AIR HEAD springs a leak!

Hi everyone it has been a little bit of a roller coaster these past two weeks.  First of all we had a girlfriend of mine of 10 years Tracie came in from Colorado and she was very helpful around the house, with the kids and great company.  I got her hooked on some reality TV and we laughed a lot.  I have good days and some others loaded with headaches and fatigue.  If a bad day occurs, I know a better one is around the corner.  On this past Friday (always a the start of the weekend when we can not reach the Mds as readily)  I developed a throbbing headache, nausea and swelling at the temporal site. David Arbaugh and Joe Griffen from the crazy high school days were going to make a visit from San Diego and I was not feeling so hot.  It was great reminiscing about old times and laughing my booty by phone.   I put a message into the Mds and he said go to your Hospital in LA.  I knew something was not feeling right and these symptoms were different.  We just got our Sequoia back from the shop and I told Art I could drive myself.  He said absolutely NOT.  Driving oneself and the ER have no business being in the same sentence.  So, I grabbed by neighbor Barbara and she drove me to the hospital about 45 minutes away.  She was brave to take me in Friday afternoon traffic and we pretended that her mini van was a two seater Portia.  Art met me in the ER and off we go see Air Heads newest Head shots (CT scan).  I asked the CT tech if he could see my hole.  He said yes, very impressive.  I knew he would dig it and I got a little more special treatment after he saw the scans. The nice ER doc came in, Yep I have sprung a Cerebrel Spinal Fluid CSF Leak.  OUCH!  The good news is that the old bleeding site has stopped and my brain is starting to shift into the space where Willy once resided. Yea! They reached one of my surgeons in SD and he took a look at the CT.  He said to wrap the noggin really tight.  I mean really tight and to send me home for a few days to see if this resolves the leak.  I was happy to not get admitted because I have a better chance of keeping the hospital infections away.  I took my not so happy scrunched head home.  I was not to sick to pop a couple of pain pills and  we went for Mexican food on the way home.  Got some great stares, I guess I got my a taste of stardom, but I was hoping for a free dessert.  Once again Art and I looked at each other and decided the hard part was over removing Willy.  We will just cope with everything one day at a time and count our blessings.  It is Sunday and I have been pretty useless.  Lots of pain, bedrest and I am back to sleeping on the recliner.  Art is playing Mr. Mom and Hero once again.  We are suppose to call SD surgeons on Mon. AM and find out how long they want to leave the bandage on and when I need to come in and see them.  We have an exciting week coming up and Art's father is having surgery on Thur for the icing on the cupcake.  We were suppose to take a three night trip to the mountains with just the four of us to get away.  I glad we didn't go.  I bet my head would of exploded.  I will be great and will be sure to keep ya posted. New Pics of new head gear to follow.

Jule's Visit!

Jule's taking me out for frozen yogurt.

                      Julie and Madeline, Mason MIA

                                  

                                                           Cousin Chad (single) and Julie

                                            Julie and Dara

    Arty and Dara

                                                                                       FAMILY-COUSINS DINNER

Cousin Shane (single), Cousin Chad (single), Julie, Madeline, Mason, One of Art's Best Friends whom I adore Matt Matt, Arty, Me, Cousin Misty (not single) and her boyfriend Zach 

Jules was here Tuesday-Saturday afternoon and the visit flew by.  As you can see I hit her up the first day for yogurt and we all enjoyed it immensely.  We also had a wonderful home cooked meal by our awesome neighbors and friends, the Good's.  It was a wonderful pasta dish with a salad, garlic bread and apple pie-thank you.  We decided it would be the perfect meal to have a glass of red wine and it was delicious.  I was up all day with no  nap.  The next day we took it a little bit easier with me napping and Jules playing with the kids, taking them to the park and her keeping up with the dreaded laundry---Thank you Jules.  On Thursday she went to the grocery store, so I could keep on munching and made a couple more meals to freeze.  On Friday we went to take the kids to the new Dr. Seuss movie, I took a napper when we got home and we went to BJ's for a cousins dinner on Jule's last night. We had the best dinner and it was great to have us all together.  I had the dietetic Chicken Fried steak with mash potatoes.  My cousins actually live here in Los Angeles, so it is awesome to have them close.  It was so perfect to have Julie here.  She was so helpful with the kids and the house.  She will be so missed and My sisters and I are planning a trip July 18th to go home and all be together with mom, dad and Diana.  I think mom got the raw end of the visits where I took the most care. Good ol Mommy, I will be more fun this summer!

