Peris Gumz

Dear Friends--PLEASE READ THIS FIRST!
Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place.

There are some of you who know this whole story and some who know nothing at all. So bear with me as I get everyone on the same page.

In late August, Peris started having some problems seeing things on the periphery of her right side.After a full physical, she went to an ophthalmologist who found two things--that her glasses were too strong(!) and that her right visual field was limited. He said the cause might be viral or perhaps neurological (maybe from a small stroke). She got some new glasses and her eyes relaxed.

She was seen by several practitioners--got some wonderful acupuncture, homeopathy, and chiropractic treatments. She did have a virus which responded well to these treatments and cleared. But the visual field diminishment remained and she began to have word finding problems. Peris took a leave from her nursing job and focused on her healing. She did a lot of meditation and journaling, took daily walks, and continued her treatments. In the midst of all of this, as Peris and I relished the exquisite fall days together, we decided to get married, after only 26 years! The photo here is from our wedding at Clay Pit Pond in Belmont, MA on October 7th. 

Meanwhile, Peris' reading and writing became more difficult. Her speech became more confused. She was referred to a neurologist who recommended an MRI which she had last Wednesday, October 5th. It revealed that she had 3-4 masses on her brain, the nature of which was not known. There was also some swelling which the neurosurgeon said suggested they might be of an "aggressive" nature. 

Peris' surgery, seven hours long, was performed by Dr. Ian Dunn at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Brookline, yesterday, October 11th. He was pleased with the results of the operation, but we will not have definitive information until sometime next week. Peris' sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Dan Tuck were here from Berea, OH, as was our son, Brian Veivia and his dad, Bruce. Tiffany Wohlers, Brian's fiancee, flew in from San Francisco this morning. 

Peris spent one night in the ICU but will be moved to a room on the neurosurgery floor later today. She is talking, though somewhat confused, which we were told to expect at this point. She is sleeping a lot, the best thing for her anticipated full recovery. There are literally hundreds of people from all over the world sending love and energy our way. We can feel it and we thank you! Deep thanks to Cindy Black for setting up this site which will make it much easier for me to stay in touch with all of you. Feel free to leave love and good wishes here, or via text or email privately. Please know the amazingly large number of you that there are make it impossible for me to respond quickly. I am receiving and appreciating every message myself and will pass them on to Peris as she is able to take them in. 

Much love and enormous thanks to each and all of you!   Annie