Stabilizing, waiting

We’re glad the intensity of the past several days has lifted as Susan remains under watch in ICU. The big events today were a plan, a report, and a test. First, the neurosurgery team will observe her status this weekend since she hasn’t had any fluid drained from her brain since Wednesday. They’re watching in case her status declines, which will prompt them to place an external drain and relieve pressure. In any case, they’re talking about doing surgery Monday or Tuesday to remove non-working hardware and implant a new shunt and power port. 

Second, I learned that yesterday’s MRI showed no additional bleeding, but did show quite a bit of blood, swelling, and increased contrast to indicate tumor growth. But according to Susan’s neuro-oncologist, it’s hard to say how much is tumor growth vs contrast solution reacting to blood. No matter what, Dr. Nghiemphu is eager to restart chemotherapy as soon as Susan is able. 

Susan's pal Brobee for hand therapy.

Third, Susan had about a dozen leads placed into her scalp for a continuous EEG that monitors her brain waves for seizure activity. She handled the painful procedure like a champ and now has a lovely crown of electrodes. She’s had some spacey episodes that seem seizure-like, but none where she’s been unresponsive as with last December. The EEG will record all seizure activity observed and unobserved, so we’ll know those results later.

As of now it looks like Susan will be in ICU until the middle of next week or at least a night or two after her shunt+catheter surgery. She’ll probably have a day or two in transition to the neuro ward and then be discharged. Hopefully she can return to acute rehab by Easter weekend.  

We’re thankful for a new appreciation of our resources in the Lord. His peace and strength; his love, faithfulness, and powerful hope have been ours in full measure this week. At a hospital with 510 beds where perhaps 509 other people are enduring their own episodes of medical crisis, it’s amazing that God cares for each of them as much as us, while none of his attention or supply for us is diminished. And we’re just 510 people in a Los Angeles hospital out of 7 billion on the planet whom he loves perfectly as well. God is so huge. We’re thankful for how he cares for us.