Wrapping up

[Guest guest]

Well,

I guess wrapped up, is more like it, since I am writing this on the plane, headed home right now.

Dr. Brackmann, et. al. kept us "busy" all day Monday, so that day was a write-off in terms of doing other things. Which was good, because Sunday was the day I stopped taking Decadron. Decadron is a steroid they give you after surgery that is supposed to reduce the swelling that occurs in the tissues. Decadron tends to be a double-sided drug though; it has positive effects, and it has negative effects.

For this surgery, there really weren't any negative side effects from the Decadron. In fact, the drug was making me feel like super man. Monday, without any Decadron at all in my system, I was really feeling bad. My balance was way off, I had vertigo (spinning in my head) and I was in tremendous pain. The doctor said that was all normal, and gave me various elixirs and potions designed to ward off the evil spirits. That was Monday.

Anyway, Tuesday I met up with another one of my friends and her wonderful daughter. Vicki does not have NF2, but her daughter Anne does. First We went to see my other friends who had surgery Friday ( and ). They are both doing super (or so it appears), and were out of the hospital Tuesday morning. Their doctors were the same as mine. They both had surgeries to try to preserve the hearing they have left. Fortunately, they each came out with some of their hearing, and they both had their faces saved.

Vicki then took us out to a Thai restaurant for lunch. The food was incredibly good, but I felt bad because I had such a difficult time eating my meal, that I had to leave some of the good stuff behind. Eating certain foods is still a chore, and I need to plan accordingly. Unfortunately, sometimes my eyes and my stomach want to plan my meals, and they generally do a poor job.

After lunch Vicki gave us a tour of LA, including Beverly Hills and the beach. It was my first time seeing the Ocean, and the first thing I said was, "WOW, that is the biggest lake I ever saw." We also drove through some of the beautiful homes that are chiselled into the cliffs surrounding the ocean. The area was incredibly gorgeous, and I wish I could have spent more time examining in detail all the things I saw. Vicki also brought us to her beautiful home, which is relatively near the beach. All in all, it was a great way to wrap up our visit to Los Angeles. I look forward to returning.

In the evening we said goodbye to our new friend, Rudy, and he gave us some going away/Christmas gifts. Rudy was tremendously good to us while we were in Los Angeles. The hospitality he showed truly was a gem in the rough.

I'm still feeling a bit woozy in the head, and there are still various aches and pains. I'm looking forward to the time I have off work, and all the relaxing at home I am going to be enjoying.

We're coming into Edmonton now, at 6 PM local time, and it is minus thirty degrees! (take that as Fahrenheit or Celsius, it means pretty much the same.) I hope someone shovelled my walk!

[Guest guest]

....Welcome Home!

I think in spite of all you went through with the surgery, you were

blessed with good friends and seeing the world! Hang onto your vision of

the ocean as that is how life is....infinite and a wonder!!

Do rest and let others spoil you!!!

Carol

Chartrand wrote:

Well, I

guess wrapped up, is more like it, since I am writing this on the plane,

headed home right now.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

WELCOME BACK! we are glad your surgery is over and you are coming along well.....Its great you got in touch with some of the positive effects of Decadron. Also glad Lynn and Vicky showed you some of the city sites.Very Nice. Sorry we don't have Better weather to welcome you home. Have you got your following LA appointments set up so you can scoot to the Vegas con???

Its hard to believe it was a year ago we were talking discussing these things and now you,ve had the ABI Surgery. Now Take it easy and Take Care!!!

Merry Christmas and the best to you in the New Year!!!!!,

and Sheryn