April, 2005

Friday, April 15th, we called the family after we received the news and felt they should know so they could make arrangements to come and see you. Dad and I were supposed to go to a family wedding on Saturday but cancelled.

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Saturday, April 16th, 2005 and there were many visitors that day. Friends, family and people from Hartwyck whom we have bonded with over the past few months.

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Sunday, April 17th, and many more family members are coming to see you. You still have not opened your eyes and are very guarded.

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Monday, April 18th, today is Melissa’s birthday and Mom is going to work to fill out papers for a leave of absence. I need to be with you until we are sure of your condition and what lies ahead.

The remainder of the week was a wait and see. You were tolerating the feed thus far and getting antibiotics and fluids. You are still very sick and not responding but for the most part stable. On Friday, April 22nd they took you down for another MRI and the results were worse.They are having much difficulty with your veins and drawing blood and IV’s. You are on your 4th pictline and even now they are not sure it will hold up.

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Tuesday, April 26th, they did an MRI to map your brain for surgery. You were scheduled for surgery on the 28th of April.

Mom arrived at 6 a.m., you were scheduled for surgery at 9. Dad and I took you to the holding area and waited with you until 10 a.m. You were taken to the OR and the surgery took 4 ½ hours.

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One of the things they told us was they were trying a new technique and piece of equipment during your surgery. A device with a camera on the end of it that has the ability of extracting fluid and puss. There were quite a few people watching and observing and it was video taped for future use. During the procedure they extracted viles of puss in the ventricals that was keeping fluid from passing through.

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The surgery was a success and now we prayed for your recovery. They had no way of knowing the severity of the damage to your brain. You could recover and be better or lose some of what you had gained.

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Friday, April 29th, 2005 you had a small seizure which they said is not uncommon after brain surgery. The rest of the day you slept and were very quiet.

The weekend visitors came to see you, family and friends. The Caruso’s come every weekend from Sussex to spend time and visit. They are such good people and good friends.