I am so sorry that I've been terrible at updating this since John was here last weekend, especially because quite a bit has happened! I really have wanted to, but things have been so chaotic with appointments and visitors it's been hard. I really wanted to write this post myself because I have been doing awesome since surgery and this is a great way to show it!
I have to start out with the greatest news of all, my puppy, Gilly! She's amazing. She's been taking up most of my time, but in a good way, of course! She was named after my neurologist and is just the best! She was a present from Joanie and Joe and I couldn't of asked for anything more! She's perfect! Here's the princess herself!
My stitches are already covered by my hair so they are barely visible (which is less bothersome for everyone who has to see them :p). And they only bother me occasionally, not too much pain other than laying on them wrong, headaches, and some pulling- which is expected!!
On Tuesday we met with my neurosurgeon. My biopsy came back. I was diagnosed with a grade 4 Astrocytoma. The doctors were not expecting that, but who could predict that? The signs were really not there for this type of malignant tumor. The tumor was all removed with the surgery though, which is great news though! Now we just needed to meet the oncologist to keep learn the treatment!
On Wednesday I had speech therapy and occupational therapy! The goal is to not get too frustrated with myself :p it's hard and I'm working on it! I make stupid mistakes with my speech sometimes but I think I would make them without having brain surgery! Occupational therapy is harder but that's the toll the seizures have taken on me over the past few months along with the surgery. It'll take more time but it will come back!
On Friday we met with the oncologist. He was amazing. I got really lucky with all my doctors at Hershey! I couldn't ask for a more amazing, compassionate team of doctors on my side! He discussed our plan to make sure the cells don't grow. We will do 45 days of chemotherapy pills and about 30 days (6 weeks) of radiation without holidays and weekends. There's pretty much no side effects at all which is also good!
On Thursday we will go to Hershey to see the radio-oncologist. I have a few tests that need to be done like a cat scat and blood work! I even have to get a mask made for my head that allows the radiation to trigger the same exact location everytime they give the treatment.
Again, sorry for being really slow on the update! I do promise to be more on top of it now and keep all of you in the loop. I feel terrible that I've been so behind.
As always, thank you for your thoughts and prayers! I have the most amazing support system behind me- you guys never cease to amaze me! I have an army and a half!
P.S. I feel like I'm missing something from this post.. So I may need to add something more if I really did! Maybe I didn't!
