After going in at 6:30 PM to find her fast to sleep, I chose not to bother her. Instead, it was pretty neat as her blood pressure (first number) dropped from the low 130's to 110 while I was speaking with her nurse. She had also moved her left leg shortly before to get a pillow underneath her!
Doc, Janet and I left to grab some dinner as we were informed we would be allowed to see her again at 8:00 PM for the final visit of the night. Speaking of dinner, I am hoping a Pei Wei comes to Grand Rapids soon, it's a really good younger brother of PF Chang's and has a gluten free menu. I digress...by the time we returned at 8:00, she had moved both her left arm and leg on her own! I have to admit I was very relieved, for loss of motor function was not something I had given enough weight in my mind and prayers. Just as important, she was much more alert! She knew we were there, made eye contact, and tried to communicate verbally. She was trying to communicate, but was too heavily sedated. She was nodding to my questions, and continually giving my hand little squeezes as a way of communicating. It was phenomenal. While it ripped at my heart to have to leave her alone for the night, she was so exhausted the last few minutes (of a total 12 minutes), she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. She is going to have an MRI tomorrow morning early to confirm they removed all of the tumor, and we will be able to see her again at 9 AM. I can't wait.
The comments on the blog are great, thanks so much for the continued love and support. The hotel we are staying in feels as though there are angels at every corner, as everyone here is here to be treated for something. The little acts of kindness provided by the front desk, shuttle drivers (Lenny is great), and the let alone the sweet people at the hospital make the entire experience one that reflects God's power when people are in need of Him. Love you all,
Chad
Monday, August 13, 2007
New Prayer Request
I was able to spend 10 mins. with Laura, while Doc and Janet split the 10 min. allotment. She was responsive to our voices, but in such a deep, out-of-it sleep that she would slip in and out of "it" (I can't really characterize her state accurately, so "it" is going to have to do). Once I moved to her right side, and she heard my voice, she sought out my hand to hold. She provided some good squeezes to let me/us know she knows I/we were there. She looks great, and already has more color than she did the last time I saw her (time seems to be warped today, so I am not sure when that was). To those that know her, you might know that she likes her kisses...and her heartrate literally slowed when I gave her some kisses on her cheek and whispered in her ear before I left...pretty comical.
Prayer Request:
She has yet to move her left side, which is but an observation at this point and has not yet moved to the level of concern. She consistently migrated her eyes and attention toward her right side, so we stayed on that side so she wouldn't think/try too hard. We were told that could create nausea for her. The doctor and nurses were not concerned as it simply takes different people different amounts of time for the hemisphere of the brain operated on to "wake up."
If our prayer force out there would pray that her left side provide the doctors some good feedback, we would be grateful. Due to her medical expertise, I do not want her to overhear us speaking about it and have her start worrying, especially in the cloudy state she is in at this point. She is prone to worrying, and I don't want anything but positive thoughts running through that cute little head. Please pray for full, speedy, painless recovery for all nervous functions. She of all people I know deserves it.
Prayer Request:
She has yet to move her left side, which is but an observation at this point and has not yet moved to the level of concern. She consistently migrated her eyes and attention toward her right side, so we stayed on that side so she wouldn't think/try too hard. We were told that could create nausea for her. The doctor and nurses were not concerned as it simply takes different people different amounts of time for the hemisphere of the brain operated on to "wake up."
If our prayer force out there would pray that her left side provide the doctors some good feedback, we would be grateful. Due to her medical expertise, I do not want her to overhear us speaking about it and have her start worrying, especially in the cloudy state she is in at this point. She is prone to worrying, and I don't want anything but positive thoughts running through that cute little head. Please pray for full, speedy, painless recovery for all nervous functions. She of all people I know deserves it.
Tales from the Lounge...
UAMS gets a huge thumbs up on making wireless internet available. It is allowing me to expend my energy constructively, as I am pretty hopped up on a potent combination of coffee and Vault (don't tell Laura).
Professor, as Dr. Yasargil prefers to be called, recently stopped by to let us know the CT Scan looked normal. Also, he sees no remnants of the tumor. God rocks.
