Yeah, But My Wife Rocks More!

I just read the latest blog entry, and wow, what an awesome wife I have! Ok, so it took me two days to finally read what she wrote, but hey, things have been a bit crazy lately. For those of you who are not aware, we announced last week that Wells Fargo Financial - the part of the company I work for, is shutting down, so I will be actively seeking other opportunities in the next few months, hopefully within Wells Fargo. What can I say, when it rains, it pours (hopefully cabernet)!

But let me get back to the issue at hand - Kathleen is the one who continues to amaze me. Each day is different, but she continues to face them with bravery, optimism, and a positive attitude. Lately she has experienced some headaches, and at other times, she is her normal self, laughing, joking with me, and smiling her "half smile" which we are hopeful will return to a full smile soon. The good days seem to be more frequent than the bad days. Her steroid perscription is tapering down, and we are told this will lead to more restful nights of sleep. We are also hoping the swelling and adema will subside so she can drop the pressure bandage. Other than that, not too much to report on the medical side. Now for the really brave part - Kathleen has agreed to let me post a couple pictures as long as no one makes pirate jokes, so here you go. . .

I couldn't resist posting one of the girls as well!

We continue to be blessed with well wishes, prayers, friends stopping by to say "hi", flowers, cookies, fruit bouquets, and a whole parade of dinners. The kindness and support from everyone has been wonderful! Thank You!!!! When this is all over, we are going to throw the biggest bash ever to hit Glen Oaks and you are all invited. We'll see how much damage we can do to the wine cellar in one weekend (I think the current record is about 32 bottles), toast to good health, and celebrate life. ---Mark

My Husband Rocks

At the end of May Mark and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. I recalled at the time how much I enjoyed being able to call him my husband once we were married. That feeling has seriously intensified in these last couple weeks. I am beyond proud, grateful, and incredibly lucky that Mark is my Husband. To say the time since I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor has been filled with a bit of stress, pressure, and just a few things out of the ordinary might be a bit of an understatement.

From wading through treatment options, sharing the news, pretty much putting life on hold for a few weeks, he has done it all without question, and usually with a good dose of humor. His analytical approach to looking at things often kept my mind from wandering in millions of what if scenarios that would not have done any good! Then came the day of surgery and recovery in the hospital. As terrifying as it was for me, they were long days for Mark also. In the hospital, he was my advocate, and often voiced my concerns before I could. He made sure I ate, walked, brushed my teeth ... all things I didn't always want to do. At one point, he even changed the sheets on the bed when the nursing assistant wasn't being quick enough (seriously, an hour should have been enough time).

Once I was released from the hospital, convalescence care continued at home. Helping me shower, wash my hair, change the bandage on my head, he did it all without any complaint. When we had the stitches taken out, the doctor commented that he had done a better job wrapping my head than some of the interns!

Mark, I love you and am so very thankful for everything you do! I could not ask for a more caring and supportive partner through all of this.

And did I mention a major home remodeling project this weekend, too? We have often been frustrated with our deck - it is two levels, making each area just small enough to be limiting. So Red came up with a plan to raise the deck using jacks, and Saturday saw the execution of the plan! Mark and Red make a pretty good team! I feel like our deck is a giant dance floor, just waiting for a party under the stars!

A quick progress report on me... since getting the stitches out last Thursday, there has been a decent amount of fluid around the incision. To keep the swelling down, Mark has still been wrapping my head up in a pressure bandage. Let me tell you, this is really not the style I was hoping for! It was off during the day today, but "Dr. Mark" wrapped it back up tonight. The eye doctor continues to be happy with my eye and the protective measures in place. I had a good day today ... a bit of a stiff neck, but no headache to speak of, and a good amount of activity. I also didn't take much pain medication during the day... maybe a good sign.

The Stitches Are Gone!

