by Cheryl
October 21, 2010, landed me in the emergency room at Harris Hospital after experiencing double vision and an occasional loss of balance over a period of three weeks. After meeting with the ER doctor, it was decided that an MRI was in order. Upon returning to my room from the X-ray, my husband of 26 years, my 23 year-old daughter, and I were told that I had a large mass in my brain.
As my family sat next to me sobbing, I remember telling my family that everything was going to be all right – this will be a win-win situation because our faith is firmly planted in the Lord. At that moment I asked the ER doctor to pray with us. Many tests and many doctors appointments later, it was decided that surgery must be done. as the possibility of complications and long-term disability. As the surgical team prepared for the marathon brain surgery, I was being wheeled into the operating room.
After enduring 20 hours of surgery that spanned 2 days I was taken to ICU. After what seemed an eternity to those in the waiting room, the neurosurgeon appeared and announced we were officially dealing with a benign brain tumor called a meningioma, thank the Lord! However, there was a very small part of the tumor that could not be removed because it was dangerously close to the brain stem, which would be dealt with at a later date with radiation. My 12-day hospital stay that followed included the ICU as well as well as other levels of care. My loving and devoted husband never left my side.
On day 12, I was discharged with a walker, 60 staples in my head, and a really bad haircut – yet thankful to be this far without complications. The days and weeks of slow healing began. Little did I know the brain heals slower than most things in the human body. My precious family and group of loving friends were at my side around the clock. Mid-December found me in the beginning stages of radiation treatment to attack the remaining piece of tumor. Twenty-eight treatments to be exact.
Family and friends once again stepped up wanting to have a turn to take me for my daily zapping of radiation. I will forever remember their words of encouragement and prayers lifted up on my behalf during this difficult time. With my energy gone and appetite non-existent, I seemed to grow weaker day by day. My sweetheart of a husband would anxiously await any announcement of an appetite and would cook me anything that sounded good.
Many sleepless nights were spent fretting over my health and future. As for my situation, tremendous healing and spiritual growth has taken place. Often I remind myself that sometimes you don’t choose the journey – the journey chooses you!
