Just finished the most wonderful de-blooding - de-tape goop removal - where they had stapled my forehead to the table and left them in to grow hornes for Beltaine - needless to say these 6 staples are now gone!
- all the rest of the staples - where head is shaved for the bone removal to facilitate tumor removal and refitting of muscles for keeping neck working will come out next week.
I also need to do some research on broken clavicle which actually has been the most painful insertion to this whole scenerio.
Now dear friends - Here is our recent update.
Greetings and Salutations From Sharon. My things hapen fast - I seem to feel "old" all of a sudden
Prior to the studio tour I was inundated with a severe 3 week headache - which I put down to pre-studio tour stress - it had a strange side effect on me with just instantaneously falling down without any warning, lack of ability to think well and/or concentrate for making jewellry etc..
With the help of my wonderful SIL Vicki Parlette and Lin Timbers and of course the love of my life Tom we were able to get through the tour with flying colours. Took a lot of energy but we did well. I was pleased - I did give in my notice and it will have been the last year for the tour but I will keep a few special customers in place - while I mull about what on earth I will do with my stash and equipment..
Anyways On following Friday 23rd. of Sept.
I took a nose dive and fell and broke my clavicle.
Unable to get me up Tom called the ambulance which took me to Peterborough emergency.
The EI doctor ordered A Cat Scan which turned up 2 brain tumors - ( known as in my scenerio ) Matastasized Lung Cancer to the Brain; put me on a tumor shrinking steroid and morphine which had fabulous quick results helping with pain/falling and thinking.
But I still managed the nose dive and broke my clavicle somehow.
I was sent down to see an Oncologist in Oshawa on Thursday - a Doctor Sten Myerhaug - a delightful straight answering young radiation specialist oncology doctor.
He ordered an MRI which disclosed also a small right side brain tumor hidden from the Cat Scan.
The MRI also gave more detail to the left tumor at the back of the head.
It was close to the brain stem and if it continued to swell could have cut of fluids to my brain.
He was concerned that it needed looking at right away.
The Oshawa radiologist called St. Michael's in Toronto to see if their team could look at the MRI and see what possibilities would be available as this surgery was too delicate for Oshawa needed a big city neuro surgeon.
Our friend Sandi Gray had already arranged to come out for a visit PLUS I had also previously asked my also my dear adopted daughter Kim Lightbody (the late Mya and Russel Lightbody's daughter - Knowlton Quebec area ) - to help me start sorting some of my bits and pieces.
We work well together and get along smoothly and as she and Steve were already coming to visit for Thanksgiving (they're making supper Sunday) as usual for this time of year - Steve said he could get Emma to school and himself to Mtrl to work etc which would allow Kim to come a week early to help me out about the house de- cluttering.
- I truly wished to deal with all my clutter on my own terms in the months to come. Make room for all the new bits - commodes/wheelchairs/ walkers etc the next months will bring into our home
BUT time with Tom and family a more needed venue - getting as much as possible done Now is in everyone's best interest.
Tom and I left Apsley at noon hour on Friday.
We took to the Go train with scans and info down to Toronto on early Fri. afternoon. - stopped off at Oshawa Oncology to pick up a MRI disc and Papers for St.Michaels and were sitting in their emergency room waiting to be admitted by 4:30 PM - wonderful!
Really went in thinking we'd just be having a consult and be asked to come back perhaps this up-coming week to do something about the larger tumor.
As it turned out we were admitted into Emergency ward late afternoon on the Fri. afternoon.
Fortunately Sandy and Kim were at the house and could handle sitting the animals and house etc.etc.
so we had no problems and were relaxed and able to go with the flow.
When it was discovered I would be admitted that same day - It was easy for Tom to arrange to stay with his sister Anne and Paul each night and still spent time with me during the day.
Thank heavens for friends and family.
You are all loved and so very much appreciated and you each who wish will have time in the upcoming months to be with us when it fits best . Got the staples in my front head taken out - as these are from what I understand were put in just to stop my head from moving while they drilled out a chunk of bone and operate on the tumor etc..
The other staples down the centre back and muscle area down the spine will be a few more days till the drainage dries up. They also can be removed locally.
My hair was covered with gup and blood which we gently removed.
In Toronto - Things went very quickly and needless to say I was scared shitless.
After June Devine passing away a few weeks earlier with similar problems and never getting back out of hospital my head was NOT in a good place.
We're now home it is Monday and I must say I am glad to be here. I am amazed we were able to accomplish the happening with such ease.
The tumor was removed and the staples will come out next week locally.
The sweetess young Neuro surgeon made my getting home pure joy.
I cannot thank Dr. Ellis enough for his expertise and awareness of how difficult a hospital environment can be for me when I am prepared but also how awful it is when I am NOT as was this go round.
The other tumors should be able to be radiated with Radio Surgery or Whole Brain Radiation.
This would/could be done in Oshawa.
The broken Clavicle has made / is making the whole process quite gruesome in fact it is sorer than the tumor's removal and really inhibits all sorts of movement.
With it I came home with a fancy new sling and a cane - talk about feeling old fast.
Kim took Sandy down to Peterborough yesterday and started on some of the long list of doing bits I had wished.
Already things are getting easier to see around and much cleaner.
My friend Beatrice and I had already started making in roads into my bits during the past week which felt very good to have it started.
Have a woman coming in 2 days a week to help me bath and hopefully with the 2 new bathtub grab bars and tub seat - getting clean will be easier.
There will be an assessment for other needs done later this week by Caregivers locally. Trying hard to keep things low key and even.
We will ask for help as we find the need.
Seems we are looking at perhaps a six month thought and possibly with other treatments this time will get extended.
So much to do - one day at a time while my energy is not zapped as it may be in the future.
We hope people will understand and listen to our wishes and call before they show up..
We are not going to stop doing; but we are going to do what we wish to do and look selfishly after our own needs.
Who knows may still be enjoying our world a year from now if we can handle things smoothly
but it will be done on just a day to day enjoyment basis - so please think of us and do not put your noses out of joint trying to be "there" all the time for us - we will ask.
Much love
Sharon and Tom
--
"Leave the work to your hands and the Universal Energy
BUT
Learn to Work Within it as a Vessel...
Ego Has No Room In This House"
