Previous updates

Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:36
Tuesday update -

We are seeing improvements each day, even if little by little. Today dad seemed to be aware of us, looking at us, nodding head a little, moving toes and fingers when asked, turning head to us. He even was lifting his head up. All things that make us very happy. He's still on the ventilator, but they've decided to hold off on the tracheotomy ventilator to see if they can wean him off soon, otherwise, they'll need to do the tracheotomy ventilator to make him more comfortable. The doctors and nurses all say that they are pleased with his improvement. Still no word on pathology. They've advised us that it could be several weeks before he's ready to leave ICU. Right now he's battling a fever and some minor infections, but all to be expected considering his condition.

I'm heading back to Dallas in the morning with Ava, but Jenny is able to stay for much longer to help out. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. I know it means a lot to my dad.-Darcy

Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:11:55 -0600
Sunday update... No seizures recorded since time of surgery. This is very significant because it indicates that the surgery did what it was supposed to do - stop the seizures and allow dad to recover from them. Because the length of time he was status eppilepticus, it will take him some time to come out of it. For those who are interested, the time period following a seizure is called a post-dictal period (the time that someone is unconscious or the brain is "slowed down" recovering from the seizure), and since the status eppilepticus was for about a week, his post-dictal period will presumably be long as well. One doctor even indicated that it could take as long as a week.

Here's more good news - he's reacting more to pain and stimulus. Today he opened his eyes a little and squeezed our hands. Can't tell you how good this makes us feel. All of his other vitals are good. We've seen him move his head and both arms and legs. All good signs. Everything seems to be in working order.

I personally reviewed his MRIs from pre- and post-op. I needed to see for myself how much brain tissue was removed, since the surgeon indicated it was the entire right frontal lobe. From what I saw and learned from the neurologist, a small area of brain tissue was removed in addition to the scar tissue or tumor that had grown into the old tumor bed. I think it puts us at ease to know that in actuality he did not loose much more tissue than what had been removed in previous surgeries.

We just learned that tomorrow they are going to replace the type of ventilator and feeding tube he is on, so he will have to undergo two procedures.

If anyone would like to send dad a message, please feel free to email it to me and we will read it to him. We've got music playing in his room and we are trying to talk to him and read to him to encourage him to wake up. Thank you for all your love and support. Please keep dad in your prayers. All our love- Darcy, Rhonda and Jenny

Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:23:51 -0600
Here is the latest news-Dad was in surgery for about 4 hours this morning. They removed most of his entire right frontal lobe to try to stop the seizures. They've told us that this removal should not leave him with significant impairment (he'd already lost a lot of it in previous surgeries.). He's resting now, but has not yet woken up.

His coma-like condition is called status epilepticus. We're waiting to see if this surgery has stopped the ongoing seizure activity and we're praying for him to wake from it. It will take about a week to find out from pathology what it was the was growing in the tumor bed area (the old tumor cavity, where the scar tissue was found and removed last time) that was also removed.

We're going back in a little while to be with him after we get some rest. THANK YOU for all your emails, calls and support. Love- Rhonda, Darcy and Jenny

Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:33:42 -0600
Hi everyone-I flew into Phoenix last night to see my dad. Mom and I just had a discussion with his doctor. They feel that unless his condition improves today or overnight (with the addition of new seizure medications) that surgery needs to proceed at 9am tomorrow morning. The pressing issue is that he continues to have seizures and they need to get them under control to prevent damage to his brain. They know now that they are originating from where his tumor was and the area shows new growth/changes that's either scar tissue or new tumor. They feel that the surgery is our chance to get him out of the "coma," although that's not technically what they're calling it. They've told us that although surgery is always a risk, they feel that it's the right coarse of action try to get him back to us. Jenny's flying in tonight. Mom, Jenny and I thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for Dad. Please pray for the doctors that they can have the wisdom and skill to treat my Dad and bring him back to us.


Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 20:07:24 -0600
I can't remember who I've talked to or emailed, so here is a blast email to update those of you who might want to know about my dad's condition. We got some promising news tonight. Mom met with the doctors and they believe his "coma-like" state is due to underlying continued seizure activity and they are optimistic that we he will wake up. He does not have an infection of spinal fluid. He has some new growth in tumor area, but type is undetermined. They're not saying it's a recurrence, as it could be more scar tissue growth, like what they found in the last surgery. Please keep my dad in your prayers. We are praying for him to wake up and his body to be healed from these seizures. We're hoping that the doctors can find the right combination of drugs to stop the seizures and that they will continue to give us a positive prognosis. All my love- Darcy