Mayo Clinic-Day 3 (Thursday October 19, 2017)
Well the madness continues! We woke up at 5 this morning but it was harder to get out of bed. We ended up rolling out of the bed around 5:30 and started getting ready. We had to be at the clinic by 6:55 am for a MRI of the spine. We went down and ate breakfast. I have eaten the same thing for days! I keep telling myself to eat something different but biscuits and gravy is so good and such a comfort! Anyway....we headed to the mayo clinic for the MRI and got there a few minutes late but they were very polite and let us get checked in anyway. We waited for about 20 minutes and then Brianna was called back. This exam was a bit longer than most of her other exams. This one lasted for about an hour and a half. I worked on the special video for Brianna while she was in her scan. Brianna came out and told me that her back was a little sore from lying on the table so long especially after her spinal tap. She also didn't like this scan as much because she had to be in the MRI longer and she was in there further which made her feel a little less comfortable. Dr. Flanagan wanted us to come and meet with him following the exam so we headed up to the neurology floor.
We were called back within minutes and waited for Dr. Flanagan which never takes too long. He went over the MRI with us as well as the spinal tap. He made a few calls to get some lab results as well. He informed us that there were no abnormalities with the MRI or the spinal tap. He then explained that these to exams ruled out MS and any autoimmune disorder. He then explained that this meant that whatever is going on in the brain is a tumor and that a biopsy was going to be necessary to determine what type of tumor and if it was benign or not. He also explained that the MRI of the spine showed a small nodule (6mm) on the top of Brianna's lung. In order to understand what this could potentially one must understand the different types or stages of tumors. A benign tumor is a mass of cells that lacks the ability to invade surrounding tissues. Malignant tumors is mass of cells that invades the surrounding tissue. When a malignant tumor metastasizes, cells travel to different parts of the body and begin to grow tumors there as well. Dr. Flanagan explained that the chances of the lung nodule being a tumor that metastasized to the brain but he didn't want to leave any stone unturned. He explained that a CT of the lungs needed to be performed in order to know whether there was any form of lung cancer but again he mentioned that this was a pretty low chance. However, if there is lung tumor, there would be a chance that what is going on in Brianna's brain may be involved with that. He ordered a CT scan of the lungs and that will be tomorrow morning at 10:35 am.
Dr. Flanagan then told us that he felt we absolutely needed to perform the MRI with contrast to get a better picture of what is going on. He decided to reach out to the Radiologist to get that scheduled in front of us and it turns out that at least 10 Radiologist have been discussing Brianna's case and trying to find the best solution. Dr. Flanagan, the neuro oncologist, neurosurgeon, and several radiologist have been going back on forth between a MRI with contrast versus a CT with contrast. An MRI doesn't produce any radiation because it is magnetic or rather it doesn't produce very much so it is safer than a CT scan which uses more radiation. However the contrast is completely different between the two and it was the contrast that was up for discussion. The radiologist stated that the CT with contrast would be much safer for the baby and the neurosurgeon decided that the CT with contrast would give him enough information to perform the biopsy. It was decided that a CT with contrast would be performed. Dr. Flanagan made some calls and told us that we needed to head down to the CT scan cause they were squeezing us in right after we left his office. Before we left, he told us that we shouldn't tell anyone but Brianna and the baby were the most important patients that he and the other doctors were trying to care for right now. That really made us feel special and we could tell that he was doing everything he could to help us receive the care that we are in desperate need of. I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Flanagan. He goes out of his way to help us anyway that he can. He knew that we would want results following the CT as soon as possible so he told us to come back following the CT scan so we could go over results. He constantly sees us on his schedule even though he is booked! What an amazing person to work with!
