Out With The Tumor

Full Disclosure: This excerpt was written in the beginning of May. It’s been a busy month. In the beginning of May I flew to Miami to visit my daughter and her family. We drove up to Daytona Beach for a wonderful Mother’s Day with my son-in-law’s family. I made a quick visit to Jacksonville and then headed back to Miami. Spent time painting, organizing the house, staying with grandkids, and visiting my favorite dentists. As I write I am sharing the third seat in my daughter’s SUV with a multitude of luggage. We are on our way back to Daytona, then the Outer Banks, and finally back to Maryland. 

ALLERGY?

Now that there is time to write…here are some random thoughts.

• Ever look at yourself in a magnifying mirror?
• I miss sitting outside. Preferably in warm weather by a beautiful beach.
• Teeth, or lack of them. 

Teeth.

My mother lived to be 90. Her teeth were fantastic. Was it because she grew up on a farm and ate from the earth? Was it simply genetics? My father was not so lucky. He always had issues with his teeth. There were dentures, crowns, and general misery. He was a city boy, not a big city, but a city boy nonetheless. 

Called my brother last night and our conversation turned to teeth. As I would suspect, my brother takes after my mother. No issues with teeth. Guess who I take after? 

It’s okay. It’s just genetics. 

I also take after my mother with allergies. She was allergic to penicillin and sulfa. I was told at a very early age that I was also allergic to penicillin. “Never take it,” my mother would say. We even had a friend who was given it after a dental surgery and had a fatal reaction. I make sure that every medical provider I have ever had is aware of my allergies.

As the years went by, I got reactions to other medicines. So many that my dental surgeon wanted me to go for allergy testing before performing any dental work. This was a very hard thing to do. Did I mention that my daughter also had an allergic reaction to penicillin when she was little? Is it genetic?

No, research shows that it is not genetic. A coincidence then? 

I summoned up the courage to go for the testing. Surely the skin prick would show something. It did not. Moved on to the ‘bubble’ under your skin test. Nothing. At all. I couldn’t bring myself to go on to the next level at this time. It was just too much. 

At home I did more research. 90% of the people who have no reaction to the skin tests will have no reaction to the oral dose. Am I in that 10%? 

A week later I went in for the oral test. The goal was to take a full dose of penicillin. A drug I have never had since I was deathly allergic to it in infancy. I was given a half dose and observed like a lab rat. Alone in a room. Nurses walking by and peering in every few minutes. Would there be any reaction?

None. About an hour later, I was given the second half. I took it. 

No reaction. None. 

What? So, I am not allergic to this powerful drug? 

The real test will be in 2 days. I will take a dose at 6:30 a.m., then have two dental implants at 7:30. I will spend a week on the medicine. We will see how this goes. The oral surgeon deserves a reward for dealing with me! 

Update: A full course of amoxicillin and no issues. No hives, no rash, no constricted airways. Seventy years of being allergic are over. 

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month

According to the National Brain Tumor Society, an estimated 700,000 people in the United States are living with a primary brain tumor, and approximately 88,970 more will be diagnosed this year. Brain tumors can be deadly, significantly impact quality of life, and change everything for a patient and their loved ones. They do not discriminate, inflicting men, women, and children of all races and ethnicities.

• Approximately 71% of all brain tumors are benign
• Approximately 58% of all brain tumors occur in females

My tumor of choice was a meningioma. They are the most commonly occurring primary non-malignant brain tumors, accounting for 39% of all tumors and 54.5% of all non-malignant tumors. If you are going to get a brain tumor, this is the kind to get.

Current data says that for non-malignant brain tumor patients, the average five-year survival rate is 91.8%. When I had surgery in 2018, my neurosurgeon and I decided that I needed at least 20 more great years, and I’m sticking to that plan. 

I had a date on Mother’s Day, m`y daughter’s birthday, with an MRI. Spent an hour listening to Jimmy Buffet while having multiple brain scans. Brain surgery can bring some interesting effects to the body. Things that I easily ignore. ‘Feeling’ my glasses are always up on top of my head. They are not. It’s like wearing tight headband. All the time. Or having facial numbness after sleeping on the surgery side of the head. Every so often you must have it checked out.  

