Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
I'm so happy Whitney suggested this site to share with everyone, it's the best of all worlds and exactly what I needed to feel totally comfortable!!!
14 years ago I had 'Hedwig' removed or better known as the 'Eggstraction'. My epidermoid brain tumor that was, instead of Hedwig and the Angry inch it was about 3.5 inches, the size of an egg. The love and support I received the first time was very humbling. The friends & family that gathered during surgery, the food train & visits after I got home that continued for weeks, the calls & outreach from afar, the car rides to rehab before I could drive were all orchestrated with very little of me asking for that help. Again humbled, amazed, and grateful. Things have changed a bit, I live in a different place, I've changed doctors rapidly, I'm far away from some of my loved ones, we are coming out of this craziness of Covid. Things that I didn't have to think, ask, or worry about before are here now but finding sites & venues such as this have been a 'Bridge' in some of the changes that have transpired!!!
About 5 years or so after I started to have some odd symptoms again. My general practitioner, Dr. Strittmatter, ordered another MRI because of my history. We found what potentially could be another issue! Epidermoid tumors are notorious for just wanting to hang around and pop up again. We decided at that time to do annual MRI's to stay on top of the situation. So this past brain check was delayed until Sept due to Covid and at that time we decided it was removal time but because it's a slow growing tumor we had time to plan. It's now about the size of a Texas acorn (1 inch) and in my brain stem. Getting a bit more wobbly with my walk and got a bigger break right now, so here we are. I also have changed this past month to have the procedure at Houston Methodist with Dr. Gavin Britz & Dr. Jeffrey Vrabec (Ray-beck). I have full confidence in these guys & their team to get this Angry Acorn OUT!!
This site is more of a thank you to show my appreciation to everyone, & I mean everyone that has been on the road with me! From the Stocky that wore purple Chucks in 7th grade to the well mannered, graceful, subdued individual that stands, or leans, here today! Some roads have been a smooth ride, some got a few pot holes.
Don't freak out about this, it isn't my exit song or anything like that! This is me stepping out of my comfort zone, putting pride aside, being vulnerable, being a better human and admitting I need people!
Feel free to scope this web site out! We are going to share updates the day of the surgery and after. I'm putting things on the calendar to keep everyone abreast of items leading up to surgery, surgery, and rehab dates after....and it's where I will ask for help when I need it! I promise I won't be a hard ass & try and do everything on my own!! Vulnerable people, vulnerable!!
You can leave notes, send messages, tell me when or if you are coming by or see who is. The doc yesterday told me that some of the Covid restrictions are going to be lifted next week but it's a good idea to visit the Houston Methodist Hospital visitor rules to ensure what we can do!! I'll get that link up here too so everyone can easily get to it!!
CaringBridge is a nonprofit social network dedicated to helping family and friends communicate with and support loved ones during a health journey. Learn more about CaringBridge.