We made the trip to Iowa City yesterday, and they took the stitches out. I'm thrilled more than anything to be able to wash my own hair, and not have my head wrapped up in a bandage. This morning I was able to dry my hair, and I look almost normal - if you can get past the eye that doesn't blink, and the lop-sided smile. At least I feel a little less like Frankenstein!

Adventures At The ER

Yesterday was an interesting day! Recovery has been going well at home, until yesterday afternoon when I was hit with a horrible headache. A visit to our local ER, a CT scan, some bloodwork, and consulting with my doctors at the University of Iowa, sent us to Iowa City in the middle of the night as a precaution. All tests looked good (no signs of menegitus, inter-cranial-bleeding, cerebrospinal fluid leak, etc.), and they released me. Mark continues to be my rock, helping navigate the medical world at all hours of the day or night! I slept a lot today, and am almost feeling back to what I was a day or two ago.

Tomorrow I go back to the ophthalmologist - hopefully more good news that my cornea is in good shape and no swelling of the optic nerve.

I am very much looking forward to Thursday. We go back to Iowa City for a check and to have stitches removed. This also means that the ace bandage that has been a permanent fixture on my head can come off! I can't wait for the hair on my head to get somewhat back to normal, and to be able to wash it be myself!

We interrupt this medical drama...

Life does go on around the Turner house, especially the lives of little girls! Delaney celebrated a milestone last week by losing her first tooth! She claims the other bottom front tooth is ready to go!

In exchange for the tooth of a five-year-old, the Tooth Fairy left $3 - a little extra for the first one. The money has been put in Delaney's piggy-bank, and saved for something special, we just aren't sure what.

I found the Tooth Fairy pillow over at Etsy a while back, and it was the perfect thing for a tooth exchange!

It is a rainy 4th of July here, but honestly, just happy to be alive!

One Day At A Time

Another day down! More good news from the eye doc. My cornea looks good, and the inter-cranial swelling seems to be less - all signs of healing! I will go back to see them on Wednesday.

Because of having my eyes dilated again today and being sunny and windy here, I did laps inside the house. Kind of boring, and not the best, but better than nothing. A couple good power naps, too.

My mom says I have a twinkle back in my eye, and looking better and better every day. We took a few photos of the incision this morning - don't think I am ready to post that image just yet! Delaney was curious about my scar and stitches, so she looked at it this morning, and took it in stride - kind of amazing if you ask me!

A Patient's Perspective

First, all the support has been amazing! I can't begin to let everyone know how much your comments, cards, well wishes, and prayers have meant to me! I know I should have expected nothing less from Mark, but his communication, care, and encouragement has been awesome! Hugs and smiles from our daughters having been the best does of medicine ever.

Mark tells me I look way better than the picture from a couple days ago. Less swelling and less of a black eye. Still a lop-sided face, though. I'll try to get a photo posted soon.

My facial nerve function continues to be the symptom that needs the most attention. I can't blink my right eye, and have no movement on that of my face.

The ophthalmologist has been my new best friend here is Des Moines. I went back today and he was very happy to report that the area where my cornea had thinned by about 50% had completely filled back in! I am continuing to wear a band-aid contact lens (about 2 cm in size) to protect my eye, and lubricate it with lots of gel. Tomorrow they will dilate my eyes again and check for swelling and other things. Hopefully the treatments in place will work until my facial nerve regains some function.

In addition to my eyelid not closing, it is very hard to control the right side of my face. It feels like someone is playing with puppet strings in my head, especially when I try to talk a lot. So talking on the phone or reading a story to Delaney takes a lot of energy.

I'm trying to be active around the house, taking short walks and just take care of myself. Of course, balance with rest!

I still have an ACE bandage wrapped around my head, and will until we go back to Iowa City next Thursday to have the stitches removed. I did take a peak at my scar, stitches and bit of shaved head this morning - not nearly has bad as I expected! I feel like my ear should look like a piece of cauliflower all swollen, but it actually looks pretty normal.

~ Kathleen