Just 5 months short of my 4-year craniotomy anniversary and no regrowth and no new tumors! Whoo-hoo! Why the numbness? It’s a mystery. Guess it is just one of those things that comes with having your head sawed open. 

Next check is scheduled for late 2024.

It’s been over a year since I have written. I’m not sure why. Much has happened in the year, and I have just not been able to adequately put it all into words.

October 2019. My one-year scan came back clean and, for the first time in 4 years I was not scheduled to do the infamous tube ride for a whole year. That is amazing. No questionable dye going through my system, a whole year to recover. 

I look back at that year and wonder what I did. As time often does, it went by simultaneously quickly and slowly. 

My dear friend and I spent a wonderful time in NYC. We decided to take a bus trip, organized by the Maryland Retired Teachers Association, to explore some of the sights of the city. It was all arranged. From the hotel to a marathon meal, to wonderful tours and much free time. What a treat for retired teachers! Nothing to plan. We explored Central Park and lunched at The Plaza. We walked the streets of midtown and discovered fabulous pubs and cafes. We toured the financial district and visited the pier. We ate at the iconic Carmine’s Italian Restaurant (so much delicious food!) and took in a Broadway show. We gazed at the Statue of Liberty and longed to know the stories it held. We will go back.I almost made it to the A-list on Southwest Airlines! So close! There were many trips to Florida to visit my girls and their families. I miss those trips. Back home, I spent time on road trips, exploring antique shops, restaurants, and the countryside with close friends. 

During this time, I looked for condos in Florida. Just makes sense to live close to my girls. I was ready to cut the ties and start a new path. Spent time with a wonderful friend and her husband in Vero Beach. My dream has always been to have a place by the ocean. Although I can’t smell the ocean air anymore, that environment is just so relaxing and fosters health and creativity. We talked to some relators, looked at condos, and I was treated to the best the area has to offer. Could I see myself volunteering at the nature center, shopping at the farmers market, writing and creating there? Yes! 

The girls drove and met me in Vero for a wonderful beach get-away. It was a little chilly, by Florida standards, but we enjoyed the warm sand, delicious ice cream, and sought out the best restaurants. It was good to spend time together. 

But Vero is still 2 hours away from each daughter. Should I move closer to one daughter and travel to visit the other?

I looked for places near each of my daughters. Should we go in together on a larger house and live together? A house with a pool, palm trees, a home office, an hour from the beach? Or should I get a small condo? 

All real questions that reflect a life of privilege, right? How fortunate am I that I can even entertain these thoughts? Even if some of my dreams are just that, dreams. A house with palm trees and a pool by the ocean? Okay, but why not? I can dream it into reality, maybe.

In late February the dishwasher leaked and ruined the floor. Not in my house, in my daughter’s south Florida house. They have wonderful insurance and were able to have the floors replaced. During that time, the family had to move everything out of the house into storage and they moved into a wonderful rental. A wonderful rental? Yes! Beautiful concrete floors, European style kitchen, without a freezer, wall-to-ceiling accordion doors that looked out on a Florida oasis. An oasis with a large koi filled pond complete with an animatronic alligator. An oasis with long iguanas basking in the sun, sauntering on the deck and perched on tree limbs. An oasis that had been the site of various tv commercials and weddings. So, I just had to go and help out the family during this difficult time. 

And there is always DI. A week after our March 2020 tournament everything started to close. Schools went virtual and the uncertainty of what Covid had in store for the world was on everyone’s mind. I pulled out my 1970’s era Singer sewing machine and started to make masks. 

I’ve lived in my house for over 30 years. Neighborhoods change over time, but mine still suited me fine. There are a few ‘original’ owners, and the ‘new’ neighbors are just wonderful.  However, I decided it was time and spoke to realtors about the best improvements to make before listing. For those of you who know me and my love of reusing or saving items that might be reused, you know that getting the house prepared would be a gigantic task. (And no, NOT a hoarder.) 

