Gayle’s Story

Site created on September 5, 2018

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. 

As I was driving to the cabin I noticed two lanes equaled four and three lanes six with cars in all of them.  After a visit to the Ophthalmologist he determined I had peripheral vision deficits.  He then ordered an MRI.  The MRI revealed a brain tumor in the mid-brain between the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, pressing on the optic nerve.  My first step was to get a full body CTSCAN in case there was a primary tumor elsewhere that could be biopsied.  Relief! No other tumors were found, and support for a benign tumor. 

After learning of the tumor my vision (no pun intended) was to see the neurosurgeon and have the surgery the following week.  After a week of recovery we’d be off on our much-anticipated whirlwind tour of Europe beginning August 31st.  Unfortunately, Europe will have to wait.  Surgery is currently scheduled for Thursday, September 20th.  Given the location of the tumor the surgical team will have to do a craniotomy, a complicated and involved 4-hour surgery.  

Thank you for the prayers, Masses, good wishes, positive thoughts and love poured out to me recently and moving forward.  As I move through this journey we’ll continue to update this site.           

Newest Update

Good News from Gayle!

Journal entry by Heather Maffeo —

"Come to me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and I will give you rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."  Matthew 11:28 - 30

Thank you for following my journey on Caring Bridge. I appreciate each and everyone of you.  I just completed radiation (minus three treatments, because the tumor continues to shrink).  At one point we had no hope any of the tumor could be removed. Now it is tiny without any fluid surrounding it.  My vision is stable - needs tweaking, but I believe that is my eye not my brain!
I am grateful to the caring medical professionals at so many levels, and for all the family, friends, parishioners, and anonymous prayers who encouraged God to "lighten" my load.  When you hear from me again I pray it will again be joyful!  

Love and blessings, 
Gayle


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