We started 2010 in a way that has never been done before in our family. Many know, but some don't...this past week (bright and early at 0600 on Monday-12/28) my Mom, Gabriel and myself flew down to L.A. for her long awaited surgery....to remove a benign tumor, called an acoustic neuroma. It is a tumor that grows very slowly at the base of the ear next to the brain steam. Many people have no idea that they even have it, because it can grow so slow. They usually find it, when the side effects begin, from it getting larger. My mom was not really having major side effects...just a few bouts (3) of vertigo over the last 10 years and a gradual slight loss in hearing along with a few slight balance issues over the last 5 years. Nothing really major though. Well they found this on an MRI in July and with the help from uncle Mickey (who is not only my uncle...my mom's brother, but is also a medical doctor) my mom made the decision to go down to L.A. to have it removed by The House Ear Clinic. This place is the best of the best...people travel from all over the world (they told us even from as far as Egypt) to come to them for this operation. The neurosurgeons are top notch! Mom had her surgery on 12/30 and is doing
AWESOME! :) The Dr.s are saying that she is recovering in the top 5% for this kind of surgery! Which those of you that know my mom...know that she wouldn't do it any other way! :) Gabriel and I went down with her to be there, with her, for all her pre-op appointments and to get her settled...and then see her through surgery day. My grandparents, aunt Diane and uncle Mickey came in the day before mom's surgery and left on this past Saturday. My aunt Judy is staying with my mom right now and is able to stay, if needed, till mom comes home...which we are hoping will be in a week or so. All the support from all our family (including our fire dept. family) and friends has been so wonderful for mom...words can't explain how grateful she is to have this support, in all forms (in person, through phone calls, emails, texts, wonderful thoughts sent her way, ect.) through this process. Here are a few pic's from this adventure. Gabriel was so good and really was a nice comfort for the both of us, while preparing for the big day! :)
This was the first plane trip that Gabriel would remember...the last time we flew with him he was 10 weeks old. This was very exciting for him...even at 4:30 in the morning, he was wide awake taking it all in! :)
Anthony's "Flat Stanley" doll, from school...came along for the trip!
Mom and Gabriel in front of
The House Clinic!
The giant ear display was neat! It showed how sound travels through your ear and vibrates the eardrum and bones to create noise. It was completely automated and light up as it showed the process..very cool!
We crashed when were got to our room...just a little "
cat nap"! It was a
very long day in and out of pre-op appointments starting at 9 a.m. and going till 4:00 p.m. Mom caught us with her camera...sleeping! :)
The next day, I caught grandpa and grandma sleeping, while waiting for mom's surgery to finish up (7 hours is a long time). Aren't they just too cute? I just love them to pieces! :) Can you believe they are 90 and 85 and still going strong...you would have never guessed. Love you both sooo much! :)
Mom's finally out of surgery and we were finally able to visit her in the ICU...
The hospital where mom had her surgery is a Catholic hospital and had some of the most beautiful statues and murals throughout. The hospital is run by the "Sisters of Charity", it is really neat. We became good friends with Sister Mary Ellen. Everyone was so nice to us..it was really very touching and meant a lot to us!
We have been talking to mom everyday and we have even
Skyped her a few times too! She says she is behaving and trying to get lots of rest...but most of you know my mother...it is hard to keep her down. Thank goodness my aunt is there...thanks aunt Judy! I will post an updated soon...she is doing
AWESOME and is on her way recovering fast!
Anthony's "Flat Stanley" doll, from school...came along for the trip!
Mom and Gabriel in front of The House Clinic!
The giant ear display was neat! It showed how sound travels through your ear and vibrates the eardrum and bones to create noise. It was completely automated and light up as it showed the process..very cool!
We crashed when were got to our room...just a little "cat nap"! It was a very long day in and out of pre-op appointments starting at 9 a.m. and going till 4:00 p.m. Mom caught us with her camera...sleeping! :) 
The next day, I caught grandpa and grandma sleeping, while waiting for mom's surgery to finish up (7 hours is a long time). Aren't they just too cute? I just love them to pieces! :) Can you believe they are 90 and 85 and still going strong...you would have never guessed. Love you both sooo much! :)
Mom's finally out of surgery and we were finally able to visit her in the ICU...
The hospital where mom had her surgery is a Catholic hospital and had some of the most beautiful statues and murals throughout. The hospital is run by the "Sisters of Charity", it is really neat. We became good friends with Sister Mary Ellen. Everyone was so nice to us..it was really very touching and meant a lot to us! 
We have been talking to mom everyday and we have even Skyped her a few times too! She says she is behaving and trying to get lots of rest...but most of you know my mother...it is hard to keep her down. Thank goodness my aunt is there...thanks aunt Judy! I will post an updated soon...she is doing AWESOME and is on her way recovering fast!
2 comments:
sending my prayers to your mom!
glad she is doing well! hope her recovery is speedy! i'm so glad you found my blog! And yes, we are expecting in June. We are so excited and can't wait to find out in a few weeks. We'll be posting, so you can all find out too!
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