Journal entry by Jessica Thorsen —
Brain surgery is done and I am now on the road to recovery! I want to thank everyone for praying for me, writing me notes/cards, sending us gift cards, meals, and flowers. I have the best family, friends, teachers, and students in the world and I work with the best people ever!
I am so thankful for my surgeons at the University of Iowa Hospital. They were absolutely amazing and were able to preserve my facial nerve 100%. The surgeons sewed my head perfectly, but boy do I have quite the haircut! The sutures were removed on Monday and my scar is already healing.
Unfortunately my left vestibular nerve was cut due to the complexity of the tumor. This causes some dizziness and issues balancing/walking. It’s going to take more time before my brain adapts, but my amazing physical therapist hubby is helping me get back to my old self. They were unable to save the hearing in my left ear, but I am thrilled everything else was a success!
To all my friends and family that are nurses-thank you for all that you do! The first four days following my surgery were extremely challenging, but the nurses were a huge help! One of my amazing nurses has been at the University of Iowa Hospital for 35 years and helped me get through some of the difficult nights. Nurse friends-you are all simply amazing!
In 2015 Mitch had a kidney transplant and has always shown me what it looks like to enjoy life and thank God every chance you get. Now that I’ve had this brain surgery, I can’t wait to see how the Lord plans to impact my life.
One of our favorite verses is James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Thank you all again for your prayers and help!
Jess and Mitch
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