In golf, a break is the tendency of a putted ball to roll left or right of a straight line. This deviation may be a result of a number of factors or combination of factors including uneven surface, grain of the grass, how firmly the putt is struck or, in extreme circumstances, wind. Well, today we hit a "break". Everything that had been going along so well started rolling to the right or left and the deviations are certainly the result of a number of factors.
Gary started the day with an MRI. Then he was wheeled back to the room, where he continued to try to sneak a little more water than he should. When a man is thirsty......
We enjoyed the company of a couple of friends and a precious young friend of Alyssa's who is devastated that this is the third close friend of hers that has a parent suffering from a brain tumor.
Next test for Gary was the ever important barium "swallow test". It meant unlimited water and preparation for soft foods. Alyssa, Cathy and I went to grab lunch and when we got back, the nurse looked at me grimly. He didn't pass the test, and he had an early stage of pneumonia...possibly from aspirating too much water or just the difficulty breathing or both. Antibiotics now become the 6th(?) medication he's on. No water at all...he can only swish it around in his mouth and suck it out with a dentist-like instrument.
Dr. K., the neurosurgeon that performed the surgery came to discuss the results of the MRI. Of course it was one of the two hours I was away from the hospital from 9:30am-10:30pm:/. But he was kind enough to call me and repeat everything to me. This man is amazing. I don't know when he ever sleeps. The good news is that the MRI shows no sign of the tumor, nor sign of stroke. STROKE! I didn't even know this was a possibility, but they are seeing some significant issues that could indicate that and thankfully it isn't the case. However, his tongue isn't working right, the swallowing is a huge problem, he is seeing double and with black spots and his left arm and hand are weaker than the right.
These symptoms mean major physical and speech therapy will be started. They are actually going to do shock therapy somewhere on his mouth to try to get him swallowing better. And worst of all, they need him to have more than IV fluid, so a feeding tube was inserted today. We'll be in ICU a little bit longer after all.
So back to a "break"...there are many factors that are causing all these symptoms. Fortunately, most of the extra fluid is removed from his brain, but now there is significant swelling just from the mere fact that the brain was operated on for so long. Also, the trauma of touching the brain stem could be causing many of these symptoms. Dr. K. also explained that when he opened Gary up the top of the spinal column was almost "sucked" around the tumor. He said to imagine the tumor was a golf ball stuck deep in the mud. He had to pull it out without damaging any of the mud around the ball. However, the mud was still disturbed and stretched and irritated when the ball came out.
This evening we saw a very subdued Gary. He suddenly had to admit that he isn't getting over this any time soon. He had somehow thought that it might be possible for him to improve so quickly that he could go to Alyssa's "Ballet Under the Stars" on Sat (which was never really a possibility), but he announced to her that "I guess I can't go to the ballet". She always knew he couldn't and she cried quite a bit to think he was working so hard with that as one of his goals. He isn't giving up though. He used every therapy machine he has already been given, right before he went to bed and he was fretting that the breathing treatment specialist was late with his treatment. He continues to be kind to his nurses and us and is usually always ready for a conversation. We spent a lot of time tonight talking about what we were thankful for....mostly that he's alive and that's really all that matters.
We appreciate your prayers and visits so much. Many of you have asked about meals and a care calendar for food and yardwork will eventually be set up, but we really won't need that until Gary gets home. While he is at the hospital, we will spend most of our time there. One of the biggest things you can help us with now is a quick visit to Gary, or both of us would be thrilled for you to come surprise Alyssa occasionally with a lunch (I might tag along:-) ), a movie, a quick swim (I'll have to know so I can hide a bathing suit) or just a visit and walk around the hospital. She is 100% determined to be at the hospital every day, but Gary and I both think she needs some breaks. Ballet Under the Stars at the Zilker park hillside theater is this weekend, so she'll have something special to do.
Thanks again for your prayers.
Kay
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