My poor hubby woke up this morning with severe vertigo - definition of severe being (if you have a weak stomach - skip a line) accompanied by vomiting. I was thankful for the timing - if this had happened a week ago before his MRI - I would have been freaking. Stefan made a quick call to a friend of his who had a similar experience a few years ago - she wasn't available - but he talked to her paramedic husband who helped put our anxiety to rest a bit. (likely flu/ear related - as we just had the MRI Wednesday - we weren't thinking tumour)
My step dad came over to watch Stefan while I ran Charlotte up to daycare (Thanks Gerald!), and when I returned, once Stefan felt able to make it out of bed - I took him to Royal Columbia.
They actually got us in pretty quick - perhaps it was the vertigo/vomiting/brain tumour trifecta that was the winner in the er room? After running through all the history (I felt very proud of myself for having his pre radiation MRI on disc - and the Dr. actually looked at it, along with all my reports!), they did a cat scan (to rule out anything brain related). Stefan got some medication to help with the vertigo - and we will be following up with our family Dr. on Thursday.
Stefan has always felt something wasn't right with his left ear since his second surgery. He describes it as a bubbly feeling. He has had numerous Dr.'s check though and it's always pretty clear. We are guessing the vertigo is tied to his ear - so imagine Thursday will result in a referral to an ear specialist - but I'm only guessing!
Glad to be off work so I can take care of my hubby! Now - just need to get this sorted out before baby comes - otherwise I really do need to look into trading him in for a new model! I'm starting the search for the kryptonite someone obviously has hidden somewhere in our home - wish me luck!
superhero
Monday, September 26, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Good News
We had our 3 month post radiation MRI and Dr.'s appointment today. For me the realist - it was great news, for Stefan the optimist - it was a bit anti climatic.
Stefan was hoping the news would be "There is no more tumour - you don't have to come back (to the cancer center) again".
The actual day recap:
Thank you everyone for all the positive energy, thoughts and prayers - I think it was a huge factor in our battle!
Next for us:
- we'll continue to frequent support group, and brain tumour awareness seminars
- there is a workshop on October 31st for post treatment cancer patients - Stefan will probably go, but I think I might be a bit busy with baby
- we are still waiting on LTD. Stefan attended a workshop at the cancer center Monday on returning to work post treatment. It was a long day for him - and a good indicator on what it might be like to try to return to work full days (he was very tired). Once we hear from LTD - hopefully they will look into a gradual return to work plan.
- while we eat pretty healthy - I'll probably focus on feeding Stefan more immune boosting and cancer fighting foods - can't hurt right?
- we will be enjoying our little family - and be thankful for every day we have together (that's our sappy content for the blog)
- a Charlotte update - Charlotte had her last physio appointment yesterday, she has improved so much in the past few months (it's hard to believe she has only been walking for 4-5 months). While she's still 'behind', they have closed her physio file, and her physiotherapist is confident she'll continue to do great - and will probably be running and jumping by her 3rd birthday! We were also scheduled to attend a speech course to help with Charlotte's speech - but on her first assessment - turned out she's too advanced for the course. That was such a relief for us to hear! She'll get looked at again when she's 3 just to see if she's missing any sounds - but she has turned into quite the chatterbox the past few months! That's our girl!
- a Baby update - fluid levels are back to normal (yeah!), but baby is still breached. Each week it's a bit different - we don't know what to expect anymore! This one likes to keep us on our toes.
- since the brain tumour is still there, I guess brain tumour man still exists - so we won't hang up the blog's boots yet - but posting won't be quite so frequent - I'll try for monthly updates!
Now to buy a lottery ticket!
Stefan was hoping the news would be "There is no more tumour - you don't have to come back (to the cancer center) again".
The actual day recap:
- We started with the MRI at 2pm, we actually got in a bit early, and it was the fastest MRI Stefan has done. We then had a wait as our Dr.'s appointment wasn't until 4:30
- After waiting on the Dr., we got in to see him around 5:30.
