How do I begin again?

I asked myself how to begin writing this post, and then decided to just start typing and let the words take me there. Many of you may have been wondering where I’ve been, although some of you already know.

In mid-August, after a routine MRI to recheck for tumor recurrence, my husband and I were informed by his doctors at Johns Hopkins that it looked as though his brain tumor had recurred. Another scan was ordered to confirm, and the case was presented at a Monday morning ‘meeting of the minds’ at Hopkins. In mid-September we were told that recurrence was definite, and this time there were two of them.

After discussing our options with doctors, my husband decided to undergo surgery to remove these tumors, and it was scheduled for Fri., Oct. 7. Because this is of such a personal nature, I will not go into any details, but I will say that although the surgery itself was a success, the reaction to the high doses of steroids was not, and to top it off, my husband still suffers from aphasia.

My husband was first diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme, a grade IV astrocytoma, on May 3, 2004 and we were told at that time that the prognosis was not favorable. Since then, he has continued to defy the odds and surprise his doctors, as well as the people who love him. This is his 3rd surgery. And it will be his last because I will never let him put himself through this again.

God bless Dr. Alessandro Olivi, a neurosurgeon with a heart as big as the entire hospital. This man shocked me with his compassion, and all the help and personal attention he daily gave my husband.

Living with brain cancer does not define who I am. I rarely discuss it on this blog because it’s not my place to discuss such a personal matter. I live with a brain cancer survivor. And in the next few weeks, my writing will probably be a bit sporadic, although I do plan on sharing my photography – just with less words.

 

Shot with my camera phone, this is the Jesus statue at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. We had a very beautiful experience here yesterday. My husband, who is not a religious man, was deeply moved in this sacred place that we never knew existed until the wheelchair attendant asked if we would like to see it as he was accompanying us down to my car.

 

To read more about this statue, visit here:

 

A Provocative Icon

 

To read more about the previous surgery (not that there’s much) that brought us to the home on the hill where we currently reside, visit here:

 

Sharin’ the love

 

I will be taking off from my job for the next couple of weeks. Until later, my friends . . .