Same same but different
If you’ve been to Thailand, you’re probably familiar with the title of this post. Same, same but different. That’s how I would describe Penn’s recovery the second time around. Same hospital, different nurses. Same unit, different room. Same recovery milestones, different expectations. We knew when to expect daily rounds and what medication would be administered.
The biggest difference the second time around was Penn’s breathing tube. It made me sad she had one, but the apparatus didn’t scare me. Penn tried to extubate herself several times throughout the night. Sheldon and I would jump out of the cot every single time the alarm went off. Penn was in so much discomfort and had to be sedated regularly. At one point, it was every 45 minutes. I was confident Penn would have another swift recovery. She was strong, coherent and quite agile despite her breathing tube. Another sign that she’s a fighter.
We were anxious for the MRI results for two reasons: to see if there was any residual tumour left and for Penn to finally be extubated. I couldn’t wait to hold her and converse with her. On June 18th, Penn had her sixth MRI. Miraculously, no visible tumour was seen in the images. It was a complete resection. Even her neurosurgeon came into our room and said, “want to see images of a superhuman resection?” Her neurosurgeon is a miracle worker. She celebrates her achievements (rightfully so) and is elated to tell all the other medical staff how successful Penn’s second craniotomy went. Penn’s oncologist agreed that the MRI images looked amazing. Once Penn has recovered, she can start radiation treatment. Penn’s medical team was planning for radiation to start in ten days.
After the MRI we waited for Penn to wake up. Sheldon and I were right beside her when they extubated her. She was crying, tears streaming down her face but no sound came out. Respiratory therapists placed a oxygen tube beside her mouth to alleviate her sore throat and hoarseness of her voice.
It was such a gift to lie down beside Penn, have my arms around her, while she laid her head in the crook of my arm. Over the next few days, we cuddled with her a great deal while she recovered. Other than some slight weakness to her right hand, there were no major deficits that we observed. She was able to walk, talk, paint and write her name. A huge win for Penn.
Penn continues to beat the odds. We were transferred to the recovery unit in less than 48 hours. Another record. In seven days, we were discharged. Penn got a PICC line inserted the day we left, ready to start radiation treatment in five days. Thank you to everyone for your continued prayers and positive thoughts. It’s what keeps us going as a family. In the mean time, Penn says, “hang loose!”
Walked out of the hospital like a boss!! Seven days after her second craniotomy.