karen335 Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Hi All my Family & Friends, Well, I'm scheduled for brain surgery this coming Tuesday. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 AM California time and surgery begins at 7:30AM. It wil be about a 3-3 1/2 hour surgery. One met in the brain, which the nuerosurgeon feels once removed I will be cured. The margin is really good and he says he should have no problem getting it all out. It is in the back of my head on the left side. He said he will have to go in through the center of the back of my neck and then about 3/4" to the left. First incision maybe about 3". (I hope I'm not grossing anyone out, sorry) He said that the tumor could have been on the brain stem or the spinal cord, which it is not. The Lord blessed me that it was not there, Thank you Jesus. I have a christian doctor too... The doctor comes with great experience and credentials. He grad from Loyola in Chicago, and also Loma Linda University here in California for adult and Pediatric nuerosurgery. He is also a teaching Professor at Loma Linda. Being that he operates on children, he has a steady hand and a lot of confidence. Dr. Laurence Clark (Nuerosurgeon) My hubby and I have met with him twice and I have all the confidence in the world about this doctor. I can honestly say out of all my doctors, he is almost the perfect doctor, confidence, explanation, bed side mannerisim. It is just totally awesome. I then went to the hospital (Riverside Comm. Hospital, Riverside, CA) to do all the pre-admin stuff and they could not say enough about this doctor. As the RN's there said, I have the crem de la crem. The best there is in our area, I really believe this. I am sooo ok with this surgery. They said I would be in ICU for a day and them moved to my own room. They also said this doctor requests private rooms for is patients. He wants you to have total rest and privacy to get well. They expecy I will be in hospital between 3-5 days. Depends on how I progress and get up and moving around. They said for the first day, I will get ice chips and water and gradually be put on soft then solid food. I said to the RN, what no food. Will they put in a feeding tube (I hope not) so I don't get hungry. Please remember I am taking Decadron and can't seem to get enough to eat. She just laughed and said I won't starve. I said good because with this med, it seems I am eating every two-three hours. I have never done this before. HELP RY!!!!! I sure am going to have to loose some weight after this ordeal... As far as radiation afterwards, we won't know til after the surgery. It will only be in the area of the surgery, not WBR. I asked if he felt there was anything else up there and he said (Dr. Clark) that everything else was clean and could see nothing else. I know it is beneign. I was telling my husband, this happened two tears ago, even before my dx. I remember having a real sharp pain in this area and getting a headache for about 4-5 days and couldn't get rid of it. I kept taking the old Excedrin X-Strength. It finally subsided. I didn't even think anything about it after that. Amazing isn't it that this has to be when this mass started growing. It is now 1". Took two years to get to that size. Slow growing, praise God... Well, now that I have written a book (sorry) I will end my upcoming event. I will not be on line for maybe a week or so from Tuesday. My hubby knows how to get into the site and I will show him how to post a little and update all of you on how I am doing. Ry, FayA, Dean Carl, Norme, Katie and a few others have my phone number. Bob is really good about calling back and can let you know what is happening... Thank you all, God Bless, prayers for all of you and big hugs from So. California Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niececola Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Dear Karen, Praying very hard for a smooth operation and a speedy recovery! Please make sure to let us know how you are doing. Blessings, Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCarl Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Praying for a quick and full recovery! Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen, Sending tons and tons and tons of prayers for a speedy recovery!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MO_Sugar Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Prayers and good wishes for a simple surgery with 100% removal! God's blessings on you and your medical team! MO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Praying for a quick and full recovery and that it is benign. It is wonderful to have such a great doctor. god has blessed you. BLT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 A great doctor, great hospital and you--!!! Sounds like a great recipie for success. I will keep you in my thoughts and hey--I'll eat enough for the both of us!! Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancy O. Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Count on my prayers too. I will be thinking of you with all good thoughts. Love Nancy O. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 . Karen, you will be fine. Don't worry we'll take care of Bob for you Have you warned him what he's in for with your "CRB's" club???? I hope he's up for us. You just concentrate on getting better. Hang tough Karen, Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Good luck Karen. I'm glad you are feeling really positive about this surgery--I am too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen, You deserve nothing but the best in doctors and care. You are continually in my prayers, but they will be more specific as you go through this surgery. I pray that the Lord will guide the hands and mind of your surgeon and all the medical staff to watch over you and bring you successfully through this. May your recovery be swift and complete so that we may all celebrate your being cured. And may your withdrawal from handy snacking and eating be minimal...we wouldn't want you to get cranky! Hugs, Margaret [/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Daughter of Bill Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen You sound soooooooo positive about this surgery. That is wonderful. Sending you prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery! Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaKB Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen, Prayers coming your way. It sounds like you have a great doctor on your side. Theresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvmydog2 Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen, You will do just fine. Sounds like you have a good doctor. Will keep you in my prayers as well as saying a special pray at 7:30 Tuesday. Will be looking for news on the results. