Kris' Brain Blog

Thanksgiving Day!

kris — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:05:31 +0000

There is so very much to be thankful for on this day. I could start my very own Book of Lists. It sure would have a long list of co-authors and if you are taking the time to read this, no doubt you too would be one of them! I continue everyday to be thankful and grateful that my recovery and progress since surgery has continued in a positive direction. No seizures! And for that I am most thankful. Afterall, that was the reason for the surgery in the first place. Holidays can be stressful and yes, today was my mom’s favorite day of the year. She’s already wished me “Happy Thanksgiving” from heaven so it again is already a blessed holiday. I am waiting for Lester’s holiday joke from heaven…he’s done it before. Yes, angels do have a sense of humor.

Thanks to all of you for your calls, your cards, the flowers you have sent, your rides, your blog comments. I do get them. I am hoping soon to begin to make some responses. I am finally feeling well enough to read and write for long periods of time without headaches.

Thank you for being in my life! Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Most Recent Brain Report…Good!

kris — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:00:26 +0000

November 5th…my brain returns to Winston-Salem - at least to the doctor’s office (not to the operating room)! My brain didn’t seem to mind. (Are you laughing at the pun? I am.) Again, I feel fortunate that I still have a sense of humor among all of what has gone on inside of my head. And yes, I have not had any seizures! YEAH! I am having to rest a lot and my energy level is still low, but things are going well and I feel pretty good overall. The surgeon said everything looks great - unless some problem arises, he will see me again in early April for a complete MRI workup, etc. Kitty Earl has become quite spoiled having his mother home everyday - in return, he is spoiling me. I got to play my guitar for the first time on Saturday (with Claire) - it felt wonderful, and sounded OK, too. God does do miraculous things - thank you all for your continued prayers, cards, support, and love. I hope to be up typing some on the computer soon and be able to reply to your wonderful comments (Eric is typing this for me). I love you all, Kris

Photos of Recent Days

eric — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 23:07:53 +0000

Click a link below to see the corresponding photo:

Kris Leaving Hospital (pushed by a great, smiling orderly; accompanied by nephew Jacob and his parents)

Card & Gift Collection in Faith (a truly uplifting view from the sofa each day for Kris)

Kitty Earl takes care of his Mom (Mollie would be proud!)

No More Staples! (warning for those who might be queezy)

Departing Faith - Headed for Home! (next cover girl for NeuroSurgery Today?)

Kris home in SC

eric — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 03:30:34 +0000

Thursday, 3:00 - Kris arrives back home! Thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Fink for their wonderful care of Kris in Faith! After perhaps her most uncomfortable and difficult time on Wednesday evening, she awoke on Thursday morning and finally felt good enough to make it to the shower. This helped her feel a whole lot better. She did very well on the ride home, with kitty Earl accompanying her all the way - and seems to be feeling pretty well on Thursday night. However, she still tires very easily and struggles with various levels of soreness and head aching. How wonderful it was for her to walk into her house - brought back vivid memories of her leaving 2 weeks ago, and fears then, as she walked out the door, that she might not be able to return or not mentally aware enough to appreciate being back home. God is truly working yet another miracle. We thank you again and again and again for all your prayers - and for the ongoing prayer that the surgery will prove successful and end her seizures (none so far!). Thanks be to God!

Tuesday - Day 13

eric — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:04:42 +0000

Very sorry for no postings since Thursday - it has been a hectic few days. Dr. Glazier had told Kris that Days 7-14 would be the worst of the recovery period. For Kris, this manifested itself beginning late Thursday & Friday (day 9). No major crises, but just extended periods of feeling “awful,” with headaches, throbbing, and general body ache. However, each day has been interspersed with small windows of increasing energy, and during these “in-between” moments, she has increasingly felt more like her old self. The incision site on her skull is healing amazingly well; and this morning, she said she feels like she may have enough energy to venture a shower. This will be a great treat for her (and a great blessing for everyone else!). She continues to have a good appetite, with no signs of nausea. We are thankful for this - and especially give thanks to Eric’s mom for providing some wonderful, healing food. Your cards and blog comments (plus a few surprise packages) have continued to roll in - and each one brings her much joy. Kris said to make sure I specifically told you how much they have all meant to her - your love, care, and prayers have truly given her much strength, and she has felt God at work through you. She sends her love to each of you in return. God’s power and grace remain remarkable - how magnificent it is to behold them each day!

P.S. We ask that you keep Kris’ Aunt Kathy & Uncle Bob in your prayers, as Bob continues to recover from his recent stroke in New Bern.

