REMINDER OF MORTALITY

A different look at life

                          The great realization of mortality came October 12th at 2:30 am. Like normal human being, I woke up that night needing a trip to the bathroom. I felt good as always having my 18 staples removed the day before without complications. I felt I was definitely way ahead of recovering from the golf cart accident on my past birthday.

                           As soon I was returned to bed, I collapsed and felt some kind of seizure come over me. I never lost conscience, but the room started spinning. Instantly I was soaked in sweat and started vomiting. I lost total control of my body. I could not get up without falling over. I lost all my equalibrian. Donna did everything possible to help me out, but was not able to help me walk or just hold me up. She had to deal with this for the next 24 hours. I could hold nothing in my stomach, not even pure water.

                            Gradually my symptoms got a little better and 3 day's later, on Monday I went to see my doctor. He had no explanation at the time but send me to get a CT scan on Wednesday, October 17. One day later he called me to get on additional MRI for my brain, because he saw some kind of shadow in the lower part of my brain on the cat scan.

                             October 22, at 2 pm in the afternoon I went to my dreaded MRI test. Luckily Donna was with me and I felt a touch better. Anyone who has had a MRI know the process with that machine. For slightly claustrophobic people like me, it is very painful. They even give you a panic button before they put you in a helmet and slide you head first in this machine. It takes 45 Minutes with just one slight interruption for a injection half way through the ordeal. I just made it, but was shaking all over. I hoped then, I will never go through this again.

                              Dr Chad Voges MD, who I have seen for the past 7 years, and like and trust, talked to Donna and me after seeing the MRI confirming a 2.5 cm (1 inch) spot in the back of my head looking like a tumor. He was concerned and made arrangements for me to see a Neurosurgical Specialist. (in other words a Brain surgeon ).

                              Needless to say, this did nothing to ease my fear of what was to come in my near future. More and more it looked like a Brain operation to remove the Tumor. I really had no clue what side effects a Brain operation brings, or even the survival chance?

                               October 31, on Halloween, Donna took me to see Dr. Forget a Neurosurgeon, at 8:30am in the morning. Here we go, more depressing news from the Brain specialist! Actually, he was not totally convinced about the spot showing on my Brain. We had the privilege to look at the MRI ourselves and clearly we saw the disputed spot. Dr. Forget explained to us what it would take to remove the tumor, if confirmed.

                                First he sent me back to get a full body CT Scan to check if I am actually cancer free in my body, to make sure the tumor in my brain is primary and not secondary like Cancer spreading from my body.

                                 Friday, November 2nd, I had my full body CT Scan. This is done in a large wide open tube and presented no problem for me, but in my strained mind, I just knew that this test will come back with huge negative comments about my health, being overweight, a smoker and liking my drinks a bit to much all my live. With all this thoughts I went into the weekend having my next doctors appointment the following Wednesday November 7th at 3:30pm in the afternoon.

                                  Wednesday, November 7th, I am kind of resigned to the fact  of having an operation, waiting for Donna to finish her job and taking me to see Dr. Forget. (I like that name). After only a few minutes he entered his office and greeted us with the words “ I have good news”

                                  After studying my case, he came to the conclusion that on the 12th October, a ruptured blood vessel from the accident creadting a bloodclot and depriving that part of the brain with less oxygen caused a Stoke. He then remarked, “as bad as it sounds, a stroke is much better than opening up the skull"

                                  The ordeal for me was not over though. To confirm his analysis, he ordered one more CT scan and also a dreaded MRI! Even so I hoped never go through an MRI again, I made it through it last Monday, November 12th, and guess what?

                                    Dr. Forget was right. The spot on my brain disappeared. He called me the next day to confirm his prognosis. He also said that the Blood vessel is healing itself, with the help of one adult aspirin daily.

                                    It is exactly 45 days since the accident and I feel like a new born Man. I feel so much better, my dizziness is disappearing and I just finished my first round of Golf. I can make plans for the future again and with lots of happiness I am looking forward being part of the growing up of Eliana.

These past few weeks were the worst part of my entire life, knowing it is about to end.

I will definitely appreciate everything so much more.

Donna Thank you to helping me through that.

Enjoying life

What a future

My next Blog entry will be fun again!!