Bruce’s Worst Vacation Ever!
Below is the 9/3/18 FB Post where I first shared that Bruce has Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Bruce had his Right Temporal Lobe removed, essentially clearing out the tumor mass. It’s astounding to me that a lobe of the brain can be removed and he is still the same wonderful man! It’s a miracle! His attitude is that “you don’t get to choose what happens, but you do get to choose how to react.” As always, Bruce reacts with grace, determination, and integrity. He is committed to living a long life and has a Plan of Care to make that happen! As we always say, “Live Life Fully!” And that’s how we’re going to continue to live - with joy and hope. As you read below, we are humbled and grateful for the outpouring of love and support. Thank you!
Bruce and Kelly
FaceBook Post 9/3/2018
It all started with an ER visit on Tuesday, Aug 28th. Surgery Aug 31st. Home Sept 2nd. Whew! WHAT A WILD RIDE!
Dear Family, Friends, Neighbors and our greater Community,
This is Public Knowledge and may be shared and forwarded.
Text Messages Welcome.
Prayers gratefully accepted!
For the past month or so, Bruce has been under the weather. He went to the doctor, got blood work, etc, and no red flags. Then I saw some asymmetry in his face and the left side of his body. He felt his feet shuffle a bit while he was running. This past Tuesday I insisted we go to the ER, and Bruce insisted on driving to the ER so he could go to work afterward! X-rays, labs and a long MRI later, Bruce was admitted directly to ICU for a brain tumor.
Yesterday, Friday, Bruce had surgery. The tumor was in an easy-to-reach location. One analogy is that this Surgery was like trimming dead branches off a super healthy tree. They got ALL the tumor based on the post-op MRI. There was no loss of Bruce being Bruce! (Witty repartee and all!). No loss of motor skills. Just cut off dead wood. Best of all possible outcomes for surgery! Yes. Bruce DOES have Glio Blastoma (GBM). But don’t believe internet! Bruce had the tumor in the Best Place Possible. As they say in real estate, Location! Location! Location! Within a bad cancer, we are hopeful and looking forward to seeing our grandchildren.
Moving forward, we anticipate chemo will start in two weeks. Because of the location and surgery success we will do necessary follow up treatment as pathology indicates and we will wait while cancer responds and decides what’s what. And we have NO control over that! Bruce’s cancer was “caused” simply by being human and walking this earth. There is no rhyme or reason as to why this happened. We are going to live with optimism and hope - and yet be diligent in making time and creating moments that count. New motto, “Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today!”
Or as Bruce often says, “People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan!”
Surgery was yesterday, he moved out of ICU today and the plan is to GO HOME TOMORROW!
Jay was able to came out to spend time with us and huddle down for the surgery. He flies back tonight because our 2nd grandson is due Tuesday!!!
This week, Bruce’s brother Brad and his wife Shaun are coming in Monday.
Let’s let Bruce recover with the 18 staples on the side of his head! Rest is what he needs most!
Texts are always welcome!!!
Prayers gratefully accepted!
All our love and profound thanks. We are grateful beyond words for all your love and support!
PS, we credit Eric and Mark for the successful surgery, with a little help from their good friend God. 🙏
Kelly & Bruce & Jay & Tsvety
Bruce Stahlman (
https://www.facebook.com/bruce.stahlman?fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCM3Iz7ss2iL75k3I_-k151kfHFhdWEtUSB5zk9iMyIsPB2WBWcMLuZakqb8bZQP3ezssRXBXCGqzliffm-GbKrAkKlRd_QAn_yiV3B0lEKtrqe49OFU8gT3g834bPrcJHRqap_Zavk8fItCJI6xnJV-ucKE5lxAyJlKjz-Cl-0Lq6hvpOwId4&__tn__=K-R), Jay Stahlman (
https://www.facebook.com/jay.s.stahlman?fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCM3Iz7ss2iL75k3I_-k151kfHFhdWEtUSB5zk9iMyIsPB2WBWcMLuZakqb8bZQP3ezssRXBXCGqzliffm-GbKrAkKlRd_QAn_yiV3B0lEKtrqe49OFU8gT3g834bPrcJHRqap_Zavk8fItCJI6xnJV-ucKE5lxAyJlKjz-Cl-0Lq6hvpOwId4&__tn__=K-R), Tsvetelina Stahlman (
https://www.facebook.com/tsvetelina.stahlman?fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCM3Iz7ss2iL75k3I_-k151kfHFhdWEtUSB5zk9iMyIsPB2WBWcMLuZakqb8bZQP3ezssRXBXCGqzliffm-GbKrAkKlRd_QAn_yiV3B0lEKtrqe49OFU8gT3g834bPrcJHRqap_Zavk8fItCJI6xnJV-ucKE5lxAyJlKjz-Cl-0Lq6hvpOwId4&__tn__=K-R), Eric Stahlman (
https://www.facebook.com/eric.stahlman?fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCM3Iz7ss2iL75k3I_-k151kfHFhdWEtUSB5zk9iMyIsPB2WBWcMLuZakqb8bZQP3ezssRXBXCGqzliffm-GbKrAkKlRd_QAn_yiV3B0lEKtrqe49OFU8gT3g834bPrcJHRqap_Zavk8fItCJI6xnJV-ucKE5lxAyJlKjz-Cl-0Lq6hvpOwId4&__tn__=K-R) & Mark Stahlman (
https://www.facebook.com/MarkRStahlman?fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCM3Iz7ss2iL75k3I_-k151kfHFhdWEtUSB5zk9iMyIsPB2WBWcMLuZakqb8bZQP3ezssRXBXCGqzliffm-GbKrAkKlRd_QAn_yiV3B0lEKtrqe49OFU8gT3g834bPrcJHRqap_Zavk8fItCJI6xnJV-ucKE5lxAyJlKjz-Cl-0Lq6hvpOwId4&__tn__=K-R).
Kelly Stahlman
Kstahlman@msn.com
303-946-6124 cell
