Hi again, Today made me realize that it is officially one week since I had the brain surgery. Unfortunately I didn't feel very well today. Yesterday (Sunday) I was alright but today my head was very painful. However, I was able to eat more today and I walked outside in front of our house and the house next door. That was the farthest I have gone since before the surgery. I think I will be better in a week and will be able to walk a bit more and go in the car. For now I am trying to be patient. I watched three movies today and was watching my mom cook. Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you all are doing well.

Hi everyone, I am Leigh and I have left the hospital. Now I have to figure out a way to feel better. It will take about 6 weeks. Today was my first whole day at home. My head has a 4 inch scar on the left side and I can feel it all the time. Currently I have been laying down all day. I was awake from 8:00 am to 10:00 but then slept for four hours. Now I am on the couch but should improve a little bit every day. Thank you for all your support. If anyone wants to call me my number is 503 758-4033. Have a good night!

Hello blog world....Leigh is now at home and is asking about visitors...not quite today yet but maybe one at a time for short visits as she is still weary and in big time pain. Give her a call or bob or myself and check in and we can let you know how she is doing before you plan a visit. Thank you all for the texts, emails, cards and especially the sunset photos! She loves the sunsets and many of me are now gracing her bedroom walls for her to enjoy as she recovers. I don't think I will be doing this blog thing too much longer now that she can talk via her phone again when she feels up to it. Thanks again for using this multi-source to allow me to send one message broadly. Leslie & Bob

Bob gave me another update from last night. Apparently she was feeling better as I had said before but he said she went downhill about 9:00 and complained of the pain again so lore meds administered and then she was nauseaus and uncomfortable when he left at 10:45. I am up and about to head back up to the hospital so will see how it goes this morning. One day at a time and hope she starts to feel better than Bob's report. One problem is she doesn't have much appetite and pain pills are hard on stomach so I. Will work on finding something she might like to eat this am.

Thursdayevening about 10:30 Leigh seemed to have a much more restful day today. She is still on the pain med regime but sleeping comfortably in between the medication doses which is better than past two days. Physical therapy indicates she needs assistance in and out of bed and while walking anywhere in house for a bout a week or until she feels. Ore steady on her feet. She did have another small seizure early afternoon today but again surgeon says typical so fingers crossed for future. Don't think she will be home Friday quite yet since she is still in pretty high level of pain But dr said before Monday most likely. Bob and I feel it best to really keep visitors at a minimum for the time being and none while she feels so bad. The brain does best to rest and recover and the few break through seizures have been when overstimulated with people in room. Once she is home we will let everyone know when calls and visits can happen. I left hospital about 3:30 today and decided to get groceries and make a few dishes for her return home, thinking it would be tomorrow but possibly not now I was told tonight after Bob's visit. Wills update tomorrow. Finding this blog site difficult to get into on iPhone and not trying to do it often, in case you have noticed. Good night

Almost 5:00 pm Wednesday Leigh is better today although one could not convince her of that.  Still requiring pain meds every 3 hrs to manage the contraction feeling in head.  Nurses say this is to be expected .  Occupational therapist come twice a Day to  get her upright say the spinal fluids need to release upward into brain. Or something like that and it is good to sit up and change positions.

She had a small seizure last night and. Another small. Occurrence earlier this. Afternoon but apparently not too uncommon, until brain has healed from trauma of surgery.   Of course I was alarmed and worried But Bob said he figures things need to settle down to normal (6-8 weeks)  before any real determination of surgery success.

She is sleeping now and I am thinking about going home in an hour or so and getting some exercise first and then rest myself.

All motor skills are working perfectly so that is a big one and good news at this point!

More later

Leslie

Surgeon just came in and is very NON  concerned about seizures!  He confirmed again those are post surgery activities and will SUBSIDE and most likely go away  when brain settles down. And pain will be much less from tomorrow forward!   Yeah team!

1:00 pm nie. Been bedside watching over Leigh since 8:30 am. She is sleeping and medicated for head pain.  She is complaining of head pain. So now it is 2:30. And ahe was just given dose of bigger pain med.   whoops she was seeing things for a minute there but quickly feel asleep.

This is all still frightening to watch because I will not feel aecure about successful surgery unless she heals well and no or leas seizures.  Right no the "procedure has been a success and rest is still to be determined.  

The incision appears to be neatly done and barely notice able.  Like a face lift cut. And little head shave at all.  That is all good!

Hanging in there.  Still in ICU.    Waiting line for floor room apparently .

I am about to head up to hospital this morning.  If anyone is interested in doing so, I would like to gather Leigh's favorite thing and have them all over her bedroom wall for her return home in a few days.  Having said this, her favorite thing is to look at a "sunset with mountains" and it would be great to have a collection of 8x10 sunset photos,  (especially the really brilliant colored ones) to have up for her to see daily.



Our mailing address is:

3324 ne 40th avenue
Portland oregon. 97212

Will post later when I see Leigh.

Bob & I are in ICU now at 7 pm and poor leigh is wiped out.  She is sleeping but keeps waking up with the headache.  She is responsive with prompting though which ia good.  She seema still medicated  from surgery.  The nurse said she will be sleeping most of tonight and by tomorrow am they will want to get her up and mobile.

She is sleeping  now with ice pack on her  fforehead.  We want to meet the night nurse and then head home.

Dr Burcheil just stopped by and assured us she is looking and responding pretty typical and she will feel much improved in a few days

Just spoke with surgeon. Dr Burcheil and he walked in with both "thumbs UP". And said she is doing great and everything went FINE!
She is in recovery now until about 6 pm and then we will be going to see her in ICU thereafter.

He said she is awake and groggy but good!

Whew!

More later.

Second call from surgery murse at 3:30
Said surgery is going well and should be done in about 30 minutes.
We are headed back to wait in the "holding pen" until her Surgeon comes in to visit us post surgery

Leigh went into surgery at 12:30.  We all met the team and approved!
The nurse just phoned us now at 1:30 to say procedure is under way and she will call with an update in about 2 hours.

11:30
Made it to pte-surgery area.  Waiting game now. Both neuro surgeon team just came in to visit and said will be in surgery about 12:30.  Leigh just had a seizure whilr they were in te room.  They didnt seem to alarmed but very confident she will soon be seizure free!!  Yeah team

We were up and arrived to hospital by 7:30 as instructed and 30 minutes layer told we are already set with MRI done on aug 30th so we get to walk around until 10:30!!

We decided to leave our contact phone numbers and we are at council crest park walking around now with Leigh as "admitted" patient.

We did pass neurosurgeon Dr Burcheil  in hallway on his way to his first surgery this am.  That is a good thing as he will be alert and warmed up for Leigh!

Off to walk with Bon & Leigh now.

It is Sunday evening now and Leigh is about to head to bed and try to get get some rest.  She was out salsa dancing Saturday night and is tired out but had fun!

Bob & I will post to this site tomorrow via Iphone so excuse typing errors.

Please keep Leigh and her medical team all in your prayers.  It will all go well i am sure!

Leslie

Welcome to my blog!