“Save it for DI. Teams might be able to use it. You never know.” These sentences have been uttered for over 30 years in my house. I managed teams, my daughters were on teams, my husband was even converted and managed a high school team. Those were great times. But I’ve moved on from the ‘we might need this for DI’ train of thought. I still have Instant Challenge materials stored in the garage but have given away all of the other items that teams might be able to use. 

There were some realtors who thought the house should be sold for a flip, and others who offered more palatable suggestions. I packed boxes full of personal items. Drawers were emptied and excess furniture was moved into the garage. When it was impossible to fit any more in the garage, I rented a storage unit and made many trips in Steve’s indigo Toyota Tacoma. With the house decluttered and void of personal touches, the interior was painted white. I was making progress. 

We never know what the future holds, do we? My family has been so very fortunate that no one has contracted Covid, that everyone who wants to be employed is, that we all have a place to live and food on the table. My biggest struggle through this past year has been to find a way to help out while remaining safe and healthy. 

My youngest daughter has taught first grade in Florida for the past 14 years. Like most teachers she taught the spring 2020 semester virtually.  Like many teachers, she questioned the safety of going back in-person, the thoroughness of school cleaning, the transparency of what was actually taking place, and the support for educators in her system and state. But she is a dedicated professional and loved the art of teaching. So, she carried on. 

Since they lived in a second-floor apartment, which was not ideal for their active 4-year old son, they decided to look for the perfect house. A house where the family could spread out. A house where the boy could run and play. A house with a kitchen large enough to accommodate their needs. It was time for them to make a move. 

As they were in the house-hunting process, a series of events transpired. His job went completely remote, their son’s day care was temporarily closed due to Covid, all county schools were opening in person, and I was planning to move to Florida. What was the family to do? 

The answer was to move back to Maryland to the family home! It was not a hard decision for them. They were excited about the adventure and the opportunities it presented. The boys were looking forward to cold weather and change of seasons. And I was glad to offer the house and be of some help to them. After all, it was just painted and decluttered. 

They spent some vacation time here last summer and began to figure out how we could all fit happily into the house. This planning session was interrupted by the threat of a hurricane, so we all drove back to Florida to start the process of packing. After all, I had become quite proficient in the use of bubble wrap and brown paper. 

It is amazing how much stuff accumulates in four years of apartment life! Granted, it was a wonderful 3-bedroom place with an oversized 2-car garage. By the time the moving truck arrived, the garage was completely filled with boxes! Admittedly, a fourth of the boxes were school materials. It is well known that elementary school teachers spend their own money for supplies, books, containers, seating, and tables. Too much to leave behind when you know that you will be needing them in your next teaching assignment. 

Toys were packed, clothes packed, kitchen packed, and an active boy living among the boxes. I needed a break. I also wanted to visit my other daughter, so the girls planned to meet in Vero to make the ‘mom switch’. It was a great trip, a 2-hour drive for each girl and a 4-hour ride for me. After a week of play time with the grandkids, we were joined by my youngest daughter and her son. More playing, long walks, delicious food, and much laughter occurred before we headed back to the apartment. The cousins love each other so much, even if they only see each other a few times a year. 

Once back in central Florida, the movers packed the 28-foot trailer and set off for Maryland. We decided to take a few days to enjoy the beach before the long drive home. Airbnb’s are wonderful, but this one came with something extra. Large Florida roaches! Timing is everything. The house had its pest treatment the day before we arrived, which encouraged every roach to come out of hiding! But the house itself was wonderful. On a secluded beach, 4 bedrooms and precisely decorated.  It was the end of turtle nesting season and there were a few nests by the house that we hoped would hatch while we were there. Lights were out and nightly watches pursued, but, sadly, no turtles emerged.

I am now enjoying time at home keeping up with an amateur paleontologist who just celebrated his 5^th birthday. The newly painted white walls are scuffed and dinged. There was water damage in the kitchen, the floor needs to be replaced and basement ceiling patched. But there is room for everyone, room to go on a dinosaur hunt or plant seeds from the fruit we eat and room to have a little pre-K classroom. We are happy. It’s wonderful that we can be together during this time.

