Laugh of the Day...

Stephanie gave Mick a "Build a Bear" named Mickey for his fathers day present. Mick keeps that bear by his side all the time. He loves to snuggle with it when he goes to bed.Today when he was laying in bed I was talking to him and asked him if he wanted his bear. His reply "DON'T hold him like that" I asked like what (I had my hands around his neck) he replied "like that" which then he replied "He's done nothing to you". Yes, I giggled but this is the 2nd time he has told me I'm not treating his bear right. ;0) Last time he asked "What did the bear ever do to me". He keeps me rolling with laughter.

Cardio Dr. Today

This Dr. told us what would take place during surgery;opening up & stopping the heart, bringing the tempature down so to a safe tempature. They have a small window. There are many risks involved with this procedure. He would not put a percentage on it but said it was less then the anuerysm surgery. Here's the kicker.... he has never done this for a brain anuerysm. He said he feels comfortable in doing it and has talked to his mentor and several other Dr.'s and will do it but just like Ryan he knows there are other Dr.'s that are more capable of this. We will hold off rest of the tests until next Thurs. after we meet with the Dr,. in St. Louis.

Change in Plans & Information...

Dr. called today and said that the retired Neurosurgeon has bowed out of the surgery , to high of a risk for him. Retired surgeon still wants him to continue coiling and stenting even though it's not working. He said he would give his help on how to do it or whatever but din't want to be part of it. So, where do we go from here. Dr. Ryan said he is still willing to do it but he knows are hesitation on him doing it and he understands. We talked about the Surgeon in St. Louis doing it. In the end we kept the July 10th's surgery on the books since things are getting worse. Dr. Ryan said we prob. would not be able to get things done as quickly as he was hoping but within a 30 min. period;between Dr. Ryan's nurse and the Surgeon's nurse in St. Louis had set up an appt. for July 2. She said the Dr. is coming in on his day off because of the urgency. I asked what type of Dr. he was as far as sending Mick home wanting to continue the coiling and stenting. Her reply was "no not at all and that is why he's coming in on his day off. He's very concerned how large and issues we are having." She also said he will be doing surgery very quickly because of it. So off to St. Louis we go.

Here is who he will seeing and information on him:
Dr. Saleem I. Abdulrauf, MD

Personal FactsPersonal Facts: Male Years Since Graduation: 18 Practice Member Since: 2000. HealthGrades Recognized Doctors are board certified in the specialty they practice; have never had their license restricted or revoked; are free of state or federal disciplinary actions; and are free of any malpractice claims.
Professional Appointments: Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, Consultant St. Louis University Hospital, Attending Professional Affiliations/Memberships: Member, Congress of Neurological Surgeons Member, American Association of Neurological Surgeons Member, American Medical Association Member, American Heart Association Member, American College of Surgeons North American Skull Base Society
Experience / Training Specialty: Neurosurgery (HealthGrades has verified that Dr. Saleem I. Abdulrauf, MD is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery) Information from ABMS® is proprietary data maintained in a copyrighted database compilation owned by the American Board of Medical Specialties®. © Copyright 2009 American Board of Medical Specialties. All rights reserved.
Medical School: St Louis University School Of Med St Louis Saint Louis, MO 1991 Internship: Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, MI 1992 Residency: Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, MI 1997 Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, MI 1997 Fellowship: Uams Medical Center Little Rock, AR 1999 Positions: Yale UniversitySchool of Medicine, Instructor of Neurosurgery New Haven, CT University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery Little Rock, AR Disciplinary ActionsHealthGrades has examined disciplinary actions within the last five years from the Office of Inspector General and 50 state medical boards.HealthGrades could not detect any disciplinary actions for Dr. Saleem I. Abdulrauf, MD as of 06/24/2009.Note: HealthGrades reports on state and federal disciplinary actions (if any) from the previous five years.

Date of Surgery...

Dr. called today; he was hoping they could stop Mick's heart by going by angigram through groin area again. After talking to cardio department decision was made that the safest way because of this surgery was to open Mick's chest up. They will stop his heart and put him on by pass. He said normally it's no more than 30 min. although it's been known that 50 min. has taken place before with good results. So, on July 10th Mick will go in to Boone to have his Anuerysms removed; they will begin and when they are ready Mick's heart will be stopped and be put on bypass so they can stop the blood flow to the Anuerysms; they can clip and do what they need to do. He said the surgery will be about 12 hrs. We will see the Cardio Dr. this week and Mick will have tests ran to make sure there are no problems with his heart.All I can say now is prayers are needed double time.Thanks...

Laughter...

Things have been pretty upsetting around here and I was thinking this morning I haven't shared some laughter with everyone for awhile so here's a few to tease him about when he comes out of this next surgery.Week before last preparing to go to his moms he sat at the edge of his chair waiting to be lifted up to walker: Our wonderful devoted dog also likes to go to grandmas so he sat in from of Mick waiting to leave. Out of no where Mick looks at Mo (the dog) and says "Mo stop staring at me"....Mo just cocked his head like what???Three days ago Mick is getting ready to get up again and again the devoted dog is sitting in front of him: Mick looks at him and says "Mo you're not doing your job" I of course had to ask what job is Mo suppose to being doing? Mick replied "cleaning up my crumbs"...Mick had just had toast.Friday at the Dr. appt. while waiting for Dr. to come in I slipped off my shoes (ballerina shoes) and said " I need to paint my toenails" without missing a beat Mick says "I need to paint his too" I chuckled and asked why does he want his toenails painted he said "to match mine". I told the Dr. and he had a good chuckle too...Best for last: this morning laying in bed I told Mick I had a nightmare that I had to give up Mo (our dog) and went back for him and they wouldn't give him back. Mick asked why did I have to give him up and I told him I didn't know. Here's the laughter! MICK Replied "I CAN SEE GIVING UP THE GIRLS BEFORE HE GAVE UP MO! " I busted out laughing. This is a man that swore he would not have a dog inside and this dog has become his best friend. Now of course we all no under normal circumstances would this be true but it was still a good laugh.Hope this makes you all laugh too.

