2nd surgery update...not good news

Hey everyone. Everything was going well up until this morning. His nurse noticed that something wasn't right, so she stopped giving him pain meds to clear his head. Well, a couple of hours passed and of course his pain worsened, but i'm glad she stopped the meds. He couldn't answer any of her questions, the only thing he knew was his name. He couldn't remember where he is or my name or anything about the surgery. But it's not memory loss, it's his ability to comprehend. So, the surgeon ordered another CT scan and he found a blood clot near the lobe that controls our ability to understand. So, he had to have another surgery to remove the clot. But they couldn't get it all because some of it was actually inside the brain instead of just outside of it, so the doc said he didn't want to disturb the brain tissue because the risk was too high that more damage could be done. So he put in a drain with hopes that the remainder of the clot will break apart and come out. He's sedated and on a ventilator until tomorrow morning when they're doing another CT scan

And the doctor said they'd go from there. So...please, please continue praying for him and ask that he be okay when all this is over. His greatest fear is indeed coming true. This is what he had hoped against happening. Thanks again for your support and continue praying as he keeps fighting this battle.

Kristin Stone

Oh Kristin,

I am so sorry to hear this. It goes without saying that Brad is still in my prayers, and you too! Thank you for the update, it does help us to pray more specifically. Hang in there Kristin, we are here for you too.

take care

Ann

Hello. Brad is doing better. The 2nd surgery went well and the doc was able to get most of the blood clot out, but left some due to it's location. He's just hoping that it will break apart and reabsorb. They took him off the sedation and ventilator yesterday morning and he's been awake ever since. He still has alot of swelling, but is responsive. He knows no one's name but his own, but knows who everyone is. He is better with yes and no questions rather than having to come up with an answer on his own. He knows i'm his wife and he knows his mom and dad, but can't tell our names. He knows he's in the hospital, but can't tell you that he is. His dad, myself and the nurse were having a conversation about migraines standing over his bed this morning and he knew what we were talking about because he kept commenting about it. So he knows what's going on and knows what he wants to say, but he's having trouble actually doing it. The speech therapist came by yesterday and today and said that he was doing well and should improve on a daily basis as the swelling around his brain goes down. It's been a hard few days and i know it's gonna be a long road ahead, but i believe he's gonna be fine with time. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers, and please continue praying that he will fully recover and get back to his regular life soon. I promise to keep you updated.

Thanks sincerly ,

Kristin Stone

Kristin,

Brad and I had been posting back and forth the week before his surgery. My migraines had led me to get an MRI which had uncovered a brain tumor too. My tumor is different than Brad's I have a brainstem Glioma that is in-operable and slow growing. I am so sorry he had to have a second surgery. The first one must have been difficult but to have another must have been awful. You both are very brave and this will only make you stronger and appreciate the little things in life all the more. I know since I was diagnosed I see the world differently. The little issues that used to seem bigger before I had a brain tumor don't seem to bother me so much. And the little joys like my three year olds kiss mean so much more to me. My thoughts are with you and Brad during this difficult time and I wish him a speedy recovery and I hope too see him back on the boards himself as soon as he can. I will keep my fingers crossed that the rest of his recovery goes well. And thank you for keeping us posted.

Katie

Hi there,

  I'm sending healing Vibes your guys ways.....I just know , after the brain get's over the shock of being disturbed, He will start recovering and you will see him getting better and better every day...I have a inoperable brain aneurysm...I had attempted surgery 18 months ago...I ended up with a stroke with a nasty clot...They gave me TPA and it removed the biggest part, but to this day < I still have some clot that is attached to a stent they placed in the artery that day..When I got home. I felt so weak for 3-6 months..And really did not get my full strength back yet...Just to let you know..What he may feel like...I stayed in bed for about 6 weeks, well mostly, I was so weak and felt so tired....I'm still on blood thinners and will be the rest of my life (cause of the clot ) and the stent placement...But with my surgery was not a success. But a failure...Blood is still reaching the aneurysm. But it hasn't grown--so far...Just be So happy, That they was able to get it all and he will recover in the long run...You guys are very lucky...I will be saying prayers  for his continued recovering...Hugs, Cindy

Hello everyone.

Brad is doing very good now. He's getting out of ICU today and into a regular room. His recovery has been slow, but is improving more with every day. He's off most of the medicines he was on and all of his vitals are normal. But the best news, is that his brain is functioning normally and he's almost back to his old self. At times, he still mixes up his words a little and gets somewhat confused, but most of the time, he's fine. He still gets tired easily and still suffers from some headaches, but all in all he's doing great. I just wanted to thank everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers for him during this time and just wanted to let everyone know how much it means to us both that you care. Hopefully, he will be home sometime this week and able to post here on his own. Keep praying for him and i promise to keep in touch.

Thanks so much everyone,

Kristin Stone

PS: Cyndie, I'm so sorry to hear about the tough time you're having. I'll be sure and put you on my prayer list, too. I hope and pray that things get better for you.

Please remember to rest often when you get home...Don't let your brain get over loaded...It could set you back a little...The more you let your brain rest...The better the outcome...Do not be surprised if he comes home and sleeps alot for the first month or the first couple of weeeks. This is normal and really he needs it for his brain to heal..But as time passes. The more he'll be up during the day...Another thing you might see. Is bad insomnia....It just happens...I don't know if this is because we sleep alot during the day or not...But it happens to almost everyone that has brain surgery...(i'm in a support group for aneurysm )..We also have talked among ourselves that it takes up to 2 years for the brain to completely heal...But the major healing will be done in the first 6 months to a year...Your husband and your family will be in my prayers...And I hope he doesn't get to restless to fast...HUgs, Cindy

Wooo hooo way to go Brad!!

So glad to see you posting again!!!   This has really brightened up my day!!!!   - hence all the smilies!!!  Don't push yourself to read etc too much, you have still got some way to go I'm sure, and I don't want you doing too much too soon.

You and Kristin are still in my thoughts and prayers, take care

Ann