Dearly beloved,

Gamma knife went fairly smoothly. I'd forgotten how unpleasant having the halo put on was. They really ratchet that sucker on tightly. Once it's on, it's not that big a deal other than it makes your head heavy. The MRI seemed to take a long time, and it was uncomfortable because my back was sore. The gamma knife itself? Seven minutes. Sort of anti-climactic. Extremely. I was really scared about this one.

The MOST unpleasant part, in my opinion, is when they take the halo OFF. Fifteen minutes of intense, insane pressure headache. I was rubbing my forehead, covering my eyes, and still so painful that I thought I might hurl. But then the pressure evens out, and it goes away. It's a pretty miraculous technology.

Up and around that afternoon, hanging out with friends in a lawn chair in the living room (I wanted to prop my feet up....And four bruises on my skull, two in front, two back in my hair. I hope I don't lose any hair permanently. The steroid didn't seem to make me nearly as hyper, I got two decent nights' sleep. I did fall asleep during last night's ballet, as well, but it was sort of...not dull, but repetitive. Great dancers, I was just too exhausted.

Not too bad a case of the jitters. It may be that I've already adjusted to the slightly higher dose that I'm on. Very curious to see the next MRI, and how that one looks down the road. Dances with SQUIDBRAINS!

IF anyone sees adult tutus or long, full prom dress at their local second hand store for under 10 dollahs, send them my way.

Hugs to all,
grundoon

No rest for the wicked

So it's been a bit of an exciting day. I unfortunately had a seizure this morning. (Luckily I DIDN'T have it while driving I-80 to work...)

My right arm started to twitch, and I was having trouble typing. I went into the bathroom to take one of the drugs, and then my right arm REALLY started to twitch - it was jumping up and down..I also started to get dizzy. I went in to the kitchen to call 911, and by the time I got there I was losing my balance. I started to dial with my right hand, and realized it wouldn't work. I dialed 911 with my left, and then my whole right side went out from under me. I heard the dispatcher asking what was wrong, and then it was like a huge electrical shock.

Next thing I knew, there were seven GINORMOUS policemen at the door - all the dispatcher heard was me yelling before I passed out, so they were expecting a home invasion. I managed to bite the hell out of my tongue, too.

No doubt Village Homes has not seen that many cop cars in a while - five, and two fire trucks - way to make an impressin on the new neighbors. So I went to Sutter in a ambulance with a VERY cute paramedic and a grumpy blond paramedic, and had another CT scan, and the swelling around the brain tumor is back up.

Fallout -
I can't drive until the Doc and the DMV clear me. Dog my cats and rowrbazzle.

If I have another one, I'm supposed to lay down on my side until it's over, and then head for the ER. I'm on a new anti-seizure med, so hopefully it won't be an issue, but the driving will.


So other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?

I'm a little frustrated. I was really wishing for a short BREAK from medical foo foo raw.

Cheers,
Chris