Juanitos Here We Come!!!

MIMI

Hi everyone!  My scalp is still intact with no brains oozing out and my head is a healin.  My headaches are off and on every couple of days, which is no big deal.  My face still a tingling, but that thats ok it means I am still kicken.  We finally got our arrangements for Texas and my play dates are July 19 to Aug 2.  We are going to hang out at Juanitos in Pearland at 3412 Broadway St, Pearland TX , on July 23- Wed  at 6:00-8:30. Would love to see anybody that can swing by for queso, margaritas and toast to freeing Willy. Feel free to have dinner as well we have their back room reserved to hang and bring the kiddos.   I am so blessed to be so prayed over and cared about and I would love to hug each and everyone of you.  So far Art is planning on being there unless something major turns up for work. This last Sat. Art surprised me, Mason and Mimi and drove us to Santa Barbara for the day.  Maddie is on a train trip with her Freed Grandparents to the Grand Canyon.  We hear they are having a blast and she got a little overwhelmed when she saw the canyon.  I can only imagine being so small and seeing something so vast and amazing.  We had a great time in SB with the temperature being about 20 degrees cooler.  We had lunch on the pier, walked through an art show, saw this amazing tribute to the war on the beach supporting ending the war, and had dinner.  The war display had 3000 crosses on the beach with each soldier's name that had lost their life and the actual count is in the 4000's.  It was a very touching moment for all of us and my heart went out to all the families of the lost ones.  Tearing up happened and I wished the war would end realizing myself again how lucky and grateful I am to be alive.  We also walked around downtown and enjoyed the beautiful day.   It was a perfect day and we made a pact to try and experience life to the fullest.  Be in the moment, have a great week and be sure to smile a lot cause I am!!  Love Dara

Staples are gone-I can blow dry my hair now!!

Hi everyone!!!  I am doing great with a trip to San Diego this week on Tuesday for a check up with my staples removed.  The incision is healing well with no swelling at the site like last go round.  We packed up the family including Mimi (my mommy-Lynda) and headed down Tuesday.  We had lunch at our favorite Mexican food restaurant that we ate the night before my very first surgery.  A little bit of Dejavu.  I figured why not celebrate the first and hopefully last visit to the hospital eating the same good eats.  It was a beautiful day and we walked around ole town.  The visit went great and the staples were removed effortlessly.  The docs were thrilled that I was doing so well.  I think they were really concerned about me or a possible lawsuit.  I am definitely headed on the road to a complete recovery.  I can feel it!!  I don't have to go back for one year to get a follow up MRI unless problems arise. We spent the night in San Diego and took the kiddos and Mimirs to Sea World the next day.  I did really good and made it through the day with periodic breaks of sitting down.  The shows were really awesome and the kids had a blast.  Maddie wants to live with the dolphins, Mimi wants to ride Shamu and Mason was a mad man at the giant jungle gym.  What a great trip!  Mimi is graciously staying another week to visit and help with the kids.  We are playing scrabble  and I am getting back to word combat mode. I am now just today off the steroids and hoping that my appetite will take a hike.  I am tired of eating, but always so damn hungry.  Everything still taste a little metallic, but improving with time.  I have gained about 13 lbs due to the steroids and not being able to work out.  I can not wait to get back on the tennis court, but have to wait an additional 2 months.  Don't want to blow another gasket. But I CAN SMILE-and eat evidently yahoo!!  I still need about a 2 hr nap in the afternoons and I am only on motrin for headache pain.  I feel really blessed to not have nonstop headaches like some post op acoustic neuromas.

