Posted on 04/12/2012 2:46:13 PM PDT by mills044
Fellow FReepers (sorry in advance for the long post)-
This is an update to a thread I posted on 3/31/12, and an urgent request for further prayers for my beautiful wife Nikki. God bless those of you who were able to help by praying for us on that thread! We KNOW that your prayers have helped our family, as I will outline in this update. More help is needed though!
On that Saturday morning, while my wife and I, & our 4 children were standing around the kitchen island talking about the upcoming day, she collapsed. I rushed Nikki to the Emergency Room, and after a series of CT scans and MRI’s, we were transported to a second hospital with a better neurology team. The early diagnosis was either a brain tumor or possible lesion due to MS, and the next day we received confirmation that it was the former: a “low grade glioma,” is the term they used.
But your prayers began coming in that very night after I posted, 160 or so in all. THANK YOU! The initial team of doctors at Abbott NW (Minneapolis) advised us that the tumor was inoperable, because of its proximity to Nikki’s speech/right-side-motor area of the brain. They didn’t even want to perform a biopsy, fearing permanent brain damage. Instead they proposed a “wait and monitor” approach, and asked us to come back in two months to see if the tumor had grown or changed. This is apparently a controversial area in the brain tumor world, but this approach is one of the schools of thought.
Nikki began having further daily seizures after we were discharged, unfortunately, despite the anti-seizure medication. We began seeking out a second opinion as soon as we got home.
I called the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and almost miraculously, they said they had an opening that very day (we live in a suburb of Minneapolis). That was on Tuesday April 3rd. We met with an incredible neurologist who initially spent an entire hour with us, going over Nikki’s MRI scans and explaining to us that though it was in a dangerous area, the tumor was certainly not inoperable. We met with an incredible neurosurgeon the very next day who concurred. Since then we’ve been down to the Mayo Clinic several more times for various tests, and are currently staying in a Rochester hotel, waiting… for tomorrow.
Tomorrow Nikki will undergo surgery to remove this thing. She will be awake for it, as they need to stimulate parts of her brain while she is speaking, in order to be sure they are proceeding as safely as possible. The craniotomy is expected to take at least 8 hours.
FRiends, we have never been more afraid in our lives.
Our doctor is a brilliant man named Dr. Ian Parney, and as I understand it, there is literally no person in the country with more experience in brain tumor resection. I have no doubt that the power of prayer brought him to us. We have placed all of our trust in the Lord, and are praying to Him for strength, courage, and above all, His healing touch. I am asking for anyone who has a spare moment, to keep Nikki in their prayers for this Friday. She has a beautiful heart and soul, and is the most courageous human being I’ve ever met. She brought me to a wonderful church one day that changed my life such that today I consider myself to be a true (albeit inperfect) Christian. I’m actually on the opposite end of the spectrum from perfect, in my opinion! But Jesus Christ is my savior, and he died on the cross for my sins. My mother-in-law sent us flowers and a card the other day, which referenced a bible verse Phillipians 4:13. I broke down when I read it, because it is beautiful:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Sorry for the long post everyone. I just want to thank you all again for praying to the Lord to help us. If you can spare another moment or two in continued prayer, I would be so very grateful again.
Nikki has been in my thoughts and prayers last night and all day today. Keeping your family in prayer.
PRAISE GOD!
AM SO BLESSED TO READ THAT!
YEA! Love it.
In the mouths/fingers? of 2 or 3?
Yea.
Prayers for you and your family, BTW.
Ongoing prayers for Nikki . . .
and prayers for Liberty Rocks, Twinkie and Oprahstheantichrist . . . health and family needs . . .
Joya’s thyroid has a more serious concern than mine but both could use continued prayer.
WELLLLLL
Gonna go let go of praying for a nap.
I trust a good report will come in due time.
Prayers for treasured times with all your family members.
PRAISE GOD FOR GOOD MEDICAL PERSONNEL etc.
Prayers to Nikki and you for calm, patience and great results.
Lord let your healing mercy be on this beloved wife and mother. All authority in heaven and earth belongs to you. May Nikki live and thrive to glorify your name and serve you all the rest of her life.
Prayers continue....
Prayers sent to Mary Queen of Angels and Her Angels+
Her tumor is almost identical to my sisters.
The 24th of this months will be her 1st yr anniversary.
Still praying.
PRAISE THE LORD, we have wonderful news to report!!
After 10 hours of surgery, (it was an hour longer than I thought), the surgeon told us they were able to remove 95% of Nikki’s tumor. Much more than they’d hoped! He walked into the family waiting room, pointed right at our oldest girl and exclaimed with a smile, “I’ve been hearing about u all day long!”
He told us that Nikki was unbelievably strong during this grueling surgery. A true warrior. The prayers on this thread helped her, we know this. God bless you, and I hope that enough people watch this thread for updates so they hear this glorius news as well!
I stayed with Nikki last nite in the ICU, and we prayed and gave thanks to God. She is in a good deal of pain and discomfort now, but that is to be expected.
I should note that this is the first step, and it exceeded or expectations. Pathology will come in on Monday, but brain tumors always come back unfortunately. Our dr told us that the goal of survey is to push back the recurrence possibly a decade
But for now, hallelujah! :)
Praise God..Prayers continue for Nikki’s pain relief and recovery..She is a very brave lady..and may God bless you all.
Update on Nikki
Thanks for the great news.
Prayers continuing here for Nikki, yourself, your family and the medical caregivers.
Oh WOW! God bless Dr. Parney and that whole medical team! Thanks to the Lord who led you to him! Prayers will continue for Nikki as she recovers, and please give her a (((((gentle hug))))) FRom all of us.
Ping to wonderful update on 133 :)
Thanks for your prayers!
Ping to wonderful update on 133 :)
Thanks for your prayers!
Update on Nikki
Thank you Meg! I was wondering and lost track of the thread.
Thank you Meg! I was wondering and lost track of the thread.
A decade is a lifetime.
Today is the first day of the rest of her life.
Glad to hear such good news.
t.
Hallelujah!! Wonderful news!!!! GLORY to GOD and thanksgiving for his kind favor! Sweet Jesus, your MERCY is upon us! Thank you! +++
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