Beth's Home and doing well!!!!

Hi All:

Beth went in for her Cranioplasty (putting in her new skull plate) on Thursday afternoon at Piedmont hospital. They took her to Pre-Op around 1:30 PM and back surgery around 3:00. We got to line the hallway as they took her in. She had a silver cap on her head that made her look like a popped container of Jiffy Pop popcorn.
Dr. Frankel came out at 5:20 to speak with us. He said the surgery went well and the skull plate fit in very well.
Beth's 2 major prayer requests were 1)her scalp would not be adhered to her brain and 2) her speech would not go backward.
Dr. Frankel said the membrain under the scalp was in place and there was no skin adhesion to the brain. He said he never saw the brain, 'which was a good thing'. He said he did not have to do anything involving the brain and he saw no reason that Beth would have trouble.
The hospital folks came and got us as they were moving Beth from Recovery to ICU. Beth was telling us that she was itchy. So we were all watching Beth scatch her arms and rubbing her legs when someone recognized that Beth was TALKING. Her 2 previous surgerys she come out mute, but she was talking. And not just talking, but talking as good or better than before her surgery.
After they took Beth to ICU we stopped to thank God for answering Beth's and our prayers.

Beth spent the night in ICU, but in the morning both Dr. Frankel and her ID Doc came in and agreed she could be released that day. So less than 24 hours after her surgery, Beth was discharged from the ICU to go home!

Beth is doing well at home and is speeking better than she has in several months. The right side of Beth's face is swollen enough to close her right eye. The swelling is normal because Dr. Frankel do not put in a drain to pull of fliuds. She looks like a boxer after 15 rounds. But the swelling will go down over the next few days.

She will be on IV antibiotics for a few weeks and is to get her stiches out in a week and a half.

Beth will be updating this blog as soon as she can see out of both eyes.

Thank you all for your love and prayers - clarke

Date set for the operation

Dear All,

I went to the Doctors yesterday. I had and MRI and then took the results to my doctors. He said he saw no fluid was on my brain. Which is very good. He said he was ready to schedule my next operation on December 6. Hopefully by Christmas I will have my strength back and ready to bring in 2008 with a bang!

I ask that you pray that the skin and brain will be separate when he goes in to put in plate. This will make things go a lot more smoothly. The operation is going to last hour or so. I will be in the hospital 1 or 2 days.

Thank you for your love and prayers!

Love,
Beth

Things to pray for:

Protection for my family.

No complications during this surgery.

No infection during surgery and after.

My skin and brain be separated instead of adhered.

My speech come back completely.

Part Two of my story

Hey All,
I know I signed off to you the end of June, thinking all was fine. I still had a little fluid on my brain. Which my doctor thought was normal for the size of tumor he had taken out. He freed me to travel by plane. We planned in last minute marvelous trip with our family. So what better place go but out west! San Francisco, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe here we come. What a wonderful trip we had. We rode bikes to the Golden Gate Bridge, sip wines in Napa and enjoyed the scenery at Lake at Tahoe.
On the last day of our trip I started feeling "weird". Clarke and my Mom took to the emergency room while the rest of family followed. I was starting to slur my words and my face was drooping. Doctors said they needed to life flight me Reno and have another operation. I was operated on Aug. 4 and found out that I had an infection. They ended up taking a section of my skull out. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Then we had get back to Atlanta! That was a long day! It took a long time to get over that. Now 2 months later, I waiting for my 3rd surgery. The doctor is going to put the plate in that was made for me. We are not sure when that will be hopefully it will be before the new year. Keep watching the blog for more updates.

Every minute that God gives us is so precious!

I want to thank each of you for your prayers. I know God has me and my family in his hands. I just need to have patience and let go and let Him.

Love you all,
Beth

THANK GOD FOR YOU!

Dear Friend and Family,

Thank you seems like small words for how each and every one of you have touch my heart. But that is what I feel, my deep heartfelt thanks for all the prayers and the love you poured out onto me and my family! The meals were a great help, you don’t know!! I am now cooking again and it’s feels good! Thank you for the scarves, hats, cards, phone calls, flowers, food and your prayers.

