Hey Timmy followers:
I feel I should start this entry with a reminder. A reminder that on October 8, 2011 I was involved in a car accident that saved my life, a car accident that lead me to the discovery of a brain tumor that otherwise could have killed me later. Instead, God gave me a fighting chance by showing me early in its stages. And for that I am forever grateful.
The journey thus far has also been just as much a blessing as finding it. I had a total gross resection on April 26, 2012. Because the entire tumor was found to be all grade II I did not have to follow up with chemo or radiation, rather I just needed MRIs every six months. No big deal. Thank you Jesus. I was driving again two weeks after surgery and back to work four weeks later. Amen.
On my one year scan, the surgeon who took the place of Dr. Chandler at Lyerly Neurosurgery, Dr. Petre, requested I follow up again in three months instead of six months. He had seen something that could be a concern. I did as requested and in July 2013 I was cleared to go back to every six month scans.
Fast forward 7 months, I had a MRI scheduled for March 21st. Again, The Lord had different plans and on March 8, 2014 my fiancé, Anthony, awoke to a weird screaming or grunting sound I was making. It startled him to find me staring wide-eyed and unresponsive. By his account he tried to shake me, speak loudly, anything he thought he could do to get me to come to. He began asking me questions about my work, what I did, who he was, who I was...things I would..or should know. He said I kept repeating my name over and over. I then would repeat, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Also by his account I became agitated and angry at one time, so much so that he backed away from me out of fear. He continued talking to me and with me. Eventually, and my first memories of coming to were of being frightened and confused. I remember being convinced that someone was in the house. Anthony lead me around the house, I wouldn't let him let go of my hand, to show me no one was there that could or would hurt us. He said I hugged the wall the entire time out of my own fear. Once settled he suggested we go to the ER for what he assumed was a seizure. And so we did.
At the ER I felt fine...if anything I was exhausted because we had only been sleeping for an hour before this happened. Anthony told his story to the doctors and they admitted me. They completed a CAT scan. Nothing. They ordered an MRI...that took forever. And no results were ever read. They wanted to keep me overnight. I opted out and decided to follow up with my care team at Baptist instead. So I signed out AMA (against medical advice) and went home with instructions to not drive. Yeah. Ok.
I called my surgeons office secretary and explained my circumstances. She referred me to Baptist Neurology. Made and went to an appointment that Wednesday. To try and shorten the story, the neurologist assumes by my account that I likely had a complex partial seizure. Greeeeat. I needed to follow up with another MRI, blood work, an EEG, my surgeon and an oncologist. Wait...what? An oncologist? But I've never technically had cancer. The next day I called to schedule an MRI and the one I had scheduled for March 21st got quickly moved to March 14th. And so I went. Not 4 hours later my surgeons office called saying Dr. Petre needed to see me and the soonest he could get me in would be March 17th at 9am. This. Can't. Be. Good.
I go in to see Dr. Petre with my entourage...because I don't go to these major appointments without my dad, mom and step dad (my sister and niece would have come but decided they might be more of a distraction at this point and I told Anthony not to come since we already look like a circus act rolling thru hahaha!!). He comes in to the room and wastes no time saying that the image came back with some concern for the same spot he saw several months back. But I thought it wasn't there in the last one I did. He showed us the scans, side by side. Pretty clearly I saw the spot. It was right on the side of the cavity of the previous tumor. It wasn't until after seeing the MRI that I asked if he even had info on the fact that it is assumed I had a seizure the week before. He was not aware of my incident and that's why I had the MRI and what I was there to address. Prior to me telling him that he was offering options like waiting and watching, radiation, OR surgery. After hearing about the seizure...options were kinda off the table. We needed to get in, get it out and find out what, if anything this spot was. He (or someone) is going to have to perform a craniotomy...on me...again.
A lot of people have been asking me how I feel. Honestly, I feel okay. I can say it's a little strange that Timmy is trying to make an appearance so soon. Dr. Chandler estimated at least 5 years before we might see something again. But, At this point there is no real reason to panic. We don't know what we are dealing with until we get it out. Only then will we know if I will need to follow up with chemo, radiation, etc. I very well could only need continued follow ups and MRIs again. Who knows? God knows. And in HIM I still and will always trust. He has written my book. This is just another chapter. This time could be worse or it could be just as good as before. This time I could have more deficits or none at all. What I do know is that I'm ready. For anything...I am ready. I will not lay down and give up, I will continue to fight as I always have. I will expect the best and pray for my family and friends enduring this who feel helpless as they wait and watch. Do me a favor...wait upon The Lord, look upon The Lord, lean on him and do not grow weary. He comforts those in need. That is why I do not fear, I do not worry, I do not hold on it what could be. What will be will be. My faith is in Him.
As of right now my surgery is scheduled for April 8, 2014. Could have been sooner but I have a 5k to run in Tampa on March 29th for ABTA and I don't plan on missing it. :)
On a lighter note, Anthony and I have set a date and we are getting married September 19, 2014. Woo!! Good thing we started planning this thing early! Pretty much all the details are done, bought and paid for with the exception of the rest of the venue and food. Yay us!
Stay tuned.