They just called out to let us visit Laura, gotta run.
Professor, as Dr. Yasargil prefers to be called, recently stopped by to let us know the CT Scan looked normal. Also, he sees no remnants of the tumor. God rocks.
They just called out to let us visit Laura, gotta run.
So Sleepy...
Dr. Yasargil came to reassure us the surgery went very well and she is doing fine. Some patients react to the anesthesia differently, and she is in a deep sleep. They took me back to see her, and she looks great. They asked me to speak with her to see if she would snap out of the sleep, and she raised her eyelids about half way, but was too tired to wake up. She did the same thing again when the nurse said I was there to see her. They are not concerned, but are going to run a CT scan for good measure to make sure everything is working the way it should.
Doc quickly informed me upon return that the Tinning family has historically reacted strongly to anesthesia, so she is likely just sleeping it off. For those of you that know Laura (and the rest of the Tinning's for that matter), know her to be a light-weight with cocktails, so why would this be any different? What she was given was a heck of a lot stronger than a margarita.
Doc quickly informed me upon return that the Tinning family has historically reacted strongly to anesthesia, so she is likely just sleeping it off. For those of you that know Laura (and the rest of the Tinning's for that matter), know her to be a light-weight with cocktails, so why would this be any different? What she was given was a heck of a lot stronger than a margarita.
The Tumor is Out!!!
I just spoke with the neurosurgeon, and the procedure went relatively "easy" for them...which doesn't compute in my mind as he was performing brain surgery. The tumor came out well and they are closing her up right now. They will confirm they got it all tomorrow morning via MRI, and will confirm the stage of the tumor through histology, which will take about a week. He said from from outward appearances, it was just like his 500 other cases. Confirming the stage is required by law, and obviously a good practice.
In all actuality, it doesn't seem real. Doc, Janet and I have been waiting in the lounge, and when we see Laura (hopefully soon), she is going to be without the tumor she had just 4.5 hrs ago. Amazing.
The power of prayer is unbelievable, as we have experienced so much peace this morning. Inexplicable...though, who are we to comprehend His power? Thank you so much to those of you that have prayed so diligently in the past three weeks, and I ask you continue to pray for speedy recovery, no lingering affects, Laura to feel better than ever, and most importantly that the histology comes back as a Stage 2, low grade astrocytoma.
Laura has been a testament to her faith during this process, as she so peacefully and confidently went into surgery, while it was all I could do to hold myself together as it was very difficult to watch her be wheeled off without being able to go with her. She is an example for us all, yet also a reflection of the strength provided through everyone's prayer. I don't think one could be without the other.
I read this yesterday, and the passage resonated today:
Luke 8:25 He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
His power is amazing, as He has blessed such talented people with gifts that allow for "easy" removal of brain tumors that were not in simple places per all the conversations we had prior to our trip here.
We are so grateful for all of your continued prayers. God Bless!
In all actuality, it doesn't seem real. Doc, Janet and I have been waiting in the lounge, and when we see Laura (hopefully soon), she is going to be without the tumor she had just 4.5 hrs ago. Amazing.
The power of prayer is unbelievable, as we have experienced so much peace this morning. Inexplicable...though, who are we to comprehend His power? Thank you so much to those of you that have prayed so diligently in the past three weeks, and I ask you continue to pray for speedy recovery, no lingering affects, Laura to feel better than ever, and most importantly that the histology comes back as a Stage 2, low grade astrocytoma.
Laura has been a testament to her faith during this process, as she so peacefully and confidently went into surgery, while it was all I could do to hold myself together as it was very difficult to watch her be wheeled off without being able to go with her. She is an example for us all, yet also a reflection of the strength provided through everyone's prayer. I don't think one could be without the other.
I read this yesterday, and the passage resonated today:
Luke 8:25 He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
His power is amazing, as He has blessed such talented people with gifts that allow for "easy" removal of brain tumors that were not in simple places per all the conversations we had prior to our trip here.
We are so grateful for all of your continued prayers. God Bless!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
11 Hours!
Chad and I have had a nice relaxing day just spending some time together. We are currently watching his brother's San Diego Chargers preseason football game on TV. Mom and dad have arrived in Memphis and will be here with us in an hour or so.
