Category: Brain

Life is getting better each day. I am able to do a little more here and there. The top of the list always seems to be shoveling my favorite foods in my face. 11 days of hospital food is traumatizing y’all. I seriously think I have gained 20 pounds since I have been home. The scale and I have an agreement-I won’t stand on him and he gets to live and here we are; one big happy family. I am remembering things, not getting confused as often if at all. (2 days “Wha?” free) So excited and encouraged to be getting back to myself. Just a lesser version. Michelle half-point-0.

I am anxiously awaiting Monday’s appt for no reason other than I WANT TO DRIVE. Anywhere. I am not picky. CVS, Little Saigon, empty parking lots, I really won’t discriminate.  It will be nice to know what I can look forward to and be praying about as well in terms of what the next step is, and YES, a haircut.  I am lame and shallow and kinda over looking like bozo.

This whole journey has been good. I am so thankful for every step of the way. Seeing God’s handprint in each part of this hooplah has brought me to my knees with thanksgiving that I serve a REAL and loving God. He loved us enough to send His only Son for us, and He loves us enough to carry us through the trials showing us every step of the way He is in control. What I am MOST thankful for today is the tangible help our church, family and friends have provided through this time. I feel so cared for and loved and I truly enjoy spending all the time with everyone that I would have never gotten to spend. As in, why can’t we be all tribal again?   I love you all and am so thankful for all the help you continue to provide so I can heal and pony up.  xo

I have received lots o’ questions, and wanted to give everyone an update. The details of my recovery are by no means glamorous, but I assume since people are asking..somebody cares? 🙂 
This is completely unorganized which should let you all know things are getting much more normal up in here. They shaved the top half of my head for surgery and left my bangs. Thus, I am a new hat fan;)  The staples are out, and I do still have some scabbing but it is manageable. Did I mention I am a hat fan?  


I am weaning of the steroids and pain medication which is making me a little more tired than before…but this is good, because that means I am one step closer to being Michelle again. One of the biggest hindrances is I can’t drive. For 2 super special reasons: 
1) I am a seizure risk due to swelling of the brain
2) I am on some crazy pain pills. The kind where they write out the prescription on a note pad and make you fill it at the pharmacy RIGHT away. I think they impair motor function and make me say embarrassing things.
Getting off this stuff will allow me to drive again which will be AWESOME because that is one less thing someone has to sacrifice their time to do for me.
They had to leave half of the tumor due to the size, so the next big decision is how to get rid of it. It needs to go so if you could pray specifically for wisdom for the doctor on the best plan of action, I would so appreciate that! The appt is March 19th.  I also need prayer for my right leg. Because of the surgery it is numb/ dead which is giving me balance issues. With a 7 week old it makes holding her and walking something I have to be very careful with.
My husband is my hero. God has strengthened and equipped Him to be AWESOME times eleventy billion. He takes care of my role, his role, my medicines, (super intense), the household….it has been incredible to witness. The help I have received from our church has been unbelievable. There are 2-3 people from our church here each day as I need 24 hour care. They are all SO kind and generous to cook, clean, care for me and the kids, talk, drive us where we need to go-it is truly the biggest blessing. The body of Christ is beautiful and I hope they all get extra treasures in heaven for the love and help they are giving me and my family during this time. I am simply in awe of their servants heart and how quick everyone is to help.   
Mamabird has been coming every single morning to help me get out of bed and take care of the kids as Chad leaves at 5 am for work. She cooks breakfast, and helps me get dressed and function. My wonderful in laws have been taking the kids as much as possible to ease the burden…. 2 of my best friends FLEW out here from across the country to care for me and help out when I was more on the vegetable side of things and not too much fun to be around. (true love) My heart is just overflowing with gratitude. I don’t know how to thank everyone. Praise God for all His provisions. We could not do it with out this help…we are so deeply grateful. Thank you to everyone who has helped me or prayed for me or just loved on me. I love you more than you will ever know. xo

The results are in and it is the best possible news! The tumor came back benign at a grade 1. THANK YOU Lord!!! Our God is so good and I am just over the moon with the opportunity He is giving me to be a light for Him and to be a wife and mommy who lives to glorify His Almighty name.
There will need to be a second surgery, chemo or radiation to remove the other half of it. I believe we discuss the plan of action in a couple weeks at the next check up.
Thank you all so much for the prayers and love-God heard us and this mommy is doing her happy dance!!! XOXO

Recovery is going well. God’s mercy is SO real and He is showering me with grace to get through each day. Small and large victories are being had; right leg is still half asleep, but I am able to walk on my own, I am able to write and remember things here and there, change diapers, make bottles, etc. With the exception of a ER visit Sunday night due to numbness and tingling (Me totally overdoing it like a stubborn donkey) I simply can’t believe the miracle in the recovery of brain surgery. Each day is so different and each minute holds a different challenge or joy…it is good. God is good and He has shown me kindness I don’t deserve in this whole process. I know it is not this smooth for most people and I am thankful for what I have been given, my cup truly overfloweth. The love and care I have recieved from the people around me has been exemplary, godly and I just can’t help but be HAPPY for ALL God has provided and the many ways I know He cares for me! It is SO wonderful to be able to understand God’s truths and scripture in such an authentic way, it makes this whole trial worth everything we all have to sacrifice.

I went to the doc to get the stinky staples out (YAY FOR SHOWERS, Chad says double yay) and get the results from the pathology report, and well the metal came out but no results yet. Strangely enough, God has removed all anxiousness and given me His perfect peace He promises, so results will wait and in the meantime I think I have a fantastic reason to shovel cookies in the face hand over fist.  😉

Thank you for the continued prayers and encouragement, you all are lifting me up and I truly am doing well! Quite spoiled actually. My house has never been so clean and I am eating 5 star meals each night thanks to our church body and dear friends mad cooking skillz. Our wonderful church also made me a beautiful prayer quilt which means the world to me, I will always have that to help me remember how much I have been prayed for.
And lastly, an update on my little people, they are doing amazing. Such sweet loving little men who are listening and growing and loving on their mommy. So proud of how they are handling the schedules and    change in their lives. What could be so difficult has been relatively easy in terms of transition.