We headed down to the CT scan. I am typically pushing Brianna in a wheel chair because her right side of the body is only getting weaker and it helps her to be able to rest in between visits. Anyway, we got to the CT area and they pulled us back within minutes. We sat down and the nurse got some information. As we were getting ready, the radiologist that was going to read the report came into the room and talked to us about risk. He explained that this was a much better option for Momma and baby. He reassured us that they would put lead blankets over and around Brianna's abdomen in order to better protect baby. He really helped us feel better about doing the exam as well as feeling better that the CT with contrast was much safer. He told us that Brianna would have to sign a consent form in order to go forward with the scan. After he left, the nurse let us know that normally they give the consent form but the Radiologist wanted to come and speak to us directly and reassure us that everything was going to be okay. It was very touching. They took Brianna back for the scan and I had to wait in the lobby. In a split second she was out! She much prefers the CT because it is quick and doesn't make any loud noises haha. She let me know that baby was moving like crazy during the scan and she was happy to feel him moving so much! It is the simple things in life that bring happiness, joy and peace. We then headed back to the Neurology floor and the nurse, Mykala informed us that Dr. Flanagan would need about an hour for results and time to see us. By this point it was 12:45 pm and I quickly said "Does this mean we can go eat lunch! I am starving!" She told us to go and get food and then come back and Dr. Flanagan would see us at 2:15 pm.
We rushed down to the cafeteria! Seriously pretty hungry. Brianna was told that following the CT with contrast that she would need plenty of fluids. She got soup and pudding to help count towards that although I don't think pudding counts! haha. I told myself that I was going to eat something healthy so I got pizza. Real healthy right? Sometimes one needs a little comfort and pizza hit the spot. They also have this amazing Oreo pudding and I am sure that is very healthy! We simply sat there and talked with each other and just took a deep breath. After running around all morning it was nice to just breathe. through all of the stress and worry, it is nice to sit down across from my beautiful bride and spend precious time with her. I love spending every moment with her regardless of what is going on. When I am with her, I feel complete and I feel like we can do anything. We laughed and just enjoyed this brief moment in time away from all the madness. We called Watson during lunch and spent some time talking with him. It is so nice being able to use technology to see him and talk with him. We probably love it more than he does but it means so much to us to be able to see him and see his precious smile! We finished eating and headed back to Dr. Flanagan's office.
Dr. Flanagan sat us down and went over the the CT scan of the brain. He said the contrast showed exactly what they needed in order to perform the biopsy. He said that the image clearly showed that this was a brain tumor but they were still uncertain as to what type of tumor. Although a little emotional, we were glad to see that we were getting somewhere and still hoping that the tumor is benign and we sill be able to take care of this pretty quickly. He let us know that he was about to leave to Las Vegas to attend a conference but would be back on Monday to visit with us at 7:15 am. He apologized for all the early appointments but that was the easiest time to squeeze us in. The CT was scheduled for tomorrow but we didn't have anything else appointment wise for the rest of the day. We headed to leave and saw the gift shop so we decided to stop by. WAY TO EXPENSIVE! So we ended up just looking..... We headed back to the hotel and decided to rest. It is amazing how doing nothing but sitting all day makes me so exhausted. I know why Brianna is tired but I just sit all day. But I am glad that we are able to relax together. My coworkers decided to order some dinner for us which was so nice! We didn't have to go get anything for once and we were able to just relax. Dinner arrived at 5 which was earlier than we have eaten all week. Dinner was SO good! Tonight we just stayed in the hotel and relaxed and watched some TV. We also talked with Watson for a good bit and also talked with some other family members.
After talking with family members, I decided to show Brianna her video. Again thank you to all those who participated. It meant so much to Brianna. I have already posted on that experience and you are welcome to read that and watch the video below. After a long day it is time for bed. The only thing on the schedule is the CT of the lungs which isn't until 10:35 am. We finally get to sleep in. We are excited. I have turned off all of the alarms and we are just going to relax tomorrow morning before the exam.
Today I was reminded of how much our Heavenly Father loves us. He sent His son to overcome the world so that we could to. I was reminded of the power of the Saviors Atonement as well as His love for us. Brianna and I want each of you to know that we know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. We know that Heavenly Father is there. He hears and answers our prayers. Our Savior went suffered through His atonement so that we would not have to be alone in this life. We trust in Him and we know that through Him we can overcome all. We know that we are loved. We feel the love and support from each of you and we know that our faith is strong. Brianna and I both know that this is a precious opportunity to learn and grow and draw closer to our Heavenly Father. He knows us individually and knows our needs and He has not forsaken us. One of my favorite scriptures is from Isaiah 49:15-16. It talks about how rare it is that a mother with a feeding baby would forget her baby. Even though they may forget, Jesus Christ will never forget us as He has engraved us on His palms. We are not along through this. We know we have family, friends and even people we may not know praying for us. More importantly however, we know that Jesus Christ knows us and through His strength we can overcome this. We will continue to hold fast to the faith and put our trust in God.
