Imagine That

Can you imagine a game plan where one of the components is simply allowing time to pass so healing can occur?

Apparently, this is a well accepted strategy after brain surgery.  I am learning there are certain aspects of my recovery I am not completely in control of and sheer determination - regardless of my exertion level - has no effect on speeding up the process.  It appears I must be patient.

You can pick yourself up from the floor now.  I probably should have warned you I would be sharing some shocking information.  (Actually, since one of the major symptoms I am experiencing is dizziness, I might be picking myself up off the floor - LOL).

Kidding aside, my prognosis overall is still amazingly positive.  My brain just needs time to recuperate.  I have to remember that the second tumor was not near the surface and enclosed by a cyst like the first one.  This time it was deeper and located in my brain tissue itself.  Therefore, the side effects from edema will take longer to subside.

The numbness in my extremities might last longer-term, but I can handle that.  Heck, I might even develop a very sexy but elegant combination slide/shuffle that burns more fat than mere walking.  Thus freeing me to reduce the aerobic portion of my future workouts and focus on my favorite part - the weightlifting.

The current vertigo (not present after my first craniotomy), while unsettling, is not expected to be permanent.  However, until it passes, I can not be left alone.  Once the potential of a seizure (or a possible fall) subsides, the need for 24 hour oversight will end.

Thankfully, we have a LONG list of willing family, friends and neighbors to call on for help.  I am beyond grateful for every one's time which is allowing my husband to go to work and my daughter to remain in Rhode Island until she comes home for the holidays.

Kudos to my sister Ruth who suggested to me that rather than consider the shifts with me as folks having to "baby-sit Peggy," I should try to view the situation as an opportunity for people who care about me and want to help in some way have the pleasure of providing care giving.  This was after I saw the neuro people and I fretted about how many days of assistance were going to be needed and how busy folks are this time of year.

Hopefully, my requiring supervision 24/7  won't continue long enough for there to be ample material to start a reality series called "Dizzy Housewives of Detroit" and Andy Cohen from Bravo won't be showing footage of my caregivers throwing me under the bus!