|
Synopsis:
- Genesis of brain tumor – unknown
- Thought to be a young person’s tumor, not usually seen in people over 20 years old
- Immediate symptom – headaches
- Subsequent symptoms – partial hearing loss and vertigo
- Tumor discovered – December 22, 2017
- Surgery – February 19, 2018
- Back to work in 4 weeks (driving and training)
- No Physical or Occupational Therapy needed
- No radiation or Chemotherapy needed
- No doubt a miracle of God
Full Story:
In early 2017 Lee, then 56 years old, started to have bad headaches in the back of his head first thing in the morning, but in a short time they progressed to last throughout the day. There was little relief from the pain. Now, to put things in perspective, he never had any serious headaches before. About six months later the 2nd symptom manifested itself in the form of hearing loss. His story continues in his own words.
While jogging on the treadmill, I noticed the sound in my left ear wasn’t as loud as the right. I tried cleaning the earbuds, but that didn’t help. A few days later the tinnitus started in the form of a constant high pitch whine in my left ear. This was when I started to wonder if the hearing and headache issues were related. And as a professional musician and sound man at my church, hearing loss would be a concern. I decided to share this information with my wife, who didn’t know about either condition up to this point.
I was told I had typical hearing loss for a man my age. My wife was not satisfied with that answer and pushed for an MRI, which was subsequently scheduled.
After a visit to the ENT and a hearing test, I was told I had typical hearing loss for a man my age. My wife, however, was not satisfied with that answer and pushed for an MRI, which was subsequently scheduled for December 22, 2017.
On December 26th I received a call from the ENT’s office stating that the MRI revealed a large mass in my brain and they referred me to the University of Michigan Hospital (UofM). On January 3rd, 2018, I received a call from UofM to come in immediately. I called my wife from work and we left for UofM that afternoon.
Lee's MRI Scan Showing Tumor
During the four day stay, there were numerous tests, discussions, pokes, etc. but no one could seem to give us any solid information regarding the tumor. Since UofM is a training hospital, there was even a group of future doctors who came by to look at this oddity. After the visit, they had a discussion just outside the door, not realizing we could hear them. They joked about keeping me there for a couple weeks to be able to study me. I wanted to tell them I was OK with that, as long as they’d pay us for it.
Finally, we got a visit from the Surgeon (Doc) who would perform the surgery. He said that even though he had performed over 2,500 such brain surgeries, he couldn’t identify this tumor or give us any solid information regarding same. He stated that this whole situation was in the two-percentile. He said he would like to know more about the tumor before doing the surgery, but since you cannot do exploratory surgery in the brain, more tests would be needed to see what could be learned.
Over the next month, subsequent visits to UofM, more MRIs, testing, poking, etc. were performed. Doc wanted to test the Inguinal lymph node (near the pelvis) as sometimes that can reveal information about a tumor in the head. However, the lymph node was only 1.73% larger than normal and the lymph node experts would not approve the procedure until it is at least 2% larger. So, we were still in the dark. Regarding the hearing degradation, Doc said it was due to the tumor “fingers” wrapping themselves around the Vestibulocochlear nerve.
By this time there was an army of people praying with us at church, on Facebook, etc. My wife and I were putting our trust in God to take care of everything, no matter how it would turn out. This was definitely a test of our faith. God had faithfully brought us through many previous trials, but with potential death on the line, this required a whole new level of trust.
A surgery date of February 19th, 2018 was scheduled and UofM started to prepare us for potential outcomes. The long list was presented, which sounded like a drug commercial disclaimer statement list, death being the last possibility.
A surgery date of February 19th, 2018 was scheduled and UofM started to prepare us for potential outcomes. The long list was presented, which sounded like a drug commercial disclaimer statement list, death being the last possibility. This did not fill us with a lot of confidence in the process, but we steeled ourselves in our Lord as we know that He ultimately is in control.
A few days later, the surgeon said the tumor was in a forgiving area of the brain. This was the first time we heard any encouraging information from UofM. The one caveat was the hearing loss. Doc said he couldn’t guarantee that would come back due to likely damage already inflicted by the tumor.
Various family members (blood and church) came to visit during the stays at UofM and it helped a lot. Praying with us, just chatting, and sharing the burden during these long hours of waiting were bright moments in this potentially dark time.
The night before surgery, Doc came by to explain that because the surgery could last as long as 16 hours, they would put the drain in the night before. This was a grueling procedure since I seem to be impervious to local anesthesia. After the first shot, they started the procedure, but noticed I was wincing at the pain. Then the second shot, but still pain. After the fourth shot I was still experiencing pain, but told them to continue. They were able to get the drain put in place but sleep that night was little as the pain was pretty strong.
