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
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
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
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
Saturday, May 26, 2007
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
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
Monday, May 21, 2007
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!)
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!)
Friday, May 18, 2007
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:
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
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