, family, tennis, and neighbors have changed my heart forever.   Michelle and others have led my heart to believe that this tumor may already be smaller by the grace of gods will and love or maybe even gone. I am blessed to be where I am and I know there is a lesson.  I just got an email that a fellow classmate has gone to be with God.  My heart reaches out to Jody's family. She was an amazing spirit that touched many lives and always so sweet to me.   I am again reminded of how blessed I am, even if I am a little scared.  I will be in Gods care and in your hearts, how much safer could I be.  Enough of me rambling.

We leave tomorrow for San Diego at 5am and have a preop meeting with the doctors at 2pm.  My surgery call time Wednesday is at 10am (wish it was earlier) and I will be out in 5-8hrs.    My mom surprised me and is coming in for the surgery.  I was worried about her getting off work.  I have the Lochers, my sisters, her principle and her fellow co-workers for making this happen.  I cant wait to see her and have both my mom and dad hold my hands.  I am excited to come home and begin life after BT.  Besides, a very spiritual women once told me that she had visions of me taking care of Art in his 80's and he would be a little senile.  I have never been so excited about dementia in my life.  Art will be updating my blog while I am in the hospital.  Thank you to everyone for all the heartfelt love and support.  I will be Great!

  

My My My NEUROMA!!!!

Well I wanted to show off Willy.  He is the big white blob and I provided two views in case you could not find him.  Big huh? I should be brilliant when he is gone. Julie these are my head shots.  They are almost as perty as yours.

BIG HAIR CAUSES BRAIN TUMOR!!!

The verdict is not out if it was the weight of the hair, hair teasing, or the chemicals from Extra Hold Aqua Net.

** Special Thanks to Jon and Raquel Fotorny for the pic.