Chlesea update

[chelsmom]

Hello Everyone.

Thank you for all your prayers and good thoughts for my daughter.  I'm sorry it has taken so long for me to get this update posted.  I left my computer at the hotel and I just retrieved it today and while they have her sedated I thought I could get this done.

Her surgery on Monday was 14 hours-translab.  The surgeons took their time as they were dealing with a lot of scar tissue from the previous surgeries and a radiated tumor that was very sticky or as the Doc said, wanted to stick to all areas.  They were able to get a better view of the tumor this time as the embolizing of the vessels prior to surgery greatly reduced the bloodiness.  This combined with going translab vs retro allow these amazing surgeons to removed what they believed to be 99%.  They left a tiny bit on the facial nerve but we are all thrilled with the outcome.  She is still in ICU and now has a feeding tube through her nose.  The last surgery left her with no swallow reflex, which eventually returned after 100 days, so until they can do a swallow evaluation they don't want to take any chances of her aspirating.  She is in a lot of pain and really not able to tolerate the swallow test just yet.  I was told that they will be moving her out of ICU in the next day of so. 

Since her last surgery her neurosurgeon retired but as Professor Emeritus and as what is called 'Being on Recall Status' her still consults and is co-surgeon on many surgeries.  He was going to try to be here as a co-surgeon for her but his schedule just didn't allow that to happen.  He did conference call with the new team, Dr. Bergsneider and Dr. Canalis,  on Friday prior to surgery for over an hour to make sure that all the info he could pass on to them along with what was already in the system would give her the best chance for a great outcome.  The new hospital with the state of the art technology is amazing.  Her care has been wonderful and we again feel blessed to have her here. 

I will update more later as she is starting to wake up and mumbling my name.

Thank you again for all the thoughts and prayers,

Michelle

PS.  Raj, she is 20 years old.

[Kaybo]

Michelle~
Thanks for taking the time to report - I know you have been busy, just being there for her...you must be exhausted.  So glad that the procedure went well and that they were able to get most of the tumor.  I am sorry that she is in such pain now though - can they not give her something for that?? 

Continued prayers,
K

[sgerrard]

It sounds very promising, Michelle. I am very happy to hear this.

Steve

[moe]

Michelle,
thanks for the update. I'm sure you are exhausted. So glad they got 99 % of the tumor. I requested 99.9% removal so I was pretty close, and they didn't have to cut the face nerve, Thank God.
Here's praying for a non- eventful recovery.
I had an 11 hour translab  and had the headache  from #$%! for quite a while. It did go away after 6 weeks. I was on vicoden, percocet too (stronger).
They gave me IV morphine immediately post op, and I started throwing up, so I don't know if it was the morphine or the brain surgery! I was amazingly coherent the first day post op and decided not to ask for the morphine, because I did not want to continue to get sick.......
So keep that in mind- (IV morphine) for her when you are at her side.
Best wishes for speedy recovery.
 Maureen

[Jackie]

Hello chelseasmom,

So happy to hear the progress on Chelsea and hope and pray for a quick recovery free of issues! Prayers continue for you and your preciaous daughter and your family.
Jackie

[Kate B]

Michelle,

It sounds like the surgery went extremely well. The doctors prevailed by being able to remove that sticky tumor.
I wish her well and look forward to your updates.

Kate

[kenneth_k]

Hi Michelle.

I'm happy for the update and hope that Chelsea will recover soon

Kenneth

[ppearl214]

Michelle

thank  you SO very much for taking the time to update us on Chelsea.  I've been waiting for an update and appreciate you finding the time and energy to do so.  I'm glad this surgery is over and hope that each day, Chelsea is going to show the improvements we all await.    I send my love, my healing hugglez and will continue to monitor here for updates as Chelsea means so much to all of us here.  Will also give Captn Deb a heads up as well as she hasn't been on and I know you all hold a very special place in her heart.

Please hang in there... get some rest.... and please let Chelsea know we are all cheering her on.

xoxo
Phyl

[leapyrtwins]

Michelle -

thank you for the update.  Chelsea has been through so much at the tender age of 20, but your post gives me great hope that things will turn out positive for her.

God Bless her, and her wonderful surgeons, you and the rest of your family.

As Kay said, you must be exhausted; please take some time to take care of yourself. 

Tell Chelsea that lots of us, who have never had the pleasure of meeting her in person, are cheering her on.

Best,

Jan

[suboo73]

Michelle,  Thank you for the updates!  Chelsea is an amazing person for her young age, amazing!
Time for you to rest now.  Your daughter is in good hands.

More thoughts and prayers coming your way.
Sincerely,
Sue

[raj_06]

Wow..she is so young. I wish Chelsea all the best in her upcoming recovery period.

-Raj

[Jim Scott]

Michell ~

Yours was the very first post I read when I logged onto the site/forum a few minutes ago and it made me smile to learn that your brave daughter, Chelsea, has come out of what seems to be a successful Translab procedure. 

Please try to find some time to rest.  You're a great mother but you're also mortal and need to rest, when possible.  Of course my prayers and those of many others are going out for Chelsea - and for you - as you both struggle through yet another AN surgery....hopefully, the last for Chelsea.  That you're so pleased and comfortable with the doctors and hospital is a positive note.  I expect that our 'adopted daughter', Chelsea, will be fine, in time, and once again able to resume the fulfilling life that I'm sure lies ahead.

Jim

[chelsmom]

Hello AN Friends,

Again, thank you for all the encouragement and well wishes.  Here is what we know so far. 

The facial nerve is intact but did not respond to any nerve stimulation early in the surgery.  This morning they removed her compression bandage and after a neuro-check she was rated 3-4 on the Brackman scale for facial nerve damage.  She does not know this yet and the surgeons are hopeful, as we all are, that this will correct itself over time.  As of now her eye closes and she has sensation to the touch on her face.  She is talking out of the side of her mouth instead of the whole mouth.  It looks like we will be here for a while perhaps another 5-7 days is what the estimation is.  She is not cooperating with PT/OT or swallow specialist because of her pain level.  When she gets too much pain medication it effects her breathing so it's been a fine line.  Hopefully in the next few days she'll be able to move around.

She will be heading down for an MRI in a little while so the docs can see how it looks and evaluate the success of the surgery. I will keep you posted.

Thanks again,
Michelle

[Sue]

Dear Michelle,

Hugs to you and Chelsea and you tell her that her AN family is rooting for her. She's a trooper and so are you.

Love,

Sue in Vancouver USA

[ppearl214]

Michelle,

You are wonderful to take time to keep us updated. I'm sending those healing hugglez in Chelsea's direction ... and a few hugglez for you as well. I'm cheering you all on as always and please give her my best wishes.

Please hang in there.
xoxo
Phyl