I went to get a cat scan Tuesday. Wednesday I went to the speech therapist and the surgeon. My speech therapist released me! She said that I just need to practice talking and reading out loud. The surgeons said that I was doing great. He is weaning me off of my steroids again, which will take 3 weeks. But after reading my cat scan he said I did not have a stroke during my episode with Shay!!!!! The scan looked good and he will see me again in 8 weeks with a new cat scan he can read. HE SAID I COULD DRIVE!!!! Can you say, FREEDOM!

God is so good, all the time. I still have a ways to go. I know without a doubt that God has been with me every step of this and continues to be with me. I thank Him for that tumor. Even though I wouldn’t wish this upon anybody, I have grown throughout this journey. I continue to grow in Him. I couldn’t have gone through this without knowing that I could lean on Him and trust Him. My prayer through this is: that God used me and this circumstance to touch somebody. That He use this for His Kingdom.

You all were Jesus in the flesh for me and mine, and you continue to be! I thank you for that! I thank Him for putting you in my life to lean on. I look forward to paying it forward!

For each of you, I love you and I am Eternally grateful!

Love,
Beth

PS This my last blog! Thank you all for staying posted. We will keep it opened for a little while in case you want to post your comments!

Hi All:

Beth continues to get better and stronger. The kids and i noticed hearing more of 'Beth's voice' in her spreach on Sunday and she contiues to get more words everyday. She spent some time on the phone yesterday for household business. She said it was very frustrating, but I think it is good that she works on speaking outside of family and friends and on topics she has not been speaking to.
Beth had an issue with a headache starting last Thursday (day after coming off anti-swelling steroid) which got progressively worse thru Saturday. The on call Dr. recommended going back on steroid. So she is taking 1 pill a day and has not had any symptoms since Saturday night. In fact yesterday (Monday) was her first day w/out any pain medication.

As Beth's life is getting back to normal, we will likely be closing this Blog in the next few days.

I cannot thank you enough for everything y'all have done and are continuing to do.

Because of His love - clarke

Thanks to everybody!!

Sweet friends and family,

I can't thank you enough for your overwhelming love for me and my family! All of the prayers, cards, yummy dinners, notes, presents, pretty flowers and plants are so appreciated. I feel the love. I have come long way. From 1 one word to sentences now. But still have quite a ways to go. I am still tired and weak , but I thank God for saving my memories. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for me! He puts you through trials only to have come out of these stronger.

The Neurologist read my EEG yesterday. No seizure activity! Praise God! Now I have to wean off the the seizure meds. I hate those. I felt as though I took 2 large steps backwards once they pumped the meds in me. I'm looking forward to feeling semi-normal again. I am going to speech therapy 3 days a week starting tomorrow.

Thank you for the many blessings that you all are to me and mine. God has blessed me with you!
I love you,
Beth

Walking the Raod to Recovery

Hi All:

Beth continues to improve daily in speaking and strength and she continues to have a great sense of humor about the difficulty she has in speaking (see prayer request #2). She is beginning to notice the improvement she is making from one day to the next (see prayer request #3). For example, yesterday she was able to tell the story of a conversation she had w/ her brother Steve that she could not tell the day before. Tuesday and Wednesday morning she has gone down to the community pool, about a 100 yard walk, for about 30 minutes. Beth sits in the sun while her Mom, Betty, takes a swim. Maybe after her stitches come out they can swim together.

Her incision, which I think measure 8” to 10”, is starting to itch. Remember our Mom’s always told us that means it is healing. There has been ZERO swelling, redness or drainage in or around her incision (see prayer request #1) and her staples are scheduled to be removed on Friday afternoon.

Tomorrow Beth has an EEG in the morning and her 1st speech therapy session tomorrow afternoon. The EEG is to see if she is susceptible to seizures. We will meet with her Neurologist on Tuesday to get his interpretation from the test. Hopeful the test will show she is not susceptible and she can come off the anti-seizure medication (see prayer request # 5).

And last but not least, Beth’s hair is on its way back. A bit more than peach fuzz now but it is bound to grow back quickly. Beth has adopted a ‘comb-over’ look that will likely have Donald Trump’s hairdresser calling. Seriously her hair completely covers her incision and the area that was shaved.

Prayer Requests:
No Infection
Her Speech and Word Hunting return to normal and that Beth would have peace and confidence in the meanwhile
That Beth would see the progress she is making in her recovery and would be encouraged
Her incision on her scalp and the area of her skull that was removed would heal quickly
No more seizures and will not have to be on long term in anti-seizure medicine
and of course Her Hair Grows Back Quickly

Thanks for your love and prayers - clarke

Beth's Home!!!!!

