Carole's Surgery- Brain Tumor

We went to St. Joseph's hospital at 7 a.m. on Friday, Jan 24th for Carole to have her brain tumor removed. It took until 9 a.m. to get her ready, and then while in the operating room, it took an hour to get things in place (at least 2 more iv's, "cage" around her head, drain in her spine). She was in surgery for almost 4 hours. Dr. Murphy said it was a successful surgery and went just the way he expected. They did not have to do anything to the sinus cavity which was a blessing.  Carole had a "surgery buddy"- Nelson had his appendix removed and then was air flown to Primary Children's because of complications.  This picture was taken on Saturday- just 1 day after surgery.  Carole looks exceptionally good- sat up to eat and walked the halls.

After the surgery, they put a white gauze bandage on the incision (12 staples to hold it in place!).  I think she looks like she has a white headband on- she is a princess!

Carole got to come home on Sunday afternoon, and the staples and gauze bandage needed to be removed.  And then reality hit!  Her eyes turned purple, bruise on her right forehead, bruises under her chin and on her left neck.  She only had a few bites of applesauce to eat from Monday until the following Monday!

You can see her incision here.  It goes from one ear across the top of her head to the other ear.  What a miracle modern medicine and doctoring is!  It is still amazing and crazy that Carole came home just 2 days after brain surgery!  She does have a horrid headache and is very sensitive to light and noise.