Debbie's Club Med Vacation

A Bee Charmer? Well, I must be if you saw the get well car(d) that I was given yesterday

2009-05-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

Well,I'm either one honey of a gal,or the Queen of this castle because the get well car (d) is absolutely incredible. So now we need to name the car. I've had many personalized plates before,which is kind of my gig, but it's time to BEE more clever.
I once had a corvette and its license plate said Wet Vette II, after a boat with a Corvette engine in it. But, that caused a little stir in the wake.

So, here's what I'm thinking. My car his honey yellow and black. I love USC and am trying to get a combination license using Queen Bee, USC, Bee Charmer 4 SC,
RX USC XX
USCQNB
USCBHIV
4USCQNB
1USCQNB
USCBUZZR
RX4SCQN
USCBUSYBE

So you see where I'm going with this.
Oh, by the way, I almost forgot. The biopsy was totally negative!!!!
I see the docs in a week and have a little radiation in one month, but God spared his little honey bee. In the baby books, my name Deborah means Bee. My husband says I'm just a busy bee.

Okay friends, help!!

Who said red heads can't wear yellow?

2009-05-03T22:12:00.000-07:00

Friday and Saturday were brutal nights. Nights I did not think I would recover from since I was away from the hospital. I developed a deep, wet cough, and temp, which disturbed that “mini plug” in my cranium. We were in communication with the doctor (who was out of town) but we were ready to head to the ER both Friday night at 4:00 am. And then again, Saturday night about midnight. But the cough suppressant and the antibiotic kicked in with a little relief. I’ve only been on regular Tylenol for the migraines, but must admit that I had a GREAT stud nurse who provides my meds in the buff. (Talk about seeing double vision!!)
So what’s not to get well over? Anyway, I was way way, way sick. I was sick, scared, and full of pooh pooh.

Around noon this am, Patrick served me Lucky Charms in bed along with my Activia, and freshly cut strawberries. He knew that I was stuck on the mountain with no spikes and was hoping to move Mt. Everest. Nothing happened. But, he convinced me to shower and dress and that he’d even take me to TJMAXX. “Okay”, I said, “Who’s sick now?” Well, shopping with your mate under foot just aint the same, so, I told him I was too tired to shop (yeah right), and so he suggested that we take a nice, quiet Sunday drive instead.

Well we did, and about one hour later, Patrick bought me a brand new yellow convertible corvette! (Nope, not the Match Box car) and I’m still in shock. I guess he felt bad for the way he’d treated me during the past three years when all the docs thought I ONLY had menopause. No, seriously, he wanted a play toy which would soothe both of our souls, so, it’s in the driveway.

I can drive because I am only taking Tylenol, but jeese louise!!! A VETTE?
So I was kind-of teasing when I asked what for, and he said, “Anything for my queen.” Ahh, huh?
So, while waiting for the biopsy report we’re trying to come up with a few clever license plate names for the vette. It does look like a honey of a car. ????
And that’s the latest blog. Who says yellow doesn’t look good on red heads?
(My mom thinks it may just be for his next wife, but I don’t care, I’m driving it as soon as I can see a straight line!!!

In Recovery

2009-04-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

It's a very grounding experience seeing a doctor come into the waiting room after a loved one's brain surgery... But after the words "everything went perfectly" all tension was gone. The doctor came in afterward and explained to us how he cleaned up the cyst which was mostly old blood cells that had clotted up. There were some abnormal cells but none of them are suspected to be malignant. They are going to perform a few more tests to be safe. I'm sure my mom will keep you updated with copious posts throughout the entire endeavor (dry humor, spared no expense). Thanks to everyone who's supported us. I hope this blog has put some minds at ease but I expect to see a lot of candy from all of you to put back in this (only as old as she feels) pinata :)

-Nicholas

A Blog From the son :)

2009-04-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

Mom's in surgery now, the family is chillen in the hospital waiting room. So far so good...

So How Do You Pack for BRAIN SURGERY?

2009-04-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

Well, packing for my Club Med vacation was not as fun as I thought it would be. Actually, it was a first for me. Maui I know, brain surgery? Hmmmm??? What to pack?
Bible: check
Sun screen? NOPE.
Self tanner? Hmmmm. why not, no tan lines and you can't shower for 24 hours?????
Bikini? Never
Sandals/slippers with matching shoulder bag? Well yes, but a small one; nothing to garish!!!
Pedicure: check
Manicure: check
Hair and waxing: check
Xanax for Patrick, Nicholas, Alexander and Jordan: check
Bed gown and matching hair bow: check!!
Game Boy: check
Thank you notes, addresses and postage: check
Exfoliation product: check
Surgery light dehydration conditioner: check
Floss and tooth paste, DOUBLE CHECK.
Tiara: check
Touch up nail polish: check

Patrick came home from work today at exactly noon. He wanted to attend my pre-op appointment(s) with me and the docs. He walked in with his head hung way low as if in sorrow. Then he saw my three black and red Brighton bags neatly stacked by the front door. He looked confused.