I do miss seeing my south Florida family. Like so many other families, they are figuring out how to do it all from home. Two working parents, two preschoolers and an elderly doggie. They are fortunate to have a wonderful group of friends and have formed a ‘quaranteam’. The kids get to play and learn together in a pod, and the parents get a chance to relax and help each other out. We are staying together, like many others, through the use of technology.  I hope to get down there soon to help out.

October 2020. Time for my brain scan. 

The news? All is still clean, and I am to come back in 2 years. Two years! 

Now, I rejoice in the days getting longer, even though the weather is not to my liking. But I know it’s coming. Those warm days, spring showers, trees greening and flowers blooming.

In some ways it seems like just yesterday, in others it was years ago. But in reality, it was exactly one year ago today that I allowed my skull to be opened up, my brain manipulated, and a tumor to be resected. How was this even possible?  I cannot express how grateful I am to the most skilled neurosurgeon, Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa, and to my wonderful friends and family who have gone out of their way to make sure I am okay. It really does take a village.

Like many people who have survived a trauma, I am left wondering. Wondering if there is something I should be doing, need to be doing. Wondering what great truths I was to learn. Should I be accomplishing something fantastic? Earthshattering? World changing? What is my purpose?

So, what have I been doing? My 6-month scan was clean, and I was free to experience life! I had six months before my next scans to accomplish something great. Reality is, I am attempting to simplify the house. It’s like peeling an onion.

I have the 1950s living room furniture from my childhood home. The dining room was my grandmothers, and the huge green chair in the tv room is the one I purchased for my husband the day after he had a triple bypass. Bedrooms are the same. I even have the blue bedroom furniture I picked out when I was in elementary school. It’s eclectic, comfortable.

And then there’s the little stuff. I’ve been told that a creative person tends to have multiple projects going on at once. I must be very creative. Mine was that classroom at school that seemed to have just about anything in it. Very well organized, in my own way. The house is the same.

So, what else have I been doing? My girls and their families have visited during the summer, and I have visited them. The baby is now a walker, his sister turns 4 this week, and their three-year old cousin converses in length about the wonderful world of dinosaurs. Life is good.

One year ago today, a 6-hour surgery followed by a precarious 4-hour recovery and 3 days in ICU. It’s quite possible, and very normal now, to live with 3 of the 5 senses. Smell and taste are overrated.

My 1-year scans and appointment are scheduled for later this month. Any positive thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Postscript:

Have you ever heard the saying, “Angels are near when cardinals appear”? There are many such sayings, not only about cardinals, but also other birds and butterflies.

My 44th wedding anniversary would have been a few weeks ago. I decided to work in the garage that day. I have, strangely, always enjoyed the garage. It’s full of DI materials, holiday items, gardening materials and all sorts of other wonderful things. The weather was nice and I threw the garage door open to enjoy the fresh air. Suddenly a pair of cardinals appeared in the tree in the front yard. Before I knew it, the female cardinal flew into the garage. She did a couple of laps around and landed on the top of the garage door. She would not leave. She flew from place to place, and even did much fluttering by the inside door. I tried to get her on a broom so I could help her out, but she was not interested.  I was in and out, the bird was still there. The red male stayed on the tree singing his beautiful song. This lasted for hours.

Of course, I talked to them. Neighbors probably thought I was crazy. At dusk I went inside for a few minutes and returned to find both birds gone.

Angels are near when cardinals appear.

Happy Spring! Even with all my seasonal allergies, spring has to be my favorite season, followed by summer! Love the warmth of the sun, the greening of the environment, and nature’s rebirth.

This month I go for my 6-month post-op appointment. I’m looking forward to my biannual ‘tube ride’, otherwise known as an MRI, with and without the questionable dye. Over the last 3 years I have had at least 8 of these rides. The procedure takes 30-40 minutes, laying immobile in a tube. You realize how hard that is for me? I have learned to ask for the Jimmy Buffett station on Pandora, to close my eyes and pretend I’m relaxing on a lounge chair by the pool of a B&B in Key West. If only….

