Brain Surgery

I realized recently that I never posted much here about the biggest little thing in our lives this past year:  Brian’s Little Friend, the asshole brain tumor.  The acoustic neuroma that appeared out of nowhere, so big that every surgeon looking at his MRIs had to do double-takes and come back to us saying things like, “Did you see those pictures?!?!” The tumor that is technically classified as “giant”, since a “large” neuroma starts at 2.5cm and Brian’s is more like 4-4.5cm.  The tumor that has already taken away his hearing and balance on one side, leaving him now deaf as well as blind and struggling for balance.  The tumor that has already required one extensive brain surgery, needs another one in less than two months, and might require yet a third surgery or radiation to completely eliminate.

Such a little thing.  Such a huge disruption to our life.  All our plans went on hold as our stress levels went through the roof.  Just dealing with the anxiety and panic attacks, for both me and Brian, has been difficult, to say the least.  Brian is still in pain more than six months after the first surgery, and knowing the second one isn’t going to be any easier is not helping with the anticipation leading up to it.

It keeps surprising me when I run across people in our life who haven’t heard yet.  And then I have to explain all over again, and people never know what to say. Who would? It’s the ultimate conversation killer.

We received some wonderful gifts from friends and coworkers last fall that helped us get up to and through the first surgery.  We were able to take a wonderful trip down to the Caribbean, and tour some breweries in both Michigan and Florida.  We’re hoping to get some support again as we head into Surgery Part Deux, because we’re maxing out the credit cards right now just trying to stay sane.  Going to do it anyway.  But anything helps.

And if you’ve wondered why I’ve been a little flaky this year, why we haven’t been at festivals much, why I keep not going out…this is it.

If you’d like to help you, you can contribute to our Part Deux fundraiser below, and blessed be to all who can help, whether with money, or prayers and energy.

Click to Donate Now!

Published by solinox

I am a Wiccan priestess, a libertarian mother of triplets plus three, a wife and homeschooling mom to blind and autistic children, a fiber artist, and a Jane of All Trades, always learning and seeking to help.

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