My son's brain surgery

[Mitzi]

My son will soon be having more brain surgery to hopefully remove the seizure activity from his brain that was caused byt a benign brain tumor removed when he was 17. He is now 25. This has been a long, drawnout process but will be so worth it if they can help him.
He has to have 2 more tests. Then, they will put him in the hospital. They will then operate to remove a part of his skull. He has to have monitors put directly on his brain for about 3 days. Then, and only then, will they be able to say of they can get it or not.
If you have healthy children, you have everything.

[Copper2be]

Thankfully I do have two very healthy girls. I will be praying for your son and your family during this time. Good luck. Let him know strangers are thinking about him. That'll either comfort him or give him the creeps! :)

[DesertRat]

Ok folks. One post and one post only on this one and I want NO replies. This is an open letter to Mitzi too. I'm sorry I haven't said anything about your son and don't want you thinking I don't care. You are like one of the coolest folks on here and I don't even know you but I love you! But, I am struggling with my own torment at home watching my wife deteriorate before my eyes. She bounces back occasionaly only to take two steps forward, three steps back. She has had two very minor heart attacks and three surgeries in the last few months and no affirmative diagnosis yet. We believe we are getting closer and they think it is something with the immune system or the way the bodies chemical systems interact with each other. They have removed many tumors and organs, all benign. Things are very positive at the moment and thus, so is my mood. You'll probably all be able to figure out the next time it isn't as the sarcasm o'meter will go through the roof. I like to substitute sarcasm for anger. Anyway. I'm having a strong moment today and wanted to let you know I do care but can't type about such stuff without losing it and I'm not in the mood to lose it lately. My prayers are with you and yours even when I don't tell you. And that's all I have to say about that.

[blondie72]

My prayers are with Mitzis, and DesertRats families during these difficult times.

May God Bless, and watch over your loved ones.

[JKT]

I don't like to see anyone go through anything like this. I have been through my personal hell, years ago, when my dad was diagnosed with ALS. Without going into a long explanation, I watched him literally wither away (from 185lbs to about 100) in less than a year before he died.

So, my thoughts and prayers, while not always expressed, are always there for those that do go through these difficulties.

Mine was in 1992, and sometimes still seems like yesterday.

May God bless you all.

[ 10-12-2001: Message edited by: JKT ]

[Mitzi]

DesertRat, I sent you a PM. Thank you so much for your prayers. This has been a long agonizing process. But, prayers are always so welcome.
I think my humor is the way I hide my pain. It's been so hard watching the person I love most in this world be so sick. People say to me "But the tumor was benign so get over it." Yes, the tumor was benign but he has had seizures, memory problems and speech problems because of it. Until you go through something like this, you never can totally understand.
Thanks again. And many hugs to you and your wife, DesertRat!

[jellybean40]

My best to you and your families, and better times ahead.

[Mitzi]

It has helped me a lot to talk about it. Other people don't like to. Everybody handles it differently.
We had been told for 2 years that David's tumor was really a cyst. They didn't know it was a tumor until they operated. I don't remember much after the doctor told us it a a tumor (Took ten days to find out it was benign). I admit, I went to pieces. I didn't know a person could cry as much as I did. I was faulted for it by family and friends but they have no clue. Until you do through the illnes of a loved one, you don't.
There is a reason I am the way I am about my child. I had a terrible childhood because my mother is manic depressive. I never felt loved and was in pretty bad shape. The school got involved when I wore the same thing to shool everyday because it was all I had.
When I had my son, I felt true love. I was just thrilled to have him put in my life We did so much together and he loved me unconditionally.
I have had so much cruelty in my life. David was my ray of sunshine. The thought of losing him did something to me.
I just couldn't imagine a life without him.

[SGT Dave]

Prayers to both of you.

My wife had brain surgery (as I've told Mitzi before) about 3 years ago. She had had seizures all her life, but they had gotten much worse. The local doctors said it was a "lesion" but on a referral to Baptist Medical Center (Winston Salem, NC) they IMMEDIATELY found it was a tumor, and had surgeons qualified to remove it. Her local doctor had wanted to do it here-in Podunk! HA!

I went through a personal Hell from the feeling of helplessness during her bad days, and then with the nerves during the surgery and recovery room stay, but it worked-my wife is 100% seizure free after three years.

God bless both of you, and to the doctors and staff at Wake Forest University/Baptist Medical Center (quick plug for free.)