I have been so fortunate to not have many effects from the craniotomy. Still a little swollen, my sense of smell has not returned and I still can’t taste too much of what I’m eating. You would think this would be a perfect time for me to only eat food that will allow me to lose weight. Not so! Still love chocolate, cheese, and bread. Something for me to work on! (But they ARE comfort foods!)

Did you know that an estimated 31,990 people in the US are diagnosed yearly with a meningioma? In a past blog entry I mentioned that I am so fortunate to live in a country where there are gifted surgeons, fantastic hospitals, and a system of Medicare and insurances that will help pay for surgeries. (Sincerely hope we remain this way!)Not everyone who has a brain tumor is so fortunate. What happens if someone is diagnosed in a less developed country? Will the medical institutions, surgeons and care be available to them? Even if there are, will they be able to afford the care that can save their lives?

In 2011 two neurosurgeons started a non-profit with the goal of providing neurosurgical expertise and resources to patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers in underserved areas throughout the world. Their mission is not only to provide patients with access to advanced neurosurgical procedures, but also to educate providers on advancements in neurosurgical technique and care. Read more about this nonprofit here: https://missionbrain.org. I challenge my friends to help me by supporting Dr. Quinones and this organization. Any donation amount will be greatly appreciated. The work, free of charge, that this group is doing is life-changing for so many people! They are restoring the quality of life of their patients and are educating other surgeons who will continue to make life better for many. My goal is to inspire at least 50 people to send in a donation. Donations can be made on-line, or the form can be printed and sent in. I would be very honored if you would include my name with your donation.

Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to volunteering at the Maryland Destination Imagination State Tournament. I love seeing the creativity and amazing problem solving of the teams, elementary through high school. It is so important to give students an opportunity to work together to develop creative problem-solving skills. Qualities that are much needed in our leaders of tomorrow (and today!). This is the first year, in 38 years, that I have not been actively involved with a team. I still serve as regional director, organize for DI, but this year I have not actually worked with a team. It’s a very strange feeling, I do miss working with the teams and witnessing their growth throughout the season!

Back to my tumorless brain. We are expecting to see that the tumor is completely gone, no new ones have appeared, and the brain is healing as expected. Anyone wanting to send good vibes my way will be greatly appreciated.

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has an opportunity to relax and enjoy some time with family and friends. Turn off the news, listen to some music, read a book, play a game, and just relax. A glass of wine, some aged cheese, and baguette might be nice too!

Mind Over Matter. This was the saying on the t-shirt I purchased to have in the hospital after my surgery. Mind over matter. This is so important. I have accomplished two things in the last week. One, I finished watching the second season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. (Yes, I was one of those people anxiously waiting for it to be released.) Two, I finished making Christmas stockings for my grandchildren. The felt kind, from a kit, with thousands of pieces and even more sequence and beads. As episode 10 ended, it was quiet and I had time to reflect on the characters. Then it hit me. Mrs. Maisel and Dr. Q have something in common! Both are extreme optimists. They are driven, open to new experiences, have goals, and know where they want to be. They put mind over matter. So important! 

I set an interesting goal last spring. It would seem simple enough to accomplish for most people, not so much for me. I decided to make a Christmas stocking for my new grandson. This actually has been a tradition in my family. Sometimes traditions just happen. Ours began in the early 1950s when my mother made a felt stocking. It was simple, from a kit. I used this stocking for over 20 years, until my daughter was born. Then it was hers. A few years later our second daughter was born, and she needed a stocking. Fairness dictated me creating her very own felt stocking. For years they hung by the fireplace, with my plain white and my husband’s plain red stocking. Then the sons-in-law and grandchildren arrived. Five more stockings were created. As I finished the baby’s stocking, the one that lights up, the one that was made with the use of only one eye, I muttered to myself, ’No more babies!’. 

Another tradition, the holiday dinner. My mind wanders back to my recent traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The one with a twist, when I spent the holiday with my daughter and her family. 

