Tumzilla Surrenders!

Well folks...the battle comes to an end.  Although the war itself will continue for a few more months, the battle of Tumzilla has been declared a success by Dr. Surgeon.  What a victory!  After bouncing off the walls for a few days (due to the high doses of steroids post-op, and a few pain meds thrown in), Amy Jo had a bit of a sinker for a few days once the steroids were withdrawn. She was pretty tired and had to rest a lot (a no brainer to those of us with a full brain).  Pain level is down to a 1, meaning Ibroprofen is enough now instead of narcotics. Fluid is slowly filling in the hole left by Tumzilla (brain cells don't regenerate) and we can actually HEAR the gurgling sound when we put our ears by her head.  Imaging what it must sound like to Amy!  She says it's "weird" but not painful.

Amy had an appointment with Dr. Surgeon this morning and had her stiches removed. Dr. Surgeon told her that she was doing "splendidly" and cleared her to drive and begin very light exercise.  She still has to rest a lot, and will not be cleared to go back to work until April 4th.  She still has to go see the neruo-oncologist for follow up treatment, but will not need to see Dr. Surgeon again.

Anyway, she cheerfully DROVE her mom and herself to Wamego!  She plans to spend the next few days watching basketball games with her dad and trying not to feel guilty about resting in a household where "work and chores" are the norm.  Laying around watching TV is considered the work of the devil in the Carlson household, making it easy to see where Amy's tremendous work ethic and dedication to her career originated. Amy has ALWAYS credited her parents with helping her develop her "work" mindset, and looks back fondly on her childhood days in that respect.  Now, of course, both her parents WANT her to rest, but 38 years of operant conditioning doesn't go away in one weekend, Tumzilla or no Tumzilla!  They are going to have their hands full trying to keep her down instead of out in the yard looking for a tree to trim, fence to paint, or flowers to plant in the Carlson back yard.

So...even though Tumzilla has been defeated, there is always a chance that he may begin a dastardly plot to re-group and find a few evil little "Al-Quida type" renegades lurking in the crevasses of Amy's brain.  This guy still has a few tricks up his sleeve, and can be a pretty sneaky fellow, so she will need follow-up treatment and MRI's for several years to come.  Fortunately, Amy has great support from her family, friends and co-workers, a caring and concerned general practitioner (who hustled her up to KU med the very DAY Tumzilla was discovered) and had access to an excellent surgical/neurology team.  There are many things to be thankful for.

We will post updates now and then, but only if there is news that needs to be shared.  Your positive energy, prayers and comments meant the world to Amy Jo and there is no doubt that it helped speed her incredible recovery along.  Thanks to all who followed...

Amy's Friends