Jane's (Mrs Squishy's) Dad - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

Squishy · 04-13-2008, 09:50 AM

Thanks everyone!
No change as of today, which I suppose is good news. WE don't expect improvement quickly, but we know his condition could go downhill pretty fast, so "no change" is a good sign.

They mentioned fitting him for a helmet in a week or so when the swelling goes down. I don't think he is going to be willing to wear it, but we'll see.

Mike, you are correct about the location of the infection. This is also the site of the original tumor. It was right between the two frontal lobes. They figure it grew over many years to get to the size it was. He had headaches that went undiagnosed, but the thing that led to the eventual diagnosis was a pretty dramatic change in personality. He could only focus on negative things. If you asked him what he liked about something, he'd say "well I'll tell you what a I didn't like" He could not stop it. Also, he said everything he thought, which after a while really wears people down to where they did not want to be around him.

When they removed the tumor, this improved a lot, but he never returned to his old happy-go-lucky self. Also, the tumor had compressed the front of his brain back into his skull. It never expanded back to completely fill that space. The tumor was a menengioma;which they call "the surgeon's friend" because they usually do not have tentacles that spread through the brain. They are typically benign and can be removed fairly successfully.

Another thing that might be interesting to your class is that he has almost constant, involuntary movement of his hands and arms. He is always grabbing things, reaching, pulling, pushing, etc. If he gets hold of the remote control on his bed, he will continually push buttons (including the nurse call button). If he doesn't have anything in reach, he will start picking at his IV, staples, etc. He does not realize he is doing it. Not sure what part of the brain is causing this, but the doctors say it is pretty typical of brain surgery patients.

-Mike-

fisher1000 · 04-13-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squishy

Another thing that might be interesting to your class is that he has almost constant, involuntary movement of his hands and arms. He is always grabbing things, reaching, pulling, pushing, etc. If he gets hold of the remote control on his bed, he will continually push buttons (including the nurse call button). If he doesn't have anything in reach, he will start picking at his IV, staples, etc. He does not realize he is doing it. Not sure what part of the brain is causing this, but the doctors say it is pretty typical of brain surgery patients.

-Mike-

I'll be talking about the left and right hemispheres of the brain and how they control (generally speaking) the opposite half of the body. If both hemispheres were affected by the tumor, then it makes sense that the effects are presenting on both sides of the body. I can use this to help the kids make an inference about what would happen if the tumor had only been on one side or the other.

Thanks for the update today. I said a prayer for him last night and will continue to keep you guys in my prayers...

-Mike

Duckie · 04-13-2008, 10:58 AM

Thanks for keeping us updated.
{{{{{{{{Squishy family}}}}}}}}

Daphne's Mom · 04-13-2008, 11:42 AM

This is one of the most amazing stories about the brain and how it's linked with our spirit, by an expert on the brain who had a stroke. Kind of lengthy, but worth it-
Anita

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229

Daphne's Mom · 04-13-2008, 11:49 AM

and every good wish for your family, squishy--you'll be in my thoughts
best,
A

shereeks · 04-13-2008, 11:57 AM

Squishy, hugs and prayers being sent your way. They may take a little while to get there as it's quite a distance but they're on their way.

Dawn Crippen · 04-13-2008, 01:49 PM

All of our prays will have Ray in them. Please tell him, we are all with him and his family.

Dawn 7 weeks 5 days post op

Vim&Vigour · 04-13-2008, 02:29 PM

Mike, Jane and Ray,
my warmest thoughts and prayers for strength for you all to deal with this very drastic situation. Knowledge is power and some understanding may be of some comfort.
Best wishes for as comfortable recovery as possible.
Vim

Claire-in-Texas · 04-13-2008, 05:04 PM

Ray is in my heart, and in my prayers.....

OsoDelDesierto · 04-13-2008, 05:29 PM

Mike, I'm so sorry about everything your father-in-law is going through. Ray, Jane, and you are in my prayers and thoughts.