Hi All:

Saw both Dr's today and they agreed that she could be discharged. So at 15:30 I was able to bring Beth home.

Beth continues to improve, getting more words and strength each day.

We have some following up appointments next week for speech therapy, her Neurologist and to have her staples removed.

Beth is able to have some visitors but please call ahead before coming over.

Thanks for your continued prayers and your love for Beth - clarke

Hi All:
Beth possibly had a small seizure Saturday AM. Some flutter in the eye. A friend of mine’s wife Jennie (nurse @ Kennestone) stopped in to say hi. While visiting Beth’s eyes fluttered. Had she not been there, not sure Beth would have known to say something – ‘Another miracle from God’. Saturday was Jennie’s 1st day to work in several days, she is on Beth’s floor in, Beth’s wing, in the same hall Beth is in. (definition; coincidence – the occurrence of events that happen at the same time that seem to be by accident and yet seem to be connected, but actually are orchestrated by God; however, He chooses to remain anonymous.)

Beth's Neurosurgeon (Javed) decided to keep her one more night for observation. Dr Javed called for a Neurologist (Waldrop) consult. Dr. Waldrop initially saw Beth 2 weeks ago while in the hospital. After some phone consult it was decided to start Beth on an anti-seizure medicine. So at 19:45 Beth got an IV of this med to be followed by oral meds once per day.

Beth’s speech is continuing to improve and her strength is returning. But she does get tired out pretty quick so we have to keep reminding her to “go slow”.
Beth got shower including her hair washed. She loved it and felt much better. After her shower we went for 2 laps around her floor (I guess around 50 yards per lap). Then later we did another 2 laps with Beth’s Mom (Memom) her sister Debbie, Rachael (Debbie’s daughter) and Shay.
The current plan is for Beth to be discharged today after Drs Javed and Waldrop see her.

Prayer Requests:
1) No Infection
2) Her Speech and Word Hunting return to normal and that Beth would have peace and confidence in the meanwhile
3) That Beth would see the progress she is making in her recovery and would be encouraged
4) Her incision on her scalp and the area of her skull that was removed would heal quickly
5) No more seizures and will not be long term on anti-seizure medicine
6) Her incision on her scalp and the area of her skull that was removed would heal quickly
7) and of course Her Hair Grows Back Quickly

Thanks for your love and prayers - clarke

Recovery In Progress

Hi All:

Praise God Beth continues to improve! She had a CAT Scan at 02:00 this morning and the Dr said it looked good (normal). He saw Beth around 10:00 and did some cursory checks on her and said he expected she would be able to leave ICU later today.
Beth got up, walked and sat in a chair for the first time this afternoon. She lasted about 15 minutes and then needed to get back into bed. Her speech is much better today and we expect it to continue to improve over the next several days until she is completely back to normal.
The Dr changed Beth’s diet from liquids only the regular food and she had her first solid food in almost 2 days for dinner tonight (Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, spinach, salad and apple cobbler). She dug right in and ate about 1/3 to 1/2 of it.
Beth’s ICU nurse told us at 18:30 that a room in the general population was being prepared and that she would be moved from ICU tonight. Her ICU nurses have been so kind and compassionate and have been taking wonderful of her (another blessing from God).

Although Beth is being moved to the general population, please do not call her room to speak to her. Although she would love to hear from you, her speech is still pretty limited and would tire her out too much.
Prayer requests:
1) No Infection
2) Her Speech and Word Hunting return to normal and that Beth would have peace and confidence in the meanwhile
3) Her incision on her scalp and the area of her skull that was removed would heal quickly
4) Return of her strength after such a stressful surgery
5) and of course Her Hair Grows Back Quickly