I am heading back to Houston July 19-Aug 2.  I cant wait to see everyone.  I miss my family and friends.  We are still trying to get Arty's plane ticket, so we have not planned a date for a reunion at Juanitos.  We will keep everybody posted.  I want to thank the prayer group and Mrs. Gloria Mills in Pearland.  They knitted a beautiful shaw and bookmark heart for me.  I just love them!  So much thought and care went into making it.  It is getting really hot already and was 107 today.  We thought about moving to Arizona last year and I was asking myself what were we thinking.  The heat is unbearable especially after being in cool San Diego.  I will download a pic of Sea world soon as I get a hold of Art's camera.  Art is doing fantastic and back into the full swing of work mode.  He really loves what he does and I am really lucky to be able to stay home with the kids.  Pics to come soon-Lots of love to everyone and thank you for all the love and prayers, Dara  

Brooke S.

I tried to email you back and it got kicked back--thank you for all the yummy receipes.  My appetite is in full swing.  I have so enjoyed all the correspondence and pics of us and your family.  You still look 18 girl!  I will keep everyone posted on Pearland trip-would love to see everyone-gonna set up Gringos or Juanitos.  I just wanted to let you know I got your sweet email. love to you, dara

All SMILES!! Home sweet Home!!!

Its Sunday and I arrived home from the hospital after my second crainiotomy on Wednesday night.  I can really say that I see a light at the end of the tunnel after this second ( and last) surgery.  I feel in my heart and body that the correct healing is taking place and my body is reacting more accordingly.  I spoke to my surgeon yesterday and all the cultures that were taken during the second surgery are negative.  Which is a hugh hugh plus for me-not fighting infection, less chance of meningitis again, less chance of leak and so on and so on.  

I woke up at 4am on Sat and cut my head dressing off.  I looked like a bulldog with constant look of worry, throbbing and sharp pains circulating in my noggin.  I felt like a million bucks when I took it off-the small things like seeing straight.  I showed Art, who was up working, and we had a celebratory Popsicle and stayed up talking and taking pictures of the site until 6:30am.  I am starting back at square one in regards to precautions and recovery: No driving, sleeping in the recliner, no tennis for 3 months, working on my walking, getting my taste buds back in shape and SMILING LIKE NO TOMORROW!!! I am eating well and starting to wean myself of the pain meds and steroids now that the pressure dressing is removed.  I don't regret anything that I have been through.  I am getting stronger physically, mentally and emotionally with each day.  I am quite the princess over here not sure what to do with myself.  Lots of resting is being demanded and I am being a better patient this time around.  My sis Jules and niece Isabella are here and it is so wonderful to have their company.  She is incredible with entertaining the kids, grocery shopping and stocking up my freezer again.  My goal is to get strong enough to still make my visit back to Pearland in mid July.  I am so missing home and craving Mexican food like you wouldn't believe.  No queso in California.  Our other travel plans for the summer are being put on hold for now and we will pick up next summer.  Mom is out of school and I cant wait to have that angel in the house.  I see a game of scrabble in our near future.

I feel stronger this second time around and really thrive on all your love and support.  I am constantly reading all my blog responses, emails and cards.  It is so lovely to feel such love.  I have learned how important reaching out means and all we really have is each other.  Love to everyone and cherish the day.  Ill keep ya posted-peaceful and slow moving over here, but in a great place!!!

"There's No Place Like Home"

Thank you for all of your thoughts, notes, phone calls and mostly prayers! Dara got home Wednesday from the hospital and Aunt Cathy and Uncle Bill have been holding down the fort! Thanks to her great neighbors for having the kids over. j

She feels good - some pain from head dressing - and some discomfort. She will hopefully be able to take the beautiful head piece off on Saturday. She is taking it VERY slow and easy. She has been able to eat and it was so great to hear her voice!

Julie and Bella are on their way on the plane right now! Bella just gradutated "Kindergarten" and lost her first tooth and gets to go to California to see her cousins. It's a big week for her.

I am sure Dara will be blogging soon - her notes are so much more fun.
love, michelle

Round 10...Goes to Dara!!

As of this morning she is out of ICU and recovering without near as much sickness as last time. The doctor said it was a mess in her head when he went in. We are confident he has removed all that is needed and she has come out a champ! Best news of all....she has a SMILE!

