Not so bad...

So let me tell you, I was the Sizzle. (see last post) That was some crazy mess. They'd click a button, and my leg or hand or whatever would twitch or tingle. Or, They'd be basically make my brain pause. Surreal.

Anyway, we got through 4 of the 6 electrode tests which took about 2.5 hours. We're going to start again in the morning.

After that, All info from all test will be reviewed by many doc's and surgeons in the afternoon. I'll have a consultation after that. They should remove the electrodes Wed. morning, and release me Thursday morning.

At least that's how it's suppose to go. We'll see.

Thanks for the prayers,
T

Be the sizzle!

Perhaps you've seen the McD's commercial about people who do everyday things, and then the say "Good for you... Be way to sizzle". It encourages all of us to "sizzle".
Right?... Ha.

Well in a few minutes I get to be the sizzle in a more tangible way. I am having my leads reversed in purpose. Instead of receiving data, a doc. will be sending an elec. current down the lead to map body / brain function. Sounds like an episode of House.

It's suppose to be somewhat tiring. They wil map motor an language functions. hope it's not to wierd.

Well Doc jst walked in Gotta go. Sizzle Sizzle...

T

Happy Thanksgiving

Hey everybody. Just thought I'd throw a post up to let you know things are going okay. Also, to share a few pictures.

First, I thought you all should see something Shannon made for me. I've been having a lot of fun harassing Cleveland Browns fans.
Thanks Shannon for helping me look good walking the halls.
We spent Thanksgiving Day watching football in the room, M52-03 and having a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, turkey loaf and all. Someone here did bring me pumpkin pie, God bless her.

As far as my twitching goes, I haven't been very productive, but the little bit I have been, they've gotten information from, so that's good. They are taking me off my last medication tonight, so it should only get more exciting from here. With a little luck, we'll be home early next week.

That's really about it for now, I appreciate the prayers. Hope to see you next week.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Ah, Room #3

Tony was released quicker than expected from recovery, which is a really good thing. The CT scan came back okay and there seems to be no problems from implanting the electrodes. He is in a lot of pain and had been doped up fairly well. Uncensored Tony can be very entertaining.
His doctors felt that he could go to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit this evening. He has landed in room #3, the same room he was in last time. I think it is a little too familiar. We hope that his experience this time will be much better than last time. For the most part, it's so far so good. He is hooked up to the video EEG, but still on his normal medications. We have been told that they will stop these meds tomorrow to hopefully get some "good" seizures.
Please pray that the pain will ease for Tony. It is rare that he complains about any pain, so I know that he must be hurting. Also, please pray that this time in the monitoring unit is much shorter and easier than last time.

Thanks,
Amanda

Surgery is done.

Just spoke with the surgeon, and he is pleased. Everything looks like it went well. Tony is now getting a CT scan to double check. I should get to see him in about an hour.

Thanks for praying.

Today's the day

Tony and I arrived at the Cleveland Clinic this morning before 6am thinking that this just doesn't seem real. He was taken back to surgery about 7:15. The nurse told us to expect him to be in surgery for about 6 1/2 hours with about 2 hours of recovery after that.

Please pray for Tony and that everything will go as planned. The surgeon's name is Dr. Gonzalez, and, if you would, please pray for him specifically.

I will post updates as I hear the news.

Thanks,
Amanda

Better aerodynamics & havin' a little fun

I wanted to post some pics of this because of a couple reasons. First, it was fun. Ella took this very seriously. I've never seen her get this focused and intent on any thing before. Excited and crazy, sure. She had a focus like no-other. I think we found her career. PJ's beauty College, here we come.

Second, with or without a head of hair, I'm still workin' the man sexy. That's right, eye-candy for the masses, reserved for the one.

Last but not least, I need a new camera. I'm ready to admit it. I want a DSLR.
We took these and the pis are.. meh. But then, I used a friends DSLR at a school program. WOW! I had so much fun. I think I could get into to that. Anyway, thoughtful ramblings of a mindless man.

Enjoy the pics.




Check us out



So it begins



Doing a great job



Look at that



How'd we do?



Short...



...and patchy



Finish it off



That's all folks...

T-3 and counting

Yea, we're headed back. I'm sure you all know but I thought it'd be good to through out some details just in case.

First and foremost, the picture is Ella and I at the Children's Museum.

We're going to take off on Sunday morning/afternoon. Ella will be dropped of at her Aunt Cindy's. She's excited. She'll get to hang out with her cousins. From there, we roll. Me, Amanda, and a cloud of dust.

We should show up in Cleveland for a late dinner. Check into the hotel and relax. The next morning is test day. My first appt. is about 2p. But it's late in the day, I don't expect them to still be on schedule. Nothing to cray on Monday, lab work, visit with a nurse, MRI.

And then,
I have a 6:45a in surgery. The rest will be played out in the monitoring unit, same place I was before. Same scenario as well. Electrodes placed, let's twitch, push the button, and go home.

Once we get through this, things will just be clearer. We'll either know if the extraction is possible or not, and at what potential cost. If it is, back we go in +/- 2 mo. If not, we try some different Rx's as we have before, and life goes on.

Another upside, we're getting this in before the potential passing of the HC bill. I wouldn't want the nurse practitioner assigned to me to send me to a craft & hobby shop for my brain extraction. But you know, it's cheaper and they're pretty good with exacto knives.

OK, cheap shot, but... do something.

So here's my smooth transition, we appreciate your prayers. Send more of them. Send them especially between the hours of 6:30-12:30 on Tuesday the 24th. And this may seem dumb, but while you're enjoying you're Thanksgiving lunch, also pray that pumpkin pie will be on what was a pretty despicable menu. That's no "poor me" trip I'm trying to send you on. But, I really want pumpkin pie. and football. and turkey. and football. and mashed potatoes. and football. Just a short list.



While I'm asking you for prayer, I'll give you this. Ive been reading a book called "Basic Discipleship". Part of the book is about surrendering every part of your life to the Lord. This is no different. So, as you pray, use that as your starting point.

More to come,
Thanks guys,
T