God has been so faithful and is still giving us such a peace during this process. He is truly carrying us in His hand, and it has taken an experience like this for me to comprehend the meaning of that!
I thought I'd write a post before leaving for the hospital in the morning, with some specific prayer requests for the next 18-100 hours from now. Here it goes...a restful night's sleep for us, continued peace as I prepare to go in for surgery, God's hand leading the way for each of the doctors involved in my care, good anesthesia without complications and no problems waking up after surgery, a steady hand for Dr. Yasargil and his assisting resident with every last bit of the tumor removed, no unnecessary brain tissue removed, no complications during or after surgery (e.g. bleeding, swelling, infection, speech or motor deficits, personality changes, etc), ease of waking up after surgery, the ability to be transferred to the floor very quickly and be able to start walking around sooner than anticipated, being ready to be discharged quicker than usual, and of course, complete and total healing from this tumor! That this tumor is removed and there is no evidence of any tumor remaining on my post-op MRI and no need for any further treatment ever again! Praise God for that!
I can't even put into words how this experience has changed me. I would be lying if I didn't say I had some rough days in the beginning...some days of disbelief...you know, the "why me" days. But I have to say this has been a blessing because I can truly grasp God's faithfulness and peace. He has never left me. God knew 32 years ago that I would be here now, and He has prepared me to be able to handle it with the support of my husband, family and friends, and the faith, grace and courage that can only come from Him.
I can't say enough thank you's for the prayers and those that are yet to come in the upcoming days! Chad will keep the blog updated while I'm in the hospital, and I look forward to my first post after I'm discharged...sooner rather than later! We will be up at about 4:30am CST to be at pre-op holding by 5:30. The surgery is schduled to begin at 7:15am CST. Dr. Yasargil said my surgery will take between 4-6 hours. Thank you in advance for your prayers throughout the day.
We love you and I can't wait to see you all when I get home, totally healed!
Some of my favorites through this:
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Matt 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."
Mark 11:24 “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 "...give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh."
God has been so faithful and is still giving us such a peace during this process. He is truly carrying us in His hand, and it has taken an experience like this for me to comprehend the meaning of that!
I thought I'd write a post before leaving for the hospital in the morning, with some specific prayer requests for the next 18-100 hours from now. Here it goes...a restful night's sleep for us, continued peace as I prepare to go in for surgery, God's hand leading the way for each of the doctors involved in my care, good anesthesia without complications and no problems waking up after surgery, a steady hand for Dr. Yasargil and his assisting resident with every last bit of the tumor removed, no unnecessary brain tissue removed, no complications during or after surgery (e.g. bleeding, swelling, infection, speech or motor deficits, personality changes, etc), ease of waking up after surgery, the ability to be transferred to the floor very quickly and be able to start walking around sooner than anticipated, being ready to be discharged quicker than usual, and of course, complete and total healing from this tumor! That this tumor is removed and there is no evidence of any tumor remaining on my post-op MRI and no need for any further treatment ever again! Praise God for that!
I can't even put into words how this experience has changed me. I would be lying if I didn't say I had some rough days in the beginning...some days of disbelief...you know, the "why me" days. But I have to say this has been a blessing because I can truly grasp God's faithfulness and peace. He has never left me. God knew 32 years ago that I would be here now, and He has prepared me to be able to handle it with the support of my husband, family and friends, and the faith, grace and courage that can only come from Him.
I can't say enough thank you's for the prayers and those that are yet to come in the upcoming days! Chad will keep the blog updated while I'm in the hospital, and I look forward to my first post after I'm discharged...sooner rather than later! We will be up at about 4:30am CST to be at pre-op holding by 5:30. The surgery is schduled to begin at 7:15am CST. Dr. Yasargil said my surgery will take between 4-6 hours. Thank you in advance for your prayers throughout the day.
We love you and I can't wait to see you all when I get home, totally healed!
Some of my favorites through this:
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Matt 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."
Mark 11:24 “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 "...give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh."
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