June 5, 2009

4/15 - 3 weeks out

WOW! Today is exactly three weeks ago that he had surgery. He's having an unbelievable recovery!
We saw Dr. Cerenko today (ENT) for follow-up. Wes is having no balance issues, mainly because that nerve had been destroyed some time ago which works in his favor now. He is FREE to drive again!!!! However, he should not be lifting or doing anything strenuous for the full 2 months.

Something very inspiring happened while we were there. There was only one other couple in the waiting room & we got to talking with them a little. Turns out they are there because her husband has an acoustic neuroma and is meeting with Dr. Cerenko for the first time. We were able to tell him what an amazing job he's done with Wes & about Dr. Robinson as well. They were absolutely dumbfounded that he had surgery three weeks ago. The same way we would have been back in January when we got the news. When we met them they were aggravated about waiting there but when we left them, they were happy & hopeful! I can't tell you how great that felt! I gave her my number and encouraged her to call me with any questions and I hope she does.

Next week we'll see Dr. Robinson & get the follow up MRI to see if there is anything left (tumor I mean, not his brain!) I'll post again then or if anything changes....

4/6

It's hard to believe it's been less than 2 weeks since brain surgery! He's doing amazing...recovering much quicker than anyone would have expected. He got the staples removed today & then we went to the mall! He gets tired quicker than he normally would & still has to take pain medication for the headache (although much less frequently now) but other that, he's doing wonderfully. If you saw him today, you'd never even know.
Thanks to everyone who has prayed for Wes & our family. I believe he is prayer at it's best right now:)

9:45pm 4/3

A good day today!!!  Wes has been up & about today for the first time this week.  We went to Harbins to eat lunch with Dawson, who turned 7 today.  The noise got to him after a while, as you could imagine an elementary school cafeteria could, and he had to leave a little early.  We ran a couple of errands, even went into Bass Pro (guess who's idea that was)!

Of course he needed to sleep when we got home but he actually felt like being up and about, which is awesome!

8:15am 4/2

Still headache & meds....the story of the week. He's in quite a bit of pain and doesn't like taking so much medication. He got up for a couple of hours yesterday. He can get around well but his head just hurts tremendously.

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....