Thracian Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 This time last week my wife underwent 12 hours of major life-threatening brain surgery for the removal of an invisible tumour the size of a hens egg plus some. Because her heart had stopped beating for just under a minute (for no reason they ever found out for certain) the first operation was cancelled and because of his great concern about the outcome of the second attempt, the anaesthetist insisted I attend to give my permission for any undercomfortable decisions that might have to be made. Afterwards I learned that they assembled four anaesthetists (just in case), a life support bed and they had every revival technique they knew available to give the operation best chance of success. The outcome? Exactly 24-hours after such painstaking surgery by a team of some 12 medics, my wife was sitting up in bed, laughing and joking with fellow patients, eating a three course meal with gusto and asking if she could get up. This wasn't possible because of all her stabilising tubes but she did get up the next day and was home four days ahead of schedule last Sunday. The procedures were painless apparently and my wife's faculties: eyesight, memory, ability to communicate etc would all seemed to have returned more or less to normal. She now appears, after months and months of increasing incapacity, to be just the same person I first met 40 years ago (apart from being tired and as yet a bit disinclined to exercise). I've done this thread as a reassurance to others who might be facing trauma and as a public thankyou to the outstanding, almost incomprehensible skills of the medical staff (and the back-up nursing staff) at the leading edge neurology unit in Nottingham's Queens Medical Centre. No words can fully describe my gratitude and, as I sat in a quiet waiting room one time, I spoke with another couple whose newborn baby's life had recently been saved having been born with its digestive system outside its body. The baby is now fine and living a next-to-normal life. Restores some of your faith in human nature and reminds you that some work as hard at restoring lives as others do at destroying them. Indeed the NMC is like a City where people arrive in droves often to be given a final chance of life. Pressured and frustrated they may be but the staff there must have a wonderful sense of worth as they leave for home - even accepting they must absorb so many sorrowful disappointments as part of their everyday lives. Their humanity puts so many to shame. Thanks again, one and all. * Incidentally, although concerned about the potential outcome, my wife had a succession of pre-operative dreams which she insists made her feel she had been on a very privileged and humbling journey and which she wouldn't (on reflection) have wanted to miss for the world. Quite clearly the human mind - at a time of threat to life - can take on a vividity far more dramatic than is usually the case.
The People's Hero Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 Good to hear it mate. No doubt worrying times for you both. I wish your wife a full and speedy recovery. All the best.
Janx Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 This time last week my wife underwent 12 hours of major life-threatening brain surgery for the removal of an invisible tumour the size of a hens egg plus some. Because her heart had stopped beating for just under a minute (for no reason they ever found out for certain) the first operation was cancelled and because of his great concern about the outcome of the second attempt, the anaesthetist insisted I attend to give my permission for any undercomfortable decisions that might have to be made. Afterwards I learned that they assembled four anaesthetists (just in case), a life support bed and they had every revival technique they knew available to give the operation best chance of success. The outcome? Exactly 24-hours after such painstaking surgery by a team of some 12 medics, my wife was sitting up in bed, laughing and joking with fellow patients, eating a three course meal with gusto and asking if she could get up. This wasn't possible because of all her stabilising tubes but she did get up the next day and was home four days ahead of schedule last Sunday. The procedures were painless apparently and my wife's faculties: eyesight, memory, ability to communicate etc would all seemed to have returned more or less to normal. She now appears, after months and months of increasing incapacity, to be just the same person I first met 40 years ago (apart from being tired and as yet a bit disinclined to exercise). I've done this thread as a reassurance to others who might be facing trauma and as a public thankyou to the outstanding, almost incomprehensible skills of the medical staff (and the back-up nursing staff) at the leading edge neurology unit in Nottingham's Queens Medical Centre. No words can fully describe my gratitude and, as I sat in a quiet waiting room one time, I spoke with another couple whose newborn baby's life had recently been saved having been born with its digestive system outside its body. The baby is now fine and living a next-to-normal life. Restores some of your faith in human nature and reminds you that some work as hard at restoring lives as others do at destroying them. Indeed the NMC is like a City where people arrive in droves often to be given a final chance of life. Pressured and frustrated they may be but the staff there must have a wonderful sense of worth as they leave for home - even accepting they must abosrb so many sorrowful disappointments as part of their everyday lives. Their humanity puts so many to shame. Thanks again, one and all. * Incidentally, although concerned about the potential outcome, my wife had a succession of pre-operative dreams which she insists made her feel she had been on a very privileged and humbling journey and which she wouldn't (on reflection) have wanted to miss for the world. Quite clearly the human mind - at a time of threat to life - can take on a vividity far more dramatic than is usually the case. WOW what a fabulous story, I am so pleased for you both... can I ask a really personal question? How did she know that she had this tumour, I am always amazed that these things happen without people knowing sometimes, a good friend of mine is going through some very worrying times , I wont go into a great deal more detail, and stories like this DO indeed give you some confidence.
