Attaching the electrodes of knowledge to the nipples of ignorance.

As some of you know, Tracey’s mom went in for brain surgery on Monday to remove some cysts that were causing severe headaches. There were complications as the surgical team progressed through her second surgery (the first attempt was aborted due to issues that arose with her breathing). There was some bleeding during the operation and the doctor believes that an air bubble made its way into her sinus vein and from there to her heart.

At that point, her heart rate dropped dangerously low and they had to turn her over and address that situation. For a period of about 5-10 minutes the flow of blood to her brain was significantly reduced.

Once her heart rate returned to normal, they closed her up. The cysts were not removed.

They intend to keep her unconscious for 24 to 48 hours in the intensive care unit – sedated and stable. Tomorrow they will begin a series of brain scans to determine if there was any damage caused by the reduced blood flow.

Tuesday morning update:
Mary was stable through the night and is currently awaiting a CAT scan. Tracey is with her as I type.

Tuesday afternoon update:
She had the CAT scan earlier today, and the doctor thought things looked good, so they woke her up. She is awake, has her sense of humour, but is hallucinating from the drugs to help with the pain. More as it comes in.

Tuesday evening update:
Apparently she is being referred to as a miracle – the anesthesiologist said so, ergo it must be. Her short term memory isn’t very good, and there are issues with her vision, but that is, from what I understand, likely to pass.

Wednesday evening update:
Tracey and her brother and sister went in to see Mary Mom this morning, she was in the 3rd floor ICU, was still hooked up to monitors and was receiving blood.

This afternoon, they had removed all the monitoring devices and were giving her the last of the blood. Tracey’s sister reports that Mary seemed to be much more like herself – colour in her cheeks and clearheaded. When she left mid-afternoon they were preparing to move her to a room on the 7th floor.

Thursday Update:
Mary has been sent home, by her choice and with her doctor’s approval. Her husband came to pick her up this afternoon and they were en route by 5 p.m. with the antibiotics she needed to have in order for everyone to be okay with her leaving.

Home care is set up and all ready to go with everything they need to keep an eye on her and keep her taking all of the antibiotics, painkillers, steroids etc. that she need to stay healthy. Her follow up appointments are set up. I know she has been very appreciative of everyone’s concern and good energy sent her way through this very exhausting week.

I would like to thank the healing power of the Internet, and all of the directed good mojo, and well-wishes. I suppose the doctors and hospital staff deserve most of the credit though.

If you can spare some good mojo/energy/thoughts please direct it to Tracey’s mom.

I will edit the post as more information arrives.

Sad Note:
My grandmother’s sister’s husband, Gerry Gallagher passed away last night after a long, slow battle with cancer. I have fond memories of him from when I was a child.