I will continue a bit about my surgery and recovery. I learned a great lesson from this surgery. It is something I always knew, but I had it proven to me beyond the shadow of a doubt. It is very simple, and I can sum it up in two words: People care.
Sure, I’ve always known it, but sometimes you can get down on life and doubt these “absolutes.”
My recovery really began with a bang as it involved being put into a room where I could have visitors any time they wanted to come see me. The steady stream of people that visited was almost overwhelming. I still cannot adequately describe the joy of having my family with me in this situation. I love my family, but never tell them that enough, shame on me and no excuses. Without a doubt having all my Brothers and Sisters in Christ who visited, prayed and sent cards is something that is still amazing to me. It’s not that I didn’t expect it, it’s just that the outpouring of love and concern was so great as to be nearly tangible. That doesn’t do it justice, but it’s the only way I can describe it. I never did a final count and I can never say thank you to all, but there were at least a dozen cards a day arriving in my mailbox for about two weeks after my surgery, and it did taper off from there, but not before I had heard from seemingly everyone I know or that knows me in the Brotherhood!
My “school family” at work were also amazing. Our staff is very close in situations like this and they were just amazing with cards, prayers, concern and even gifts of food and monetary aid.
I stayed in the hospital for about a week? It may have been more or less than that, but I’ll have to consult my family as to the particulars. I got home and began to try and think about returning to work. I was lost being at home with “nothing to do.” I couldn’t drive for a while, so I had to be driven everywhere and anywhere I went…many thanks to Lehua and my friend Jace Gibson who later drove me to and from work every day. I got so bored after one or two days at home, that I went to the library and actually checked out some books to read. I hadn’t done that in years….literally! That satisfied me for a little while, but it wasn’t long before I was wanting to go back to work.
I went back to work about 2 weeks after my surgery. That was probably a little bit quick, but I felt up to it. I got back and my office was very decorated and the kids seemed very happy to have me back. It was a great homecoming!
After I had been home for a while, I had to fly to Houston Texas and visit M.D. Anderson for a second opinion on treatment. That was a good trip and I was SO impressed with that facility and people. The oncologist down there was a brilliant doctor by the name of Conrad who according to people who know is about the best oncologist around! Dr. Conrad recommended radiation only and no chemo. (In futher research I have discovered that chemo. rarely helps brain cancer because of the brain/blood barrier that keeps the chemo. out. That was a pleasant trip but went very fast.
My next step was radiation. The most agonizing thing about that was that it was for 5 weeks, every week day! Thankfully it happened during the Summer, so I didn’t have to miss any work for it. I just went ahead and stayed up at Springfield every week because driving back and forth would’ve been crazy. The radiation was a bit unsettling because I had to have my head bolted down to the table every time I went into the tube. I have pictures on Facebook of the mask I had to wear for that….NOT GOOD!
I somehow survived the radiation and went back for an M.R.I. and P.E.T. scan both which came back with good results. I am now feeling really good except for some occasional dizziness which I believe is caused by the anti-seizure meds. I am taking. I go back in February for M.R.I. and other tests to see how things are going. So far, so good.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
you should update more dad!!
One word, “sloth.” That is all.