Thursday, March 27, 2008

SHE'S DONE!! SURGERY IS DONE!!!

HEAR YE, HEAR YE AND PRAISE THE LORD!!!! Good news. Good news. Dr. Oghalai came in about 7:10 p.m. and said, "It went well". He was very pleased. They feel they got all the tumor away from the brain stem and away from the jugular bulb. They left about 5% to 10% around the nerves that we have been talking about; basically those that control swallowing and facial motor control. They figure that they were able to get so much of the tumor out that there is a good chance the blood supply is effectively cut off and thus the tumor will not grow anymore. By leaving the nerves in tact, the chances are much better that she will not suffer significant loss to them. The nerves have worked by being stimulated with an electrical impulse and that is real good news, but they still have to work on their own. However, the chance is much better that full recovery can be accomplished and much more quickly. The chances are much better that she will make the wedding and make it with good function.
Recovery and rehabilitation may be easier and faster. Her equilibrium will be all messed up due to the resection of the inner ear. She will be dizzy. Tomorrow, she will probably throw up a lot. Doctor Oghalai is thinking that she will not have to have a feeding tube. He hopes to take the breathing tube out tomorrow. He was careful to make sure that we heard, "We will have to see" when questioned about what Tracy will be able to do and when.
He is pleased with the results, but it was still a very aggressive, invasive procedure.
Speaking of aggressiveness, he said this tumor was a classic meningioma and was not any bigger than they expected it to be. Future stereotaxic radiation treatments will likely be effective if necessary. It will be necessary for us to monitor the tumor for the rest of our lives. MRI's every year and intervention as needed.

We are now on the working side of this event, so please continue to pray on our behalf for our strength, patience, and God's mercy on us. Also, please pray for us to be able to communicate effectively the testimony of God's presence.

I'll tell you moer as it comes in. Thanks for your interest guys.

Jeff

14 comments:

crownof said...

"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!" The words from that wonderful song that fills our hearts right now! Love, all the Ancones

Chasz said...

Praise the Lord!
We have been praying for Tracy every night here in Upstate New York--figuring we are closer to heaven so far north! We will continue to pray for Tracy's speedy and strong recovery!
Chasz and Christa (and the Parker children)

Anonymous said...

GOD IS SO AMAZING!! This is such wonderful news. Please know that all of you - especially Tracy - are in my prayers continually. Praise be to our precious Lord and Savior!

Love to all,
Judy Carney

Anonymous said...

Just like the song "HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD". We have had ya'll in our prayers and will continue to pray for the family. Love ya'll Robin & Marty Gessner

Anonymous said...

TO God be the Glory! Praise His Holy Name! We love ya'll and will continue to pray for Tracy and the family. Wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!The Curries, Tonya, Curt and Sara

Anonymous said...

Fantabulous news! I can't wait to pass it along to those who have been praying through the day and for weeks previously.

He does indeed do exceedingly abundantly beyond what we can ask or think!

Terry Cocking and Co.

Anonymous said...

Praise God! When she wakes, tell her we're still going to dance on her momma's table. God still has even more in store for her that is good. I'm convinced! He is such a GREAT GOD.

Ladonna

Anonymous said...

God did GREAT!! I know there are challenges to come, but God will be there to walk it with you. It has always seemed to me that the more fiery the trial, the more God just goes all out. I know when I get with the program, God is there to meet me, so its probably that you are more plugged in during those times. Anyway just wanted to let you know all day long I thought of you guys. Couldn't get you off my mind. I remember when I went to surgery at M.D. Anderson. It had already been a long year. I would look in the mirror and I didn't recognize sometimes who was even looking back at me. Sometimes it would be so scary, but Pat and I would pray, and out of the doctors mouth would come just what we asked. It was a life altering year, and I know we are the people today because of what God taught us that year and how He was present with us. Sue and Pat

Anonymous said...

As always, we are reassured of God's grace. You all will continue to be in our prayers and we look forward to seeing Tracy with her beautiful smile to greet us.
Jerry and Kitty

Anonymous said...

All I can say is Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord!!!! I continue to pray for you all....and especially my dear friend for a spectacular and complete recovery! Priscilla Otto

Anonymous said...

All I can say is Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord!!!! I continue to pray for you all....and especially my dear friend for a spectacular and complete recovery! Priscilla Otto

Anonymous said...

I have been focusing on all that Tracy will have to endure. Not only the difficult surgery but the long recovery and rehab efforts. Our God is greater than any of this and I praise Him for what He is teaching me, just now, today. All of you have been on my heart throughout this day. To God be the glory, for the surgical success today. What a roller coaster of emotions you must experienced! I pray now for peace and rest for all of you tonight. Ruth (and Larry)

Anonymous said...

Thanks be to God!!! We are so thankful to Him for His blessings and for the surgery going so well!! God is good, all the time!! We love you! Wayne, Tonya and Jaymee

Anonymous said...

God's grace has shown again today and the prayers of many have been heard and more prayers will continue though the coming weeks -
Our love to each of you -
Opa and Oma