I am really, truly, here at home! I got home at about 4:00 p.m. yesterday (Valentine’s Day) afternoon.
This is just going to be a quick show of some of what I’ve experienced since I’ve been home and at the hospital, but mostly I want you to know that I am actually typing this myself at about 11:30 p.m. tonight – Monday. (I know, I should be asleep in bed – that is my next stop, I promise!) Here’s what some of today looked like for me:
Hannah helped me with my Elf Hair today. Good thing we’d had a little bit of practice together “Elfing-Around” before my surgery. As you can tell with the “railroad tracks” starting at the top of my scalp, which head down over to my left ear (which looks like my right ear in the picture below), the scar is pretty big. But my hair is already starting to grow over it, miraculously enough. I’ve not counted, but there are LOTS of staples which should be coming out this Friday, when I meet with my oncologist and surgeon to receive some preliminary information on what my post surgery plans might look like.
I’m taking it one day at a time, and my suggestion is that everyone live life this way, too. It’s a very good, very easy way of living life!
The picture below is from last night. Marshall wrapped up my head again as tightly as possible before I went to sleep to keep all of the “yuck” out of my hair as I slept. Tonight we’ll probably wrap it up again, just to make sure to keep the incision as clean as possible:
Here is a picture from a few days ago. Today (Monday, February 15th) is the third day I’ve been able to wash my head since surgery. It was pretty amazing that they had me up and washing it in the shower on the 13th, just two days after surgery. What an amazing brain team they have at UVA!
Below is a somewhat defiant picture I took when I first saw what things really looked like under that wrap. I guess I am entitled to a few defiant looks these days. You can get a little bit of an idea of the “railroad track” that goes over my head and then down to my left ear (which again, appears to be on the right, but is really the left side of my head).
This picture, below, is where Marshall is driving me home from the UVA Hospital! I was so excited to get back home! As soon as I got inside, I pretty much said hi to Hannah, Mom, Dad and our beautiful collie, and then went right off to sleep! I had no idea how tired I was.
Backing up a few days from yesterday, the below picture is from before my head wrap initially came off for the first time, I think. Actually, we may have already taken it off once – it is hard to remember at this point, silly as that seems!
Below, I am trying to “get my head around” the scar that I’m seeing for the first time. It’s pretty big, I have to say. But it is really just amazing how the hair is already growing back in place already! And you can just scroll back up to the top of the page to see how much blood and gunk has already started coming off during the healing process. The human body really is an amazing thing.
And yes, I am totally, totally working the Queen Mother thing in the second picture below.
Marshall recognized it, I think. Thank goodness someone did! That is Skylar Jordan, my RN from ICU, walking me over to my “regular room” in 6 West. It was a very exciting walk to that step down unit, by the way. Nate was my first nurse that night in ICU, and he couldn’t have been more wonderful or even-keeled either. I was a very well-cared-for patient. Thank you Nate and Skylar. I hope you both know how wonderful you are, and hope you will always know in every little part of you how very much I needed you while I was in ICU. Thank you. Forever.
Okay, that’s going to have to be all for me tonight. It’s too late for me to stay up any longer.
I am very, very grateful to be home. Thank you for praying me here.
More tomorrow.
So glad that you are doing so well Fran!
It’s a couple steps forward, a couple of steps back, Anne. I am trying to be patient with myself. Some days are better than others, I have to admit. I have been dealing with lots of fatigue, but I think that is to be expected. I actually slept in today (got up closer to 8:45 a.m. instead of 5:45 a.m.) and that seems to make a big difference in my energy levels throughout the day (go figure!). Slow and steady. And patient!
Hi Fran,
I liked the defiant look! As they say in mindfulness, ‘that’s okay’ – have whatever thoughts and non-judgmentally let them go…
Loving Kindness Meditation for you, Hannah and Marshall…
Have been thinking so much of you, Barbara! There is, indeed, so much that is defiant inside of me yet! It is good mud, that perhaps makes the rest stick 🙂
The Campbell family is praying for you !
Thanks, Jill!
So glad you are home and sleeping and recovering, Fran!
Thanks for so openly sharing this journey with all of us. (pictures and all) I’m in awe of your courage. Looks like Hannah has been a trooper too!
Good to hear those staples come out sometime soon!
Sending love.
No words but “yay!” and “keep up the good work!”
thinking of you,
Jeanne
Amazing. Simply amazing! You look and sound wonderful! So glad you are home and feeling a lot like yourself 🙂
Dear Fran,
You do not know me, but you are now on my prayer list. “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”
My cousin, Mary Ann Marinchick, led me to your posting, and I owe her one! You are truly an inspiration to all of us…….keep up the good work and positive outlook.
