Today we're watching the sunrise and are thankful.
It was a long ordeal but Shelly's neurologist was optimistic after seeing the updated MRI. The gamma knife unit was out of a science fiction movie. Two hundred and one individual x-ray beams converging at a single tiny point in space where tissue DNA is destroyed. That point needs to be very accurately plotted so that the head can be moved back and forth precisely as the tumors are 'zapped'. Her head is held in precise alignment by bolting the halo to the gamma knife unit.
This isn't Shelly but it's pretty much what it looks like
A helmet with 201 holes in it covers everything and all are slid into a tube, like a cat scan unit. Every few minutes they are slid out, repositioned, in some cases a new helmet with different size holes in different positions is chosen, and back in for more targeted radiation.
This went on for four hours.
Finally, the halo was removed, the deed done.
The staff was absolutely wonderful, kind, concerned, competent, and they made us feel good, at least as good as one could feel under such circumstances.
My bother Ernie and wife Sally, along with their kids, Jill and Jeff flew in from Denver and Cincinnati just as Shelly was finishing up. My cousin Elliot and his daughter Alissa also came in. It was like a family reunion.
The gamma knife unit could take several days to recover since we weren't exactly sedate with Shelly being finally done.
We took Shelly home for a terrific evening, all ten of us and the two dogs, Oliver and Buddy.
Thanks to everyone of you. Your support and concern means a lot.
8 comments:
Good morning,
When I got to my computer this morning, there was the extra special treat of a personal email from Shelly (thank you Shelly - personal reply will follow) plus this incredible photo (don't you love the smile on the woman's face!) and description from Harvey of what a gamma knife looks like and does (something I never thought I would have to know about or want to know about). Reading this literally gave me the chills. The best news - of course the only news that matters - is that Shelly got through this and got home last night. (Your Mom thought you would have to stay at the hospital overnight.) Hurray Shelly. You are our hero and pretty damned remarkable. But then that's no surprise. What a day to live through!! Much love, Alice
Whew....... what a relief. Thoughts and prayers were with you all day yesterday and as your dad said what a difference a day makes. Very surprised to here that you went home that same day. Wow, the miracles of medicine. I'll bet Oliver's tail was really wagging. Take care and keep heeling.
Love always,
Estelle and Sumner
Hi Shell,
Just wrote a long message and lost it, your father would be soo upset with me!!! Errant clicking!
Maybe you received it but i don't think so.
So glad it's over and i think your previous friends summed up your day yesterday, thought of you all day.
Have a great day with family and Oliver, soon to be famous Oliver.
Love from our whole family, everyone sends their love, Carl and Pam
Hi Shelly, I'm finally here! Your Dad is still pushing technology on me!!! It was so good to speak with you. Remember, there is strength in numbers....can you feel yourself getting stronger? All our love and support, Dave and Beth C.
Ok...so now that I'm so good at this blogging thing...there is not stopping me. We spoke of you at the staff meeting. We all want you to know that we are there...ready....willing....and able to help in any way that we can. We love you all. 1010 Pleasant
hi shelly (and harvey too) - maybe this attempt will get through. not the first of myu attempts but i'm going to try it two ways. hi also to "annoynmous" - you're not the only one "being pushed" to use this technology! :-)
the description of the family reunion - all ten with dogs- touched my heart. shelly - the thought of you laughing as you visited the waiting room as the gramma knife group took a rest or recovered from a temporary breakdown made me laugh too. you havesn't yet reported on the massage but i'm in there for another one as promised. and, your dad made me laugh when he counseled us not to wear perfume since they aggravate your allergies since i'm one of the aggravators.
i'm hugging you from afar as you know and will hear your voice in a day.
love, barbara
Hey Shelly,
I can't tell you how happy I am to be here with you and I am so glad that we were able to hijack you from the hospital last night and bring you home. Just want you to know how very much you are loved. We are here to fight this fight with you. No matter how far apart we are in miles, we are still fighting with you, don't ever forget that. Hang in there Shelly, I love you with all my heart.
Your little cousin, Jill
Yo Shelly,
Just sent you an e-mail which I find to be much more personal than this blog stuff. Your Dad's description of the gamma knife treatment was a welcome message. It appears that the hospital staff has a good handle on your case. Judging by the blog comments, you've got many fans in your corner -- including us. As I wrote in the e-mail, we'll be seeing you & Ollie soon. As someone I know used to say, "Keep your chins up."
Love, Lore & Hutch
Post a Comment