Chad and I met with the neurosurgeon in town today. We were more than ready to speak with someone in person and find out what the next step is. He had many positive and encouraging thoughts...Chad and I feel our prayers are being answered...I will try to fill you in...

He showed us my MRI again so we could see the tumor. The tumor is larger than we thought with very little swelling (We had thought the tumor was smaller with significant swelling). Anyway...he said he's had 6 different specialists look at my MRI. They are all in agreement, that it looks classically like a benign slow-growing tumor. He emphasized that this type of tumor is curable...praise God! He said that most people with this tumor are cured by surgery alone. Some require radiation, but those cases are the minority. He said this has probably been growing for 10 years. Wow!

He said it's definitely a good sign that I don't have any neurological deficits right now...that will make it more likely that I will come out of the surgery without any...and that the tumor is on the side of my brain that controls my left side (my non-dominant side). Another praise! It doesn't sound like a biopsy comes first...right to surgery to remove it. The referral process is underway, but it may take as long as 6 months for me to get an appointment with, who he says, is the expert in the country. The best surgeon, he said, is at the University of Arkansas. He is the "father" of brain microsurgery, and they do 2-3/day there of this exact tumor. We definitely want the best and most skilled!

I described my episodes to him, and he is certain I'm having seizures. He wanted to put me on meds right away, but I asked if I could wait until my appointment with my neurologist. Anyone who knows me well knows I'm going to try some alternative treatment or dietary change to see if I can get these "episodes" (?seizures) to stop. Right!?

So...Chad and I are relieved to have that appointment over with so we know more what to expect from here! We praise God that the Dr. says this is curable! Please continue to pray for our peace of mind as we await the appointment in Arkansas, the "episodes" to end, and for the healing of this tumor in my head. How great would it be to have a pre-op MRI that showed the tumor has dissolved! That is our prayer!

We will continue to update you all as more test results return and when we know more about the appointment with the surgeon. Thank you all for your love and prayers!

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6