Hi Team,
Jessie had her first round of follow up with her main medical team at NW. She saw her ENT, had a cat scan, met with her surgeon and even got her (27) staples out!
The ENT specialist was thrilled with the abilities she has in her face and how great the facial muscles are doing. She still has double vision which is limiting and annoying but that should get better in time once that swelling around the brain stem finally subsides. The hearing in her right ear is still a bit of an unknown. When it comes to hearing voices or noises she’s as deaf as it gets - bit still has a spark when the doctor does the metal ping test - she can hear that. More to come and he will do full audio test in 3-months.
Jessie and the surgeon shared a great big hug and it was an emotional moment. He described the tumor as “gigantic”. The surgeon is over the moon the way Jessie looks visually and the progression she is showing. Doctor said he did a few tests as surgery was wrapping up and he had a very good feeling about her recovery and that feeling was confirmed today when he saw her. He expects her face to make a full recovery and Jessie will have follow ups every 6-months to conduct MRI’s and also visit with the surgeons as they monitor her progress. A “full” recovery could take a year to 18-months.
Jessie has physical therapy, occupational therapy and a nurse coming to the house multiple times a week - she continues to enjoy the stimulation and challenge of the therapy and is making progress. In true fashion she’s already annoyed that she can’t do more than what she already is.
Onward and upward!
Connor