Thank you again for your continued love and support. We will never be able to thank you enough. Until tomorrow.....
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Fight Song
Brianna's Fight Song!
As we have been going through the ups and downs with all of our emotions, I felt the need to help Brianna feel the love of all of you! I cannot thank each of you that arose to the occasion to send in a photo with your scripture, quote, or message. If I forgot anyone, I am very sorry and I didn't forget intentionally. I showed this to Brianna tonight and she felt so much love from each of you. Again we continue to feel of your love and your support and we cannot thank you enough. We trust this is happening for reason and we continue to move forward with hope!
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....
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....
Mayo Clinic-Day 1
Mayo Clinic-Day 1 (Tuesday October 17, 2017)
Waking up on Tuesday was very difficult. It took all night to get to Rochester and we had to be at the clinic at 7 am in order to get paperwork completed prior to seeing the doctor. We went to bed around 2-2:30 am and decided that we needed to be up by 5:30 in order to get ready, eat and head to the clinic. Our hotel is about 10-15 mins from the clinic. We arrived at the clinic and what a remarkable place this is. I have never seen such a massive place before. We parked in the garage and headed down to what they call the Subway Level. This is the underground tunnel system that connects all of the buildings so you don't have to walk around outside. We found a information desk and they printed our schedule for us. The only thing that was on the schedule was an appointment with the Neurologist at 7 am. We were directed to the Mayo Clinic building and headed up to the 8th floor. We checked in with the desk and they gave a book of paperwork to complete. I have been taking care of most of the paperwork because it is difficult for Brianna to write as she is right handed and that is the side of her body that is weak. We diligently worked on paperwork until we were called back by the nurse. Vitals were taken and the nurse told us that the doctor would be with us shortly. We heard a knock on the door and then entered a doctor who was completing his fellowship here. He let us know that he would be doing the initial work up and then our physician would come in and talk more in depth about the plan. The Fellows name was Dr. Jolliffe. He asked Brianna the history of what has been going on. We explained everything from our last post to help him understand how quickly off this had come about. He then did a physical exam. He had Brianna walk a straight line and noticed how she stumbled. He had her hold her hands up and noticed how her right hand dropped some. He tested and checked her eyes and confirmed the 3rd Cranial nerve palsy pupil sparing. He tested the strength of her hands and arms as well as her feet. He also tested her reflexes, her sensitivity to hot and cold and the pain sensors comparing her right side to her left side. It was determined that she could feel the difference between hot and cold as well as feel the prick of the needle on both sides of the body. He then told us that he would go speak with the doctor and they would come in shortly together.
We waited for what felt like an eternity (about 30 mins) for them to return together. The physician who is taking care of Brianna is Dr. Flanagan. He is one of the nicest, most caring doctor I have ever met. If anything, this experience has been wonderful because of the care given by Dr. Flanagan. He came in and repeated most of the exams that Dr. Jolliffe had completed. He agreed with his findings and he seemed perplexed. He stated that even for the Mayo Clinic (where they see a lot of medical issues) this seemed pretty rare. He discussed with us about the several options of what the cause of Brianna's issues could be. He mentioned that this could MS, and autoimmune response, or a tumor. He felt strongly that this was not MS as it didn't follow the normal symptoms. He stated that typically during pregnancy, anyone with MS typically they feel better and the disease is not as active. He also felt that by looking at the scan it just didn't make much sense to be MS and that is where he does most of his research. However, he wasn't certain and felt that the first step that we needed to take was to repeat the MRI. As most of the symptoms seem to have gotten worse since the last MRI, he stated that it would be beneficial to compare changes. He also stated that the first MRI was not as clear nor did it have as much detail as he would prefer. As MRI with contrast is controversial for pregnant woman, it was decided that this MRI would be completed without contrast and determine any changes from there. He also decided that an MRI of the spine needed to be completed as well as a Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) in order to truly know if MS was an option. A spinal tap is where they put a needle into the spinal fluid and pull the fluid out. They are then able to check for autoimmune as well as proteins that may be present for MS. He also ordered a ton of lab work to rule out any "obvious" answers. He told us that following the MRI of the brain, if they felt that it wasn't MS for sure the lumbar puncture would be taken off the schedule. The MRI of the brain was scheduled for Wednesday evening and the MRI of the spine for Thursday morning both the soonest available appointment.
