Brain Surgery, Bain Smurgery...

danielle, thats great news. im so happy to hear your mom is doing well. keep us updated! big hugs to you.

Danielle, your family must be so relieved about the sucessful surgery!

I just read your story and your blog. Your mom is very blessed to have a daughter as loving and caring as you. Your family's love, as well as all of the prayers said for her will continue to help during her recovery. My very best wishes to all of you!

Lizzy

Thanks Lizzy.... I must admit I am one hell of a daughter...lol!

I just got home from visiting my mom and hanging out at my parents house with some family. Today was a good day, they moved her tonight out of the ICU and things are going well. We have a little complication that they were hoping wouldn't happen... She has no control over the entire left side of her face, drooping like she had a stroke.

They said that this might happen because her cyst and tumor was intertwined with the facial nerve endings but they knew they didn't damage the nerves and they were just bruised but they are taken back a little by how "droopy" and lack of control she has. Because of the swelling she can blink her left eye but it's delayed from her right and doesn't close entirely, one of her doctors said that once the swelling goes she may not be able to close for some time. It is going to be a REALLY LONG AND HARD ROAD of rehabilitation and speech therapy but I know she can do it! They said it could be MONTHS before she has full function back in the left side of her face...

I know my mom and once it settles in she is going to be DEVASTATED because this is what she was worried about and she is going to be SOOOO incredibly self conscious at our wedding and will not want to be in pictures! And this is what upsets me because I know how much she feared this and I'm afraid that looking at the pictures from our wedding will bring back memories for her and I don't want her to feel uncomfortable at ALL!!! It's her day too she's the mother of the bride...

It just makes me sad...

Oh no, just keeping thinking good thoughts and keep up the prayers. Your mom has 3 months and 21 days...

UPDATE...

So I saw my mom today and guess what.....SHE'S WALKING!!! Not by herself but with help! She should be coming home tomorrow too! She's still not able to move the left side of her face but she is almost able to say "Flip Flops". That's her "key" word since she's not able to use her mouth and tongue on the left side to form words properly but she looks GREAT!!! We're so excited! I can't wait until she comes home!

What a champ your mom is!!!

That's great news Danielle! I missed some of the updates, but I am so glad that she is making a good recovery!!! You can't keep someone down that is determined to be healthy. So happy for you and your family!! Go mom!!!

Aww, I'm glad your mom is up and walking!

I can understand how she would be self concsious about the pictures. She has time to make progress though and I hope it all works out! It would be terrible not to have her in your wedding pictures. I'm sure if she doesn't feel 100% though the photog can work around that right? Shoot her from the right side or something. She needs to be in your pictures!! My wedding pictures with my parents are my favorite. I want you guys to have that.

Besides, hello, your mom is gorgeous! I bet she'll look great

I am so happy to read the good news. Your mom's recovery will be slow but she is a fighter if you are a true reflection of her. One day at a time and being around family will be the best thing for her.

Danielle, I'm glad to hear everything went well. Nerve tissue takes forever to heal, but it does heal every day (about a millimeter a day). Plus, therapy can make a huge difference in how well/quickly things heal as well. Where was the tumor located (if you know)? Have they gotten pathology back yet? Often, the surgeon can tell what type of tumor it is by how it looks and how it comes out (one big shell vs. little pieces that have grown into the nerve tissue). We have several brain tumor patients who come back for years for follow up, and never have a single problem again.

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Originally Posted by lambert13 From one brain surgery (sort of brain surgery next Wednesday) patient to another..... all my best wishes and prayers and all that jazz. I hope that all goes well.