All right, one and all, here is the Saturday morning update on Deena. The neurosurgeon just left after visiting with her, and is encouraged by her progress thus far. For the umpteenth time, however, he reiterated this is a process of MONTHS not days or weeks. The swelling caused by (probably) the rapid growth of the tumor was VERY significant in the left frontal lobe of her brain. This section of the brain controls speech (not only forming responses, but being able to process words that are spoken to her), memory (to a certain extent), what my good friend Dave Weight calls "executive functioning" (being able to recognize a task, initiate action to complete that task, and follow it through to completion).
The swelling was so extensive that the Doctor said if it had been in another part of the brain, it could have proven fatal. As it was, the location of the tumor was easily accessible to surgery and, as we speculated, it was benign and the entire tumor was removed.
Therapists got her up a couple of times yesterday and will do so again today. Given the extent of the damage from the swelling, she has difficulty processing the things that people ask her to do. They will say "OK, lets slide to the side of the bed". She will say OK, give that cute little Shermie smile, and then just lie there! On the whole, however, all her vital signs are good, she ate yesterday and will probably have more solid food today. Her thinking and responding process has improved today from yesterday--albeit in small increments, but those seem huge for those of us sitting here. Just after Dr. Lyons left about 10 minutes ago, I asked her if she knew who that was. After thinking for about 10 seconds, she said "That was Doctor Paxil" (a medication she was taking). But about 5 seconds later she said "No--that's not right. That was Doctor Lyons." Believe me, folks, that was SIGNIFICANT!
A minute ago, while I'm typing this, she heard the food cart stop outside her door. She said "Oh goodie"! I asked her what she meant. Again, the little Shermie grin and "food"! I told her she was well on her way to recovery!!
They may keep her here in their Rehabilitation unit for a little while after she is discharged from the neurosurgery section to try and help her recover some of the functions impacted by the swelling and surgery.
Anyway--she is now drinking some orange juice by herself (no help from me!), and waiting for the next delicacy--chicken noodle soup without the chicken and the noodles!!
I think it is still better for today if she doesn't have visitors other than family. You can email me or give me a call on my cell if you want any updates. All in all, for an 8:00 a.m. update, she has improved markedly from yesterday thanx to all of your prayers and well wishes. Thanx again to all of you!
Jaron
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