Ugghhh, looks like I'm moving on to Stage IV

The radio surgery appears to have been quite successful. They told me when I finished that everything went beautifully!! So far so good as well as very minimal inflammation in response to the radiation. Was pretty worried that I would end up back at square one with PT when I have made soo much progress this past week! I have been regaining more and more movement in my right arm. I woke up from the craniotomy with only small amounts of movement in my right index and thumb. Now I have full movement in all fingers and can roll my wrist as well as grip. My flextion is quite strong in my elbow and shoulder. Extension is still quite weak but it is improving every day! Anyway you look at it, it's getting better a little each day!

My right leg is responding at a much slower pace. However, with the assistance of a brace, I have been able to walk. Yet again this has been improving daily as well. I went from being unable to move the leg at all to being able to pull my leg forward using my hip muscles. So I have been focusing on doing all that I can to use my stubborn pig-headed strength to get my body moving in the right direction!! I am never one to pass up a challenge and I will prove that I can beat this thing! This has been nothing more than yet another hurdle God likes to throw at me every so often just to keep me on my toes and to remind truly how precious each day is!!

Monday, I am scheduled to start the Tykerb/Xeloda for disease maintenance. Wednesday, they set a goal for a release date from PT. Lol, and well you know me I'll do everything to bust my ass to get there probably before that date! I have a ton of faith that this will help from here on out! I was fortunate to have had my klutsiness come out that Monday to play. If it weren't for my dumb luck (and I apologize to anyone who this might offend because I typically keep these opinions to myself) and God really having my back that day, I'd still be walking around with those boogers in my head just growing and waiting to take me out! At least now whatever happens, happens but I have been given the chance to fight it and that makes the world of difference to me!

Thank you all again so much for all the words of encouragement, prayers, thoughts and cards. It really does help on those days when the stress and anxiety are flowing to know I have so many people behind me to help lift me up and keep me going!! Lots of love and hugs to you all!!

Squeaker - agreed on the decadron, lol, but you do what you have to do!! 

Hi ladies,

Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement and support! I've been home now for almost 2 weeks and it's been such a whirlwind getting things settled with home care, doctor's appointments and just trying to settle back in. I spent 36 days on Decadron and the swelling is just beyond ridiculous! I feel like a 500 lb version of me, lol. Hopefully, it will go down soon! They started me on Tykerb and Xeloda. The Xeloda dosage needs to be adjusted. I made it 10 out of my 14 days on at 8 pills a day before I had an issue. Can you say holy explosive diarrhea Batman!! Even with getting directly into a shower, it was so acidic that I now have a new appreciation for babies and what diaper rash feels like! Ouch!! Desitin is my new best friend, lol. So I have to go back to my Onc later today.

Thankfully, though, I am seeing improvement in my arm function every day. I went from only being able to move my thumb and forefinger right after surgery to now having full finger movement, wrist rotation, elbow flexion and extension and now I am getting shoulder movement back. My right arm is still very weak in comparison to my left but strength will come back with use. My right leg is still not moving, but I know with time and a brace that I will be fitted for once this swelling goes down I will be able to walk with a walker. Who knows, the brain is a mysterious thing, I could wake up tomorrow with it just working, lol.

Well, I need to get to bed. Goodnight, ladies, and thank you all again for your words of support!