6-Month Craniversary

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.