KEVIN ELMORE
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Finally....it begins.

2/16/2012

7 Comments

 
So, yesterday was weird.  I had stayed up late the night before working on some music (for my job - YAY!) and also I'm not feeling quite myself.  I might have a little cold or something.  I ended up coming home from work and sleeping very deeply.  But from the point of the tumor, I've noticed a slight decrease in my patience and to an even smaller degree, my concentration.  It's just a little bit, but after knowing about the tumor for a couple of weeks, I've reassessed a lot of stuff and the tumor accounts for a lot of the tiny changes that I've just barely noticed for a while.  

Anyway, here's the news we've all been waiting for:  I have an appointment with the partner of the neurosurgeon.  This new doc apparently has more experience with this part of the brain and also puts tumors on a fast-track, prioritizing brain surgery over spinal surgery.  I guess this means that someone might be getting their spinal surgery re-scheduled, but I hope they can understand.  I know (as evidenced in the previous posts) that I wouldn't be as able to wait for something as scary as spinal surgery.  But the appointment is near the end of February and the surgery will likely take place in the week of the 27th.  This may seem like a long time out.  The first neurosurgeon assured me that I'm not in super-imminent danger, as opposed to (and this is my analogy) open chest cavity or something.  According to the medical assistant, I am on the rush track:  She'll mail me the paperwork I need to fill out and then I'm not supposed to mail it back, in order to save time.  This all does seem something like a molasses race, especially since it's about 35º outside.  But maybe my mind is racing a bit.

This gives me some structure to my near future though, which brings a bit of relief.  Now I get a few things accomplished before the surgeries and all the risk associated with that. ;)
7 Comments
Tom
2/16/2012 11:24:35 pm

Whew! So glad that things are getting underway. Just think tumor shrinking thoughts until then. Hmmm.

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Lizzi
2/17/2012 07:13:01 am

This is great news that you have surgery scheduled. The sooner the better I say. I send you a big hug and some patience to wait for the surgery. -- Love, Lizzi

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Beth and Dan
2/17/2012 07:26:21 am

good news! we continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

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Dena Nelson
2/17/2012 08:31:27 am

Hi Kevin! I am Vanessa Jump Nelson's mother-in-law and I have had 2 brain surgeries for meningiomas. I'm here to tell you that they are not fun, but with time you can recover....it just takes time and patience. I am 4 years out from mine and do have "issues" as a result, but I think I function pretty well for an old broad! I guess a better judge of that is Vanessa! My tumors are not metastatic/non-cancerous, but big nuisances. The first one pulled out was over my right ear and attached to my brain stem. The second one could not be completely resected, as it is in the center of my forehead, wrapped around my central carotid artery. It is still there and creating some issues like headaches -- especially when the barometer takes a fall, like today. About 6 mos. after that surgery, I had Gamma Knife (radiation)surgery, which stops the tumor cells from replicating/growing and is effective in a range from totally to somewhat. I am in the "somewhat" category, because it was so big, and it is or will begin growing back at some time. Then we'll do something else to stop it!

After surgery, the best thing is to rest, rest, and rest some more. Chronic fatigue is normal for quite a while, but it slowly dissapates. Eating well nutritionally, laughing a lot (watch funny movies, read funny books, etc.) and hang out with really good, understanding friends is good. Exercise a little from the beginning, then build as you can. Some people, like me, need physical therapy afterward. Everyone has a little different experience, but don't be afraid to find someone you can talk with. I'm always here, too, to answer questions. Email me with your questions if you like. Also, look up and learn as much as you can online on Google, or whatever. It is a great help. Another resource I use a whole lot, is a site called: MeningiomaMommas.org. All the people there have brain tumors, or are recoving from tumors. I have been helped so much by being online with others who've had the same kind of tumors. It really is scarey! The brain does NOT like air! However, life goes on and one finds a new normal.

I wish you all the luck and peace in the world. It is a scarey world, no matter what happens, but ya know? It is still a beautiful world! Hang in there, ask all the questions you can think of, and learn a whole new vocabulary. You can do it! Cheers!

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Kevin Elmore
2/20/2012 01:30:49 pm

Thank you so much, Dena! Your note is very encouraging. It's also really scary, given the "issues" with the quotation marks. But Vanessa seems to imply (and I realized that "seems to imply" leave a lot to interpretation) that you're pretty much good as new. Thank you for reaching out to me. I'll be in contact. ;)

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Aunt Sallee
2/19/2012 07:02:18 am

Hi, Kevin. What a lovely note from Vanessa's mother-in-law. So thoughtful of her to write to you since she knows what you are going through. And really good advice, it seems to me. I am so glad that you will have the surgery soon. It's really good to get it over with, know what's going on, and then start the recovery. I send you all the good karma I can manage.

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Sheryl
2/20/2012 11:45:37 am

Dena Nelson sounds very encouraging. I hope her comments will help take some of the fear out of all this for you.

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Leave a Reply.

    Kevin

    It's me, Kevin, but with a brain tumor.  Disclaimer:  I have a very dry and twisted sense of humor.  This is a scary situation.  The jokes ("tumor humor") could be a little dark from time to time.  I intend to keep this rather interesting for you, but if I get a "how could you SAY that?!?" response from you, know it's just, well, I hesitate to use "gallows" humor, but I don't have better phrase for it.  Enjoy, and thanks for your support through this time.

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