November 3, 2009

It’s been a long time since the last post and I have been encouraged to get with the program by some of you. It has been a rough three and a half months. After coming home from the hospital Mary started to improve, going from a walker to a cane and then walking on her own. A lot of physical therapy and speech therapy were resulting in great progress. Still had some physical deficits and impaired speech, but things were going in the right direction for a while. She underwent five Cyberknife treatments the first two weeks in September. Mary’s recovering went backwards from there. They warned us that things would get worse before they got better. Over the next two months swelling and other affects from the Cyberknife and a lot of medication changes for seizures, pain and anxiety have contributed to Mary’s struggle to get better. Many of you have been very, very helpful in trying to manage this situation and help facilitate her recovery. A lot of meals, friendship and whatever else they could do from family and friends have been very much appreciated. Today Mary had an MRI that was very encouraging. No sign of current tumors, a little swelling still but it is going down. That is very good news. Mary’s anxiety level is what we are trying to get under control now. Obviously she doesn’t feel like herself and that is the hardest part. I know God has promised never to leave her nor forsake her and to complete the work He began in her. I would ask for you to pray for a peace that only comes from God and for her to begin to really fell Gods presence.

Again, I cannot thank all of you enough for your prayers and support

God Bless,

Bob & Mary

July 10, 2009

This surgery was much more intrusive and in a more sensitive area. This is making the recovery a bit more difficult. After two and a half days in ICU she may be moved over to the INCA (Intermediate Neurological Care Area) today. The surgery was very close to the “Sensory Strip”. This has caused some deficit in her sensory perception on the right side. She will need some physical therapy and time to recover. Her speech is ok if she doesn’t try too hard. This is frustrating for her since her first three surgeries she bounced back so quickly. The physical therapist says Mary is “highly motivated” and I have walked into the room and Mary is doing her exercises when no one is in there. Just continue to pray for total recovery and that see can come home soon. Lying in the hospital is just compounding her frustration. We want to thank everyone for all the prayers and things you have done for us.
God bless
Bob and Mary.

Surgery update July 7, 2009

Surgery went very well. Dr Dixit was very pleased with how it went and all he accomplished. She came out of recovery talking and moving her hands. This was questionable when she went in. The number of miracles that happened in the last few days is overwhelming. The fact that Dr. Dixit was even here is a story in itself. He was on vacation and not supposed to be here. He didn’t even know Mary was here. When he found out he looked at her MRI’s, said it has to come out and scheduled the surgery. God moved in a mighty way. Pray for wisdom to know how to proceed.
God Bless
Bob and Mary

Home, March 12, 2009

Mary came home today. Now she can rest without wires and tubes and sensors of all kinds connected to her. Her speech is much better today. The Speech therapist came in today and Mary will make an appointment with her. I don't know if the speech therapist will be able to keep up with Mary. The outside swelling is gone and the inside seems to be dissipating also. She will be on steroids for about a week to help the swelling. All things considered she is doing very well. I know you all have held her up before the Lord and I know that is why she is doing so well. Mary wrote a note she wanted everyone to hear. Sarah and Nili read it a couple times in the waiting room and I would like all of you to see it. She sees all of you as her Stretcher Bearers.

"Note to my stretcher bearers,
Thank you! I am blessed beyond measure. Thank you for your prayers, your faith, your obedience to the Lord, your love, your friendship and your constant vigilance. May the Lord bless you. May His presence continually abide with you. Our God is faithful.

I want you to know I am Saved, Sealed, Blessed and Healed. In Jesus Name Amen”

Mary.

Even though Mary was the patient being operated on and attended to, she made sure everyone that came in contact with her knew she was in God’s hands. If someone said good luck, without hesitation she corrected them and let them know she served a Great and mighty God. If someone commented on how well she was doing, again she pointed them back to Jesus as the source of her strength. Mary made sure God was glorified. I believe everyone from the Surgeon to the nurse know Mary is a child of the King. Yesterday I stopped people from going into see her for several hours so she could get some rest. The nurse asked me if I wanted to limit the visitors to, in her words “just family” I told her everyone that was coming to see her, are her family. I should have explained it a little better. Some by Mary’s blood and some by Jesus blood.

I hope you will forgive me if I didn’t let you in to see her. I felt she needed some rest. I was watching the heart monitor and when she was trying to get the right words out it was going up 20 or 30 bpm. So I did what I felt was best for her.

I don’t know if you all will ever really know how much we appreciate all your visits and calls and prayers, and just simply being there for us. We are blessed.

May God bless you all abundantly.

Day after surgery, March 11, 2009

Today was a good day. Mary is doing well. She was up doing laps around the INCA ward. They wouldn't let her out of the area. She is still having some problems with getting the right words out. She thinks it right, but it doesn't alwasy come out right. This happened the last two surgeries as well. The surgeon says the brain is mad about being invaded. He is not worried about it, and says it will come back. Her strength is good in her hands, which is a very good sign no other brain damage was done. Mary had an MRI this morning and the surgeon came by this afternoon to talk about what is says. He says he got what he wanted to get without causing more permanet damage. As you know they never tell you they got it all with a GBM type tumor because of all the little finges of the tumor. She should be coming home tomorrow some time. In a couple of weeks we will be meeting with the oncologist to discuss the next steps. As we have stated Mary does not want to go through the Chemotheray again. She never was able to take it very well and it does take a toll. They may do some low level focused radiation treatments. No more whole brain radiation. This next step is where we really need the mind of the Lord to make decissions.

Thank you all for all you mean to us.

Surgery March 10, 2009

We checked into Lutheran at 7:30 a.m. MRI was scheduled for 8:15 but with the normal confusion it was 9:00 for the MRI. Surgery scheduled for 12:00 was postponed until 12:45. then 2:00 then 3:00. They started about 3:40. Long wait but because of all the family and friends being there it made it OK. Lot's of laughing and sharing. A few people at a time went back to the pre-op room Mary was in and spent time with her talking and praying. It is beyond words to express how great this was for Mary and me. The surgeon was pleased with how well the surgery went. Mary came out of surgery and as soon as she was awake was smiling and moving her hands, which by the way is a good sign. Once in her room she was talking pretty good for just coming out of surgery. As the surgery drugs began to ware off and she started felling some pain the gave her medication for the pain and she started fading in and out and saying the right words became harder for her. That was frustrating for her. She went to sleep about 10:00 p.m.

I can not say thank you enough for all those praying for her and visiting her. We know she is in God's hands and you all keep her before him in prayer.

I will let you know how tomorrow goes.

God Bless

Bob

Surgery Schedule 3/10/09

Mary will be going into surgery on Tuesday March 10th. She checks in at the hospital at 7:30 a.m. She will have an MRI at 8:15 a.m. The surgery is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. Monday morning she has to have the blood work done. We appreciate all your payers as we know all of this is in Gods hands. Mary should only be in the Hospital two to three days at the most. Last time she was home in less than 48 hours. Although this is stressfull Mary has total faith and trust in what God is doing and knows He is going through this at her side. Continue to pray for clarity and wisdom for the decisions that will need to be made about what to do aftere surgery.

God bless