Thank you all for your love and prayers - clarke

Surgery Sucessful on to Recovery

Hi All:
Beth had her surgery earlier today and her Dr. said it went very well and estimates only 3 days in the hospital vs. the 4 to 5 he gave us originally. Praise be to our good and faithful God for His grace in hearing our prayers. The Dr. said the tumor was benign and that there was a small amount (550cc) of blood loss and there was no need for a transfusion. Beth was in Recovery for about 5.5 hours only because she had to wait for an ICU room. Her ICU nurses say she is doing very well with strong vitals. Beth’s does have some difficulty speaking right now and this is causing her both concern and frustration. She seems to struggle for the words to say and has some trouble is saying some words. But the Dr. and her Operation Nurse said to expect this, as the swelling from the surgery could have this effect. Both symptoms are expected to decrease as she recovers and the swelling goes down.
The ICU has asked that we not have phone calls, so please use this blog for updates and comments. Depending on how Beth is doing/feeling once she is released from ICU, I will publish a number a number for calls to her room. I would also request that you not visit Beth until we let you know she is up to it.
Please continue to pray for Beth’s recovery:
1) No Infection
2) Speech and Word Hunting return to normal
3) Post Anesthesia nausea would end
4) Return of her strength after such a stressful surgery
5) and of course Her Hair Grows Back Quickly

Thank you all for your Love, Caring and Prayers - clarke

You are making a difference

I wanted to thanks you all for the cards you have sent, calls you have made, e-mails & blog comments you have passed along, your gifts, offers of support and especially your prayers for Beth. I am so appreciative of the outpouring of love your have and are showing for her. Y’ALL ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE :-) !!!!

Beth is more courageous everyday, knowing that God is for her, that He will accomplish His good will and that HE is Good!. This morning when she got up she said “4 more days” (until the surgery) and a short time later she talked on the phone to a childhood friend about the tumor and surgery. In days previous, either of these would have brought on tears & fears and taken her down the ‘what if trail’. But today she was more solid, more steadfast, holding to her Rock – Christ Jesus.

On Sunday she starts taking some meds to help reduce swelling after the surgery and Tuesday we go back for a few more Pre-op tests.

Thanks again for your friendship, love and prayers.

In Him - clarke

I am so blessed.

Good morning all!
God has blessed me with you all. The strength I feel comes from all the prayers from each of you and the faith I have in Him. No matter what, I know that God "has my back"!
As strange as this may sound, this tumor is also a blessing. It has made me stop and see what is truly important in this world and beyond. Without my faith in Him I wouldn't have any hope.

IN TIMES LIKE THIS, YOUR LIFE TENDS TO FLASH IN FRONT OF YOU.

Have I been the wife, mother, sister, Aunt and friend that I should have been? I pray that I have. Life is fragile and time tends to get in the way of the important things. Like a hug or kiss. To stop and think before we speak. You can't erase those words. Try and find the good out of the bad.

I remember when my Dad passed away. We were certain that he was finally , after a struggle with stroke, in heaven. No doubt. Because of that, we had a celebration of his life knowing that we will see him again! I ask each of you, if you haven't already, to give that peace to yourself and yours. God has given us free will so it is your decision. All you need to do is ask Jesus to take the wheel! It is so important for the people that are left behind to know, speaking from experience from Clarke's parents passing. This still is very tough on him. It would be so much easier to know with certainty.

I know that God has me in his hands. I will fine no matter what. But I want you all to know that I love each of you and I look forward to the next chapter of my life!

Forever,
Beth

PS I have a couple more prayer request:
Pray for complete removal of the tumor and that it will not come back.
Pray for God's strength and protection over my kids!!!!
(I'm sure there will be more prayers to follow!)

Met with the Neurosurgeon

We met with the Neurosurgeon today. His assessment of the MRI mirrored our neurologist from yesterday. He speculates that Beth’s attack on Tuesday was a minor seizure caused by this tumor.

Beth is scheduled for surgery May 30th @ 08:30.
The surgery is scheduled to take 2 to 3 hours.
Possibility for fully recovery is over 95%; although there is a potential for temporary or permanent loss of speech and/or memory. This is because the tumor is on top of the area where speech and Memory is controlled.
She is expected to be in ICU for 1 to 2 days and in the hospital for another 2 to 3 days (total stay 4 to 5 days).
Beth is at peace for the most part, but has moments where she is understandable shaken with the idea of someone drilling through her skull and playing around inside her head.

Beth has asked for prayer specifically for:

• God's peace will fill her
• She will have no brain swelling post surgery
• No memory or speech loss
• Minimal blood loss so she will not need a blood tranfusion
• She will stay healthy upto and through her surgery & recovery