ChloeWatts.com

12-4-09 PM

We are now at hour 57 of this radical trip. This is like a football game, maybe the Ducks vs Beavers game. The score flips back and forth constantly yet there is only one final score. That’s what it’s been like for us. We have flipped scores back and forth over the past 57 hours and we are still only in the first quarter.

Here’s a review. The kickoff: Surgery prep. All went well and everyone was feeling as comfortable as possible. The return: Dr. Dorsen took an aggressive approach to the surgery. The tackle at the 30 yard line: Dr. Dorsen presents post op to us and paints a grim picture. First down: Chloe wakes up and scores big by beating the odds maker. The kickoff: Chloe is breathing on her own so the decision is to extabate her from the ventilator. The tackle at the 10 yard line: Chloe almost drowns during the effort to relieve her of the tube. She was re-intibated. The score flipped. The kickoff: Chloe hits the wall. The tackle: Dana demands different medicine for sleep. First down: Chloe, Dana and Sandy get some sleep.

We are still in the first quarter but I’ll get out of the example now. Today we received some amazing news and some disheartening news. Chloe’s tumor appears, to everyone, to be gone. However, so is 3 mm of her brainstem. She had a stroke and although Dr. Dorsen felt it wasn’t a factor in the current events the neurologist did tests and decided it most likely was a big factor. Chloe has motor function, sensory function and eye function problems which are probably a direct result of the stroke. She also is on a ventilator.

That being said, the doctor felt comfortable that, within time, Chloe would regain most or all of her functions. This will require much theropy, effort and time. The testing was very interesting and informative. For me it opened up possibilities that may have been questions before. It made me feel very confident that the tube problem of yesterday will probably be something we can correct sooner than later. Just remember, I’m no doctor.

Tomorrow we will try again to extibate her. It will be in the controlled environment of the O.R. That way they can get a good look at the vocal chords and determine the damage and what it was from, nerve or irratation. After that we will have a much better idea of what we are facing.

Optomism has been the projection that I have been feeling with those who have been testing Chloe. I’m probably the top optomist in all of this. Going into the surgery I had the distinct belief that the tumor would be removed. I also felt strongly that there would be some complications but that these would be surmountable. Maybe I just changed my mind when I looked over at Chloe. She is probably the biggest optomist. Her fighting spirit, positive attitude, joy, cooporation… is all an inspiration to everyone she is in contact with. She remains the number one healing medicine in this entire process.

Put all the prayers on top of what Chloe can provide and we have the reciept for the winning play of this game. When the final score is posted I’m betting on Chloe: 100, Visitors: 75, and the broadcaster will announce “Fred has left the building.”

Blessings,
Ron