By this time our stomaches were telling us it was time for lunch. We headed downstairs and decided to blood work first. We went over to the lab and were quickly seen and Brianna was done in about 5 minutes. We then went to the cafeteria. Nothing spectacular but had a lot of options which was nice. We were exhausted and very hungry so we decided to FEAST! We got a bunch of everything which I feel was good boost for us. It cost us a pretty penny but totally worth it! After eating our feast we decided to not eat as much any more haha. When Brianna and I travel, we enjoy wearing our BYUI apparel. We do this for two reasons, 1. It is very comfy! and 2. we love being able to see members when they ask us if we went to BYU. During lunch, there were two very nice gentlemen who came and talked with us. They were from Rexburg, ID of all places! It was nice talking with them and we felt very relaxed talking with them. They gave us good encouragement and told us that they would be praying for us.
Following lunch we decided to head over to the MRI area to see if we could be seen sooner. We learned that here at the Mayo Clinic they do "standby" or what they call "Checking". This is similar to being put on standby for a airplane flight. If someone doesn't come or they cancel, they can get you seen sooner. As we didn't want to wait till Wednesday night for the MRI we came to wait and see if we could be seen sooner. We quickly learned that the Imaging department does not work the same as the rest of the clinic. They do not do checking just due to the massive amount of appointments. They did however call scheduling and were able to get us in for Wednesday morning at 6 am. We were really grateful for this change as that allowed Dr. Flanagan to get results faster especially as he will be out of the office Thursday afternoon and all day Friday.
Knowing that we weren't going to get into an MRI any sooner we decided that it was time to head to the hotel and finally catch up on some lost sleep. I took a pretty short nap as I have had a lot on my mind. Brianna was completely exhausted and thus took a really long nap. She slept from about 3 till 6 which was rest that she really needed. We then talked with family, especially our precious son Watson! We really miss him and his wonderful personality. We then went and ate dinner and had an emotional conversation in the car prior to dinner. It doesn't take much to make our hearts soft right now but we continue to trust in the Lord. Following dinner we went to Walmart to get a couple of items but more importantly to spend time together and to relax. We walked around walmart and spent some precious time together. We then headed back to the hotel and talked with Watson one more time. We then got ready for bed after talking with some more family as we had to get up early for the MRI of the brain at 6:15.
We trust in the Lord and know that regardless of outcome, He has a plan and that as we accept His will we can truly understand. I have a testimony that God lives and that He loves us. He knows each of us personally and we are His children. This is not a punishment but an opportunity to draw closer to Him and to gain a better knowledge that our Family is Forever. Thank you for your continued love and support. May we all grow together during these times. Day 2 of Mayo clinic will come soon.
Waking up on Tuesday was very difficult. It took all night to get to Rochester and we had to be at the clinic at 7 am in order to get paperwork completed prior to seeing the doctor. We went to bed around 2-2:30 am and decided that we needed to be up by 5:30 in order to get ready, eat and head to the clinic. Our hotel is about 10-15 mins from the clinic. We arrived at the clinic and what a remarkable place this is. I have never seen such a massive place before. We parked in the garage and headed down to what they call the Subway Level. This is the underground tunnel system that connects all of the buildings so you don't have to walk around outside. We found a information desk and they printed our schedule for us. The only thing that was on the schedule was an appointment with the Neurologist at 7 am. We were directed to the Mayo Clinic building and headed up to the 8th floor. We checked in with the desk and they gave a book of paperwork to complete. I have been taking care of most of the paperwork because it is difficult for Brianna to write as she is right handed and that is the side of her body that is weak. We diligently worked on paperwork until we were called back by the nurse. Vitals were taken and the nurse told us that the doctor would be with us shortly. We heard a knock on the door and then entered a doctor who was completing his fellowship here. He let us know that he would be doing the initial work up and then our physician would come in and talk more in depth about the plan. The Fellows name was Dr. Jolliffe. He asked Brianna the history of what has been going on. We explained everything from our last post to help him understand how quickly off this had come about. He then did a physical exam. He had Brianna walk a straight line and noticed how she stumbled. He had her hold her hands up and noticed how her right hand dropped some. He tested and checked her eyes and confirmed the 3rd Cranial nerve palsy pupil sparing. He tested the strength of her hands and arms as well as her feet. He also tested her reflexes, her sensitivity to hot and cold and the pain sensors comparing her right side to her left side. It was determined that she could feel the difference between hot and cold as well as feel the prick of the needle on both sides of the body. He then told us that he would go speak with the doctor and they would come in shortly together.
