Thursday, December 24, 2009 7:30 PM, PST
Since we just started this today, we'll recap the last week too...
Charlotte's been feeling under the weather for a couple weeks and a week ago felt like she had a migraine. She went to her doctor and yep, probably a migraine. She'd also felt sluggish on her left side. There was some dizziness and disorientation that was very concerning on Friday and by Saturday she couldn't get out of bed. The headache was just too much Sunday, so early afternoon Charlotte and Leonard went to Valley Medical's ER. In the ER, the doctor decided to do a MRI just to make sure she didn't suffer a stroke. With the results of the MRI showing a mass, Charlotte was admitted until a Neurologist could review it. Early the next morning (Monday) Char is being prepped for a surgical biopsy, as the Neurosurgeon decided it was most likely not "just" an infection (yes, we were actually hoping Char had an infection in her brain ...as opposed to the alternative). After surgery the surgeon let us know that she couldn't extract any part of the mass other than what was necessary for the lab to test due to the nature and location of the tumor. Surgical removal of parts of the tumor may be performed later but at this time it's not possible.
The last several days have been filled with appointments with oncology specialists and neurologists working with her on pain management as she recovers from the biopsy and deals with the increasing effects of the growing tumor. Today Charlotte looks much better than yesterday, sitting up, eating, talking (not just to say "it hurts"). She also had another CT scan today and there is no hemorrhaging from the tumor or the surgery/biopsy, this is very good news!
We're hoping the doc releases her tomorrow for Christmas. Lord help the Neuroscience Department at Valley Medical if they don't: Can you imagine the frenzy that is our family's Christmas in a hospital room? Just kidding, we wouldn't do that to you Char.
Radiation and chemotherapy start Monday, December 28th. As difficult as these are to bare, I can't help but be excited for the little bugger in her head to cry in pain and shrivel up. ("Are you talkin' to me?")
Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy your families and friends! We do!