Bethlehem, PA
Fran, I’m so relieved to know that everything went well. You look amazing even with the railroad tracks across your skull. I’m so thankful for modern medicine. You totally rocked the Queen Mother. Our prayers continue for good reports and for this to become a far off memory.
So glad to receive good report. Hope to see many more. Best!
Wow!!!! Fran so glad to hear that you are home and all. Keep up the good work recovering. Sending prayers for all of you.
xxxooo
Loved this post and your openness, Fran…thank you for sharing this journey with us. I read this passage today from Jesus Calling and thought of you. Don’t know if you read Sarah Young’s work, but I find it very grounding and always seems to be timely for whatever I am going through…Hugs, prayer and love to you~
Jesus Calling: February 16
Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.
Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness.
“Be still, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused and risen from His holy habitation.” Zachariah 2:13
“For this said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: in returning and resting you shall be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Fran, we are so relieved. Thank you for the updates. I’ve been where you have been and know you feel like you’ve been “born again”. How lucky you are to have so many family and friends behind you. Phil & Mary
🙂 🙂 🙂
You look great!! You are absolutely right. Everyday is a good day (and even better when you don’t have to think too hard about why)!
Brave = beautiful. Brave + beautiful + beloved = Fran.
I cannot thank you enough for being so open to sharing, even such intimate moments and photos. You are truly inspiring! God definitely broke the mold when he created you, my dear. I am surprised they left hair, and didn’t need to totally shave you, though you would still be beautiful regardless! You are so correct, God created our bodies in such a unique complex way, and it is truly amazing how you are healing! God is so…..good!! All the time!!! Many prayers continue, even way down in FL (my parents and their community). Feel the love dear heart. Feel uplifted, and safe, and much thought of. Please, please, let me know what you all need. Love to all, Debbie
Hi Fran!
Why am I not surprised to see the amazing progress that you have made in just a few days? Like my sister Kathy who had brain surgery 16 months ago, you are a woman of deep faith, who had the gift of a skilled surgical team, an amazing family, and the power of a huge prayer support system. I am so happy that you are doing so well.
I know we approached Kathy ‘ s healing one step at a time, one day at a time. She is doing very well now, and I pray the same healing for you.
A big hug,
Mary Ann
P.S. Kathy had 37 staples – can you beat that? Her incision looked just like yours! (must be standard operating procedure ?!)
Fran, I’m so glad you are home safely and I can’t believe how great you look just a few days post brain surgery. You have been in my thoughts and prayers so much and that will continue. I so admire your faith and trust in God. What a blessed gift. Sending my love and hugs. Off to Raleigh today to help with grandkids and from there to DC to help with grandkids there. So I’m out of pocket until late next week. Luv ya
Thanks, Pat! And for commenting before your busy day begins. Safe travels, and I look forward to more of those good texts!
Glad you’re home and in good spirits. Heard Hannah sing on Sunday morning and took it as a sign that things were pretty good. Stay strong.
Thanks, Chuck. Things really are going very well. Hannah is a pretty amazing kid. She has school off today because of snow, and it’s a very welcome and wonderful thing!
So good to hear from you. You are doing fantastic and we are all WITH YOU. Much love.
Thank you, Nancy. None more than you. Marshall just ordered some supplements for me last night – so I’m on the way to more nutritional help, any way I can get it. It feels good to be proactive, even at this early date just after my surgery.
Fran,
I’m so glad you’re home and typing again! I was waiting to hear how you were doing; it’s much better than I would have expected after such a serious surgery. I think you look wonderful; the scars will fade in time! Make sure to rest up and get your strength back. Many healing thoughts are coming your way! Take care.
-Marci
Thank you, Marci! I have to agree it is pretty incredible that I can still type and talk and read and think and move and do all kinds of things.
When I first read an email in ICU, I just broke down and cried. The enormity of it was just overwhelming, and it came so simply, as if nothing had happened to interfere with how my brain worked at all. And yet, it was so breathtaking, so overwhelming, and so miraculous at the same time. We are such amazing creatures in so many, varied ways – in how we work, and when we don’t work exactly as we once did.
The occupational therapist at the hospital gave me a prescription for occupational therapy just in case I happen to need it for little things, but we both agree it seems to be something I may not need much of at all.
The physical therapist came in to see me, too, and immediately assessed that I could go upstairs and sleep in my own bed just as soon as I got home from the hospital – what a wonderful relief! I try to minimize the stair climbing, but honestly, I think it is pretty good for me, so I don’t worry about it too much. Each day sees much improvement!