[Mitzi]

Nerves? What nerves? I don't think I have anymore! This experience has been so hard on all of us. This happened just when David became a teenager. Hell on EARTH is a teenager that can't drive.
It wasn't until we got him to the Mayo Clinic that anyone was able to help him. I can't say enough good things about them. There have been so many sleepless nights. The worry that goes along with this is phenomenal. I just pray they can do for my son, Dave, what the drs did for your wife.
David's internist also wanted to handle case and I couldn't believe it. A man who treats colds wants to control my sons brain problem.
I met some really bad docotrs during this. But the dr he has now is absolutely amazing. He is brilliant and compassionate. He actually hugged each of us today, even my husband. He knows how hard it has been for us.
My husband can't say enough good things about the Mayo Clinic and this dr. ANd he isn't one to give out praises often!!!

[wonderwoman]

JKT, thanks for sharing your words. It must have been hard.

SGT Dave, glad to hear things are good with your wife. Thank God!

DesertRat, you have obviously been through a lot. I know you wanted no replies but you will be in my thoughts.

Mitzi, again I will pray for your son and your family.

God Bless you all

-wonderwoman-

[kateykakes]

Mitzi,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I will continue to pray for David as ask God to watch over him. You're an amazing woman, Mitzi. Stay strong for your son. :)

[Mitzi]

I don't feel strong! lol I feel totally drained. This has been going on for 10 years now and I am emotionally drained. Some days, I have a hard time even functioning. And it's really affected my relationship with my husband. I had heard that parents of a sick child often divorce and I never understood that.
Our biggest problem was that my husband was in denial. There was nothing wong with his son in his eyes and any help I tried to get for David was blocked by him. He wanted to call all the shots. I even saw divorce in our future because of it. He just loves his son so much, he blocks out that something could be wrong with him because that is just to hard for him.
When we left the Mayo Clinic yesterday, my son and my H were on Cloud 9. My H kept thanking me for standing up to him and getting David to the Mayo.
ME? I'm happy but extremely traumatized. I don't think my H sees that. He has never seen how hard his has been on me. I remember standing in the parking lot of the Mayo Clinic, crying, and trying to get the car keys from his so he couldn't drive. He had had a seizure and no way was he going to drive. People were actually staring at me as I wrestled him to the ground to get the keys.
And that just ONE thing I went through with David.
So, it is true that, if you have a healthy child, you have everything.

[LBomb]

Fortunately for me, I have a lot to be thankful for these days. I realize that not everyone is having the good days that I have been blessed with.
Mitzi, I've seen your picture with your son that you sent me when my Amaya was born and your pride just jumps out at me.
All I can say to you Mitzi, and DesertRat is that I'll pray for you and your families.

[Mitzi]

Thanks, Lebomb. I am vety proud of my son. He has been through more in his young life then I have mine. The brain tumor, the divorce because his wife cheated. Even now, he can't drive because his licencse has been taken until he has no seizures for 2 years, the law in Florida.
But, he's such a sweet person, very good to me and my husband. He worries over us, not himself. He wants his own place so badly but is going to wait until after all this is done at my request. We can be here to help him if he has a seizure versus him being alone and having one.
He's just a great person, so handsome and always smiling.
I just wish this had happened to me and not him.

[ 10-13-2001: Message edited by: Mitzi ]

[Mike Tx]

Best wishes for your son Mitzi.

[Mitzi]

Thanks, Mike. We are all on pins and needles waiting for this. They won't be able to tell us if he can have the surgery until they go in there and look. It's really hard to wait!

[Jake]

Mitzi, I hope he gets better after the Operation!

[Mitzi]

Thanks, Jake. We hope so too!

[Jake]

Mitzi, your very welcome :) God bless!

[gazza]

been away a few weeks..mitzi my thoughts and prayers go to you your son and family
desert rat to you mate i send the same wishes
i truly hope both your familys will end up smiling, all the best :)

[Snoopy1]

The closest I have ever come to what you are going through was my ex-husband's auto accident. We were married at the time and had a son who was 7 months old. If I hadn't gone back to work when I did we wouldn't have had any insurance. He spent almost exactly five months in the hospital and went through weeks of physical therapy afterwards.

I won't bore you with the things I do to cheer myself when things have gone wrong over the years. They probably wouldn't work for you anyway as everyone reacts differently.

