Mayo Clinic-Day 2

I know that I am a little behind on these post but I really am trying to catch everybody up. As you will see in this next post, the day can change pretty quickly depending on results and we can easily go from only having one appointment to having multiple appointments in one day. As we manage our time and attend several appointments, I try to find time between sessions to update everyone via this blog. Thank you again for your love and support.

Mayo Clinic- Day 2 (Wednesday October 18, 2017)
We woke up at 5 am this morning. We are both very tired of having to wake up so early but we know that we are here to get answers and the only way to do that is to make these appointments. We knew that we would have to start the day without breakfast as the hotel doesn't start breakfast until 6 am and we needed to be at the MRI by that time. We sluggishly got ready for the day. The MRI this morning was the only item not the agenda for the day so we decided that following the MRI we would come home and eat breakfast at the hotel and then relax until we heard back from the Neurologist regarding the MRI. We finished getting ready and headed to the Mayo Clinic. It isn't too cold here but colder than what we are used to in Texas this time of year so we bundled up in hoodies before leaving the hotel.

We arrived on time for our MRI and got checked in and filled out paperwork while we waited. Today's MRI was to get an updated image of Brianna's brain. The last MRI was completed prior to most of her symptoms except her eye and the Neurologist felt that we needed to have an updated image to see how much things have changed, if anything has changed. Brianna was taken back and completed the scan while I sat and waited and worked on a special surprise for her. (She knows now but I will update on that surprise in the next post). The MRI of the brain was to be completed without contrast as the physicians throughout the Clinic have still been going back and forth as to the safety for Brianna and the baby. The scan lasted for about an hour and she was done. Both of us felt tired and ready to head back to the hotel but we wanted to make sure that the Neurologist, Dr. Flanagan, was aware that we were able to complete the MRI in the morning instead of having to wait until this evening. After informing the nurse that the MRI had been completed, we headed back to the hotel.

We headed to breakfast and while I was getting my breakfast ready, I felt a burning sensation and a tightness in my upper back. I have had this feeling several times before and I recognized that I was having a pretty nasty muscle spasm. My diagnosis.....stress and lack of sleep. As I quickly recognized this wasn't going to stop right away, I walked up to the hotel room to attempt to relax. I told Brianna that I was okay and I needed to just go lie down and that she should just continue to eat. I walked upstairs and attempted to lie down but I was unable to find a good position. I finally found a spot by sitting on a chair in a really bizarre position. As I was deeply breathing and trying to relax, my phone started ringing. It was Dr. Flanagan and he asked me to grab Brianna so we could go over the MRI together. He had already obtained the results and wanted to go over them with us! I attempted to move as quickly as I could to go downstairs and get Brianna. She came up stairs and we sat down while he reviewed the MRI. He told us that the MRI showed that the lesion in Brianna's brain had grown quite a bit since the last MRI and that there seemed to be an increase of blood flow to that area of the brain. He mentioned that he really didn't feel the this was MS and that this was a brain tumor. However no diagnosis was made at this time. He informed us that he needed to make a couple calls and he would call us back.

As the phone call ended, Brianna decided to call her parents. What followed was a pretty emotional phone conversation regarding the news that we had just received. It was not easy seeing the pain that both daughter and parents felt as neither could truly console each other at this time. However, we all agreed that we have the faith to push through whatever comes our way. Even though Dr. Flanagan felt this was a tumor he let us know that there were still several test that needed to be completed in order to determine what direction to take. As we were having our conversation with Brianna's parents, Dr. Flanagan called us again. He stated that he wanted us to go and meet with an Obstetrician and a Neurosurgeon as soon as possible. He asked us if we could be at the OB-GYN's office within 30 mins. We told him that we would quickly head up to the Clinic and arrive on time. Following the OB's appointment we were to report to the Neurosurgeon and then Brianna was scheduled for a Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap). We finished our conversation with Dr. Flanagan and let Brianna's parents know that we needed to head back to the clinic. (Thus you see how quickly things can change when results are obtained). Although my back was extremely painful, I told Brianna that I wasn't in pain and that it was only constricting my lungs which made it harder to breathe but I wasn't in any pain. I told her this so she wouldn't worry about me and we could go and take care of her needs. We got into the car and somehow managed to get to the clinic with now both of us somewhat crippled!

We got to the OB's office and they informed Brianna that they wanted to perform an Ultra Sound (US) to make sure that the baby was doing okay. This was the longest US in my life, but how grateful we are for the opportunity to see our baby boy again. (Oh for those of you who don't know, we are having a baby boy). We were in the US room for at least an hour and what a precious experience that was. We were able to see that he is doing fine and that no harm has occurred to our little boy. Not only did we get to see him, they performed a 3D ultra sound which was a lot of fun. We feel that he looks just like Watson! They told us that the baby looks great and is growing fast. He weighed exactly 1 pound today and they were measuring him a week ahead of schedule. We were also informed that his arms are really long so maybe we will have an athlete! Following the US we were escorted to the waiting room and waited until the Obstetrician was ready to see us.

