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Brain surgery today – shunt to be installed
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Brain surgery today – shunt to be installed

› Forums › Caregiver Community › Brain surgery today – shunt to be installed

  • Post
    • November 2, 2011 at 12:21 pm
    nickmac56
    Participant
      They’ve been pumping my wife full of blood and platelets and her counts are on the way up so she should be able to have surgery today at 2pm to put in a shunt to relieve the pressure in her brain. This is a good example of how one treatment (chemo) can hinder another (surgery). The neurosurgeon is very concerned about bleeding and since the chemo (Abraxane) she’s been on for the last two weeks has driven her bloodcounts down her ability to clot is compromised. The steroids she is on are a problem too, I did not know that steroids make wound healing difficult.

      That’s another reason they don’t want to start any treatment for at least ten days after the surgery. They want the head incision site to heal, brain infection is not good. Our doc has ruled out the direct chemo to the brain. The neurosurgeon concurs. So that’s four professionals saying no to it. I concur. I researched it a lot yesterday and there is no evidence it has any effect against melanoma, and it has large toxicity issues. Her best bet for buying some time is whole brain radiation, but we will hold off making that decision until ten days after surgery. If she elects to do it, it should shrink the cancer in her brain, which is significant according to the scans. Not just the two solid tumors but extensive coating. Since the cancer is in her spinal and brain fluid it will no doubt re-seed in the brain, at which point nothing more can be done since you only do whole brain once. At least the shunt will be in place so as fluid and pressure builds again there is a relief valve.

      It’s also possible that in ten days she decides she doesn’t want to do the whole brain because of it’s side effects. Or that she may not be able to because of her compromised condition. Right now she is focusing on a date – she wants to make it through the holidays. My goal is to get her home, and except for trips to the radiation treatment and doctor, never come back to the hospital again. She wants to be surrounded by friends and our boys and dogs. It also means I have to make accommodations in our house for a wheelchair – a ramp and bathroom accessibility. As well as line up visiting nurse and future hospice support. All while making our house festive for the holidays.

      Being a caregiver is tough.

      Nick

    Viewing 17 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 2, 2011 at 12:30 pm
        justlittleoleme
        Participant

          Nick,

          you all are in my prayers.  What a tough place to be in.  You are a wonderful husband and caregiver.  I am praying that God give you the strength to handle all you are faced with.

          Peace,

          barb

          • November 2, 2011 at 12:30 pm
          justlittleoleme
          Participant

            Nick,

            you all are in my prayers.  What a tough place to be in.  You are a wonderful husband and caregiver.  I am praying that God give you the strength to handle all you are faced with.

            Peace,

            barb

            • November 2, 2011 at 12:30 pm
            justlittleoleme
            Participant

              Nick,

              you all are in my prayers.  What a tough place to be in.  You are a wonderful husband and caregiver.  I am praying that God give you the strength to handle all you are faced with.

              Peace,

              barb

              • November 2, 2011 at 12:57 pm
              lhaley
              Participant

                Nick,

                Being such a good caretaker has and will continue to be a gift for your wife.  The stresses fall on you along with your decisions at this point.   Take care of yourself during this time.

                While I've watched my husband over the years I have been able just to watch him during each surgery and decision.  I've always felt that he has a more difficult time than I've had, the caretaker roll. On Sunday when we were told that the tumor was exactly the same it was my husbands mask removed and just smiled.   Make sure that your wife can somehow see through your eyes and let her see your deep smile some of the time. 

                Linda

                • November 2, 2011 at 12:57 pm
                lhaley
                Participant

                  Nick,

                  Being such a good caretaker has and will continue to be a gift for your wife.  The stresses fall on you along with your decisions at this point.   Take care of yourself during this time.

                  While I've watched my husband over the years I have been able just to watch him during each surgery and decision.  I've always felt that he has a more difficult time than I've had, the caretaker roll. On Sunday when we were told that the tumor was exactly the same it was my husbands mask removed and just smiled.   Make sure that your wife can somehow see through your eyes and let her see your deep smile some of the time. 

                  Linda

                  • November 2, 2011 at 12:57 pm
                  lhaley
                  Participant

                    Nick,

                    Being such a good caretaker has and will continue to be a gift for your wife.  The stresses fall on you along with your decisions at this point.   Take care of yourself during this time.

                    While I've watched my husband over the years I have been able just to watch him during each surgery and decision.  I've always felt that he has a more difficult time than I've had, the caretaker roll. On Sunday when we were told that the tumor was exactly the same it was my husbands mask removed and just smiled.   Make sure that your wife can somehow see through your eyes and let her see your deep smile some of the time. 

                    Linda

                    • November 2, 2011 at 2:21 pm
                    James from Sydney
                    Participant

                      Nick you are doing an incredible job as Carer, i know what must be going through your head now having been through the same thing with our son. i just hope that the Surgery and WBR improve her status and gives you time to fulfil your wishes. I just pray that there is a miracle around †he corner about to happen.

