A scarry Thursday morning

I had a slight set back in my recovery Thursday morning. I had just finished my shower and was drying off, luckily sitting down on the shower chair, when I suffered a TIA. This is short for Transient Ischemic Attack, commonly called a mini-stroke. They only last a few minutes with no permanent damage, they are one of the warning signs that a major stroke is on the horizon. While it was happening I could not speak, was having difficulty even shaking my head yes or no, and was confused and I also had a seizure in my arm. After it was over, approximately 3-5 minutes, it seemed longer at the time, it was like a light switch had been turned on and I was back to normal. Since the nurse that does the dressing change twice a week was due out within the hour we didn't call 911, the Oncologist nurse when she called really stressed that I should have called 911. They didn't have me come in since I have an MRI scheduled in August and since these were expected to start at some point and they generally don't cause any permanent damage.

Good news (MRI) and another first since March

The MRI I had ran on Tuesday showed no measurable growth:) The wound from the infection is still healing, but it has progressed enough to allow me up the steroid dosage so my speech is coming back.
The wound has healed enough that I can tolerate tap water on it, so I had my first shower since March. Kenny doesn't have to give sponge bath's which is big help in the morning.

Russell's muscles - 5K run 1 mile walk

I wanted to thank everyone who participated in the Brain Tumor Research Foundation run/walk. A really big Thank You to Christine for setting this up, getting the team set up, shirts ordered, etc. The team raised $1,356, thank you to every who donated!

Big steps forward

I have really made some big steps in the past week. I am now getting around the house by myself! I am sleeping less during the day and my strength is coming back exponentially. The nurse is pleased with how the wound is healing and so am I. I would thank everyone who has come by to stay with me so Kenny could run errands, called, come by for a visit, or a meal. The visits really help cheer me up, keep my mind active and help Kenny get a break.

Little steps forward add up

I never realized how true this statement was until the last month. This infection took so much out of me and I was in bed for so long that I lost so much of my strength. Now it is a daily challenge to get back into my routines. I have been getting up for lunch and dinner and doing laps around the house to build my endurance back up. So far I can do three or four laps twice a day before I have to sit down.



The wound is healing and it less painful when I move, walk etc. I still use the pain pills only during the daily dressing change. This is a painful process involving cleaning and packing the wound with gauze, since they want the wound open so it can heal from the inside out. Kenny has been doing a good job of taking care of me. It would help if I could speak better and he would take the time to listen to the entire sentence, but some some things never change. Still I am grateful for such caring and loving partner.

I am home and up!

Just a quick note to say that I am home doing well. I still sleep a lot and I am having difficulty getting around. But is does feel really good to be home!!!!

Kevin

Kevin returns home. Kevin was released from the hospital today. He is resting comfortably and feeling much better. The doctors are saying that it was a Urinary Tract Infection. They are giving this as the cause because all the tests have come back negative. He goes to the Oncologist on Wednesday for the MRI results.
Kenny