Well, as usual the appt was over 3 hours long – with 2 hours of putting Andrea through extensive testing. Only to meet with the doc and find that he had not received any of the reports or MRI’s sense radiation began. So at a bit of a disadvantage, not knowing how things look in her head after the radiation he did his best. From his exam he said she is doing very well, considering, and that he has hope that things may only continue to improve. She now has what is referred to as an optical island. Basically if you cover her healthy eye (left), her other eye (right) can see out the top half of a small hole. Like looking through half a straw – but it takes some doing for her to see the spot and everything is white, black and purple. The neurosurgeon originally said he cut very deep into the optical nerve and there would be no sight. Then just prior to radiation (only 6weeks after surgery) she was seeing this island in purple.Two weeks after radiation her eye went back to seeing nothing. But now is beginning to come back. The neuro opthamologist said no one can say for sure if she will recover any more sight or how long it would take – but that there is something there, that may or may not help her. We have to go back in six months. Therefore in April she will see: Neuro Surgeon, Neuro Oncologist, Endocrinologist, Neuro Opthamologist and Audiologist and get an MRI and blood panel (not on the same day though). So for now she will be free of doctor visits and trips to ann arbor. Just in time to enjoy winter and her new/used truck. So we have decided and the Neuro Oncologist said it was ok, not to do the Audiologist appt next week – it is a baseline for hearing loss due to radiation and can be done in April. So, I plan to still post once a month – but the posts will be of what Andrea is up to and maybe even some pictures, old and new. So if you want to keep checking in, I will try to make it good/fun reading and viewing.Oh, and her bald spots are really starting to grow hair – some are 1/4 inch long already. But she covers them so well with her new hair cut/style anyway. She is very busy with school work, NHS, CMACB, concert band, boy friend (she says he’s not), her horse, her dog, her friends and now her truck. All of this in between still needing alot of rest, but improving every day. She is so strong and a fighter like most kids that are dealt things like this.
Archive for November, 2009
Mondays Neuro Surgeon Appt.
Categories: Andrea | November 11th, 2009 | by diane | one comments
The appointment with Andreas Neurosurgeon went very well today. He said after looking over her MRI from last Monday – he felt the need to check in on Andrea and be sure her followup care was going well. Which we had not had any followup care from the Doctor he passed us on to yet, because they never returned my 3 phone calls for appointments and Andreas Neuro Radiation Oncologist said there would be no need in seeing another doctor besides him for the time she was doing radiation. Anyway, because Andrea really likes her Neurosurgeon and we like his so thorough and really knows his stuff and his office staff is wonderful – we will remain with him as her Neuro maintenance doctor. With all of that said, Andrea will not have to see him again until April of next year. So as it looks right now, after her Neuro Opthamologist appt next week – we should be all done with appts until 2010. Andrea is still trying to resume her normal routine – but finds she is not up to par yet. But the number of days she can go strong before needing a day of rest are improving. She actually went to school all 5 days last week (first time since school began), but is home today sleeping. Not that she needs to add anything to her schedule, but she is joining a talk group that meets once a month at the hospital – called HEAD STRONG. It is people of all ages that have suffered a head injury. It will give her someone in common to talk with and vent, being that she doesn’t seem to want to vent to us. She remains strong willed/tough for us. She will also need to take time to do 8 hours of community service in the next 9 weeks so that she can fulfill her NHS commitment. She is undecided what she wants to do for that this time, she has so many ideas: volunteer at a vet clinic or animal shelter, at the dairy farm she used to work at, at the elementary school or the one I think she may do this 9 weeks is make character pillow cases for the hospital to hand out in the pedsdept in Carson City. So that is all for now – will post next week after the Neuro Opthamologist appt. Also, I have been trying to decide at what point I do not update the Blog any longer. Todd checked the number of hits for October and it was over one thousand, so at this time we will continue the blog and we are all very thankful so many care about Andrea. Have a good week.
tuesday november 3rd
Categories: Andrea | November 3rd, 2009 | by diane | no comments
Received an appt reminder today from Andreas Neuro Surgeon for a followup appt on the 9th of November with him and the Neuro Oncologist. So back to Ann Arbor next week, will post results of appt then.
10-26-09 Tests/Appts….
Categories: Andrea | November 2nd, 2009 | by diane | no comments
Everything went smooth in Ann Arbor – good results and all around positive reports. The MRI went off without a hitch, although from now on they are going to require Andrea be on Steroids 13 hours prior to any contrast IV. But her next MRI is not for 6 months, so we will deal with that then. Her Radiation Oncologist was very positive in Andreas progress (other than the extreme fatigue) and showed us today’s MRI the MRI from the night of her surgery and the MRI from before surgery so we could see the progression and how the space where the tumor was filling in with brain, etc. and explained everything in detail. He said as time goes on they will be able to tell more, but for now everything looks fantastic and is right where they want it. He also wants Andrea to see an Audiologist (another maintenance doctor to add to her list) for a baseline hearing test – although she probably only took about 11 to 15 grey in that area, he said there could be some hearing loss. We do not have to see the Radiation Oncologist/Endocrinologist/Audiologist or have another MRI for 6 months (YAH!!). Andreas next apt will be with the Neuro Opthamologist in November and as long as everything remains constant I will not post again until then. Aside from being tired she is doing great. She and Andrew were sick all last week and at home – fever, sore throat, headache, nose and chest congestion. They were given H1N1 and Tamiflu and seem to be doing pretty good – except for a small dry cough. She got her hair cut again, shorter this time and a more shag look – real cute. But makes her look older and took away most of her blond highlights. She celebrated halloween in style at a Youmacon Convention and loved it. Hoping she will make it to school all this week (it will be a first sense school started). Thanks for continuing to care.