My prayers are with you.

[Mitzi]

Thanks, Snoopy. I also do things to cheer myself. Reading helps a lot. Coming here and making jokes helps a lot. I remind myself everyday that it could be a lot worse and that comforts me too. There is always someone who has it worse then me and I pray for them too.

[SGT Dave]

Mitzi,

I’d say, from reading your posts, you and I are as different as any two people in America, but I DO sincerely wish the best for you and David. I will continue to pray for both of you. From reading your posts and getting to know you, I think you got the double serving when they were giving out hearts in Heaven, and also when they were filling them with love. (Bin Laden must have been in line behind you and missed out.)

I truly suspect that regardless of the outcome, David can never doubt he has a loving mother.

(Yes, regardless of the driving thing!!)

I could send you a cheesy greeting card, but this is more fun-my gift to you. Hope it helps.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( ((Mitzi))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))


The orderly insisted, but David was adamant-“I don’t want any more Jell-O!!!!! And that onion soup is NASTY!” David gestured at the still-warm soup running down the wall of the heretofore-clean hospital room.

The dietary staff had realized early on that their new patient, David, was not going to be an easy one. The first day, he complained that the tea was bland and unsweetened, and that his portions were too small.

They’d even sent the dietary director to talk with him and his mother, but he still demanded better food. They were tired of his complaints-“Everything on the menu smells like steamed cabbage!” “My 2” square of cake was not enough!” “I don’t want Jell-O at every meal!”

The staff had been offended. They had gone to great lengths to hide the steamed vegetable smell of all hospital food. They had went out of their way to cut him an extra large piece of cake, and generously gave him a half ounce more, when he’d complained about the portions. They graciously sent a packet of sugar up for him to sweeten his tea. They knew that the Blood Code of the Dietary REQUIRED them to serve Jell-O at every meal.

He was being treated like royalty, and still complained!

They had called for Brutus Nucledragger, one of the larger orderlies, to deliver today’s meal. “Ha!” they laughed. “Mr. Special” (as they’d informally named him,) “will be eating his peas and Jell-O TONIGHT BY GOD!!!” To add insult to injury, they made a large steamer full of cabbage, just to put his tray in for several minutes before being “hand delivered” (late of course) by Brutus.

Brutus Beegass Nuckledragger was over six and a half feet tall. While “in service of the state,” he’d played on some correctional league football teams, up in Tallahassee. After his release, he’d decided to stay straight, and done odd jobs and menial labor. He’s worked for the hospital for five years now, the longest stint at one job he’d ever done. Now, at 50, he’d found a good job that matched his skill level. He rolled patients from room to room. All 370 pounds of him.

Now, as he stood over David, he “insisted,” David eat, “one way or another.”

David refused. Brutus moved in closer. David still refused.

As Brutus reached to grab David, a female voice came from behind him, from the doorway, “What’s going on here?” she asked firmly.

Brutus turned around to see an woman about his age, standing in the doorway, wearing a pin striped business suit, and black heels, holding a large “Wendy’s” bag in one hand, and a “Biggie” drink cup in the other. “Who are you?” he asked pointedly.

“I’m his mother, and I want to know why you’re talking that tone with him and with me.”

Brutus had dealt with disgruntled patients before, and he knew his mission was laid out for him-he was to assist the dietary by “ensuring” that David eats their balanced diet. He had never backed down, and was not going to start now. He stated flatly “I’m here to see that he eats his food, and he was just getting ready to ‘eat’. ”

The woman was visibly upset, but she was trying to be polite-slowly, she began, “Well, I’m his mother, and I agree he needs to eat, but I’ve brought him some real food, and so you can go on back down to the cafeteria, and tell them he IS eating.” Brutus would not budge. The mother spoke softly and slowly-“I SAID, I have it under control…he is going to eat…thank you for your help…but everything is going to be okay, so you need to leave.”

Brutus was furious! He had never been “told what to do by no split tailed woman” and he yelled, “He’s going to eat, NOW! And I’ll deal with YOU later-‘smuggling’ food into patients is against the National Hospital Code-they have to eat what we give them!!!!!!”

His half-century-old eyes never seen the kick coming.

Driven by the perfect amount of anger-enough to fuel adrenalin through rage, but not so much that she lost control of her emotions, Mitzi leapt into the air and spun her hardened body to add momentum helping her cross the twelve feet that separated the two. The spinning back kick was flawless-the ball of Mitzi’s right foot struck him squarely under the nose, shattering his upper plate, and knocking him backwards, over David’s bed.

