Fear of Unknown finally over!

Hi Family and Friends! We are home safely from CO, after what we believe is our 38th procedure @ Swedish Medical Center! I want to share all the photos we took, so this may take several entries to complete! Like Shalon says, "I want details"! So here goes!

Let's start with the fact that the whole idea of "debulking" by Dr. Hepworth scares the heck out of me! Again, like Shalon says, "It's not that we don't trust these doctors, it's just that for years we've had these deep rooted fears that no one could help us"! It's been drilled into our head that if surgery were performed on the avm, that the possibility of bleeding to death might happen!

As usual, the night before one of our trips we only get 2 or 3 hours sleep! Can't ever get ahead of schedule! We had gone out to Rockport to go leave our baby with Uncle Jim and Aunt Shelley while we are in CO, and had been home maybe 20 minutes when the rain storm came in! Mark had taken the trash out and came in all wet! A few minutes later, I was standing in the kitchen having a snack, when the power went out! My first thought was, "Oh no! How will this affect our trip"? Luckily the power came back on 5 minutes later, so that was a relief! Mom and Vicente picked us up a few hours later and we headed to the airport!

Mom, Mark and I arrived in Denver to perfect weather! The sun was out, not too warm ... got on the Enterprise shuttle to get our car rental! We were starvin' Marvin, so we decided lunch @ Mimi's Cafe sounded delicious! Course that is right near the Park Meadows Mall, so after lunch we shopped a little bit! Mom ended up buying some tennis shoes @ the same store that Celia bought me a pair of snazzy clogs last time she and I went to CO! We always try to have some fun on these trips - even though our time is so limited! I knew @ 2:30 p.m. I needed to show up @ Swedish to pre-register for the surgery the next day! Plus, I wanted to look for Eric Adrid (Dr. Yakes Phys. Asst.) since the 4th would be his last day @ Swedish! Got pre-registered (see photo of blood drawn) and then headed to Dr. Yakes office to look for Eric! Got to talkin' to Sadie, Dr. Yakes patient coordinator and was asking her for several people - I have lost Wendy's e-mail address (from Canada), so please write Wendy, ok? Had not caught up w/Shalon lately and was so happy to find she was @ Swedish having just had an embolization! Eric was supposed to be in the recovery area as well, so Mark and I headed in that direction! Found Eric and spoke to him a few minutes and then we were able to see Shalon! This trip, Shalon was accompanied by her mother-in-law and sister-in-law! See photos of the latter and of Eric and Shalon! The nurse taking care of Shalon showed us Shalon's x-ray and you should see how many coils were removed from Shalon's face! OMG! Shalon asked Eric to show us the photos he had of her during her emboization. The photos Eric had taken w/his camera, showed the pile of coils that had come out of Shalon's face that had been placed on her chest as the coils were being removed! Shalon really had so many coils removed from her face - it is just amazing! Maybe she'll post those photos on her blog! Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I may also have had some coils removed from my face as well!

After leaving Swedish, we went to Whole Foods to pick up a few items before checking in to the hotel! It was great to finally settle in and relax - for Mark that means getting the remote control for the TV! For mom and I that means getting a good book or magazine to read once we've changed into our pajamas!

Next morning we begin the process of getting ready for surgery! I'm anxious to see Dr. Hepworth, as I have a few questions for him and am wanting some reassurance regarding the debulking! Finally! I see Kris Pacheco - Dr. Hepworth's P.A. and right behind her is Dr. Hepworth! See photo of "Team Hepworth"! Usually, Mark walks along side my bed as I am taken to the surgery room - but this time I was given my knock out meds in my IV while I was still in that little cubicle, so I have no recollection of the surgery room, any nurses, doctors or techs! Woke up in recovery to a familiar looking nurse - got some ice chips and pain meds - then before I knew it, I was being taken to my room! Mark and Mom were already there, so they helped me get settled in! Beware - graphic photos to come! I had absolutely NO concern for what I looked like - I was just happy I woke up and that being in recovery wasn't as bad as it has been in the past! Of course there was no angiogram done, so I didn't have to keep my leg straight, so I didn't have back pain!

Dr. Hepworth had given Mom and Mark a "heads up" on what I would look like after the surgery - my head was wrapped up like a mummy! The doctor also mentioned that we shouldn't be disappointed in the results, as he wasn't able to get to all of the avm during this surgical procedure! There started to be some swelling and I needed 2 units of blood, so Dr. Hepworth felt it was better to wait and finish up the avm area next time! I'm just happy I woke up, for one thing! I started feeling better right away, once I got put into a room, so Mark and Mom decided it was ok to leave me alone in the hospital while they went back to the hotel to get some rest. Those poopies! Celia said I should have played it up a bit better so that one of them would have stayed with me! Actually, everyone @ Swedish is so awesome, that I know I'm in very capable hands! Sometimes I wish the nurses would move a little quicker if I need something, but other than that, no problems! I know I'm not their only patient, but when you're in pain or needing something ...., you know how all that can be! One of the nurses said every time she came in to the room I was looking better and better! I'm so glad that Mom was with us on this trip! It was a comfort just knowing she was there and I felt she helped support Mark as well! Very happy the two of them get along so well, they always have!

Mark always brings me a venti white chocolate mocha the morning after a procedure, so I'm definitely a happy camper then! Guess who was on duty as the Tech.? SABA! The beautiful Saba is always so sweet and kind to me! See photo of me w/the 2 Sabas!

Ok! This is a good stopping point! I do want to mention something before I forget though .... lately (as in during the CO trip), I have been talking in my sleep! Mom and Mark also mentioned that while I was asleep in the hospital, I was "typing" away @ my computer and reaching for a book @ my desk! Weird, huh? Ok, I wrote to Shalon to ask her to delete one of the photos I posted twice by accident! I don't know how to do that on my own and she has access to my blog from her end in CA! I'm starting a new entry as soon as I close this one!

Much love to all!

Cyndi