Within a few minutes we were taken back to meet with Dr. Rose, the Obstetrician. He also is one of the nicest physicians we have ever met. He just had a very happy and upbeat personality and we could really feel his love and concern. The main reason we were meeting with Dr. Rose was to discuss the effects of contrast on the baby and any additional test/surgeries moving forward. Dr. Rose had already spoken with Dr. Flanagan and was aware that it was a possibility that Brianna had a brain tumor. We talked in depth about contrast and the pros and cons for the baby. One of the suggested scans was an MRI with contrast and the effects of the contrast on the baby still are uncertain at this time. He informed us that he felt the benefits far outweighed the risk considering the physicians needed to know what was really going on in Brianna's head. We agreed with Dr. Rose that at this point we needed more information so we could get the best care for Brianna. He let us know that if we needed anything at all that we could reach out to him and he would respond as fast as he could. He also helped us recognize some good places to eat in Rochester which was very helpful. He also let us know that if Brianna does need surgery that he would work closely with the other physicians to make sure that the baby received the best care that he would need. We then left the OB's office to go eat lunch.

We had about 20 minutes to grab something to eat and then we had to report to the Neurosurgeon. We decided not to feast like we had yesterday because we didn't have the time and we didn't want to spend the money. (Food in the clinic isn't very cheap!). Following lunch we raced to the Neurosurgeon so we wouldn't be late. As we were being taken back to the exam room, we noticed that Dr. Flanagan was in the hallway. This is what makes him the BEST doctor ever! He was there to check on us and make sure that we were doing okay. He also wanted us to actually see the MRI scan and get a better idea of what he was referring to earlier this morning. After reviewing the MRI he informed us that he was going to speak with the Neurosurgeon about our case and give him an update. He also informed us that it would be very likely that the neurosurgeon would need to perform a biopsy to determine what type of tumor Brianna might have as well as be he one to remove the tumor if it came down to that. The neurosurgeon came in shortly after and informed us that if this is a tumor that surgery would not be a viable option. If this is a tumor, the tumor is so deep in the brain that an attempt to remove the tumor would do more damage to Brianna's brain than anything else. He then told us that he didn't think that this was a tumor and that a biopsy would not be needed. Furthermore, he stated that there would be no real reason to perform the biopsy if the radiologist didn't foresee doing any treatments until Brianna had delivered the baby. He also went into depth about this possibly being something other than a tumor. He felt that this more aligned with MS or an auto immune disorder. He told us that he didn't think we would need his services and hoped that we wouldn't. Again we left not knowing which direction we were actually heading towards for a diagnosis and back at square one again.

Following the Neurosurgeon, Brianna was off to get a spinal tap. The spinal tap is performed by sticking a needle into the back between two vertebrae and extracting some of the spinal fluid. This fluid allows them to test if there is an auto immune disorder or MS. Following the procedure Brianna had to rest for about 30 minutes. We were then free to head home and rest which was much appreciated. We rested and relaxed and took a nap which was much needed. We went to dinner around 7 pm and then headed back to the hotel. Brianna received a phone call from a member of our church here in Rochester who stated that she had a friend in Texas who had heard about us and wanted her to check in on us and make sure we were doing okay. They came and visited with us which really boosted our spirits. It was so nice to visit and feel the love of God through those serving us. We talked to our lovely son Watson before heading to bed and now we are going to bed. It has been  very long day but we are grateful to be here and have this opportunity to get the best care for Brianna. We have to get up and go to another MRI in the morning so we are going to bed.

Although things have been difficult and we have emotionally been all over the place, Brianna and I are extremely grateful for the prayers that are being offered on our behalf. We know that God has a plan for us at this time in our life. Whatever path that may be, we know that He has a plan. We know, without a shadow of a doubt, that families are forever and we know that Heavenly Father loves us. Sometimes answers to prayers come in ways that we don't expect. Each day that we are here, we look for the Hand of the Lord in our day. We try to recognize answers to our prayers and the prayers that you offer on our behalf. Today, those prayers were answered in many ways but one of the most important ways was those visitors who came to see us. What a comfort it was to have them come and what a joy it was to feel comforted. This has not been easy being here alone and being away from our precious son. However, we are grateful for the care that we are receiving. Brianna and I know that your prayers are being answered and we feel the strength that comes from prayer. We have put our trust in the Lord and we ask that you do the same. We seek to align our will with His and trust that He knows all. We know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and we know that He knows our pain and our sorrows. It is because of His great love for us that we can overcome all. We know that we will overcome this and we again thank you for your love, your concern and your prayers and we pray that each of us may recognize the miracles that occur each day in our everyday lives. Till Next Time....