- The news: The tumour is decreasing in size - YEAH! And should continue to shrink - YEAH! As the radiation will continue to do it's job.
- Next: now we just return every 6 months for the next 5 years for an MRI.
Thank you everyone for all the positive energy, thoughts and prayers - I think it was a huge factor in our battle!
Next for us:
- we'll continue to frequent support group, and brain tumour awareness seminars
- there is a workshop on October 31st for post treatment cancer patients - Stefan will probably go, but I think I might be a bit busy with baby
- we are still waiting on LTD. Stefan attended a workshop at the cancer center Monday on returning to work post treatment. It was a long day for him - and a good indicator on what it might be like to try to return to work full days (he was very tired). Once we hear from LTD - hopefully they will look into a gradual return to work plan.
- while we eat pretty healthy - I'll probably focus on feeding Stefan more immune boosting and cancer fighting foods - can't hurt right?
- we will be enjoying our little family - and be thankful for every day we have together (that's our sappy content for the blog)
- a Charlotte update - Charlotte had her last physio appointment yesterday, she has improved so much in the past few months (it's hard to believe she has only been walking for 4-5 months). While she's still 'behind', they have closed her physio file, and her physiotherapist is confident she'll continue to do great - and will probably be running and jumping by her 3rd birthday! We were also scheduled to attend a speech course to help with Charlotte's speech - but on her first assessment - turned out she's too advanced for the course. That was such a relief for us to hear! She'll get looked at again when she's 3 just to see if she's missing any sounds - but she has turned into quite the chatterbox the past few months! That's our girl!
- a Baby update - fluid levels are back to normal (yeah!), but baby is still breached. Each week it's a bit different - we don't know what to expect anymore! This one likes to keep us on our toes.
- since the brain tumour is still there, I guess brain tumour man still exists - so we won't hang up the blog's boots yet - but posting won't be quite so frequent - I'll try for monthly updates!
Now to buy a lottery ticket!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Baby Pool
We set up a baby pool (the gambler in me!). Please participate - and we'll have a little prize for the winner!
My original due date was October 15th. The Dr. thinks it will be 2-3 weeks early - through c-section (c-section hasn't been scheduled yet - they are monitoring babies growth to see). So - that means it will likely be sometime between September 24th and October 1st. I'm guessing it will be on a week day during the day - but what do I know.
Baby Pool - Click Here
Good Luck!
My original due date was October 15th. The Dr. thinks it will be 2-3 weeks early - through c-section (c-section hasn't been scheduled yet - they are monitoring babies growth to see). So - that means it will likely be sometime between September 24th and October 1st. I'm guessing it will be on a week day during the day - but what do I know.
Baby Pool - Click Here
Good Luck!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Waiting...
It's labour day - everyone is busy getting back into routine - and back to the school year while we are in waiting mode.
Waiting for:
I'll leave off with some pics! Next update will be when we've heard on one of the three things above! Which will be first?!
Waiting for:
- Baby - which will be sooner then we thought! My fluid levels are low so baby and I are under watch and will likely be delivering sooner then we thought. Baby just wants to be just like it's big sister - as it was the same situaion with Charlotte. So - we have weekly ultrasounds and non-stress tests. Baby will probably make it's appearance end of September or early October!
- Stefan to hear from LTD and hopefully start steps to go back to work (hopefully that will involve a neuropsych assesment and a gradual return to work plan)
- Our September 21st MRI and appointment for Stefan
I'll leave off with some pics! Next update will be when we've heard on one of the three things above! Which will be first?!
 |
| We received a romantic flight for our anniversary last year - and finally got to use! |
 |
| Stefan got to taxi the plane, take off and fly it! |
 |
| Charlotte helping me get ready for baby by testing out the baby bed! |
 |
| Charlotte and Daddy at Buntzen today! |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)