Don Toews

First post: Dec 14, 2019 Latest post: Jan 9, 2021
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Don began to notice some slight challenges with his vision about 2 weeks ago, things like words not being clear, letters missing or in the wrong place, which of course made reading difficult. When he noticed it worsening & mentioned it to Donna he went to see the Dr on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 and was able to have MRI’s done on Tuesday. He was diagnosed that day with having a brain tumor 3.5cm in size, above and behind his left ear, about 1/2” beneath the skull. Their recommendation was to go to Denver U of C Medical Emergency as soon as possible, as the attending neurosurgeon would then be able to see him more quickly. Don and Donna did that and he was admitted to the hospital Friday afternoon. The surgeon ordered another brain MRI and a CT scan of his torso to see if this has metastasized from another part of the body. Dr. Ormond has done many - approaching 4000 - of these surgeries. He says the likelihood is high this is malignant and it will need to be removed. The largest part of the tumor is cyst-like and contained and it is the size of  it that is causing pressure and thus the symptoms. However, there is a part of it that is solid and encroaching on brain tissue. Once they have removed it and it has been read by a pathologist, there will be more answers as to what Don is facing. We are learning things daily and the situation is fluid at this point. Surgery is slated for sometime Monday. In the meantime, Don’s biggest challenge is to act like a patient.  He is by no means sick. He was able to get permission last night after Donna left the hospital, to go outside and walk the grounds and got 2-1/2 of his usual 4 mile walk in. It is not uncommon for the nurses to step into the room, look around and ask who the patient is.  A hospital gown has yet to be introduced....he’s been in street clothes since he got here. In fact his word is that if he doesn’t try to read, he can almost convince himself that nothing is wrong. 

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