Thracian Posted 9 November 2005 Author Posted 9 November 2005 WOW what a fabulous story, I am so pleased for you both... can I ask a really personal question? How did she know that she had this tumour, I am always amazed that these things happen without people knowing sometimes, a good friend of mine is going through some very worrying times , I wont go into a great deal more detail, and stories like this DO indeed give you some confidence. Although she'd been losing her memory this was so gradual that it didn't really alarm us as it should. However, her eyesight started giving cause for concern and she went to Specsavers for an eye test. Her eyes failed to register anything for some of the tests, I gather, and she was sent to the LRI for a scan where the tumour was duly discovered. Originally she was scheuled for an operation within two months of diagnosis but the wait extended to nearly eight months with one cancellation and the abandoned op. At no time did she have serious headaches which are often regarded as the sign of a brain tumour. Hope that helps.
Hullfox Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 Thrach I know I'm flippant a lot of the time about most things including your post lengths and footballing beliefs but that was one post I didn't want to end. For all the arguing that goes on in this world about meaningless things, you can't get away from the fact that what really matters is people. I am chuffed to bits for you and your good lady, I really am. Hopefully her recuperation will continue apace and you'll enjoy each other's company for another 40 years.
IDEA OR IKEA Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 The best post i have read in a long time, for obviously all the right reasons. All the best for now and the future. Its out of place in a way with a story like this but can i just add that my mum and auntie are both nurses and what they go through (docs/nurses etc. in general) every day and the efforts they make for people is amazing - they should be the ones on £30k a week not some of the T**** who ponce around a field for 90 mins!
The People's Hero Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 I absolutely agree. I've met a lot of people involved in caring for others in the time that my friend and I have been raising money for cancer charities and without exception they are all brilliant brilliant selfless people. So if any of the nurses from the Heart of Kent Hospice, Special Care Baby Unit at Pembury or MacMillan Cancer Relief are reading this.. give yourselves a pat on the back.
Steven Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 Almost brought me to tears here. Great post and I am pleased your wife is more than ok. Pat on the back to all the staff at the hospital.
cisono Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 Very pleased to read this, Thracian. I have heard great things about that dept and what you told us seems to confirm them all. I am glad your wife went there for her operation and that the outcome has been so positive. I wish your wife a speedy and full recovery (and remind her that exercise is good for her )
Bert Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 This was very pleasing to read! im so happy for you and your wife that she has managed to pull through this! i wish your wife a full speedy recovery and hope your lifes can get back to normality!
Head Honcho Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 Thracian I always enjoy your posts and this is without doubt the one of the best Good Luck for the future.
Thracian Posted 9 November 2005 Author Posted 9 November 2005 Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts. They are much appreciated and I shall take Cisono's advice and get her out in the fresh air tomorrow. Day after it's the washing up, the hoovering, the laundry.... but she doesn't know that yet!!!
Hitesh Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 A very moving post. But great to hear that your wife pulled through! Well done to everyone at the hospital and i all the best in the future for the both of you! And Thracian, your story should be read and told to people who are in similar postions as i think it would give them a lot of hope and understanding!
cisono Posted 9 November 2005 Posted 9 November 2005 Day after it's the washing up, the hoovering, the laundry.... but she doesn't know that yet!!!
leicesterChick Posted 24 December 2005 Posted 24 December 2005 I haven't been able to get onto the website for awhile now, so I have not been able to keep up to date on your postings. I want to tell you that I am glad all went well with your wifes surgery! It can be a very risky thing going under the knife. I am glad all has worked out well. How is your wife doing now? Please send her my best regards!
Thracian Posted 24 December 2005 Author Posted 24 December 2005 I haven't been able to get onto the website for awhile now, so I have not been able to keep up to date on your postings. I want to tell you that I am glad all went well with your wifes surgery! It can be a very risky thing going under the knife. I am glad all has worked out well. How is your wife doing now? Please send her my best regards! My wife's like her old self reborn, thanks. No words can express our gratitude and indebtedness. Thanks for your interest and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.