Saturday, June 1, 2013

Quick Update on The Maven

I am about to leave for the hospital, but wanted to write a quick update on The Maven's post-surgery progress.

She was moved to a regular room 24 hours after surgery. She looks, sounds and ambulates quite well considering the short time it's been since her surgery.  She is still quite tired and sleeps a lot, but the nurses and Physical Therapists have her sitting in a chair for meals, walking to and from the bathroom and twice daily walks up and down the hallway.  She has graduated from a walker to walking with someone at her side supporting her arm.  

She is still wearing a large bandage around her head which I understand they will remove today.  She has some weakness in her facial muscles as a result of the pressure in her head from the surgery.  The docs say that will go away soon.  The Maven is very dizzy and that is expected right after this kind of surgery.  Her balance nerve on her right side was removed because of the damage done by the tumor.  Her brain will adjust and compensate to the one remaining balance nerve and will now not have the constant distraction of the damaged one that was removed.  Each day her dizziness is expected to diminish.

The Maven is in good spirits and they may release her on Sunday. That's a bit of an overwhelming thought, but it will be good to have her back home. 

In the weeks to come she and I will be walking for increasing amounts of time each day.  The goal, of course, is for her to gain her strength but almost more importantly to increase her stamina in preparation for returning to life on her own and work.  I'd say we have our work cut out for us!  But she can do it!

Thank you so much for all your kind words, prayers and positive thoughts.  It are these things that have made all the difference to me, her mother, waiting and watching as she goes through this enormous challenge.  

And I read her each and every comment, email, FB post, etc. and she is very grateful for each and every one of them.

16 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

HOW WONDERFUL!!!!!!!! GOD IS GOOD! And home tomorrow! PHEW! Tell her I am so thrilled. sandie

Anonymous said...

Thank you for taking the time to update us. Thank you, Lord, for answered prayers. We continue to pray for each of you during the coming weeks. Please give her our love and best wishes.

Unknown said...

I haven't written in ages but have been reading and wish the Maven best of luck!

Robin Larkspur said...

This is fabulous news, that she is making such good progress!! It may seem a long road, but every day is one day closer to complete recovery. I know it is challenging to think of being in charge of her care when she comes home, but patience, calmness and the unconditional love of family are the best medicines. And being with the furry friends helps a lot too!!! Good, good healing!

Razmataz said...

Dear Maven,

Wonderful news that your surgery was a success and you are recuperating well. Do not get discouraged as recovery is a slow process, but necessary to do right. Apparently your other side of your brain will compensate for you balance. Having had my own mother lose her left side of the brain function due to a brain bleed, I can tell you first hand how wonderful the brain is at rewiring itself and sorting itself out. I even had a dog that ad extreme vestibular disease where the brain thought down was up. It took a week but the dog soon figured out out and was fine for the rest of it's life. See, I have a story for everything.

Take care, be strong.

Chania

Angela said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the Maven and her needing surgery! With so much going on right now I haven't been reading blogs much at all so I didn't know anything was wrong with her. I will go back and read your old post so I'll know what to pray for. Sounds like the worst is over. I do wish and pray for a speedy recovery for her.

Hugs & Prayers!
Angela

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

So glad to see this post.
I don't have the FB logged in anymore...so I just wait and say my prayers for all of you.
So glad she is up and mobile..continued PT is good. I hope the dizziness subsides and life gets back to normal for you. A lot of that will happen once you get her home. Closer to normal than you may think right now.
Y'all will be fine. She seems like a resilient young woman...with guts and determination.
Yay! Praise the LORD!
so happy to hear all the good news.
:P

Mullin Avenue Workshop said...

Dear Maven,
You are taking small steps towards recovering your sense of balance, and sense of self.
Wow, I can't imagine what you are now overcoming, but you indeed will.
When you return home make sure to hug your cats, and of course the Bostons' and Bumby.
Herbert

Hey, Maven! It's me Artie, and I have managed to nudge Herb to the side, here at the keyboard.
Absolutely hug your pets, and please give a special hug to Bumby from me - her admirer Arthur.
I am Arthur,
Your humble admirer too.

Oh, my gosh, Ann, I see the cats beat me here, and wanted to send special messages to Wendy!
Wendy, I too have a message for you, that every day in small steps you will regain your well being.I am sure of this, I was a little sick last year, with a small stay in the hospital. I remember my dr. telling me, "Get up, and start walking, you are not here for a vacation". I felt I would never get better, and slowly I did.
And the best part of coming home was hugging the cats. :)
You can make it Wendy, one step at a time,
Brenda

rottrover said...

Hey Maven! I'm so pleased to learn of your progress! Hoping you can be at home with your fur friends soon. Take it easy on yourself and give your mom a hug from me!,

Lisa

Heather said...

This is absolutely wonderful news! So much progress in such little time... take each little step at a time, have patience and accept the small successes with glee, the larger ones will come in due time! I am so happy to hear these results.... Cheers~

Mr. Connor said...

YEAH ! - More YEAH! Going forward looks like you are doing great ! Don't over do it. Slow steady always does well . Big HUGS !

Claudia said...

Oh my goodness, it's so good to hear this update about the Maven!! Thinking of all of you as you move through this journey together and I know that the Maven will get stronger every day.

xo
Claudia

Gorges Smythe said...

Angela, over at "West Virginia Treasures" mentioned you and your daughter, so I wanted to let you know that I was praying for you. I'm sure many of her other readers will do the same.

Alice Kien-Zella said...

I am so glad the surgery is over for you Maven,now I pray for speedy recovery and all is well. Make sure you get lots of rest and take mini walks to build up your strength and stamina. With your loving Mother by your side, all is possible.

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your parents.

Ann, you are such an awesome and loving Mom! You are always right there to help and to support whenever and wherever she is. Before you know it, she will be out run you again ;)

RURAL said...

I am so happy to hear such good news, she is making great progress.

It will be so good to be home among family and fur friends...

Thanks for letting us know how she is doing.

Jen

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Hopefully this end of the road will be shorter than the one before the surgery. Keeping her in my thoughts and prayers daily.