12:10pm 3/31

Lot's of pain & lots of sleep is what's happening now. He's pale & has the headache that we were warned of. He's taking his meds as prescribed (no extra time in between right now) & just staying in bed mostly. He's eating enough to not be sick but just doesn't feel like being up & about yet.

Thanks to those who are playing with our kids & helping keep the house quiet! :)

11:45am 3/30

Spoke to soon....
He slept most of the morning & was only able to get up for about 15 minutes. The headache they warned us of has arrived! He's back in bed now & in quite a bit of pain.
Now's the time I'll be calling on those who offered to keep the kids.....

8:45am 3/30

We spent our first night home & it was so nice! Wes is still sleeping but he did awesome yesterday. He was awake for the entire afternoon. His pain is managable & he's feeling good, all things considered. Doctors all said that he's progressing very well, most likely because his vestibular nerve was already destroyed so he didn't have to recover his balance.

Thanks again, a million times over, to all who've prayed for him. It has got him this far & I know he'll have a amazing recovery!

3/29

We're going home today!!!!

6:00pm 3/28

We just took a walk around the floor!  He hasn't been up much today but is doing better now.  Pain was not unbearable & he's going much longer between meds.  The plan is still to come home tomorrow.  So far so good!

10:00am 3/28

He's exhausted!  He had to start getting up yesterday & he did fine but it really wore him out.  He slept all afternoon & night.  He has had breakfast this morning but still no energy.  They want him out of bed more today so he'll be even more exhausted later today.

With all that in mind, he has asked that no one visit today.  He'll feel more like visitors when we are home & he can move more easily.  Hope everyone understands.

Thank everyone for all the prayers & warm wishes.  We knew there would be a lot of recovery time involved & now we just have to be patient.

11:30am 3/27

He's in room 444!

He hasn't stood yet but will have to soon.  Has less tubes now!  He's eating good & all is great!  He will take visitors now....

8:45am 3/27

Seeing him for the first time today & he's still GREAT!!!  He'll get moved out of ICU sometime today (could be late this afternoon).  He's taking more time between pain med. & still says that it's his shoulders; however, they are MUCH better than before.  He will probably get to go home Sunday!  Can you believe that???  He's anxious to get up & move, which he'll get to do today also.  His vision is getting better.  He ate a biscuit & eggs this morning!

I caught up with Dr. Robinson this morning & he is so pleased with his progress, as are we obviously!  He looks great, still no facial changes or swelling.  

Wes won't let me post a pic or I would so you can all see how fabulous he's doing.  

He isn't ready for visitors yet, since he's still in ICU but hopefully he will be once he's moved, or plan to visit him at home next week.  

6:00pm 3/26

Shoulders are starting to feel better & b/p is coming down.  He has eaten jello, italian ice & now had broth too.  He slept most of the day today, which is what he needs.  Still looks awesome!

10:30am 3/26

Never thought I'd like to hear him snore!!!!  Sure sounds good right now knowing that he's resting.  His shoulders still hurt but he's better than yesterday, whether he knows it or not!  His blood pressure is coming down.  His vision is blurring but that should be a combination of swelling & lots of pain meds.  He can't get up until that is better.  Don't know if he'll stay in ICU again tonight or not yet.

I just can't express how great he looks.  For them to have worked on his brain for 10 hours solid & he's not even swollen...it's just unbelievable!!

The day after

I lost WiFi last night so I couldn't update again.

I got to see him about 10:00 last night & he looks AWESOME!  You wouldn't even know he had surgery except for his head being wrapped!!!  I stayed with him until after midnight & went to get a little rest.  He is in a tremendous amount of pain in his shoulders.  I'm not sure if that is from they way they had him secured to the table or something else.  He says it's the worst pain he's ever felt.  I hope that subsides today.

THANK YOU to all my wonderful friends & family who've been so wonderful.

AGAIN, Wes is in ICU now.  His blood pressure was up last night.  HE HAS REQUESTED NO VISITORS for now.  Perhaps when he's in a regular room & feeling a little better, he'll change his mind.  As of now, I'm asking everyone to respect his wishes......

6:00

Assistant came out & said that Neuro. was about 80% done removing the tumor.  Everything still is going great.  Don't have a time frame but hopefully we're in the home stretch.

2:15

Dr. Cerenko came out with update -- he finished his part & Dr. Robinson scrubbed in & started his portion about 1:15.  Dr. Cerenko said that it was exactly what they expected and everything looks really good.  I'll update again when the nurse updates me.

1:00 pm

Nurse just called out & said that Dr. Cerenko (first surgeon) is still working.  Said everything is going fine & he'll speak with me when he's done.

We're here....

We got checked in fine & Wes was doing well on the way here.  He got anxious once they started to prep him so they gave him "something"!  He was relaxed & feeling good by the time he went back.   I was with him until 8:10 & they said they should start by 9:00.  I'll update more later today.

THANKS FOR ALL THE PRAYERS!!!

Pre-Surgery happiness!!!!

Pre-Op

We went to the Neurosurgeon & hospital today for pre-op. We were both anxious about it....we are less than 2 weeks away now & it got REAL today.

However, everything went well, as expected. We got some logistic info., blood taken, EKG done, instructions, etc.....routine stuff. Again, surgery is scheduled for the 25th at 8:00 am and should last between 7 & 14 hours. They will update me throughout & I plan to post here via the laptop. He'll be in ICU that night and depending on how he is the next day, he may get to go to the "floor" (regular room). He'll be there anywhere from 3 days to a week. Everything just depends on how the surgery goes & how he feels afterward.

I know that I keep saying it but thanks to everyone who is pitching in for us with everything from prayers to food to childcare. I don't know what we'd do without all the support.

Surgery

We are confirmed for March 25 at Piedmont Hospital. His surgery will last between 7 and 14 hours, from what we've been told.
I'll update this blog throughout the day of surgery with the laptop. If you want to know how the surgery is going, just check here.
Thanks again to our wonderful, supportive friends who really are helping get us through this and a special thanks to Sandy, my brother, who's driving up from Florida to stay here with the kids while we are at the hospital that week. I love you!