                       

                      best wishes

                      James

                      • November 2, 2011 at 2:21 pm
                      James from Sydney
                      Participant

                        Nick you are doing an incredible job as Carer, i know what must be going through your head now having been through the same thing with our son. i just hope that the Surgery and WBR improve her status and gives you time to fulfil your wishes. I just pray that there is a miracle around †he corner about to happen.

                         

                        best wishes

                        James

                        • November 2, 2011 at 2:21 pm
                        James from Sydney
                        Participant

                          Nick you are doing an incredible job as Carer, i know what must be going through your head now having been through the same thing with our son. i just hope that the Surgery and WBR improve her status and gives you time to fulfil your wishes. I just pray that there is a miracle around †he corner about to happen.

                           

                          best wishes

                          James

                          • November 2, 2011 at 2:58 pm
                          MichaelFL
                          Participant

                            May you can get hospice involved now as they offer palliative car as well as end of life. Get friends and family involved too.

                            Your last paragraph says it all. No matter what happens with everything else, I hope she makes it through the holidays and may it be as pain free as possible.

                            • November 2, 2011 at 2:58 pm
                            MichaelFL
                            Participant

                              May you can get hospice involved now as they offer palliative car as well as end of life. Get friends and family involved too.

                              Your last paragraph says it all. No matter what happens with everything else, I hope she makes it through the holidays and may it be as pain free as possible.

                              • November 2, 2011 at 2:58 pm
                              MichaelFL
                              Participant

                                May you can get hospice involved now as they offer palliative car as well as end of life. Get friends and family involved too.

                                Your last paragraph says it all. No matter what happens with everything else, I hope she makes it through the holidays and may it be as pain free as possible.

                                • November 2, 2011 at 5:06 pm
                                mombase
                                Participant

                                  I just want to echo everyone above, especially the part about getting others involved as much as possible. American Cancer Society also has volunteer services. Farm out everything that you can so that you can spend quality time with Meagan.

                                  Cristy

                                  • November 2, 2011 at 5:06 pm
                                  mombase
                                  Participant

                                    I just want to echo everyone above, especially the part about getting others involved as much as possible. American Cancer Society also has volunteer services. Farm out everything that you can so that you can spend quality time with Meagan.

                                    Cristy

                                    • November 2, 2011 at 5:06 pm
                                    mombase
                                    Participant

                                      I just want to echo everyone above, especially the part about getting others involved as much as possible. American Cancer Society also has volunteer services. Farm out everything that you can so that you can spend quality time with Meagan.

                                      Cristy

                                      • November 3, 2011 at 3:51 am
                                      nickmac56
                                      Participant
                                        Surgery was a success. Pressure should be reduced fairly soon. She’s doing well.
                                        • November 3, 2011 at 3:51 am
                                        nickmac56
                                        Participant
                                          Surgery was a success. Pressure should be reduced fairly soon. She’s doing well.
                                            • November 3, 2011 at 6:47 am
                                            lhaley
                                            Participant

                                              Glad it was successful!   Sometimes this site needs a like button!

                                              Linda

                                              • November 3, 2011 at 6:47 am
                                              lhaley
                                              Participant

                                                Glad it was successful!   Sometimes this site needs a like button!

                                                Linda

                                                • November 3, 2011 at 6:47 am
                                                lhaley
                                                Participant

                                                  Glad it was successful!   Sometimes this site needs a like button!

                                                  Linda

                                                  • November 3, 2011 at 7:18 am
                                                  JerryfromFauq
                                                  Participant

                                                    Glad to hear the surgery is over and went well.  The relieving of the pressure on the brain can do wonders for one.  I have often thought that the caregiving may be worse than being the patient. 

                                                    Find a way to enjoy at least some of the time you get to spend with your wife.  If Hospice is needed, Get it.  My Mother-in-law wound up being in Hospice care for 8 years.  They were great and became like family and were such a relief for my father-in-law.

                                                    • November 3, 2011 at 7:18 am
                                                    JerryfromFauq
                                                    Participant

                                                      Glad to hear the surgery is over and went well.  The relieving of the pressure on the brain can do wonders for one.  I have often thought that the caregiving may be worse than being the patient. 

                                                      Find a way to enjoy at least some of the time you get to spend with your wife.  If Hospice is needed, Get it.  My Mother-in-law wound up being in Hospice care for 8 years.  They were great and became like family and were such a relief for my father-in-law.

                                                      • November 3, 2011 at 7:18 am
                                                      JerryfromFauq
                                                      Participant

                                                        Glad to hear the surgery is over and went well.  The relieving of the pressure on the brain can do wonders for one.  I have often thought that the caregiving may be worse than being the patient. 

                                                        Find a way to enjoy at least some of the time you get to spend with your wife.  If Hospice is needed, Get it.  My Mother-in-law wound up being in Hospice care for 8 years.  They were great and became like family and were such a relief for my father-in-law.

                                                      • November 3, 2011 at 3:51 am
                                                      nickmac56
                                                      Participant
                                                        Surgery was a success. Pressure should be reduced fairly soon. She’s doing well.
                                                    Viewing 17 reply threads

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