1) Recovering from surgery has really taken it out of me...
and,
2) I didn't have any news to share because the pathology report wasn't back yet.
But today at 5:09 PM, my doctor's office finally called ... after we've called them every single day for the past six days because the results were supposed to be in last week ... and I was told that the preliminary pathology report shows that the tumor they removed was benign. They're now sending it off to other laboratories (Baylor and MD Anderson) to confirm the results.
While we're waiting for those reports to come back, and hopefully validate the initial results, I'd like to take a quick moment to reflect on the past few weeks.
My sister Eileen flew in on Monday, two days before the operation, to lend her moral support. It was so awesome to have her here, not just because I love my sister and appreciated having her nearby ... but also, she totally helped the children prepare for their 5th grade Science benchmark test. She also helped with Math. And Social Studies. And Language Arts. And laundry. She deserves not only a Sister Award, but an Awesome Angel Aunt Homework award.
Also, before I completely forget, I need to memorialize how when we arrived for surgery on Wednesday morning, as I was signing in, the receptionist looked at Eileen and Charlie and said something to the effect of "How nice it is that both of your parents are with you! Will they be remaining here during the entire operation?"
Once I gained my composure from the long pause, followed by the hilarious outburst of laughter at my sister and husband's expressions ... I was reading and initialing my surgical orders, which indicated that I needed this brain surgery procedure because my symptom was, and I quote, "Tumor causing giddiness."
I looked at Eileen and Charlie and said, "Hey Mom and Dad! Who knew giddiness was a medical condition?!" Funny moments abound!
The surgery went well, the right side tumor came out with no apparent problem - and post op, I actually scoffed at the month supply of narcotic pain medication and anti-nausea medication that they prescribed for me. Being the daughter of a pharmacist, and sister of two pharmacists, it's probably odd that I'm so opposed to taking medication unless absolutely necessary.
Let's just say THANK GOD Charlie had the prescriptions filled, because within two days - once all the meds they'd given me along with my anesthesia were out of my system - I was a pill popping fool. And then I was a napping fool because narcotics tend to make you very, very sleepy. I can't say I remember a lot other than my wonderfully soft pillow between November 20 and December 10th.
Yes, I know, I know it's not yet December 10th ... but I suspect even this time will be a blur to me because I'm still on pain and anti-nausea medicine.
Scrolling through photos that the children took using my phone, I see that William polished off a half gallon of egg nog and is preparing himself for Bachelorhood.
And I do recall hearing that Henry's adorable little soccer team won their final match.
As of this writing, I'm feeling better, but my ear is troublesome. The incision was behind the entire length of my right ear; and from what I can tell, they cut it and flipped the whole lobe over to make a 2-inch incision through my mastoid. My ear lobe is numb, and I 'm almost completely deaf. I've kept a cotton ball plugged in to it, because although I cannot hear - there's a weird painful pressure whenever it is exposed.
Also, it pops all the time.
But the popping is from the inside of my head. And it's loud enough that if I put my cheek next to yours, you can hear it. It sounds like fireworks. CRACK! POP! CRACK CRACK PZZZZZ!
When I sleep at night, if I roll over on that side, the sound and feeling of it wakes me up because even the slightest pressure on the ear makes it sound like I've got Pop Rocks jammed in my ear canal. That in turns wakes Charlie up because I can't contain myself from saying, "COME ON! THIS IS SO GROSSSSSS!!"
The doctor says my hearing should return in a a few months once the swelling around my auditory nerve subsides, and the popping noise should cease within 6 to 12 months as I continue to heal. While that is a bit of an inconvenience, it's not totally miserable.
Actually, it is ... who am I kidding?!
But after receiving my results today that preliminary reports show it as benign, I can assure you that any attempt at curing me of "giddiness" were tremendously unsuccessful.
Within the next few days, I'll post photos of the past two weeks with my wonderful Mother Mary, who flew in and helped me convalesce. Moms really are the best, and I'm so blessed to have one of the Greats. I'm also blessed beyond measure to have so many friends that I've met through this blog who have been sending me an abundance of prayers and encouragement.
Gosh darn it... I love you guys! xoxoxo
