I had planned on posting a new blog post Sunday. I was going to blog about my current quilting projects, the guild party, etc. Before that ever happened, about 10:30 Sunday morning, my husband had and “episode”. He stood up from his recliner to go to the kitchen. His right arm suddenly went numb, and I thought he looked “funny”. He assured me he was fine. Yeah, right. He poured himself a glass of juice and went back to his recliner. Within just a few more minutes, his chin became numb. I grabbed my phone, called his daughter who is an RN, said something is wrong with your dad and I think we need to go to the ER, his right arm and chin are numb! And then I ran to throw on some clothes and shoes. I was still in my pj’s. She got here, looked at him, and said yes, we were going to the ER. His blood pressure was 199/133. They found some bleeding in his brain, and said they were sending us on to Amarillo. However, Amarillo did not have any neurosurgeons on call, so they ended up sending us to Lubbock. In an Eagle Med plane. Apparently, my husband is too tall for the helicopter. Since he had to be flown by plane, I was allowed to fly along with him. My stepdaughter drove to Lubbock, while my son, her husband and family stayed behind to take care of things at home, til we knew more.
At first, we were told that the bleed was probably caused by the blood pressure, which was at a fatal level, and would most likely not require surgery. But, then one of the neurosurgeons physician’s assistant informed us that the brain bleed was about an inch away from where it should be, to be caused by the high blood pressure. It just wasn’t in the right place. So, Monday he would have an MRI and MRA. They admitted him to ICU. Monday, Lea and I were in the ICU waiting room, and the same assistant came to tell us that those tests revealed a mass in his sinus cavity, that looked to be an “angry mass”. He said it resembled some big long word that I can’t even remember, but that it might be a meningioma, but he didn’t think it looked typical of one. A few hours later, a neurologist came to meet with us and told us the tumor was not in his sinus, but behind it, deep (but not too deep) in the brain. Said it had probably been there several years, and the neurosurgeon would most likely do a biopsy or just remove it. He said the neurosurgeon would come meet with us later that day, or the next. We did not get to see him til yesterday morning. Monday night was a long, painful night for me. We so needed/wanted answers, and a plan. Yesterday, the neurosurgeon, who we really liked, told us he is certain it is a benign meningioma. (A meningioma is a tumor that arises from a layer of tissue (the meninges) that covers the brain and spine. It is not IN his brain, but on the covering of the brain. It is still a brain tumor, but a treatable one. It is in the center of his forehead, right above the top of his nose. He said it has not only mushroomed up, causing swelling an inflammation in the frontal lobe of his brain, but has grown downward, infiltrating his ethmoid sinus cavity, as well. That makes his case a little more complicated, but he was very positive and confident that he will be able to successfully remove the tumor with surgery. It must be removed, or it will continue to cause inflammation in his frontal lobe, affecting moods and causing bizarre behavior, and will eventually interfere with his optic nerves, causing him to go blind. It will require a craniotomy, which is a bit intimidating and scary. Because it has compromised the barrier between the brain and the sinus cavity, he will have to build a new barrier between the two, with tissue taken from Greg’s thigh muscle. They will take some fascia and a little fat to close off the opening the tumor will leave, preventing sinus materials from going up into the brain, and prevent spinal fluid from going into the sinus. He assured us they do these surgeries all the time, and Greg should have a good outcome. He has to have a cardio evaluation, and meet with a pulmonary doctor, and meet with the neurosurgeon again, before he can be cleared for the surgery, which will probably be toward the end of January. A chest CT also showed some nodules and density in his lungs, that they want to watch, and will be having followup on that, after we get past brain surgery. We got to leave the hospital late yesterday afternoon, and are back home, to enjoy Christmas together. Right now, I’m just so happy to have him still here with me. That is the best Christmas present I can think of!
Ramblings From Randi, The Wild Rose Quilter 
(((hugs))) May you both have a peaceful and wonderful Christmas. My thoughts are with you both!
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Here’s hoping for a good outcome and wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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It must have been a great feeling to be able to leave the hospital and be at home. Merry Christmas to you all.