Thursday - 28 Staples Gone!

eric — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 01:46:56 +0000

Not all that surprising, but Kris was impressively strong & courageous during today’s staple removal, which turned out to be much better than we had feared. The nurse allowed her to keep all 28 staples. They are in a sealed jar and will be available on e-bay soon after she wins her first songwriting Grammy. Tomorrow will be her first day completely off the anti-swelling steroid medication, and we await to see what the withdrawal period might be like. Kris seems to be getting stronger everyday - staying awake for longer stretches and graudally shifting from her narcotic-based pain meds to milder over-the-counter stuff. Stopped at Dairy Queen for a banana split Blizzard after the staple removal, but by the time we made it back to Faith, she was pretty much wiped out! Was resting well tonight - waking up occasionally to become distraught by yet another stupid play by the Red Sox (particularly Manny). Many of you know that 22-year-old Mollie (cat of Lester, her brother) had to be put to sleep this summer because of a cancerous jaw tumor. Mollie’s recent successor, little kitty Earl, is wonderful and survived a 2-plus-hour trip to Faith on Wednesday night to be with his mother. He is doing a great job comforting Kris. Hopefully, I’ll be able to post some photos this weekend while I’m back at Prosperity. We continue to be joyfully overwhelmed by all the cards, calls, visits, blog comments, and prayers. One of the most common side effects of a right temporal lobectomy is a period of significant depression. You all are helping greatly to keep Kris in good spirits - and each of you is a blessing of God’s grace!

Wednesday Update

audrey — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:30:02 +0000

Audrey here…I just spoke with Kris and she asked me to update the blog for her. She is expecting a visit from two Lutheridge friends, Tony and Karen, tonight and said she is mostly spending her time resting, watching TV and sleeping.

She returns to Winston-Salem tomorrow to have her staples removed. She is still pretty tired and spending most of her time resting. There is still some head pain and she is taking medication to help with that along with the steriods, which are being tapered down. The most difficult part of the recovery, from what I understand, is this time between the steriods from the medications and her own body building back up its natural store. So, keep her healing process in your thoughts and prayers as she continues to improve while moving through this next challenge.

Address Info In Faith

eric — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:48:01 +0000

Several have asked again for the Faith address info:

P.O. Box 344 Faith, NC 28041

704-279-3771

can also phone or text message using either Kris’ or Eric’s cell

Several also asked about a florist …… Salisbury Flower Shop, 800-992-5310. Delivery address would be: 1012 Fink St., Faith, NC

24 Hours Out of Hospital

eric — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:38:31 +0000

Monday, 3:00 - Sorry for the delay in posting an update - but we are away from the wireless connection at the hospital. Thanks to my aunt for use of her connection in Faith. Last 24 hours have been eventful. The ride and increased movement to get to Faith were challenging. My brother Dwayne, sister-in-law Catherine, and nephew Jacob were very helpful in the departure and transportation process. Thanks to them!

The surgeon said Kris should be prepared to “double up” on her pain medication, and he was correct. For the first time, she has noticed a “weird” sensation as she gets up & down. She has to be very careful turning - cannot bend over or pick up anything. Anyway, she ate a good home-cooked supper and slept very well through the night. Woke to eat some breakfast around 10:30 and was in good spirits, feeling much better. After meal and next dose of pain medicine, she has slept all afternoon. This is day 2 of weaning off the anti-swelling steroid medication, a 5-day process that will culminate with complete elimination (of the medication, not Kris) on Friday. She must return to WFU to have her staples (30?) removed early Thursday. This should be interesting. The surgeon said not to expect too much soon, as the healing curve is much more exponential than linear, with little change expected the first 2 weeks, and the start of a drastic upturn in weeks 3-4. Again, days 7-14 are supposed to be the worst days of the whole process. We appreciate the many recent blog comments and the continued prayers as we offer thanks to God for this ongoing miracle.

Sunday Morning - Discharged?

eric — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 14:09:32 +0000

Couple of significant milestones this morning. Kris was able to eat her first “non-liquid” meal: eggs, oatmeal, coffee. Even better, this resulted in the IV being disconnected. They will now start to wean her off the anti-brain swelling steriod medication, using pills with progressively lower dosages. She slept pretty well last night, but her head has been aching this morning. The drain site seems to be healing up well.

Just now, one of the neurosurgery residents came in the room and said Dr. Glazier had given the OK to start the discharge process from the hospital today. Truly unbelievable! Don’t know what the timetable will be, however - I’m sure it will take a while. I think any afternoon & evening phone calls would be greatly uplifting for Kris (her cell or mine will be OK). For those planning to come to W-S, just give us a call to see where we’re at in the process. Depending on the timing, if you need directions to Faith for today or the week ahead, I will give you those instead.

I pray every one of you will have a blessed Lord’s day. I know there will be many prayers for Kris in houses of worship across the countryside this morning. Our hearts are with you as you worship and give praise to our mighty, grace-filled God this day!