8.15.2008

Mom in Law

I haven't posted an update in quite awhile about my mother in law's recovery from brain surgery.

The short version: on May 29th she went in for a relatively routine (if you can ever consider brain surgery routine) removal of a benign tumor. Unfortunately, as can happen, when the surgeons got in there, they were confronted with several unexpected complications...the tumor was quite a bit larger than they anticipated (the size of a golf ball) and it was calcified which meant a more invasive procedure to remove it. Suddenly her recovery estimates went from 6 weeks to 6 months. She was unable to speak and was paralyzed on her right side.

Her initial recovery was tumultuous, in fits and starts. In the first few weeks she was in and out of the hospital 5 times (I think) for various issues and spent some time in a nursing facility which did not go well. For the last 8 weeks or so she has been in a care home run by friends of the family and her recovery has been slow but steady since then, because she is in the care of people who love her. She regained her speech and last week they even had her standing a little.

A few days ago (I still do not have exact details on when) she began refusing to eat, and last night she was (by my husband's reports) curled up in a ball, refusing to eat or drink, unable to speak again. So she was taken to the hospital yet again late last night, and my husband went with his dad and stayed until late into the night until she was admitted.

Today it has been determined she has had a stroke. I don't have any further details on it, but my husband indicated there will be some kind of surgical procedure involved.

I would just like to ask you all, yet again, if you are willing to pray for her and for the family, especially my dad in law, who is at this point really struggling with this long process and with the pain she has experienced.

18 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear that Erin. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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  2. Oh Erin. I'm so sorry to hear your news. My heart goes out to you and certainly to your husband. Definitely will be praying for your families and for your MIL's recovery!
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  3. Thank you Grace, I appreciate it.
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  4. Cindi - Thank you. Please feel free to pass on the prayer request....she needs all the help she can get.
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  5. Erin,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and especially your MIL.

    Leslie
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  6. Thanks Leslie. I appreciate it.
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  7. I'm really sorry to hear this news Erin. Will definitely be praying for your MIL and your family.
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  8. sure will erin- sorry- i've been out of the loop a bit..
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  9. Erin ~ I am most definitely praying at this time for your family. I offer special prayers for you father-in-law for additional strength when it is needed.
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  10. Oh no, honey I will be praying like crazy. This is a terrible turn of events :(

    Your family has more than earned it's share of down time! I pray that you will all get rest soon.
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  11. Thanks everyone. Very much.
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  12. Wow, Erin, may you and the whole family find peace that brings you through yet another storm. I pray for you... again.
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