The next morning, some friends from church, including our Pastor and his wife, came to UofM early to pray with us one last time before the surgery. They also joined my wife in the waiting room while the procedure was taking place.
A short 9 hours later Doc came to the waiting room and my wife just about fainted, thinking that I must have died since it hadn’t been “very long”. Doc reported that everything went about as well as could be expected. The surgery team was able to remove the tumor, complete with all the “fingers” they encountered, and close the opening without incident. He also said that due to complications of the drain I developed a hemorrhage in the brain. They discovered and relieved this during surgery.
Post surgery
My post surgery staples - viewer discretion advised
Now, perspective. Since we truly did not know how this was going to turn out, my wife and I were prepared to accept that February 19th could be my last day on earth. So we made no plans for the future. Every day since we are so thankful to God for His will in our lives. Each day is a gift and we truly receive it that way. So many scriptures became even more real to us during this time. What a blessing.
We were told that some people never recover enough to be able to drive, or even use things like computers correctly. Being a former IT person and using a computer daily for my job, including being a webmaster for several sites and using my computer heavily in my music and in my church responsibilities, this was concerning news. So, to test this, the day after surgery I tried texting right away. The first text I tried to respond to needed a three letter word. I couldn’t think of it and without blinking I substituted another three letter word that was totally out of context… except in my mind. Three letter word for another three letter word. My brain was trying to piece things together, but with an odd form of dyslexia. My wife noticed, but didn’t know how to break it to me. It did give the attending nurses a bit of a laugh though.
Two days later Doc comes in to my room and said things were going so well we could go home if we wish. As we got in to the car, I became very nauseated. It was a terrible ride home. In the subsequent days, there was much nausea, headaches, and undesirable reactions to the prescribed pain narcotics. During the recovery time, my wife continued to be a fantastic help, keeping track of medication types and frequency, ensuring nourishment was available at all times, night and day, and being available when I was not able to take care of myself. Praise the Lord for His provision of this most perfect Help Meet.
Two weeks later, we went back to UofM to have the staples removed and inquire about different pain medication. On the way home I couldn’t even change positions by myself in the car due to lack of control of my muscles. Recovery at home would be lengthy and slow (by my estimation). Visits from family/friends helped the time to go by more quickly.
My post surgery scar - viewer discretion advised
Recovery at home would be lengthy and slow. Visits from family/friends helped the time to go by more quickly.
The tumor was cancerous, but the lowest form, with a very low recurrence rate. I needed no radiation, chemo, or any type of therapy (physical or occupational).
Subsequent follow-up visits to UofM have resulted in happy reunions with staff, pleased faces as they too rejoice in the results, and thankfulness that God has provided mankind with the knowledge and technology to be able to deal with such fantastically complicated issues at our time in history.
Just a short four weeks after surgery, I returned to work. My first training session that week was very, very difficult. It took a lot of concentration to remember everything, and it wasn’t in the right order. And even though it took longer than normal, the training netted the desired results. After a couple weeks of concentrated effort, God helped me to recover the cohesive, streamlined message during my training sessions.
At the writing of this article, I’ve had 4 follow-up MRIs which have all have been “unremarkable”, meaning there is still nothing to see. No residuals, no recurrence. Praise The Lord!
While there are a few very minor physical issues to deal with, my wife and I are so thankful God has performed such a miracle in our lives. We pray that you will be encouraged by this post.
My wife and I enjoying a movie 8 months post surgery.
Many other people have not survived similar surgeries. So, the first time I asked God; "Why me?" was after I survived. In the end, I guess He isn't finished with me yet.
This ordeal allowed us to grow in our faith, presented numerous opportunities to be a witness of God’s grace and mercy to saved and unsaved alike, and encouraged other Christians to trust God in prayer for His will and outcome in our lives. God knows what He is doing.
I never once asked God “why me?” before the surgery. Numerous verses in the Bible tell us that Adam’s sin brings a curse on all mankind, that we are to expect various trials in our Christian walk, and that this earth is not our eternal home. However, since the surgery, I have had several people come up to me, praising God for His healing and sharing how a relative or loved one also had brain cancer, but didn’t survive. It’s then I ask God; “Why me?” In the end, it’s simply because it’s not my time to go home yet... God isn’t finished with me.
Fellow Christian, keep the faith. God knows what He’s doing. For the reader who has not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, this witness of His mercy and grace is to help you to trust God and follow the simple ABCs of salvation on the Home Page of this website. If you do become a Christian through this witness, let us know… and a huge “welcome to God’s family!”
|