I saw him from the upstairs banister above. I watched him shake his head as lifted each suitcase in disbelief as if to guestimate how many pairs of shoes I actually thought I needed at the Huntington Health Spa and Brain Surgery Wing. "Deb, he shouted, I'm not staying with you over-night, right?" I didn't say a word. Okay, so I was laughing my guts out upstairs. Can't a girl facing brain surgery have a few laughs and props? Okay, so only one of us thought this was funny!!!

We arrive a short time later at the hospital for the pre-admit routine. He was surprised that I had already looked up and down loaded the questionnaire, and had it filled out completly. This minimized our time there because I knew that Jordan had a baseball game in 90 minutes and I didn't want to be late. "Yes, yes, no, no no, blah, blah, blah..." We were out of there. We then headed for the surgeon's office down the road. Patrick drove like a nut, but I made it there in one piece.

Patrick had many last minute questions and actually to my amazement, had a type-written list. To my shagrinPatrick had his questions listed in categories...which I actually loved. He had questions reagarding possible post-op personality changes, (sincerely an irritation to me though). He of course, asked the traditional and perfunctory questions, driving, cooking, cleaning, and bathing the dogs kind of stuff, but more specifically asked that if after surgery would I perhaps feel less inclined to shop, like as in less OCD, or sale minded predisposition.

The doc smiled and said, "Well, if she wasn't feeling well before the surgery, and shopped only a little, you can expect her to improve daily. and be at her best by ten fold in four weeks"..... (Gotta love my little Jewish doc, huh?) Okay, now who needs a blood transfusion????

We get to Jordan's game in time, well two hours late and see the last inning. But we were there!
We picked up Jordan and met the other two sons at a local restaurant called New Moon. We had a good time, except for all the brain tumor jokes. I know, they thought it was funny, but I was secretly plotting to put Nair in all of their underwear that night in retaliation for their less than sensitive humore. My eldest son Nicholas told me to "Relax mom and remember, I'm the one who will sign the papers to put you in the home." Undeterred by my son's playful demeanor, I retorted by saying that I had recently updated my will and clearly stated that my sons were to spend a minimum of ten hours a week bathing me and changing my diaper OR, they'd be disinherited...." Silence befell the restaurant.

Dinner was great, the spicy stuff made my nose sweat. I asked the waiter to make sure that the chef added extra garlic for my dish so I might encourage my surgeon to expedite his surgery. (Next blog!!!)

So it came time for the bill and the fortune cookies.
Nicholas' fortune cookie said: "Your path and road in life are in the driver's seat."

Jordan's fortune cookie said: "Wealth and success are in your future."

Alexander's fortune cookie said: " You will find good fortune on the next full moon."
Patrick's fortune cookie said: Health and happiness are in your future."

Mine said: "Someone you respect will honor you shortly."
So I said:

Jeremiah 30:17 "For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds."

Still a Lot of Candy Left In This Old Pinata

2009-04-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

Well folks, here's the first invitation to my Club Med vacation. Note the 16.2 mm (documented lesion in the MRI)in my brain. (Yes,I have a big brain, but you're not surprised, are you?)

Okay, so this type of condition allows you a first class up-grade in accomodations at the Huntington Hospital. "One-on-one" nurses, kind of stuff. My personal attendant, Dr. Igor Fineman is a very skilled guy with fabulous hands and is ready to assist me in my new endeavor.

I'll be checking into my "suite" on Tuesday, April 28th at 10:00 am. I've beem promised a great relaxing sedation surgery, followed by a local IV chardonnay facimile...and a rubber hose up my nose.

All of us here at the Casa de Johannes are in good spirits, considering, and are counting on our deep faith.

Although I will not endorse this club med spot at this time, I trust that you all know me well enough to know that I will use humor to confront something as intense as this.

Fear not my friends, and loved ones, for there is still a lot of candy left in this old pinata, and the docs are going to need a bigger bat if they're going to try and knock some sense into my head. For the record, I have no intention of going anywhere at this time that I'm not supposed to be going to, but know and trust in Him that if I do, I'll be safe, I am loved, and will be free of pain.

Love and IV wishes to you all,
Debbie