My grandson has such bad eczema. At one year old he had some allergy tests, with no conclusive results. Parents were given some steroid cream and told to pay attention to what he ate. He reacts to dairy, tomatoes, wheat, soy, and dust mites among other things. And by reacting, his skin becomes red, dry and incredibly itchy. His face is constantly scratched, arms and legs often bleeding. 

He’s almost 3 now. And he still struggles with eczema. He’s the only one at his preschool who has to bring his own lunch and snacks. When a parent brings in an impromptu birthday treat, he’s the one who cannot eat it. At the grocery store, where most kids are so excited to get that free cookie, he is delighted to be given a container of green beans. He eats organic, home-cooked meals. No fast food here. He spends most of his time wrapped up in a full body mummy-like scratch suit with built in mitts, while maintaining more energy and exuberance than a typical three-year-old. His parents are knowledgeable. They have researched. They have joined eczema support groups. They have tried traditional Chinese medicine (with some good results!). They are models of patience, understanding, and problem solving. 

Back to Thanksgiving dinner. Besides my grandson’s eating preferences, mom is a vegetarian and dad follows the Keto plan. Can you imagine our delicious meal? The turkey was traditional, my daughter had Tofurky. No stuffing. Mashed potatoes were made with almond milk and ‘fake’ butter. The green bean casserole was just beautiful steamed green beans, and the organic salad was yummy! The traditional cranberry sauce contained sugar, and was delicious! I am looking forward to seeing what today’s dinner brings!

I hope your holiday treats are delicious. Happy Holidays to all, and may you have much peace and abundant joy! 

I am so thankful for all of the people who have reached out to me during the last few months. When I started this blog, my intent was to share what was happening in my life for those who might want to know and for those who might be going through something similar. Never did I think that so many people would read and reach out via the blog or Facebook. 

I am…..

Thankful for my former student who goes out of their way to take me to and from the airport. Thankful for my longtime friend who drives on our adventures through distant towns to seek out unusual places. How fortunate am I?

Thankful for my dear friend and her husband who love my dog so much that they decided to be adoptive parents. The dog who came into my life at the very start of this adventure. The dog who filled the void when my husband passed. The dog who deserves so much more than I can give him now.  Lucky dog!

Thankful for my dear friend who drove me to appointments and accompanied me on numerous doctor visits, both in and out of state. Thankful she drove 6 hours each way to visit me during my recovery in Jacksonville. 

Thankful for my former coworkers and friends who kept my menagerie of plants watered and looked after my house. What a wonderful surprise when I returned home to find that they cleaned the house, filled the fridge with healthy food, purchased a therapeutic pillow for me, and even fixed a broken door handle. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve such friends! They are truly amazing! 

Thankful for the wonderful volunteers who took over the DI region for me, who lead training and respond to emails. Besides good friends and family, DI has been the one constant in my life. If you are not familiar with this this educational experience, please check it out at destinationimagination.org. Here you will find that students in kindergarten through university participate in collaborative hands-on experiences that empower them to become leaders, innovators and problem solvers. Having been involved with creative problem solving for over 30 years, I have seen students use the skills gained through DI in their college and professional lives. 

As each day goes by, as I regain strength and as my eyesight improves, I am so thankful for Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa, Dr. Bohnen, and the Mayo staff that not only put up with me but also provided such excellent care. After reading through all the surgical notes and consultations, I could not be more grateful for them. I am thankful they took a chance on me!

And, of course, I am very thankful for my family!

I hope everyone finds something to be thankful for this holiday. And I hope all of us can someday be the reason that someone else is thankful!

I’m headed to the polls in a few days. How fantastic is that? 

The recovery time has been the toughest time for me. Not the 3+ years of having a tumor grow in my head. Not the full day of pre-surgery tests and conferences. Not the agonizing morning of surgery day when I woke up with a sinus headache (really?)and couldn’t take anything for it. Not the 2-hour wait on a gurney in pre-surgery for a surgical room. Not hearing the surgical instruments clanging like pots in a chef’s kitchen as I entered the operating room and scooted on to the table.  Nope, it’s the recovery. 

Okay, in all fairness it probably would have been the first 24 hours after surgery, if I remembered any of it! There was a reason my ICU room was directly across from the nurse’s station! 

