Not good news

[Mitzi]

The neurosurgeon was not as optimistic as the neurologist. They have one more test to run. Depending on the results of that, they will either tell us they can't help David or they will hospitaliztion to do 2 brain surgeries. Then, they will be able to tell us positively if they can or can't help him.

[SGT Dave]

Mitz,

Still praying for you guys.

Obviously we don't know what they will find, and don't know for sure if they will say surgery is an option, but we are thinking positive thoughts!

I WILL say that they are always very guarded in their comments, and ALWAYS understate what they believe (can you blame them?)

Example-They told my wife initially she had an "80%" chance of being seizure free, and we decided it was worth it. THEN, after deciding to go with it, our neurosurgeon also was less optimistic than the neurologist, only saying a "50% -60%" chance.

As you know, the "80%" and the "50-60 per cent" turned into 100%, but I understand why they told her less.

Also, they told her she would be in the hospital recovering for "at least a week after" the surgery. She was released after 3 days.

They told her she would be out of work for a minimum of 3 months after the surgery. She went back the 5th week, and could have gone back sooner, but was too embarrassed since her hair hadn’t grown back. (The “no sex” stipulation for three weeks wasn’t held to either… :D)

So don’t read into it-they’re just being good doctors. It’s always better to underestimate (for them) than to over estimate. I still haven’t gave up on him, and hope you don’t.

And, (and I know you know this, but&#8230 ;) although I’ve not been the best Christian lately, I’d be remiss not to remind you that PRAYER WORKS! Heck, all my wife’s miracles (and in fairness to the non-Christians here-“all her ongoing, unexplained ‘coincidences&#8221 ;) actually led to me BECOMING a Christian. But that’s a story for another day.

Don’t give up! Our budget is real tight, and I ‘d hate to have to drive down there right now and kick dead in the Victoria’s-Secret-lingerie-wearing, Yorkie-lap-dog-pampering, Ford-Taurus-Station wagon-domesticated- middle-aged BUTTOCKS!

[Mitzi]

lol Dave.....I have been so low. But, this neurosurgeon has told us he doesn't even want to do surgery if it's in the spot we are all pretty sure it's in. We all came home, very upset and depressed. We just couldn't understand why the neurologist gave us such hope and then the neurosurgeon took it away. I asked the neurologist if they could get the seizure activity if blood vessles were involved, which they are with David. He said they could. Then, the neurosurgron said they couldn't. The neurosurgeon was extremely pessimistic. It was upsetting, because we had been given such hope and David has gone through so much, with testing and all.
None of us are concerned about the time it would take for him to heal or anything. But now, surgery seems doubtful.
I've been in tears for days, not where they could see me. The stress on all of us is unbelievable. But, somehow, we will get through all this.

[ 11-04-2001: Message edited by: Mitzi ]

[gracedawn]

Your familly is in our prayrs also, Mitzi....I hope your son is able to beat this. Maybe, hate to say it, but you may need more opionions from a differant doc. I have had a taste of what it is like going from doc to doc and the stress it involves. I can only imagine how much worse it is for your familly. Ofcourse in times like this you know that God is with you. All the best and God bless

[Mitzi]

Oh, we have had many opinions. These drs are the ones I trust the most. I'm beginning to wonder if they are testing David's resolve to go through the 2 brain surgeries this would involve. The emotional rollercoaster is unbelievable but I trust God to show us all the way. It truly is hell on earth tho.

[jcpaddon]

Hang in there Mitzi.
We were worried that the neurosurgeon's were leaving a piece of malignant tumour in my son that they didn't want to touch. He already lost on eye and they were afraid if they touched this last piece it would damage his vision in his good eye. It's hard to trust that their decisions are right, and maybe they're not always.
Best of luck.