Froedtert Neurosurgeon Follow Up, 12/2
Yesterday, I had my neurosurgery follow up appointment.
Afterward I needed a reminder from my mom that no matter what I am told from the Doctors--- God has numbered my days on Earth, it is a predetermined number he knows for me since my birth and the news from the Doctor can not change that.
I then found this verse, Psalm 90:12.
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
This was extremely powerful to me. Since the surgery I have been trying to live each day with contentment and patience and kindness. Gaining a heart of wisdom was a good reminder. It made me think of the importance in "training up Anna and William" and the importance of it each day --just in case my days are limited on Earth. Even if they aren't and I live a long life, I think it is a good reminder to live with wisdom in all we do. And, not to get overwhelmed with everyday life (which I tend to forget in my new quest to feel to get "everything in order" in case something did happen!)
The news from the doctor was not overwhelming positive or negative. He spent a fair amount of time explaining the procedure and showing us the films. My Dad came along for this appointment, and being an engineer found this VERY interesting. But, I have to admit it really was incredible to see. But, as my mom has said too...it often feels like they are talking about someone else, not me. And, even as they are showing me the films, I kept having to remind myself it was my brain they were showing me. And, the extreme bleeding into my eye area was in my head.
They put 41 individual platinum coils to shut off the artery that was bleeding. He said it typically takes just a few coils, so this was a rare and very extreme case. We joked about how expensive I am now walking around with platinum coils. Both of my doctors are professors, so I told them I am glad my case gives them something interesting to research/write about and a good case for their students to learn from. Their skill and talent was truly evident in our discussion.
The good news is, my condition was rare. The probability of it happening again is next to none. So, that is GOOD News! They told me it is 99% that the repair they did, I will never have a problem with again. GOOD news!
The news that can be seen as Good or Bad news is, they are extremely dumbfounded on why this would happen to someone my age, health and such a severe case. They believe I have a lack of collagen in my DNA that makes my arteries, veins, and skin weak. During all my surgeries, the surgeons would find that the arteries would tear more when trying to do the repairs making them think something is wrong genetically. After discussing it further, this would make a lot of sense. My skin has always been paper-thin and cuts very easily. In addition, during my C-section with the twins, my doctors commented that when they went to suture me up, my incision would just keep tearing further. This collagen deficiency would explain my skin and arteries tearing. I am relieved someone might have found a root cause to something that has been an issue for awhile.
So, they are sending me to a dermatologist at Froedtert in February, so I can have a biopsy done to see if I have this collagen syndrome. If I do have this, this is greater chance of future aneryisms in other parts of my body (heart, brain, etc). If it ends up I do have this syndrome they will monitor me more closely than they normally would. This was the part that I needed to reflect upon yesterday. And, I really thank my Mom for taking the time to talk with me about my anxiety about this news.
I will be going back to Froedtert in February and March for this collagen bioposy, to see the neuro-optomistrist, to have an MRA and see my neurosurgeon again. At this time, my eye is still closed and unable to move. I was told to continue to rest and give this time. The good news is the nerves were not damaged or severed during the surgery. They are just compressed (or "bruised") so time might heal them. I was told to be patient -- again reminded it could take 6 months to 2 years for my eye to heal.
Tomorrow, I go to have an EKG done on my heart. I am told I have a murmur that might be attributing to me being so tired. So, I should know those results in a week or so.
I continue to thank everyone for their emails, calls and thoughts and prayers.
Today I found myself again where I needed to be, trusting God. He knows HIS plans for my life. And, He will bring me home when it is my time. Not before. Until then I am going to try to continue learning, growing and gaining a "heart of wisdom."
Love, Claudine
Yesterday, I had my neurosurgery follow up appointment.
Afterward I needed a reminder from my mom that no matter what I am told from the Doctors--- God has numbered my days on Earth, it is a predetermined number he knows for me since my birth and the news from the Doctor can not change that.
I then found this verse, Psalm 90:12.
