Wednesday, September 11, 2019

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Image result for air recycler button automobile
leftmost button shown is called the fart recycler
I am so grateful to tons of friends and family for looking out for me so closely.  As I recovered from eyebrow craniotomy, my mother in law arranged for daily visitors for me.  One day very near labor day, my lunch visitor (Ami, of dream-snack denier fame) arrived to find me doing poorly.  She had to call 911 on me, I don't remember the events that followed (thank goodness!), but it was concluded that I had cerebral spinal fluid built up in my brain.  I got an ambulance ride to Iowa City and had a temporary emergency brain drain installed: commercial break:  cerebrospinal fluid is a beautiful yellow color with a touch of greenish (not unlike a lemon lime pop).  A few days later, my amazing surgeon and his team of residents (I called them my flock of seagulls) installed a permanent ventricle shunt.  It drains the fluid into my peritoneal
(belly) cavity.  My kids call it my fluid recycler, kinda like the fart recycler button in your car.  It's magnet controlled. My head is half shaved and I have several sets of stitches.  They come out on the 16th.  I look like a character out of the movie Trainspotting, except with better teeth. 

After a week long stay at University of Iowa Hospitals and clinics, I was discharged to Acute Rehab in my hometown hospital.  This was a great place to recuperate.  I just got sent home today.  Things that are getting better but still have room for improvement:  my endurance, my short-term memory, my strength, my distractability.  I tell you what, brain surgery doesn't get any less exhausting the more often you do it. 

6 comments:

  1. Your energy to write is remarkable. We all love you dearly and thanks for being such a tremendous healer.

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  2. So glad you’re home, Heather. Sending a ton of healing vibes to top up your incredible strength.

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  3. Oh Heather...you are just an inspiration to anyone who has ever met you. You are beyond AMAZING! Prayers for continued healing. Much love to you and your family. ❤️

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  4. Going for a walk on a beautiful fall-feel day was perfect for girl time. You were fast paced and so strong!! One day at a time!! Love you!

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  5. Fart recycler button!! 🤣🤣 So glad you are home!!

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  6. Hope things are settling back to your "normal." But of course, nothing with you has ever been normal! You were always just a little bit sharper than the rest of us, a little bit classier than the rest of us. You/your journey continues to amaze me, HK! ......Now, I'm going to HyVee to get a lemon-lime pop............XOXOXO -Patti

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