Hi friends!

I’m about 2 weeks behind... we went to Mayo and I need to post an update!

The follow-up MRI of my beautiful brain showed no recurrence (hooray!) and the post-surgical changes are stable to improving. There wasn’t obvious CSF fluid accumulation (so no cerebrospinal fluid leak) and the post-op site looks good. My genius surgeon Dr. Link was very happy and wants a follow-up MRI in 1 YEAR! At that time I’ll see his NP (I’m sure she’s wonderful ;) Dr. Link agrees that a neuro-psych assessment would be really useful for me/us and encouraged me to move forward (already scheduled.... just not until January) with the assessment. This will look at my thinking patterns, memory, judgement, etc and to see how they’ve been affected since surgery. 

I had my hearing tested and once again looks great. To Aaron’s surprise (again), I don’t have any hearing loss. I’m happy about no hearing changes because they were working around my right inner ear during the surgery. Tinnitus (ringing) was a risk, and thankfully, I don’t have any. 

I also had a scope placed down my throat by ENT when I was at Mayo to check my swallowing and the previous paralysis and flattening of my left vocal cord. This looked great and the ENT (Dr. Eckbom) was super happy that my left vocal cord is moving on it’s own at about 70% of normal. He suspects this will continue to improve. The collagen injection continues to bulk up my left vocal cord, and this was the temporary fix until the cord can move on it’s own. Overall, he was super happy for my progress and I don’t have to follow-up with him again... even though he was the nicest surgeon I’ve ever met.

My neurologist was very happy with where I’m at in my healing. He’s the nicest guy from N. Ireland (I adore his accent). He was helpful with symptoms and we discussed my numbness/pain at lengths. He suggested a supraorbital nerve block for above my right eye to help with the pressure/pain sensation I’m having. I was supposed to go down to Mayo today with my good friend Katie, however, a Winter Storm Warning has other plans for us. I’m not willing to put us at risk and my pain isn’t urgent... so I’ve rescheduled that procedure for early December. 

I decided to delay my return to work by approx 6 weeks.... so the plan is now to return mid-December. I can already tell the addition rest since my decision was made 3-4 weeks ago has been helpful. I’ve been more of a couch potato working on my neuro-rehab projects (coloring, cross-sticking) and sleeping has helped my overall fatigue. I also have changed how I’m taking some of my meds which has helped me feel less cloudy/groggy.

Overall, making progress and the Mayo visit was a success! I’m so incredibly grateful for my team of experts and your thoughts/prayers during this crazy journey of having brain surgery. Never did I anticipate this life event, but you all have made it so much better tolerated than expected :) 

Please keep the prayers coming for additional recovery so I can get close to 100% before returning to work in December. Please also pray for my former nursing school classmate Erica who lost her husband (and father of their 3 girls) Larry this past weekend to Frontotemporal Dementia. Gone too soon - may he Rest In Peace - and may Erica and their family find peace and comfort as they move through this next stage of life. 

XOXO - 

Sarah