We waited for what felt like an eternity (about 30 mins) for them to return together. The physician who is taking care of Brianna is Dr. Flanagan. He is one of the nicest, most caring doctor I have ever met. If anything, this experience has been wonderful because of the care given by Dr. Flanagan. He came in and repeated most of the exams that Dr. Jolliffe had completed. He agreed with his findings and he seemed perplexed. He stated that even for the Mayo Clinic (where they see a lot of medical issues) this seemed pretty rare. He discussed with us about the several options of what the cause of Brianna's issues could be. He mentioned that this could MS, and autoimmune response, or a tumor. He felt strongly that this was not MS as it didn't follow the normal symptoms. He stated that typically during pregnancy, anyone with MS typically they feel better and the disease is not as active. He also felt that by looking at the scan it just didn't make much sense to be MS and that is where he does most of his research. However, he wasn't certain and felt that the first step that we needed to take was to repeat the MRI. As most of the symptoms seem to have gotten worse since the last MRI, he stated that it would be beneficial to compare changes. He also stated that the first MRI was not as clear nor did it have as much detail as he would prefer. As MRI with contrast is controversial for pregnant woman, it was decided that this MRI would be completed without contrast and determine any changes from there. He also decided that an MRI of the spine needed to be completed as well as a Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) in order to truly know if MS was an option. A spinal tap is where they put a needle into the spinal fluid and pull the fluid out. They are then able to check for autoimmune as well as proteins that may be present for MS. He also ordered a ton of lab work to rule out any "obvious" answers. He told us that following the MRI of the brain, if they felt that it wasn't MS for sure the lumbar puncture would be taken off the schedule. The MRI of the brain was scheduled for Wednesday evening and the MRI of the spine for Thursday morning both the soonest available appointment.
By this time our stomaches were telling us it was time for lunch. We headed downstairs and decided to blood work first. We went over to the lab and were quickly seen and Brianna was done in about 5 minutes. We then went to the cafeteria. Nothing spectacular but had a lot of options which was nice. We were exhausted and very hungry so we decided to FEAST! We got a bunch of everything which I feel was good boost for us. It cost us a pretty penny but totally worth it! After eating our feast we decided to not eat as much any more haha. When Brianna and I travel, we enjoy wearing our BYUI apparel. We do this for two reasons, 1. It is very comfy! and 2. we love being able to see members when they ask us if we went to BYU. During lunch, there were two very nice gentlemen who came and talked with us. They were from Rexburg, ID of all places! It was nice talking with them and we felt very relaxed talking with them. They gave us good encouragement and told us that they would be praying for us.
Following lunch we decided to head over to the MRI area to see if we could be seen sooner. We learned that here at the Mayo Clinic they do "standby" or what they call "Checking". This is similar to being put on standby for a airplane flight. If someone doesn't come or they cancel, they can get you seen sooner. As we didn't want to wait till Wednesday night for the MRI we came to wait and see if we could be seen sooner. We quickly learned that the Imaging department does not work the same as the rest of the clinic. They do not do checking just due to the massive amount of appointments. They did however call scheduling and were able to get us in for Wednesday morning at 6 am. We were really grateful for this change as that allowed Dr. Flanagan to get results faster especially as he will be out of the office Thursday afternoon and all day Friday.
Knowing that we weren't going to get into an MRI any sooner we decided that it was time to head to the hotel and finally catch up on some lost sleep. I took a pretty short nap as I have had a lot on my mind. Brianna was completely exhausted and thus took a really long nap. She slept from about 3 till 6 which was rest that she really needed. We then talked with family, especially our precious son Watson! We really miss him and his wonderful personality. We then went and ate dinner and had an emotional conversation in the car prior to dinner. It doesn't take much to make our hearts soft right now but we continue to trust in the Lord. Following dinner we went to Walmart to get a couple of items but more importantly to spend time together and to relax. We walked around walmart and spent some precious time together. We then headed back to the hotel and talked with Watson one more time. We then got ready for bed after talking with some more family as we had to get up early for the MRI of the brain at 6:15.