Why the recovery time? It’s just hard for me not to be running around accomplishing something. Recovery orders include not lifting anything over 10 pounds, not bending to pick things up, and just taking things slowly. Exercise? Walk at a leisurely pace. My solution was to stay at an oceanfront condo. Walking the beach every morning to welcome the sunrise was fantastic and therapeutic! Relaxing and going to sleep with the sound of the waves was so soothing. Now I’m just trying to figure out how I can make this a permanent lifestyle! 

As a retired teacher, I couldn’t afford to stay at the condo forever. I am so fortunate that my daughters live near and didn’t mind if I crashed at their places. This is where I really felt the sting of my physical limitations. I’m used to helping, always on the go. I have to be really creative to figure out things to do and ways to be helpful while not lifting, bending down or moving too fast. One of those things was to scope out great shows to share. 

It was perfect that during this time a dear childhood friend told me about a documentary on the Mayo Clinic that she had watched on PBS. I immediately watched it to learn more about the Mayo brothers and the history of the Mayo Clinic. What a wonderful organization! I am so thankful that my journey led me there. If you have time, it is worth watching. Their refreshing take on the health care will put a smile on your face! (It is also available for rent on iTunes.) 

http://www.pbs.org/about/blogs/news/the-mayo-clinic-faith-hope-science-a-new-documentary-executive-produced-by-ken-burns-to-air-on-pbs-tuesday-september-25-2018-9-11-pm-et-on-pbs/

And the most fantastic news of all?  As expected, the tumor was benign! I have scheduled the 6-month MRI to make sure the tumor isn’t growing back, and I feel so fortunate to be given the gift to get on with my life! Now, if I could just get the feeling back on the right side of my head. 

I’m looking forward to voting, as I hope you are. Please take time to research the candidates and the issues.  Make your voice heard and your vote count! 

One week ago today I reported to the Mayo Clinic for a craniotomy.  An amazing surgical team and fantastic staff awaited me. Also, a 6-hour surgery followed by a difficult recovery and 3 nights in ICU. 

And the tumor was removed! YEA!

How incredible is that? I still can’t comprehend how it all happened and how I am able to walk on the beach less than a week after surgery. The gifted surgeons, the resilient human body, and the thoughts and prayers of so many people have all made this possible. As I said before, I am so blessed to have been given this opportunity!   

I am thankful for my daughters and their families who rearranged their schedules to make sure I was taken care of for the last week. (And that’s not an easy task to do!) It certainly did take an extended family to make this all happen. Day care, in-laws, babysitters, friends, and very flexible sons-in-law. Thank you!

I am still swollen and bruised. It’s too early to tell if the vision has been restored. The Frankenstein look should fade by Halloween though. Think I’ll go with a different costume this year 🙂

The surgeon described the tumor as a ‘tenacious little bugger’ that was entwined in tissue, vessels, the optic nerve and very near the pituitary and carotid artery. I will find out more details and prognosis at my post-surgery appointment on 10/15. Please keep the good vibes coming 🙂

Right now, it’s the recovery marathon I’m running. Very slowly, but still moving! I am told that it is, indeed, a marathon, not a sprint. We all know that taking it slowly is a personal challenge for me. I’m channeling the ocean surf and beautiful sunrises to set the mood for this marathon.  

Reminder to my Maryland friends: Last day to register to vote is 10/19. It’s our responsibility, we need to make our voices and opinions heard! And if you need some inspiration, I highly recommend viewing the RBG documentary available on iTunes. What an inspiring woman!

I’ve spent the day, the whole day, going through tests and pre-op preparations. 

6:30 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. 

Long day!

Maybe the plan is to wear patients out so much that a day of surgery followed by multiple days in the hospital feels like a well-deserved rest. I hope so. 

My thoughts on the eve of the surgery? 

How fortunate am I that I have the opportunity to have surgery? How incredible is it that a surgeon has the capabilities to open my head and try to repair damage caused by an unwanted tumor? How wonderful is it I live in a country that takes care of its citizens through a system of Medicare and insurance? How fortunate is it that I can vote for leaders who put the needs of the people first?