I have been having really vivid dreams of all of my high school friends.  I think it has been due to all the emails, blog remarks and cards that have been sent.  If you sent something then you can bet you have debut in my dreams.  I am having a great time with them and cant wait to see who visits me tonight.   My energy has been slowly progressing and I am anxious to get back on the courts.   Wendy and Stephanie will you hit with me one on one or should I say to me when I am a little more stable?  Tracie a dear sweet friend is coming tomorrow for a couple of days with Carole to possibly follow.  I love everyone for your support and will never take you, my life or my smile for granted.  I am anxious to have more go go, so I can give back to the community.  I am going to try driving without the kids next week (exciting-beware), so I can see if I am ready to partake in carpooling to school (thanks for covering Sherron-your a gem).  I am going to start updating on the first of each month, so you can follow my progress.  You must be getting a little tired of me, but all said and done this blog has been a lot fun connecting me with new and old friends and a great support tool. Thanks for putting up with my bad grammar and spelling.  Oh yea-my boy cousins are both single  Chad is 35 and Shane is 25.  Wouldn't it be super cool if my blog made a love connection for them.  Love to all and April is a few days away!

Opps THERE IT'S NOT!!

Howdy folks!  Ok this is from March 25, 2008, our follow-up visit in San Diego.  Mom Judi came and watched the Kids in the morning until Jules shows up at 2pm.   I got a little car sick, atypical for me, on the ride into San D.  Art's car is a little smaller than mine and I seemed to have felt every bump in the road.  So,  I mainly spent the ride down with my eyes closed, typical for me on long car rides.  I felt very confident shuffling into the MD's (my hero's) office.  In the office I met the chica that had her surgery for AN removal on the same day that morning.  She was really funny.  I do not think her recovery was going as well.  She encountered facial paralysis when she got home.   They put her on a steroid that is decreasing the swelling around that nerve and she has full function now.  The fatigue is kicking her butt too.  She stated that she told the doctor's that if she didn't go first that she would freak out waiting and walk out  of the hospital.  I was glad to be of assistance and go second.  I forgot to ask her how big "hers" was.  (I love to ask that question and freak everyone out when I blurt how big Willy was.  I like to do everything BIG.  Always have.)  I would of also liked to ask her how  they found hers.  She looked to be about 45.  Anyways, I had a kinddrid spirit towards her and wished her good luck as she went first (again) bravely to have her staples removed.  I listened for yelling and the coast was clear.  We wished each other continued good luck as she left to go home.  

I went in and saw my Hero!  I proudly showed him how the facial swelling had gone down.  I showed him my awesome scar and how good it looked.  I told him I still had right facial numbness and tingling, a mettalic taste, slurred speech and a mean shuffle, but they were all improving.  He said I may not get all the taste back on my entire tongue.  I said thats ok, I will just use the other portion to get my taste.  I have gained about 7 lbs since surgery, I needed that.  I think I am eating Arty out of house and home in search of finding a variety of food that tastes really good. I asked if Willy had anything to do with my poor memory.  He assured me no, which was disappointing, that I just have a sucky memory.  He said I could do memory exercises (like that's really gonna happen with a 3 and 5 year old.)  I am also having poor fine motor skill, like handwriting, which he states will get better with practice.  We took the staples out with Art bravely assisting the MD.  It did not hurt and they came out smoothly in about 2 minutes.  I don't have to go back to see him for another year when I go in for another CT.  We shuffled out of there walker free and happy!  I said where do you want to eat to celebrate again, maybe Mexican and off we go in search of the perfect meal.  (One of our Hobbies pre and post Willy)  We went downtown and had the best Mexican food that we have had in a long time.  We headed home to see sis Jules who made it safely in from Texas and is staying for 5 days.  Lucky me what a great trip with a great treat seeing Jules at home.  Thank you Melissa for the plane ticket, Chris for making it happen and EJ for watching Bella and Lila while she takes off time from being a Mommy and babysits me.  I almost forgot that I got cleared to drink an occasional glass of wine, which I am also gonna save for Julie.

New Beginnings- Easter, March 23, 2008!

Easter was a lot of fun and it was great that Mom was still with us.  She leaves us tomorrow and Julie arrives while I am in San Diego getting the staples removed.  Mom and I played Easter bunny while and Art and his family took the kiddos to a museum.  We stuffed the eggs while placing one candy in the egg and one in our mouths.  The kids didn't wake up until 8am, unlike Michelle, Julie and I 4 am awakenings.  They had a ball hunting the eggs and tearing into the baskets.  Then, Mom and Maddie went to church and counted all our blessings.  I did not think I could make it through the entire service and it was outside.  When they got home we headed to Mai and Pauly's  house to see the family.  They put on an egg-xelent Easter lunch with ham, potatoes, green beans, mac n cheese, salas, cole  slaw, rolls, and an ice cream sundae bar.  My taste is getting a little bit better, I loved the green beaners.  We then had a second egg hunt.  It was a perfect day and we all gave thanks for all our blessings once again.  I was so happy to just be there.  By the end of the day we were egg-hausted.   (Easter Humor, instead on tumor humor bc he is atsa lavista Baby  sp.)  I really hope everyone else had an awesome day of thanks and new beginnings.  Mom will be missed and thank you again everyone who made it happen.  We had a brain fart and forgot to take pictures through the entire day, imagine that.

