On March 25, our Dad was visiting Julie’s family in Audobon, IA when he had a seizure shortly after going to sleep. Fortunately, Julie was with him and helped him through it while calling the paramedics. He went to the hospital in Audobon where they subsequently did a CT scan. The doctors found what they thought was a brain tumor, and he was transferred to Mercy hospital in Des Moines. The following day the doctors in Des Moines did an MRI and also diagnosed it as a brain tumor.
This news was very upsetting and almost unthinkable being only two days from the anniversary of our Mom’s death from a brain tumor 23 years ago. However, our worst fears were calmed and hope was provided when the doctors told us that it looked like a lower grade, slower-growing tumor.
After being discharged from the hospital on March 27, we all decided it was best for our Dad to visit Mayo Clinic where he’s been going for medical care for 40 years. He visited the Mayo a few days later and met with both a Neurologist and a Neurosurgeon whom he really likes. They confirmed they believe the tumor is slow growing and recommended our Dad have brain surgery to remove as much of it as possible. The surgery is scheduled for Friday, May 7 and is planned to be about a 9 hour procedure.
He had a minor setback in mid-April when he got a severe sinus infection and actually had to be admitted to St. Mary’s hospital in Rochester while he was waiting to go to a pre-surgery appointment at Mayo. He was given medication and that infection got better after a few days. Fortunately, this setback is not going to affect the scheduling for his surgery on May 7.
Our Dad is in good spirits leading up to the surgery. The best remedy for him is looking out at Lake Superior. While brain surgeries are never low risk, the surgeon is optimistic and the relative risk of his situation are lower than they certainly could be. He’s also very hopeful he can help my Dad have several more years of good health so that he can spend more great times up north with his three grandsons and beloved grand puppy. The post-operative treatment plan will depend on what they find when they do the surgery.
We want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Our Dad really appreciates them. We also want to thank Julie for being an amazing wife, advocate, and caretaker over the past few weeks.
We plan to provide updates as his surgery approaches and his recovery begins. We appreciate people sharing any notes of encouragement for our Dad. We know it means a lot to him.
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