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 

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?