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
This was extremely powerful to me. Since the surgery I have been trying to live each day with contentment and patience and kindness. Gaining a heart of wisdom was a good reminder. It made me think of the importance in "training up Anna and William" and the importance of it each day --just in case my days are limited on Earth. Even if they aren't and I live a long life, I think it is a good reminder to live with wisdom in all we do. And, not to get overwhelmed with everyday life (which I tend to forget in my new quest to feel to get "everything in order" in case something did happen!)
The news from the doctor was not overwhelming positive or negative. He spent a fair amount of time explaining the procedure and showing us the films. My Dad came along for this appointment, and being an engineer found this VERY interesting. But, I have to admit it really was incredible to see. But, as my mom has said too...it often feels like they are talking about someone else, not me. And, even as they are showing me the films, I kept having to remind myself it was my brain they were showing me. And, the extreme bleeding into my eye area was in my head.
They put 41 individual platinum coils to shut off the artery that was bleeding. He said it typically takes just a few coils, so this was a rare and very extreme case. We joked about how expensive I am now walking around with platinum coils. Both of my doctors are professors, so I told them I am glad my case gives them something interesting to research/write about and a good case for their students to learn from. Their skill and talent was truly evident in our discussion.
The good news is, my condition was rare. The probability of it happening again is next to none. So, that is GOOD News! They told me it is 99% that the repair they did, I will never have a problem with again. GOOD news!
The news that can be seen as Good or Bad news is, they are extremely dumbfounded on why this would happen to someone my age, health and such a severe case. They believe I have a lack of collagen in my DNA that makes my arteries, veins, and skin weak. During all my surgeries, the surgeons would find that the arteries would tear more when trying to do the repairs making them think something is wrong genetically. After discussing it further, this would make a lot of sense. My skin has always been paper-thin and cuts very easily. In addition, during my C-section with the twins, my doctors commented that when they went to suture me up, my incision would just keep tearing further. This collagen deficiency would explain my skin and arteries tearing. I am relieved someone might have found a root cause to something that has been an issue for awhile.
So, they are sending me to a dermatologist at Froedtert in February, so I can have a biopsy done to see if I have this collagen syndrome. If I do have this, this is greater chance of future aneryisms in other parts of my body (heart, brain, etc). If it ends up I do have this syndrome they will monitor me more closely than they normally would. This was the part that I needed to reflect upon yesterday. And, I really thank my Mom for taking the time to talk with me about my anxiety about this news.
I will be going back to Froedtert in February and March for this collagen bioposy, to see the neuro-optomistrist, to have an MRA and see my neurosurgeon again. At this time, my eye is still closed and unable to move. I was told to continue to rest and give this time. The good news is the nerves were not damaged or severed during the surgery. They are just compressed (or "bruised") so time might heal them. I was told to be patient -- again reminded it could take 6 months to 2 years for my eye to heal.
Tomorrow, I go to have an EKG done on my heart. I am told I have a murmur that might be attributing to me being so tired. So, I should know those results in a week or so.
I continue to thank everyone for their emails, calls and thoughts and prayers.
Today I found myself again where I needed to be, trusting God. He knows HIS plans for my life. And, He will bring me home when it is my time. Not before. Until then I am going to try to continue learning, growing and gaining a "heart of wisdom."
Love, Claudine
1 comment:
Hi Claudine,
I am a friend of Kristie's and just wanted you to know that energy is coming to you from Chicago. Your perspective and outlook here is wonderful and I know it takes work to maintain. It's work each and every one of us should be doing.
As is often true with Kristie and I, there is one more synchronicity in our lives. A dear friend of mine is also named Claudine. How many are there? Not many but we each have one we love. My Claudine has survived pancreatic (and colon and lung) cancer for over 13 years now. Miracles can and do happen all the time. Who is to say how our days are numbered?
There is truly such grace in this, that heightened awareness of the awesome beauty of life. Your children are lovely. I know this holiday will be especially meaningful to you.
Love,
Laura
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