We trust in the Lord and know that regardless of outcome, He has a plan and that as we accept His will we can truly understand. I have a testimony that God lives and that He loves us. He knows each of us personally and we are His children. This is not a punishment but an opportunity to draw closer to Him and to gain a better knowledge that our Family is Forever. Thank you for your continued love and support. May we all grow together during these times. Day 2 of Mayo clinic will come soon.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
To Better Understand...
As life has become pretty busy in the last week, Brianna and I
discussed the option of posting our story on a blog to better share with
friends and family. We have decided to start tracking our story so others may
have a chance to see through our eyes. We are currently at the Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, MN and if anyone is wondering, we don't live here and I am not
applying for a job. Brianna is here for medical reasons of which I will explain
shortly. In order to better understand where we are, it is important to know
how we got here.
Where it all began...
In August, Brianna began to show symptoms of what seemed to be a sty
in her left eye. A sty is a red painful lump near the edge of the eyelid that
looks similar to a boil or pimple. Brianna has had a sty before and we knew
that in due time the sty would resolve and all would be well. We waited a week
or so and the sty didn't seem to be getting any better. Knowing we had an
appointment coming up with Brianna's OB-GYN, we decided to wait until then to
seek medical advice. At the doctor’s appointment, the physician thought it appeared
to be a sty but further back in the eyelid and gave Brianna some eye drops to
help her eye heal. We were informed that after a week if things had not gotten
any better to call and let them know. After a week, not only did the eye not
look any better it actually looked as if it was getting worse. We called the doctor’s
office and they said give it a little more time for it to heal. Being a physician’s
son and a health administrator, I was not completely in agreement with that
decision so I scheduled an appointment for Brianna to see an ophthalmologist.
My father agreed that this didn't look like a typical sty and agreed with the
decision. The soonest appointment was about a week and a half away so we had to
wait patiently to see what was going on.
In the meantime, Brianna's eyelid began to shut to where it became
harder and harder for her to open her left eye. By the time we made it to the
ophthalmologist Brianna could hardly open her left eye. The doctor spent a long
time looking at Brianna's eye and examining her face. He ruled out Bell's palsy
and determined that this was a 3rd cranial nerve palsy pupil sparing. What we
had not realized was that Brianna wasn't just having issues opening her eyelid
but she was also not able to move her left eye to the right, up, or down. (Thus
the 3rd cranial nerve palsy). However, the pupil was dilating and working
properly. (Thus pupil sparing). We asked the doctor what could be a possible
cause and he said in a young patient like Brianna, this was not normal and feared
this might have been caused by a brain aneurysm or a tumor. Very emotional, we
left the office with a MRI scheduled for that afternoon. To make things a
little more difficult, Brianna is pregnant and it is not suggested that
pregnant woman be exposed to the contrast used in MRI's. The contrast simply
makes things easier to see for the physicians but an MRI can be completed
without contrast and still be useful. The MRI was on September 22 which was a
Friday afternoon. We waited all weekend hoping for results but they didn't come
in until Monday morning.
We were given the results on Monday and were informed that the
cause could potentially be from demyelination or a low-grade glioma.
Demyelination has to do with the neurons in the nervous system. The neurons
(especially) in the brain have a myelin sheath that is around them. This allows
protection but also allows signals to transmit a lot faster. Demyelination is
typical for someone with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The other opinion was a
low-grade glioma which would be a small tumor. As we researched both of these,
we felt that her symptoms were more aligned with MS. The ophthalmologist then
determined that Brianna needed to see a Neurologist. He sent the information
and an appointment was scheduled for Thursday October 12.
