Horray, Home at Last!

Well I'm very excited to return home after the second surgery. Whew. It is incredible how you see your home, job or family as the place to invest your life. I sure enjoyed getting to my home. I have to say that the City of Hope was fantastic. I believe that many of the parts of my very detailed and difficult surgery were done fantastically. Everyone that works there is amazing. I was so impressed with meeting and chatting with the doctors, nurses and everyone else there. They were all incredible. I have to also say that previously I was very unexcited about investing 4 hours of my life to get to City of Hope and receive my 30 - 45 minute procedure, but after being there, I can't think of any other place I'd rather be to care for me. After being in the fire department for so long if you need more experience, more knowledge or a specialist they are all immediately activated and you have a group that will continue to grow right at the scene. This is the same for the individual who has such a disease. One doctor will call another and all three or four of my doctors will be there to discuss and solve the solution for me. Unlike the other world where a doctor sends info to someone else and then maybe another gets it. Anyway I need the team to continue to work together to extend my years. I have also included a pic for all to see my new and improved surgery scars. I'm now a y-scar. Pretty cool.

Finally Number Two and some GOOD news!

Well I am doing pretty well from yesterday. I know that they did some stuff and I am pretty wore out. I wanted to say how wonderful everyone has been here at the City of Hope. I am lucky to have so many great people helping me with the fight.

Eric

As Eric said he is recovering well and quicker than last surgery, they want to send him home on Wednesday! This of course is great news although I am not so much for blood and gross stuff, so maybe one more day here with the nurses who don't faint and get queasy would be a good call. Anyhow the Doctor did come in only after he was told not to come with any bad news, he was happy to say that the news was good. He told us that the MRI from today looked good and they all feel really good about the surgery. We are so happy to finally hear something positive. I guess all the prayers are working so keep up the good work. The next step will be for Eric to recover and heal from this surgery and start with the radiation and chemo.

Thanks again for all your love, support and prayers!

Hallie

Surgery's Over!

Eric's surgery went as expected, he is recovering and should be back to his old self in no time. This surgery was a bit more intense than the previous one and we are all happy that his vitals are what is expected. He will spend the next few days resting and recovering from this major event and I will continue to update everyone on his progress.

Thank you all for your support, it means so much to me and the rest of the family. Please keep us in your prayers as the journey is just beginning.

Hallie

Oh My.....

Well I know that surgery at the City of Hope is set for 11am on Monday the 26th, but every now and then sometimes I just wonder. I have to first say that I really love the staff there who are all operating together to give me the best and share all the different options with benefits and shortages. I still wonder here I already go through the brain surgery and well there is something else in there growing. Here I have this challenge and want to get it all out so that the other medicines will kill all the bad parts in my brain so that my life will get to extend another few years. It sure seemed like every time in the past I was smiling at the doctors office ready to hear about the best event that occurred and then slam, more crappy and sad info. I just again hope that we are making a great strength with the Hope doctors as I want to be around with my family for a very long time. I'm not ready to leave and go to heaven yet.

Finally the City of Hope is found

Well today I got to meet with some of the few doctors who are at the City of Hope. I was clear that I wanted to make sure that the current doctors I was working with were focused on me and giving me the "A" plan. That was what I always wanted. I met the Medical Oncology Doctor who asked me lots of questions and then brought up some different options for me based on the small item in my brain that still needed to be removed. WHAT? What ever are you talking about. Well she calmly stated that while looking at the new MRI, which was just done as the starting point before the chemo and the radiation, she was concerned and then got the neurosurgeon to look at the item. When asked if I wanted to talk to this doctor who I didn't even know, I said oh yes! Well he came into the room and discussed many different things with me, the guy who didn't even have a previous appointment with this me, the new patient, for about 45 minutes. We discussed all of the options, some of the benefits and some of the challenges and while I'm upset that there is something still in my brain that will kill me, I really enjoyed how he was able to share emotions and be a friend of mine. I also love the fact that he spoke slowly and calmly and included Hallie with many thoughts and options. I also have to say that I really like the fact that I spoke with three doctors today who all working together which is not the same thing that had happened before. These three all acted as though they are a team which will have a direct benefit for Eric. Kind of kewl. So now I'm set for surgery on Monday the 26 at 11am.