The “fiftysomething” woman followed his trajectory, also leaping over David’s bed. She would ensure the giant nicotine-smelling man in white would not have time to get to his feet. She landed on top of him as he lie face down and snaked her left arm under his chin and around, ending with her left fist against her own chest, which she grasped firmly with her right hand and applied more pressure, just like her friend Dave in North Carolina had taught her. Of all the deadly martial arts she’d been taught in her years in elite military units, a small town cop had taught her “Choking-101.”

But it was in vain. The soles and “balls” of her feet, hardened by years in the dojo as well as countless miles of barefoot “ruck runs” out by the ranges on Longstreet Road at Fort Bragg, and now protected by $100 of Italian leather had been enough-the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man was out cold.

The nurturing side of her caused her to go over and calmly push the “nurse call” button, as she sat down to eat with David. As the nurse came in, she froze upon seeing Orderly Nucledragger lying prostrate, bleeding the “good, red, deep” blood onto the sterile floor.

She was shocked, but also in disbelief since the patient and the lady sitting beside him were unwrapping sandwiches from a fast food bag, as if nothing were wrong. “What happened to him?” Nurse Goodbody exclaimed.

The lady, who she believed to be the mother of the patient, never looked up from her sandwich but said “Him had a wittle ACCIDENT…you might want to call the dietary people and tell them they need to send up some ice…A LOT of ice.” The nurse turned and ran for a gurney.

“Damn good kick, mom” David said, as he unwrapped his Big Bacon Classic.

[Mitzi]

HHAHAHAHAHAHA! THanks, Dave! That made me smile! And it made David smile too! He is doing just fine and always wonders why I get upset. It's just that I am dreading this surgery. But, he has youth on his side and he really isn't concerned. All he wants to do is go to the fair and look at the fine girls! lol Many hugs to you for makinging me laugh!

[SGT Dave]

I'm glad it worked. I'm glad I can make you laugh.


NOW GET YOUR *** IN THE BED!!!!! YOU'VE GOT NO BUSINESS BEING UP AT THIS THIS HOUR!!!!!

I worked a short shift tonight with a new officer and came in at 12:30-I've got an excuse!

Does this mean I'm through reading about Twinkieman, whoever he is????

[SGT Dave]

Oh, and he's going to the fair to meet women, I can hook him up! We have two a year, and the amusement company does work FL also. I can hook him up with a carney or two.

One question, though. Does his dream girl need to have teeth? And how many tattoos is he "okay" with?????

[Mitzi]

Hey, I gots an excuse.....I CAN'T SLEEP! lol As far as David and the fair, I don't know how, but he ralays manages to find a stunner MINUS tattoos.....at least any I know about! lol
How about if I get in my souped up Ford Taurus station wagon and tool down the Interstate and see if you can catch me, lights and all. Does your car go faster then 50mph? If so, I better break and run! lol

[NeoCop]

Prayers for ya Mitzi and for DesertRat. I hope everything will be ok soon. Pls dont lose your faith. I know everything will be ok soon. I know it from my mother who is a very bad patient of MS (Multiple Sklerosis) She cant walk, cant use her both arms and cant talk. But i can see that she is very happy having me at home around her. I can see it in her eyes. Dont lose the faith thats the only way we can stay stand up against it.

Again my prayers are for Mitzi and DesertRat. Take care...

[RCSO-7S05]

Both of you are in my prayers as well. Desert Rat, Hang in there everything will be alright. May God bless both of your famalies.

[Mitzi]

Thanks so much. I sure believe in prayers!

[Jim Burnes]

Mitzi and Desertrat, Prayers are being made for you and your family. Take care.

Jim Burnes

[Mitzi]

Thanks so much to all of you! My son goes in tomorrow for a 4 hour psychoneurogical test and then we find out on 10/31 hopefully if they will operate. He is getting tired of all the testing but it's quite possible they may want even MORE testing. We understand because it's the brain and they can't be too careful.
The test tomorrow tells us how the seizures are affecting him neurologically and psychologicaly. It's an invaluable test and helps give a lot of info on how to better help him.
So, still no answers but we are patient!

[Sotex]

I haven't looked in this forum in quite a while. My prayers are with you all. May God bless.