The Longest Day...

 I remember the preparations, the hospital gown, the warm blankets, the prep for anesthesia, until I was wheeled away down the corridors to the operating room, leaving Jim and Lynette, and Mom and Dad, and a couple of others to watch me go, all wondering, what next?

The surgery lasted almost 11 hours.

Wednesday -- May 30. 2012

The Longest Day...

Thanks to all of you have had Shelley, Jim and their family in their hears and minds and their family in hearts and minds and prayers all day today.  It has been a long day for many, even quite a few medical workers, no doubt.  Just want to report what the surgeon told Jim and the others waiting there--hopefully this is accurate.  It seems a little bit like a satellite system, beamed from Nebraska over to Wisconsin, and then to all points of the earth!

The good news is that as of right now, Shelley is out of surgery! She will go to recovery for at least an hour and they'll be able to see her eventually tonight.  She might not respond, being heavily sedated, but who knows? She'll be going to ICU for a day or so.

The doctor said the tumor had gone through the dura (the sac around the brain might be an easy way to describe that) but it had not infiltrated the brain and they were able to pull it away from the brain with no disturbance to the brain. They were able to use tissue from Shelley's forehead area to construct a new "dura," that separates the brain from the sinus area.  They felt that reconstruction was very successful--good tissue, and they felt secure about eh way they were able to connect it. Also, the tumor had infiltrated the orbit of the eye (right one, I think) and was up against the eye, but not into the eye, and also was able to be pulled away Likewise they felt satisfied with the reconstruction of the orbit. 

The only thing they encountered that was more than they expected was that the tumor had invaded the cartilage around the bridge of Shelley's nose, so they needed to make incisions and remove the cartilage there. They inserted a lumbar drain and a feeding tube (through the nose), both of which she'll have just for a few days. She, of course, has a breathing tub and is on a ventilator, but hopefully that will be just for overnight. Because of the tumor being right up against the brain, she will need to undergo chemotherapy, as well as radiation.

Shelley went into surgery with a positive attitude, smiling and joking, and it seems like the day is ending on a positive note, also.  We won't add ore right now, so it can get out to all of you who a patiently waiting for word.  Thanks so much to everyone for their care and support today!

20 Comments:

Dan and Cyndie said...

Many thanks for getting something up yet this evening...we will all rest a bit better now.  Shelley is a dear remarkable woman. So grateful too for medical professionals who can perform such intricate surgeries, sending loving caring thoughts out into the night to Shelley and her family.

Dan and Cyndie

May 30, 2012 at 10:23 PM

The J's said...

Thank you so much for the update! It has been a very long day! So thankful & glad for a positive report!

Love from the J's.

May 30, 2012 at 10:45 PM

Renee said...
So happy to get the update. Thank you so much! Also thankful for a successful surgery! Thoughts have been in Omaha all day and will continue to be!

May 30, 2012 at 10:47 PM

Wrena said...

Thanks for the update! Note to Shelley: be strong, keep encouraged! This makes three of you close... My sister is 23.5 - battling a battle of sorts that you may be able to understand. Lymphoma.

Our young 13 year old friend that has battled bone cancer for 5 years...

I pray for your comfort and health the Lord willing! I'm overwhelmed.

May 30, 2012 at 11:09 PM

Unknown said...

Thanks for the update. Been thinking of you all this long day and will continue to hold you all close as the recovery process starts.

May 30, 2012 at 11:11 PM

Colleen Wendland said...

We've been thinking of Shelley so much today, really thankful for the update - We're pulling for her from western Nebraska.

May 31, 2012 at 12:04 AM

Anonymous said...

Jim, Lorene, Nathan & Lynette: I am praying for you, that you feel the Lord near your hearts and know His comfort. With great love, Brandie Y

May 31, 2012 at 12:47 PM

Heidi said..

Was thinking of Shelley & family after the big I had heard and was feeling very far away, but now being able to read this blog has brought me closer again. My thoughts were with her in teh middle of the night (like now) when it is daytime here in Germany.

Thankful for this positive report!

May 31, 2012 at 12:53 AM

Oleva said...

Our thanks too, for reporting. Know it takes time and isn't so easy. Each on of you are in our thoughts in a special way.

With continued loving care.

Carl and Oleva

May 31, 2012 at 3:15 AM

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers. 

Mark and Margie

May 31, 2021 at 5:45 AM

Lanae said...

Thankful for the update and will certainly to have Shelley and family in my heart and prayers.

May 31, 2012 at 7:29 AM

Anonymous said...

You're in our thoughts today. Thanks for the post

Hugs to you all, Luanne and Rod

May 31, 2012 at 7:36 AM

Anonymous said...

So glad things have gone as good as can be expected! Tough time for all, but thankful for the comfort of those than care, and most f the Father above. Thinking of you all. Thanks for keeping up posted. Hugs, Trent and Sandra Nelson

May 31, 2012 at 8:06 AM

Mamason said...

Thanks for the update. Glad sugery is over and healing and recovery can begin.

Thought, prayers and hugs to all. Irvin and Sheryl

May 31. 2012 at 8:44 AM

Darcie said...

Like others...thanks so much for the update! Thinking of Shelley and all those standing by her!

May 31, 2012 at 9:21 AM

Anonymous said...

Bless your hearts. What a tough day. I just heard to about the surgery and got a recent update from Cyndie. Sounds like dear Shelley is a trouper, and with all the love and prayers of family and friends, the amazing handiwork of the professionals and the tender loving care of God, you will all get through this Thanking of you....Larry and Glenda Lerwick

May 31, 2012 at 12:21 PM

Anita said...

Thanks for the update! lots of love and hugs!

May 31, 2012 at 12:39 PM

Raimie said...

Dear Aunt Shelley, 

The time seems to be measured in minutes and hours at this point of you healing...we will be looking forward to when it can be measured in days, weeks, months and years!

Love, 

So Glad To Hear in NE

May 31, 2012 at 9:08 PM

 

gkey said...

Dear In Recovery,

We wait anxiously for every update. Every little positive is cause for celebration at this point!

Hope you feel all the love & prayers surrounding you from so many corners and especially from above.

love, 

Close in heart

in 

NE

June 1, 2012 at 11:09 PM

Anonymous said...

Dear Jim, Shelley & Family.

This news has just reached us in Australia...We want you to know that you are in our prayers and have all our fingers and toes crossed that Shelley can make a full recovery.

We have lovely memories of your & your family when we visited in 1995 & then again in 2007.

Lots of love to you all,

Jonny, Rosalie, Nathan & Jacinta xxxx

June 3, 2012 at 2:15 AM