Wherein I occasionally rant on various topics including, but not limited to, PHP, Music, and whatever other Topics I find interesting at the moment, including my brain tumor surgery of August 2010.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Brain Tumor



Here is a side-view of the actual tumor.
That darker gray splotch in the top center, shaped somewhat like a guitar pick, only not.
I added a big red arrow, as I realized the the vein above could be mistaken for the tumor.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Brain Tumor

Quick Update:
The neurosurgeon says the Functional MRI and MR Spectroscopy point towards a tumor rather than infection.
Surgery on Tuesday.
Don't know what time until Monday night, as they need to keep their schedule flexible until the day before.
A biopsy for sure, and removal of as much as seems prudent, hopefully all of it.
He can't say for sure until he's in there exactly what can come out and has to stay.
Apparently I'll be conscious while he's operating, so he can double-check various brain bits aren't tied to anything important based on what twitches when he touches it or something.
I'd rather just be knocked out and wake up healed, but I'm sure not gonna argue brain surgery.
I'll probably/maybe have paralyzed hands for a week or so.
Won't have biopsy results for 72 hours after surgery. Guess I'll have a race with the Doc to see if I can walk out of the hospital before he has answers. :-)
Don't be surprised if this blog goes silent from 8/31 through 9/7, give or take...
Thanks for your generous donations!
I'll be swamped in bills soon, so it's much appreciated.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Brain Lesion


On Thursday August 12, I suffered a seizure.
My daughters found me, got Mama, and they all saved my life.
I was rushed to the hospital, where I suffered 3 convulsions before being stabilized in ICU.
I regained consciousness on Saturday August 14th.
After more blood/brain/body tests and scans than I want to list here, they found a lesion in my brain in the frontal(?) posterior lobe.
Apparently, it's not called a tumor until they figure out if it's malignant or not.
I've got a functional MRI, and an MRS (MRI Spectroscopy) in upcoming weeks.
My employer is being incredibly gracious about discretionary rules, and bending over backwards to keep my insurance current.
That said, there are deductibles and living expenses and possibly even a gap coming, depending on how much pressure I can exert on hospitals and labs to expedite things.
I don't really like it, but I've added a "Donate" button over on the right; I'd appreciate any help you can give, whatever you can afford.
I'm not a tax lawyer, but as far as I can figure, an individual like me can't be a non-profit, so it would have to fall under the generic "gift" category on your tax forms...
I'll be in and out of labs and hospitals for a few weeks; I'm not allowed to drive for 6 months (or longer, if I suffer another seizure) and that's just the beginnings of how this complicates things.
Thanks for all your prayers (of any flavor) and support! I've had a lot of help already from friends and family, and it is much appreciated!!!