Today's appt....

It's the 19th and the day we have dreaded. Went for Ct scan and to see Mick's Dr. again to discuss surgery dates. Dr. Ryan said he spoke with 2 more neurosurgeons and a retired neurosurgeon who was in practice for 30 years and majority of his work was anuerysms. They all said coil and stent and shunt; that was done and now they said there they have lost hope.(their words not mine). As much as he dreaded saying it ;it was what it is because things just aren't improving and he doesn't see it improving in the future. He also said we are now getting to a dangerous point with him. The large anuerysm is continuing to fill. The Dr. asked Mick if living the way he is now is worse than death and he said yes. After discussing other items about how things have been the Doc said he would like to do surgery the week after the 4th that way he will not be on call and he can focus on Mick. The retired neurosurgeon will be assisting. He still needs to verify with him if he's willing to do this and set up dates with Radiologist. We all know the chances but he's not living and this is what he wants. This is God's hands and if we have the Dr. looking out for Mick and not what a "code of ethics" would be that's what we need. He said if we go somewhere that doesn't know him or us they will push keep trying the coiling,stenting although it's not working because they do not want to be the one to deal with the outcome.That's all I have energy to say tonight. Sorry, I will let everyone know when I know more. Let me be clear Mick wants Ryan and has always even before he was incapable of making decisions to do this operation.This is the one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make and I know there will be no win win situation.

Today's Dr. appt.

Well, for starters I was confused on my days and had to resched. an appt. but, Mick did get to see Dr. today to get his staples out. We discussed how he's been doing, good and bad. He is a little more verbal but he doesn't makes sense at time and is having more "what I call" halicinations....they might be called something else but I don't know how else to describe it...Anyhow, he told us that Mick's left side paralysis will not get stronger even with therapy because it is the annuerysms that's causing the issue. The stress ball and the weights can just help with him not losing anymore strength. Said he should still use the walker/wheel chair and don't push himself where it's strenous. What's next; next Friday he will have another CT scan and then go back to the Dr. ; today we discussed if Mick does not show a big difference by then removal of the Annuerysms will take place in July. Only other choice is to let him go on living the way he is and let life tick like a bomb. What would you do? I only know that Mick is not living right now. He would not want to continue this path. I would not care how I have it as long as I have him but that is selfish so we have to do what we know he would want. God willing if it comes to the removal God will make the best choice for Mick. Another decision we have to make is his Dr. although he told us at the beginning he would not remove them because of the chance of survival (he's never done one this size) told us today that he would be more than willing to remove them instead of sending him somewhere else. His thinking is we have a relationship with him and him to us and it might be a better choice. He said he feels comfortable if that is the decision we go with OR he will go ahead and set things up with someone else. That's it for now so; Until next time..........

If it's going to happen...

Mick 's bandages were seaping/leaking and I noticed he had blisters and a rash on his side......took him to the doctor today (Monday)...The nurse said it 1st and then the Dr. confirmed.....He has SHINGLES... I got tickled with the Neurosurgeons remark when I called her back... "You got to be Shi**en me" Just what he needs.Anyhow, if you live here in PG and you or your kiddies have not had chicken pox stay away from our house...It is contagious! Same family as chicken pox... He's on more meds... other than this the week is full of Dr. appts. Friday he will get his staples out... No change as of yet; however, today he was more verbal than he has been so maybe it's a sign of something positive to come.

Going Home...

Dr. came in this morning. Mick is the same as he was before the shunt. Dr. was hopeful from 1 thing Mick did right after surgerythat it was a sign of success; however it only happened the 1x. ...As always it's a waiting game.... Anyhow, he is going home and will go back to see the Dr. in 2 weeks along with having a CT scan done again. From that point depending on how he's been doing will decide what the next steps will be. Yesterday was a sad period for me because his personality had changed to a real crabby person; almost to the point of being rude to the nurses and me when he spoke. Rest of the night he did not speak unless it was to the nurses to answer the questions. However this morning was a happy one because he woke up saying "Goodmorning Mama".... ;0) Every once in a while he will say that and I can say how I miss it. It's a treat for me because I always feel like it's a glimmer of hope of something good to come. For all those that didn't know, Before Mick got sick that's the way he would address me in the mornings or when I would call from work to see how he's doing. All will be well; God willing.

From the room

As stated before Mick came out of surgery doing well. Only complaint is stomach pain. Dr. came in and said they had some trouble getting line into his stomach so it would probably be hurting. He also said that Mick's left side (arm & hand) isn't worth a poop. (my words)...Face is still on fire possibly due to antibiotics given during surgery. They are keeping an eye on it.
May get to go home tomorrow.

No problems....

They took Mick back to surgery about 11:30. Dr. came out shortly after 1pm. All went well. They put incisions in right side of head, 1 behind ear and the last through abdomen. Dr. said flow to the stomach was good. All went well. He's in recovery now, we are waiting to go up to the room to see him. No idea how long he will be in the hospital. If he's lucky they will release him by the weekend. That's the scoop.Thanks for the prayers.

Time for Surgery

For all that have asked or that are curious. We have to be at hospital in the morning at 10:30 and they will start surgery at 11:50.... Boone Hospital... I do not know how long it will take or how long he will be in the hospital.
Hope this helps with your questions.