There is talk of her going home tomorrow, Amazing! She will be home and need to really take it easy and build her immunity for recovery. They think she got the meningitis bc Dara doesn't have a spleen and has a "naturally" low immunity. Please pray for her body to recover without any more problems.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Michelle and Family

Out of surgery!

It took 3 hours and right after I posted the last note, my Dad called to say she was out! She is in ICU and we will see how she is tomorrow. THank you.

She's in surgery!

Hi there! Dara went in to surgery about 6pm California time. Art said she was in the "zone" which means she was ready to go and fight for her recovery! She is such a strong and amazing person. So far she has been in the surgery for almost 3 hours and we are anxiously awaiting her arrival to ICU. We will let everyone know when she is out of surgery. All our love, michelle

Back in for Surgery!

Hello dear friends and family! Today is declared a "DARA prayer DAY!" The doctors (her original surgeons from San Diego) came in to tell her this morning they are going to get her in surgery this evening/early morning for another surgery. They are going into the same incision site and she will come out with the head dressing and will be in ICU. There is another chance for facial paralysis. Please join in prayer for her today and for the Lord's hand to be upon the doctors during surgery. Here is the scoop:

The initital "fatty deposit" from her hip was inserted in her skull area after the tumor was removed so that it would replace the matter. They said that when she first "sprang a leak" of CSF after the first surgery, it caused the meningitis and for the fatty deposit to break down. From the last MRI taken this week - it showed the fat deposit has doubled in size bc it is breaking down and is causing the "chemical meningitis" and swelling and sickness. They are going to go into her same incision, remove the fat, take some from her other hip and replace it again.

Art is heading down to San Diego today and will be with her during surgery. Other family is with the kids and Aunt cathy comes to help wed/thur before Jules gets there on Friday. Mom will be out of school and will be heading that way soon, followed by me!

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts! We are blessed by your friendship.
michelle

"On The Road Again"

Dara had swelling at the incision site and her San Diego surgeon told her to come on down. She was admitted to the hospital last night and there is talk of going back in at the site of her incision and cleaning it out. Jules is making plans to go out to California to help with the kids and then Mom is done with school this week and will be out there for as long as there is a need! I am hoping to go within the next 3 weeks. Please pray for the infection to go down so she can have the surgery and be done with this. She is feeling ok as of now. More details to follow....michelle

Blowfish Break Free!!

Michelle here and I am on the phone with Dara! Dara says..." we are at the 5 star local resort named El Kaiser Permanete/Hospital. Believe it or not another miracle! I woke up with no headache, no nausea or throwing up all over the bed (I bet they are happy about that). We are actually trying to break free tomorrow if I remain with no fever tonight. They think I had chemical meningitis form the fat inserted after surgery in the hole in my head. I will be sent home with NO antibiotics, only steroids. New name for me - Blowfish with air holes in my head - She will be on attraction in Houston in July! $5.00 a kiss! (all donations toward my favorite ice-cream) The rash is going away and I am ready to hop on a plane to Colorado next week! I am determined to go!!"

Prayers are answered! xoxox michelle
ps. Thanks Aunt Cathy for the song - you are the best!

Continue to pray!

Well, Dara has been back in the hospital since Monday and has progressively gotten worst. She is very sick and is also seeing double vision. They can't figure out the problem and Art is getting very fustrated (as we all are). He is fighting for her care and they are running more tests. There was talk of sending her back to San Diego, but as of now not sure. Her white blood cell is back up, excrutiating head aches and has trouble moving or she gets very sick. We are believing for a miracle in this hic-cup of recovery. Please also pray for mental/emotional strength as I know she is very tired of feeling so bad. They did up her pain meds and she is able to sleep a lot. She is also still having quite a bit of head pressure. No "Big Bear" this week and it is looking like no sister reunion, but we are being optimistic. Thanks for your prayers, thoughts and notes. If you think about it, please feel free to drop a note of encouragement in the mail. As of now she could use some up-lifting! (oh - the rash is also back....yuck!!!)

Love to all,
Michelle