I’m looking forward to sitting on the balcony, feeling the ocean breeze and smelling the ocean air. I’m looking forward to watching the waves roll in and feeling the sand between my toes. I’m looking forward to sharing many more years and experiences with my girls, their husbands and my wonderful grandchildren. 

I thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers. 

Let’s do this!

Exciting news! I am thrilled to welcome Cole Edmond Lenahan into the family. He was born on August 29th in Miami. I waited to have my surgery until after he was born and the family was back in a routine. I’ve had fun playing with big sister Elia, and am so thankful that I am able to help out. (That’s not Elia in the picture with Cole, that’s Bucky the Beagle.)

Speaking of the surgery, my brain will be in hands of Dr. Q. Hands that have climbed over the fence from Mexico. Hands that worked in the fields. Hands that cleaned oil tankers. Surgery is set for October 2nd at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Hurricanes, stay away!

I’m looking forward to hearing the ocean surf, smelling the salt air, and yes, getting the tumor out! I am confident that I have chosen the best surgeon for myself. He has quite a story to tell, as recorded in the book, Becoming Dr. Q – My Journey from Migrant Farmer to Brain Surgeon. I highly suggest reading this book if you want a good read about a very gifted student who followed his dreams and was open to new opportunities.

Another school year has begun, and I am not part of it. However, I am compelled to share a few thoughts.

One day my daughter sent me a text, ‘Put on your oxygen mask first’. We had been talking about how her sister, a first-grade teacher, went back to school during summer vacation to prepare her classroom for the year. When she walked into the room she found white mold covering her rug. Upon further inspection, mold was found on shelves, chairs, tables, and books. Books? Yes, books that were purchased using her own money so her students would be able to learn the love of reading, just like their teacher. Books that had to be trashed.

What does this have to do with an oxygen mask? Okay, don’t breathe in the mold spores. But there was more.

My daughter clarified. It’s a metaphor. When parents are flying with children, flight attendants always tell them to put on their own mask first before they help their kids. You are no good to anyone else if you do not take care of yourself first. How could I have missed that? She is right! Something I, like many women, have never done. We put others first. Always. Was this a philosophy learned in the 1950s when children were to be seen and not heard, and girls were expected to be nothing more than happy home-makers? Probably not. I think it’s more to do with personality. It’s why I did not want to retire. It’s why my husband always took care of his family and his students before he would ever take care of himself. It’s why one of his former students joked with him about spending his retirement money on his classes and delaying that well-deserved retirement in the sun. Lesson learned? Maybe. Probably not.

And why was there mold in the classroom? At the end of each school year teachers are required to put away and pack up all of their supplies. Art supplies, books, learning centers, writing supplies, files, everything. Desks and chairs are stacked, bookcases moved. Every single year. Can you imagine this being done in any other profession? Doctors, engineers, lawyers, mechanics, pack all of your materials up and move them to one side of the room.

In my daughter’s county, the contracted custodians polish the floor and steam clean the rug area at the end of each school year. As a cost saving technique, the county decided to cut off the air conditioning in those classrooms that were not used during the hot, humid summer. I’m sure this looked great on paper, but what happens when the rug is steam cleaned, doors and windows are shut, and there is no air conditioning in the steamy summer months?

It is my hope that teachers and parents will soon take back the education system. A system that is for the students. Not a tool for political means. Not a business to make people wealthy. It’s for the students. A simple mantra that could save public education. It’s for the students.

Is more computer testing, starting in first grade, good for the students?
Is requiring all students to read the same text and be on the same page in a math book good for the students?
Is taking recess and brain breaks good for students?
Is allowing students to read and discuss books good for students?
Are massive worksheets good for students?
Are hands-on experiences and problem solving good for students?

The list can go on and on. Some things benefit students, some do not. Think about it.

It is our responsibility to make our voices heard. Be aware. Do your research. Vote for people who will make a positive change in our educational system. Vote for people who will support schools that provide environments that will encourage the future Dr. Q’s.

You never know when you will find yourself in need of your very own Dr. Q.