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Randi, thanks for sharing your situation with us. Please know that there is an army of well-wishers and prayer warriors with you through this. Stuff like this really puts things into perspective, doesn’t it. Please keep us posted when you can, and enjoy your husband through the holiday. Hugs to you both.
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I will be keeping you both in my thoughts as you travel this road, hoping for the best possible outcome.
Enjoy your holiday season together.
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My prayers are with for a wonderful holiday season!! Scarey times for you I am sure but such a wonderful time to put things in the hands of our Lord!! Please keep us updated!!
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I am sending prayers and good thoughts for all of you! I am glad this is so curable, even if it is scary. In a few months, Greg will be good as new! May your home and family be blessed with peace, love, and faith during this holiday season!
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Oh my gosh, what an ordeal! I am glad it’s treatable and that you are all home together for Christmas. I hope you can forget about this for a few days and just enjoy the Holiday.
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Randi,
Prayers for many blessings on your family. I’ve been in an equally scary situation, and have faith – we have the best Dr’s in the world. 4 years later, I still have my hubby by my side! He still doesn’t pick up his socks, but he’s here! LOL! Hugs, Cindye
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Continued blessings to you both … and Merry Christmas!
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What a frightening experience. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. Many best wishes to you and your family. Try to take care of yourself too in this trying time!
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Hugs and prayers for you and your family. Have a very Merry Christmas.
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Oh, Randi, what a harrowing experience for your family. Thanks so much for sharing the situation with us. Please know that you all are in my prayers and thoughts. Have a Merry Christmas.
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Discovered before something bad happened = Good. Benign = Good. Not IN the brain + Good. Surgeon capable and confident = Good. Prayin’ hard anyway.
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How scary! These things happen so quickly we can barely take a breath it seems. The best news is that it is benign and treatable. Try not to worry too much and enjoy your Christmas together. Remember, one step at a time. My blessings for you both.
Merry Christmas.
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Randi, I’m sending prayers and best wishes from Down Under for a full recovery after surgery and a happy and healthier 2011.
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Sending love and prayers to you, your husband and your family for a full recovery and a blessed Christmas.
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Randi,
My thought are with you. May you have a wonderful holiday and a blessed new year!
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Sending prayers, good wishes and lots of hugs to you and Greg! It sounds like you have a great neurosurgeon…that is half the battle.
Will be thinking of you in the coming weeks. Don’t forget to take care of yourself too!
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I hope all goes well for your hubby and family this Christmas. We’ll keep you in our thoughts here in Canyon.
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sending the good juju your way! enjoy your holiday blessings.
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What a frightenting time for you both. Enjoy your Christmas and I so hope things go well with the surgery. All sounds like it’s under control.
Much love,
Sally
xxx
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Randi, you and your family are in my prayers as well. Remember…Breathe! If I could see into the future, I’d predict this will be remembered as the Christmas that brought you all closer together than ever.
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Oh, Randi! I’m praying for all of you! I’m so glad this is treatable and that there is a plan. I’ll pray for all the medical team, too. Keep the faith and Merry Christmas to you and your family. This will certainly be a special one.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phillipians 4:6
Randi, my prayers are with you and your family. Take comfort in words
from the Good Book that you have here on your blog.
Blessings of Peace & Comfort
reenie
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My Prayers to you and your family, may you be blessed by a Christmas miracle.
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Amazing how quickly our plans can change. It’s wonderful that this can be treated successfully! Will be thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.
Have a wonderful Christmas will your family.
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So glad things look curable.Hang in there. My prayers are with you and your family
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Randi – many thoughts and prayers coming for you and your family. I wish you a blessed Christmas.
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Randi, what a frightening time your family has been through. I am so thankful that your husband’s condition is treatable and that the surgeon feels so positive about the outcome. A wonderful Christmas blessing!
Merry Christmas!
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Randi – just getting caught up on my blog reading. What a scary time for you and Greg but glad to read that everything is operable and not life threatening at this point. So will be praying for a successful surgery and quick recovery for Greg.
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Oh, wow! So scary…it sure does get your priorities in line doesn’t it, and in such a short time! I will be praying for both you and your husband. Keep us posted!
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Your Sister Quilters are keeping you & your family in prayer–
I pray strength & peace for your days ahead.
We love you,
Peggy
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