A trip to the ER last night.

I have been watching this facial edema since Monday.  I called my surgeon on Tuesday and he felt the swelling was normal and to keep him posted.  Last evening around 6:30pm I realized that my right side of my face was puffier and I was having to take a few more pain pills through out the day.  I got scared and had pop Syl. drive me to the ER and Art meet me there from work.  I had read on the internet about brain swelling and fluid on the brain.  I know if there is fluid on the brain that I have to go back in for surgery.   I think I was more scared going back to the ER then even preparing for surgery.  They completed a CT of the head and did find out I have a small bleed at the tumor site.  The doctors had to do a lot of communication between the neurosurgeons at Woodland Hills and San Diego.  We were relieved when the surgeon on call in San Diego did get to see the scan for himself and said it is not normal, but somewhat expected with as vascular and big the tumor was to have some residual bleeding.  I am not throwing up, no extreme head pain, no visual differences, so he felt good with sending me home.  I am now awaiting to hear from my surgeon to see what he makes of the CT and how he wants to monitor things.   The doctor assured me it was nothing that I did nor I did not do-It just happens.  I have been following the docs orders to the T and wanted to make sure I did not mess up.  I have left two messages and have not heard back.  I will keep you posted.  I am sure he is not overly concerned or I would of heard from him by now.   A scary night-the swelling is better today as well.  Art you were strong and great!!! and thanks pop Syl for the lift.

**I heard back form the surgeon and everything is good!  I leave Tuesday 25th for a followup visit and staple removal.  The facial swelling is still going down.

Walkin with my Walker!

Wed. March 19 I went for a stroll outside and surprised a few neighbors.  Me, my walker, my kiddos and my momma made it down the street to the Good's and across the street to the Thompson's.  We must of been a site to see, me and my posse. It felt good to be outside and with kids.  I am  feeling a little incisional tightness, facial numbness, facial swelling and fine motor difficulties on the right side.  The doctor states all par for the coarse.  Look at that smile!

Mom has been quite the angel, nothing like having momma here.  She is so helpful and really great company.  I can not manage half of the stuff I thought I would be capable of.  She is perfect with the kids allowing me some rest time.  So far I have talked her into sneaking me out for a frozen yogurt and fruit smoothy.  I tried to get her to drop me off at the movies, but she did not fall for that one.  I could go missing for days.  Michelle's dinners are coming in handy and they are hitting the spot.  I like spicy foods (not much has changed there) because I have this constant metallic taste and spicy foods seem to do the trick.  Oh yea!   I had a big break through.  Those who know me well know I love food.  I had my first spontaneous moan to food. MMMMMMMmmmmm!  Not forced it just came out.  That's proof that I am feeling better and I have Michelle's taco soup to thank for it.  Thank you everyone still for all the cards, emails, and flowers.  My tennis partner Stephanie sent a darling necklace and I am wearing it now.  I miss everyone.  Thanks for keeping me so close to your hearts and thoughts.  Have a Happy Easter!  Love Dara

Oh Yea!

I am really 39 to be 40 this year.  I am gonna blame that one on Willie.  I was a little insane in ol membrane, but I am all better now.

Dara's in the House!

Today is Monday and I can not tell you how good it feels to be home.  I am smiling like you can not believe.  Our prayers of a good surgery and good recovery were answered.  My hearing in the right ear is gone, but I do not think I have felt the residual yet.  My right check, tongue, and chin are numb, but I can move those babies.  The docs spent 8.5hrs and saved my smile and swallow.  The numbness and tingling to the right side can even get better with time.  I feel good!  My first day home Sat I struggled with some nausea and pain to the incisional site.  Art had our bedroom rearranged with a new flat screen and borrowed a recliner from a neighbor.  I am set up to the max.  I am keeping food down, had two showers, ambulating around the house (a little unsteady), sleeping in the recliner and catching up on some good rest.  I have been able to wean myself to pain meds about every eight hours.   I have to keep reminding myself it is ok to take it easy a couple of weeks.  The kids are handling everything very well.  We showed them the scar, so they will be gentle around mommy's boo boo.  My typing is very delayed right now, and I don't think my since of humor is up to par yet.  I am feeling some brain to extremity delay, its kinds bizzare.  I wanted to send my love and let everyone know I am doing so well.  I will check back in a couple of days, unless I come up with something brilliant while hangin in my recliner.  It is hard to believe a couple of weeks I was faced with this challenge, now Willie is gone and I am on my road to recovery.  Thank You to Everyone, for Everything!

Bandages come off!

9 pm on Friday night Dara is now in a regular room expecting to be discharged Saturday morning.  Above are a few pics of the days events.  Dara will be back to blogging in no time.

Enjoy the pics, thanks again for all the support.

Art

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