While we waited patiently for the Neurologist, Brianna seemed to
only be getting worse. She started to have weakness in her right side of the
body. It started with her right foot as it began to drag on the ground as she
walked. This continued as she started to feel weakness in her right hand. She
came close to dropping things often with her right hand and could tell that she
was losing her strength. I then came home one night from work and noticed that
her smile was drooping on the right side of her body. This was very concerning
to me but we had already made the appointment with the Neurologist and thus all
we could do was wait. We met with the Neurologist and she felt that this was
being caused by a low-grade glioma and only a neurosurgeon could determine the
diagnosis. She scheduled the appointment for Friday October 13. We met with the
Neurologist the next day and he felt that it couldn't be a low-grade glioma as
it had progressed too much and didn't follow any of the same symptoms. He felt
that this was more likely an auto immune disorder. Luckily we had taken my
father with us to the appointment and he asked what the Neurosurgeon would do
if it was his wife and he stated that he would be on his way to the Mayo Clinic
where he was trained to get answers. The decision was made that we would like
to be referred to the Mayo Clinic. The Neurosurgeon stated he would start
reaching out to colleagues immediately.
It was a terribly long weekend waiting for what the next steps
would be for Brianna and her treatment. Over the weekend, she fell once and I
could tell that she was becoming even more unstable. I also noticed that she
was having difficulty at times articulating what she was thinking. She and I
discussed the issues she was having and we decided to call the Neurosurgeon
first thing Monday morning to let them know that even over the short span of
the weekend that she had gotten a little worse. I called first thing Monday
morning but was unable to reach anyone so I left a message. I attempted to
focus on work but was worried that no one had gotten back with me. I figured if
I didn't hear anything back from the office following lunch I would call again.
During lunch the office called and stated that they had the Mayo Clinic on the
other line and they were wondering if we could be at an appointment the next
day at 7:30 am. I asked if I could look at plane tickets and was having a hard
time finding tickets that would actually get us there. I luckily found plane
tickets from Dallas, TX to Minneapolis, MN. The plane was leaving at 8:35 pm
that night. I looked at dad and we decided we shouldn't wait. Arrangements were
made for the flight, rental car and hotel as well as leaving Watson with
family. We left College Station at 3:50 pm and got to the Dallas airport at
7:30 pm. We boarded the plane at 8:05 pm and took off at 8:35 pm. We landed in
Minneapolis at 10:50 pm. We got our luggage, got the rental car and began the
last leg of the trip to Rochester. We got to the hotel around 2 AM. We went to
sleep hoping that the Mayo Clinic would be able to give the answers we were
searching for.
Making Memories
My husband and I just recently remodeled our kitchen and living room in our mobile home! (Jan. 2015) We are loving it so much :) As you can see in the pictures we re-did pretty much everything in the kitchen except the fridge. A total make-over for sure.
It took us about 2 months to be completely finished with this project. Because of traveling over the holidays and the business of my husband's school and work schedule we could not work on it consecutively. But we are so happy it is done.
My husband did such a wonderful job on this project. He stained all the cabinets himself, and had to trim the countertops. He told me as we were in the middle of the project, "Brianna, the only thing I really knew how to do when we started was staining and painting." I said he was pretty crazy! He has so much ambition and confidence which I love about him.
After the kitchen was pretty much done we decided to paint our living room a neutral yellow color--Oklahoma Wheat-- It turned out great. I still cannot believe we accomplished this project over such a short period of time.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
9 months and we are still going strong!!!
My husband made this blog 6 months ago and I am just now writing on it! I cannot believe how long we have been married now. 9 months!! And no, we do NOT have a baby yet! ha-ha. I knew that would be the next question. We have had many ups and downs through these 9 months and I have so much love for my wonderful husband Geoffrey. I just graduated college this past December and am feeling great! I am now doing an internship at a Montessori preschool and taking one class. Geoffrey is doing school full time and staying busier than ever! I miss him all the time, but that is how it goes right?
Wow! to catch up on all that we have missed, we had our first Christmas together with my family in Pocatello this year. It was so much fun. We created so many great memories. We have been through many trials already and I feel like a much stronger person from them. I have learned many new things about myself and my spouse as time has gone on. I feel that it is very important to always say "I'm Sorry." in a marriage even if it is not your fault. I have learned to put my husband first in all things. I always strive to make him the happiest man on the planet! I love to see him smile, and he can always make me smile!! :)
I have made a new year's resolution to cook better meals, and it is going pretty good so far. I love cooking for my hubby and making him a good home cooked meal after a long day at school. Bless his heart, he has school on Mondays and Wednesdays literally from 9AM-6PM. I have no idea how he does it!?! He is absolutely amazing in my eyes even if he doesn't think so.
Well I hope to write on here more often as time goes on. Life is busy but this is so much fun and I want to share are stories with you all! Thanks.
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