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen, My thoughts and prayers are with you for the best of results and a speedy recovery! Peace, take care and God Bless. Rich [The Power Of People Helping People / The Power Of Knowledge / The Power Of God / The Power Of Believing / The Power Of Positive Thinking / The Power Of Never Taking No For An Answer / The Power Of Laughter / United We Stand, Divided We Fall / That’s The Key] https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs (NCI Publications Locator) http://www.hospicefoundation.org (Hospice Foundation Of America) http://www.hospiceweb.com (Hospice Web) http://www.hospice-america.org/consumer.html (Hospice Association Of America) http://www.hospicenet.org (Hospice Net) http://www.plwc.org/plwc/MainConstructo ... 151,00.asp (PLWC Feature: Talking to Someone With Cancer) http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/ ... 87526.html (3-year-old keeps her smile in battle with rare cancer) http://www.rfalung.com (Radio Frequency Ablation Of Lung Cancer) http://www.lungcancercoalition.org (Global Lung Cancer Coalition) http://www.plwc.org/plwc/MainConstructo ... 008,00.asp (PLWC Feature: Financial Support Resources) http://www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/healt ... hqcanc.htm (Best Hospitals) https://www.alcase.org/advocacy/sign_the_petition.html (Advocacy /Sign the Petition) http://www.cancersymptoms.org (Oncology Nursing Society) http://www.plwc.org/plwc/MainConstructo ... 008,00.asp (Questions to Ask the Doctor) http://www.alcase.org/education/publica ... reath.html (With Every Breath A Lung Cancer Guidebook / From ALCASE / A Wealth Of Information / Free) http://www.cancersurvivaltoolbox.org (The Cancer Survival Toolbox / Free / From NCCS) http://www.centerwatch.com (Clinical Trails Listing Service / Center Watch) http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&editi ... ung+cancer (Lung Cancer In The News) http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/pro ... /guide.asp (The Wellness Community / National Cancer Support, Education And Support / Free) http://www.drugs.com (Drug Information Online) http://www.alcase.org (ALCASE / Alliance For Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support, Education) http://www.nlm.nih.gov (Unites States / National Library Of Medicine) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html (Health Information / Medical Encyclopedia) http://www.google.com (Great Search Engine) http://blochcancer.org (R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation, Inc. / Please read: A Letter to all newly diagnosed cancer patients) http://www.cancer.org (American Cancer Society) http://www.cancer.gov (Cancer Information Service / NCI) http://www.cancerresearchcenter.org (Cancer Research Center) http://www.aicr.org (American Institute for Cancer Research; Nutrition Hotline / AICR) http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org (Cancer Hope Network) http://www.acor.org (Association of Cancer Online Resources / Free Online Lifeline For Everyone Affected By Cancer & Related Disorders) http://www.meds.com/lung/lunginfo.html (Lung Cancer Information Library) http://www.lungusa.org (American Lung Association) http://www.ama-assn.org (American Medical Association) http://www.docguide.com/news/content.ns ... g%20Cancer (Doctor’s Guide / Lung Cancer) http://www.healthfinder.gov/Scripts/Sea ... ?topic=506 (Healthfinder) http://www.medicinenet.com/Lung_Cancer/article.htm (Medicine Net) http://www.cancerindex.org/clinks2l.htm (Cancer Index / Lung Cancer Resources Directory) http://www.nfcr.org/site/PageServer?pag ... ncers_lung (National Foundation For Cancer Research) http://www.patientadvocate.org (Patient Advocate Foundation) http://www.lungcanceronline.org/effects ... fects.html (Lung Cancer Online / Hematologic (Blood) Effects) http://www.cancerlinks.org/lung.html (Lung Cancer Links) http://www.cancer-free.com (Cancer Free Connections) http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/C ... ung_cancer (Health Insite) http://www.lungcancerclaims.com (Lung Cancer / Lung Cancer Information Page) http://www.cancerlifecenter.com/engine. ... =dictionar (Cancer Life Center/ Cancer Dictionary) http://www.canceryellowpages.com/Resour ... G%20CANCER (Cancer yellow Pages) http://icare.org (ICARE / The International Cancer Alliance) http://www.vh.org/index.html (Virtual Hospital) http://www.lungcanceronline.org/support/financial.html (Lung Cancer Online / Financial, Legal & Insurance Issues) http://cancernews.healthology.com/focus ... cancernews (Cancer News) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Hi Karen, My thoughts and prayers are with you for the best of results and a speedy recovery! Peace, take care and God Bless. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen, I'm so glad you have confindence in your surgeon. Those people are amazing! I will be thinking of you and praying for a quick recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norme Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen, I will be in church at 10:30am next tuesday praying it is benign....love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen, prayers comin' your way. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenb Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 You will be in my prayers for sure. "I will give my Angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways" PS 91 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerbil runner Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Prayers going out for a great result and a fast recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen, Best wishes for a beautifully simple surgery and an eloquent resolution. Of course you'll be in my prayers!! XOXOXOX MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 KAREN,I'm sure everything will go super for you.Prayers coming your way that all will be great results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Karen, I am sending you prayers for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. I will be thinking and praying for you until I hear you are up and 100% cured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Prayers going your way till you are fine. J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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