Surgery at Johnny Hops (as we lovingly call it)

Just a little update for friends and family and anyone else who cares!

Paul had surgery on Wednesday at Johns Hopkins hospital to remove some new tumor growth in his right temporal lobe. It was something they were watching on his MRIs and his doctors decided it was time to take it out. It is getting sent to pathology, but preliminary opinions are positive. They also took out an epileptic region of the brain that may have been causing seizures. It is a part of the brain he doesn't need, so if it was causing seizures, removing it may help. If it wasn't causing seizures, oh well, no harm, no foul.

Surgery started a little after 7:30am and I was talking to his surgeon by 2:15pm. I know that sounds like a long day, but his first surgery was 12 hours long, so I couldn't believe it when I looked up from my book to see his surgeon standing over me with a smile.

I am staying with Paul in his room at the NCCU. Don't worry, I am taking care of him! But between all the surgeons, anesthesiologists, neurologists, doctors, and nurses in this joint, it's not like he needs some extra TLC from me, but I am sure he will appreciate it.

If you are just finding out now that he had surgery, my apologies. We didn't know until a few days ago and didn't really tell anyone because the last THREE times he was supposed to have surgery it got postponed, so we didn't want to needlessly worry anyone. Plus, we wanted it to be "chill" and "no big deal". Even though brain surgery is a big deal!

I am just so happy the surgery is over. Surely every day (if not every hour) there is a new challenge to face- whether it's real or whether I just can't get out of my own head- but at least the actual surgery is over.

What does it feel like when your husband is having brain surgery and you are just sitting in the waiting room, helpless? It feels like all of your happiness, everything in your life that you care about, anything that matters at all is in there with him. Even though I trust his surgeon 1000000000000000000000% and would not choose anyone else to take care of Paul, those are still feelings I have. I guess it is natural.

One thing is for certain, no matter how sucky the situation is, Paul and I always say how lucky we are that we are able to get the expert, world class care that is provided at Johns Hopkins. Some people aren't as fortunate, but we know we are.