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We are over this hurdle. 
But it still feels like we are at the starting gate[...]
After the fluid was drained off Derek's brain last night, he fell asleep for a short while. He then was wide awake for a good part of the night(he states he slept 1% of the night) but his mind was in overdrive. He was seeing and hearing things most of the night. He had my husband look out the window into the hall to see the disco dance party with all of the nurses in red dresses and Armin Van Buuren music playing, only he was holding up his bed sheet and looking at that. That is just one example, it went on for hours. [...]
Derek's reservoir placement went well this morning. They removed 17 mL of fluid off his brain. They said that was a lot. After coming off the anesthesia he was his old self; alert, smiling evenly, oriented, and chatty. He sat and chatted with his sister for a long time. As it started to near 5 PM, he was changing. He could only smile with the right side of his face, he was slurring his speech and he was staring off into space. We alerted the nurse who agreed and a CT was ordered. The CT confirmed that the fluid had rebuilt up so why not give the old reservoir a test on the first day being in. [...]
Today was a long day. Derek has been steadily struggling over the past couple weeks. Actually since the last couple weeks of radiation, but significantly and rapidly these last 2 weeks. His vision has been fluctuating, he has slept most of the day(we expected that post radiation) and the last couple days he has struggled to walk on his own. It felt like we were back 3 months ago all over again. My husband has been talking with the oncologist's office all week and got them to agree to see Derek today when we went for physical and occupational therapy. We saw his oncologist first this morning at 9. She agreed that yes, the tiredness was typical, but that the extra neurological symptoms warranted a quick MRI. That was schedule for 2 today. Derek did the best he could with PT and OT but it was difficult for him. [...]
So I guess it is common after extended radiation therapy to become very fatigued. The doctor told us that after about the 5th week of radiation therapy that he would begin to be fatigued. And after he is done with radiation therapy that he would experience even more fatigue. This is true. Derek is very fatigued. They said possibly 4 to 6+ weeks of continued fatigue.[...]
Hello Everyone,
An Update On Angela And Derek.[...]
Angela is home and resting. She is still pretty nauseated. The ride home was uneventful.
She is now resting in bed. [...]
The Dr said the surgery went well. The tumor appears to be benin. So only minimum amount of surgery was done to remove the gland. The plastic surgeon is stitching her up. She should be able to go home today. They will send the tumor off for official testing and if more surgery is necessary they will follow up at that time. But for now, nothing other than the gland was removed. This is the best possible scenario at the moment. This is good news. Thanks be to God. [...]
Today, Monday, is the day of Angela's surgery. Please pray for her. Please pray for the surgeons who are operating on her. Please pray for all the nurses and support teams that will assist and support Angela all the way through this procedure. Please pray that the medicine given to her will work as intended. Please pray for a full and fast recovery.[...]
Hello Everyone,
Angela's Surgery Has Been Moved Up To Monday Instead Of Tuesday. So That Is Good. The Sooner She Can Get This Started, The Sooner She Can Start Healing. I Know She Is Ready To Get This Out Of Her Face.[...]
