Surprise Surgery - Brain Drain

Surprise!

Well, while we were all getting geared up for the ballon angio/coil surgery, Jimmy decided to add another twist to the roller coaster ride. He's doing his best to keep things exciting!

Because Jim was a little quieter this morning than he had been yesterday, Dr. Fiorella decided to check on him again later before making the decision about whether to go ahead with the coil surgery today. When he came back later this morning, Jim was napping. We tried to wake him up and were having a very difficult time getting him to focus or be responsive. He (and I) were both very concerned, and he called the neuro team. They ordered a CT scan and found some excess fluid in the left side of his brain. Dr. Spetzler decided to do emergency surgery to go back in on the left side again and drain the fluid. Even though it didn't look like a whole lot of fluid, based on Jim's symptoms, he decided it was a necessary precaution. After two stressful hours, Dr. Spetzler came out personally to tell me that Jimmy did fine and that the bypass looked great...I just love that man! And I do believe that I'm married to Superman, although I wish he didn't have to show off so much -- I'm already impressed.

Depending on how Jim does over the weekend, they may still do the coil on Monday, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Dr. Fiorella will be keeping close tabs on him. Jim is quite the VIP around here! I'm beginning to learn that, no matter how much I would like to keep things moving along, God has His own plan and timeframe. Jimmy and I are just along for the ride, and neither one of us is being allowed to drive.

It took awhile for Jimmy to 'come to'. I would guess that three surgeries in three week's time would make the anesthesia wear off a little more slowly. He was pretty confused when he did start waking up, and he did forget that I am his wife again -- this is starting to get annoying! After awhile, he remembered and then followed up with a sassy, "duh!". Tomorrow may be an interesting day if he decides to keep the attitude.

So, I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend and that I have some good news to share with you when you check in on Jimmy. I will even be happy to put up with his crazy antics...at least for awhile. Maybe this surgery will help make his 'psychosis' get better. The nurse is going to turn his bed around so that it faces out the window when she brings him back from his follow-up CT scan -- just to give him some different scenery to look at. I just want him to get well rested and stronger again. I wonder how many surgeries Jim is going to rack up -- nothing is ever average or normal with my Jimmy ... He always has to make a production out of everything. I guess that's why we all find him so riveting. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode in Jimmy's journey, and God's blessings on all of us!

Praises & Prayers,
Kris